Claudia Scherman

Claudia has over 15 years’ experience in dispute resolution in England and Canada, from the early stages of risk management through trial. She first practised as a Barrister and Solicitor in Toronto from 2007 and, following a move to London, qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 2016 where she has since been practising.

Claudia acts for both claimants and defendants across a range of civil fraud and commercial disputes including claims founded on allegations of misrepresentation, conspiracy, bribery, dishonest assistance, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. She has remarkable expertise representing clients in complex, high-value disputes and is particularly experienced in international fraud litigation.

Claudia is pragmatic, commercial, and assertive. She is straightforward in both her approach and communication, and pays close attention to context, adapting readily to the demands of each matter, the needs and objectives of her clients, and the often-challenging dynamics of litigation.

Experience

The Public Institution for Social Security v Al Wazzan (as representative of Al Rajaan) & Others

Lead solicitor representing four of 45 defendants in a c. US$1 billion international fraud claim brought in the Commercial Court by the Kuwaiti State pension fund, The Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS). The claim centres on allegations of long-running schemes to make and conceal corrupt payments, including alleged secret commissions paid to PIFSS’ most senior officer over a period of two decades. The matter raises complex, multi-jurisdictional issues requiring detailed consideration of Kuwaiti, Swiss and English law. The proceedings were recognised among The Lawyer’s “Top 20 Cases” in both 2020 and 2025 and remain one of the most substantial pieces of litigation ever brought before the Commercial Court, with a 12-month trial concluding in March 2026.

Tulip Trading Ltd (Seychelles) v Bitcoin Association for BSV & Ors

Represented one of 16 bitcoin software developers in novel and closely monitored cross-border proceedings issued by a company associated with Dr Craig Wright, the self-proclaimed inventor of bitcoin (“Satoshi Nakamoto”). Following an alleged hack of Dr Wright’s computer and the theft of c US$4.5 billion in digital assets, the company argued that the developers, as controllers of the blockchain networks, owed fiduciary and common law duties under English Law to write and apply a “patch” to restore the assets. The developers denied owing such duties and challenged the jurisdiction of the English courts. The widely reported decision of the High Court in favour of the developers was later overturned in a landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal.

Fortress Capital Partners Limited v Chamberlain (Five Ways) Holdings Limited & Ors

Represented a corporate creditor in its £5m+ claim seeking, amongst other relief, declaratory relief in relation to the transfer and ownership of shares pursuant to the terms of a charge. The matter was subsequently linked to the widely reported and contentious insolvency and administration of Fortress Capital Partners.

Data Housewares Limited v Nitesh Sharma & Ors

Obtained a freezing injunction order and initiated fraud proceedings in the Chancery Court on behalf of an English company forming part of a major Indian manufacturing group. The £2+ million claim against the company’s most senior employee and associated individuals and entities included allegations of misappropriation of funds, conspiracy, knowing receipt, document forgery, and the unauthorised possession of company assets and records.

Beneficial House (Birmingham) Regeneration LLP & Ano v HMRC, Inverclyde Property Renovation LLP and Clackmannanshire Regeneration LLP v HMRC

Represented taxpayers on a collective basis in extensively covered judicial review and tribunal proceedings across England and Scotland. The claims centred on a number of issues, among them the eligibility of Business Premises Renovation Allowance claims, investigations into alleged tax avoidance schemes, HMRC’s delay in the issuance of closure notices, and the treatment of LLPs for the purpose of tax administration.

Dell Emerging Markets (EMEA) Limited & Anor v IB Maroc.com SA

Represented a Moroccan telecommunications company in resisting an anti-suit injunction in the High Court (Queen’s Bench Division). The Dell entities sought to restrain the continuation of parallel proceedings in the Commercial Court in Casablanca. The dispute centred on contractual construction and demanded a rigorous, forensic approach to contractual interpretation.