Expertise

Mark is Global Head of Disputes at AG. He is hugely experienced in leading large and complex cases before the English High Court, and in International Arbitration proceedings, often with a cross border element to the claim. Mark advises a wide range of clients, including corporates, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals on disputes ranging from complex contractual claims, company, director and shareholder claims, competition claims, fraud claims and outsourcing disputes, and disputes with subcontractors and suppliers. Mark has particular expertise acting for clients in the retail and consumer, energy and transport sectors.

Mark has particular expertise in competition and is co-head of the Competition Litigation Practice. In recent years Mark has successfully represented both claimants and defendants in follow on and stand alone competition cases in a range of sectors, including in transport, energy, retail and consumer.

Mark was named in The Lawyer's Hot 100 in 2023.

Experience

Recent work includes:

  • Advising a UK FTSE100 company in relation to the investigation into complex financial irregularities and accounting issues
  • Acting for BII PLC in defending a $200m Commercial Court claim brought by Crane Bank and a number of its former shareholders in claims alleged to arise out of the acquisition of Crane Bank's assets by DFCU Bank Limited
  • Acting for a Sub-Saharan client in a multi-million dollar international arbitration in the hospitality sector (LCIA-DIFC Rules)
  • Acting for an African Oil Company in an arbitration concerning a substantial dispute regarding operating rights (LCIA Rules)
  • Acting as co-counsel with Backhouse Jones for the Road Haulage Association in its opt-in claim before the CAT under the collective proceedings regime per section 47B of the Competition Act 1998
  • Advising NKT Cables on the defence of a collective proceedings claim being brought on behalf of UK consumers and defending a series of 'follow on' damages claims brought by National Grid, Scottish Power and the Vattenfall Group against the NKT group of companies in both the High Court and the Competition Appeal Tribunal, following the European Commissions's Power Cables cartel decisions
  • Acting for the successful director / shareholder Defendants in the leading case on liability for directors for unlawful dividends, resisting claims based on alleged unlawful distributions and grant of security, in Burden Holdings (UK) Ltd v Fielding (Or) [2019 EWHC 1566 (Ch)]. The case also involved successful non-party costs application against an insolvency practitioner's firm [EWHC 2995 Ch] and determined issues regarding limitation period for claims against directors [Supreme Court 2018] [UKSC 14]
  • Advising a listed company on a complex multinational investigation into serious allegations of fraud and false accounting in its international division, and regarding the conduct of its Directors and senior management team
  • Advising a pharmaceutical company on a claim regarding complex cross border payment fraud
  • Advising a North African banking group on litigation and enforcement action concerning alleged issues of fraud arising out of substantial commodities trades
  • Advising a UK listed mining company on a series of arbitrations regarding trading contracts in East Africa
  • Acting for an Indian chemicals group on a dispute concerning allegations of fraud in East Africa. Working with local counsel in Kenya
Testimonials

"Mark is a fantastic litigation partner, with a total commitement to the work and an excellent ability to assemble and lead a team"

Chambers 2023

"He provides solid, constructive and commercial advice."

Chambers 2023

"Mark is one of the most pragmatic lawyers I've worked with.  He quickly assesses the strength of our position, then works with us to determine the best and most efficient response."

Chambers 2023

'Mark Molyneux is one of the standout lawyers in the market. He really understands what his client’s commercial wants and needs, and he knows how to get it' 

Legal 500 2023

'Mark Molyneux is a particularly skilled litigator with excellent strategic insight' 

Legal 500 2023

Mark Molyneux is a seasoned litigator who is impressive on strategy and creative thinking. 

Legal 500 2023

Practice chair Mark Molyneux is a ‘superb strategist‘ who regularly handles high-stakes follow-on damages actions in a range of sectors 

Legal 500 2023

'Mark Molyneux is at the top of his game.  A superb strategist and a go-to person on a tricky issue' 

Legal 500 2023

Mark Molyneux – one of the stand-out litigators in the UK, in my opinion. It is easy to see how Mark has gone from strength to strength within Addleshaw Goddard’s practice. He is robust with his advice and is an excellent sounding board to navigate through potential potholes down the road.  

