Nicholas Damski

Nicholas has extensive litigation and arbitration experience, with a focus on complex commercial disputes arising from insolvency and fraud. He works frequently with foreign lawyers, experts and other professionals on a variety of cross-border matters, including on behalf of corporate clients and high net worth individuals. He also has experience acting for athletes in anti-doping proceedings before Disciplinary Tribunals.

Nicholas has a Licence and Master 1 in French Law from the University of Paris 1: Panthéon-Sorbonne and is a fluent French speaker. He is also a committee member of the British Italian Lawyers Association and speaks conversational Italian.

Experience

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

LK acted for 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.

Eletson

Acting for an international energy transport operator group specialising in oil and gas cargoes, in ongoing disputes with its former owners, shareholders and affiliated companies, valued at least U$650 million.

The disputes arise primarily from the client’s former owners’ refusal to comply with the terms of a Chapter 11 restructuring plan approved by the US Bankruptcy Court, resulting in extensive legal proceedings across multiple jurisdictions in respect of the ownership and control of the company, and its fleet of maritime vessels.

The global nature of the dispute requires LK to coordinate with local counsel in various jurisdictions including the US, Greece, Malaysia, Liberia, and Japan.

KOHUBA (ARB)

LK acts for a Saudi Arabian in respect of a dispute with the Maltese company ‘Kohuba Partnership En Commandite’ that owns a luxury yacht which they chartered in August 2022.

The parties’ Charter Agreement is subject to English law and has an arbitration clause in favour of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA).

Al Gosaibi Family & Group (AHAB) (Cayman)

LK acted for AHAB, a large group of companies run by the Al Gosaibi family, in their claims against Mr Al Sanea and his Saad Group concerning his role in an alleged fraud resulting in losses of at least US$9 billion.

AHAB contended that Mr Al Sanea used his position (as the head of a division of the company) to borrow hundreds of billions of dollars in the company’s name – using forged banking documents – and then misappropriated some of the proceeds. AHAB contended that at least US$6 billion was stolen by Mr Al Sanea.

LK worked with a global team of lawyers and forensic accountants to coordinate the investigation into the fraud and the tracing of misappropriated assets, including in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland and the Caymans Islands.

Al Gosaibi Family & Group FRP

Advising on the first scheme of arrangement ever attempted in Saudi Arabia, concerning claims by over 100 international financial institutions running into billions of dollars. LK acts for AHAB to prosecute and defend claims on its behalf around the world following a fraud perpetrated by Maan Al Sanea and his Saad Group. As a result of the fraud, AHAB owed US$9.2bn to 118 banks and other financial institutions around the world. LK’s work has included co-ordinating the defence and, more recently the settlement of these claims.

Group claim - Professional indemnity insurance

LK acted for twenty investors in respect of claims against the professional indemnity insurer for former law firm Colemans CTTS LLP pursuant to the Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 2010. The dispute concerned investments which were facilitated by Colemans in circumstances where it had no relevant expertise, knowledge of experience of these particular transaction types.

Terre Neuve SARL & Ors v Yewdale Ltd & Ors

Acting for a former head of department within HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA in a money laundering / misappropriation claim in the English Commercial Court under Swiss law. The case raised issues of Swiss law relating to duties of compliance within Swiss banks and liability for failing to put in place adequate anti-money laundering provisions.