Teona Phatsatsia
Teona specialises in complex commercial disputes, with a particular focus on civil fraud and cross-border litigation. She has acted for corporate clients and individuals in multi-jurisdictional matters, working closely with foreign lawyers, experts and other professionals across a range of sectors. Teona also has experience advising in the sports sector, including acting for athletes in proceedings before Disciplinary Tribunals and undertaking advisory work for a Formula One team.
Teona joined LK in 2020 and was admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2023. She holds a master’s degree in international business law from King’s College London focusing on international commercial and investment arbitration. Teona is fluent in Georgian and Italian and has limited professional proficiency in Russian.
Teona is a member of the Junior London Solicitors Litigation Association.
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.
Ridley v Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC
Representing a British businessman who was imprisoned in Dubai more than a decade ago for his part in a US$500m fraud scheme. Among the remedies we sought in the Commercial Court on behalf of our client was an injunction to procure his immediate release on the ground that the bank had breached the settlement agreement.
Formula 1 Advisory Work
Advising a Formula One team on the interpretation and application of various FIA Formula One regulations, including the FIA International Sporting Code and the F1 Sporting and Technical Regulations, in relation to regulatory compliance and potential disputes arising during the championship season.
Hotel development dispute advisory
Advised a Georgian developer in relation to a potential dispute with an international hotel operator arising out of a series of hotel development, branding and management agreements governed by English law. The advice concerned the client’s potential unilateral termination rights following regulatory changes affecting the project, as well as the risk of contractual claims and potential exposure arising from termination.
Pro Bono Work
• Sports disciplinary matters: Advised and assisted athletes in disciplinary proceedings relating to alleged breaches of anti-doping and other sporting regulations, including representing a client before Judicial Panels of the British Horseracing Authority.
• Employment advisory: Advised employees in relation to employment disputes and negotiations following their departure from companies, including settlement discussions and contractual rights.
Authorised Push Payment Fraud
Assisted an individual client who had been the victim of an authorised push payment fraud. Liaised with financial institutions, including banks and licensed Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs), which had declined reimbursement, and subsequently escalated complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service. The Ombudsman partially upheld the complaint and ordered the relevant banks to reimburse the client.