Legal 500 2023

Mark Molyneux: shrewd and experienced, balanced and practical. 

Legal 500 2022

Mark Molyneux (partner) – Has a great strategical mind and leads the team superbly. Highly respected. 

Legal 500 2022

Mark Molyneux: Has tremendous experience and very good at reading the other parties (and their counsel) in the litigation. 

Legal 500 2022

Mark Molyneux is a brilliant tactician and an outstanding legal expert. He ensures full participation from all of his team who clearly hold him in extremely high esteem.’

Legal 500 2022

Mark Molyneux is an excellent litigator." "He is very impressive - his handling of negotiations is absolutely masterful." 

Chambers 2022

‘Mark Molyneux heads up the team and is an effective leader. Its clear he engages with his team and they are a cohesive unit. He is also an excellent strategist.‘ 

Legal 500 2021

Mark Molyneux is a "highly experienced litigator with an amazing ability to balance risk and commerciality,"  "He excels at minimising a client’s risks while keeping commercial considerations firmly in mind." He leads the commercial disputes team and is renowned for his skilled advice on complex investigations, with particular strength in competition cases. 

Chambers 2021

'a go-to firm for pre-action advice and disputes', handling complex litigation for local, national and international clients. Areas of specialism include large IT disputes, competition law claims and 'business protection' work, which involves helping employers to manage risks stemming from employees and third parties who pose a threat to their interests.  The team, which is led by 'exceptional strategist' Mark Molyneux - described as 'one of the best litigators in the country'

Legal 500, 2020

"Strategic in their thinking, clear in their advice and they don't sit on the fence. The lawyers are also great to deal with - pragmatic, commercial and understanding of the pressures in-house teams are under".

Legal 500, 2020

"knowledgeable, pragmatic and very personable," and adds: "He is creative in his problem-solving and can see the bigger picture."
Chambers 2020

Head of department Mark Molyneux is "an incredibly strong litigator who provides pragmatic, commercial advice and delivers results," according to impressed clients. He collects further praise from sources, who are "highly impressed with his practical approach to problem solving and his ability to always remain calm and intensely focused at the same time." He has a broad commercial disputes practice, offering particular experience in cartel cases. He also handles disputes related to the hospitality, energy and IT sectors.
Chambers 2019

'Exceptional team head Mark Molyneux is 'calm and considered' and is 'an excellent communicator'.
Legal 500 2019

"They have a will to win like I've never seen before; it's just phenomenal. Every single member of the team cared and would go that extra ten miles."
Chambers 2018

"very skilled litigator" 
Legal 500 2018

Highlights the department's strength in depth as a key attribute, noting: "They are fantastically responsive, smart and hard-working people from partner to junior level." and describes Mark as "an excellent litigator,"
Chambers 2018 

"Whilst they're incredibly razor-sharp in terms of litigation strategy, they're also incredibly friendly and down-to-earth people."
Chambers 2017

"They have an absolute commitment and determination to provide the best advice and support possible using a highly commercial and tactical approach."
Chambers 2017

Mark Molyneux is a highly regarded commercial litigator in both local and multi-jurisdictional matters. His practice encompasses injunctive relief, fraud and warranty claims. One source especially notes his"intelligence, creativity and winning manner with clients."
Notable practitioners

"The strength of the team and the depth of resourcing means that they can provide support immediately."
Chambers and Partners 2016

"Instructing Addleshaw Goddard is the best thing that has happened to us. The quality of service is amazing."
Chambers and Partners 2016

"an outstanding litigator," who is "very pragmatic and knowledgeable and full of common sense."
Chambers and Partners 2016

"one of the best litigators in the market at the moment, extremely bright, but also down to earth and very approachable"
The Legal 500 2015