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Robert Hantusch

e-mail rhantusch@3sb.law.co.uk

Robert’s practice is predominantly litigious and covers the entire Chancery and commercial fields. His principal areas of practice are:

  • ADR (Robert is also a qualified Mediator and has recently assisted and represented clients at a number of Mediations which led to settlements of (acting for Claimants) a Surveyor’s negligence claim and a Solicitors Negligence claim and (acting for Defendants) a share sale warranty claim, a substantial claim arising from a PFI Contract, and a further Solicitors Negligence claim).
  • Banking and Financial Litigation.
  • Commercial Fraud and Asset Recovery (as in Crown Resources v Vinogradsky & Ors [2001] concerning the recovery of bribes and secret commissions and the practice applicable on an application to set aside Freezing Orders).
  • Commercial Litigation (particularly concerning the construction of PFI or other substantial commercial contracts  - as in Copyhold Works Ltd v Energy Power Resources Ltd [2003]).
  • Company Law.
  • Conflicts of laws.
  • Contentious Trust and Probate (as in D’Abo v Carleton Paget [No.1] and [No.2] The Times 10.08.2000, concerning Strict Settlements and the application of established costs rules to Trusts litigation following the introduction of the CPR).
  • Directors Disqualification.
  • Insolvency and Corporate Recovery (Robert appeared in Ebert v Venvil [2000] Ch 484 which case first established the jurisdiction of the Courts to make Extended Civil Restraint Orders to control vexatious litigants).
  • Media, entertainment and sports.
  • Partnership Litigation (particularly Solicitors).
  • Professional Liability (particularly Solicitors, Accountants, and Licensed Insolvency Practitioners).
  • Real Property litigation.
  • Regulatory work, particularly in relation to Financial Services.


Robert also undertakes commercial drafting and advisory work in the fields of Banking (Loan and Security documentation), Company Law (Shareholders Agreements and related Articles of Association) and Insolvency (Assignments of causes of action by Insolvency Practitioners).

  • Notable recent cases

    Robert’s recent reported cases include:

    • Hurndell v Hozier [2009] EWCA Civ 67 (and at trial [2008] EWHC 538 (Ch)).  Retrial ordered in relation to a claim for the value of allegedly misappropriated shares in a public company 
    • Westbrook Resources v Globe Metallurgical [2007] EWHC 2353 (Comm).  Sale of Goods: repudiation of contract for the sale of Manganese ore and principles applicable to the assessment of damages for such repudiation.
    • Dyment v Boyden [2004] EWCA Civ 1586.  Whether breach of section 151 of Companies Act 1985 when vendor of shares grants Lease to company at excessive rent.
    • Landau v Barclays Bank [2004] EWCA Civ 90.  The assignment of claims in litigation and construction of an agreement to share the proceeds of such claims.
    • Vodafone v GNT Holdings [2004] EWCA Civ 1242.  The imposition of conditions on permission to appeal.

  • Professional membership

    Chancery Bar Association

  • Education

    Robert read Law at Cambridge before coming to the Bar.

  • Seminars and lectures

    Robert lectures on all aspects of his practice, most recently delivering a paper on "Corporate Reconstruction: the European Perspective" at the Central Law Training "Rescues and Turnarounds: The Legal Issues" Seminar held in London on 30th April 2009".