Leona has been practising at the bar since 2000. She acts in a very wide variety of large and complex commercial cases, with particular expertise in substantial jurisdiction disputes, fraud and asset recovery. She has very extensive experience of search orders, freezing orders and other pre-emptive injunctive relief. Her practice also includes general commercial work, in particular large contractual claims, commodities disputes and professional negligence claims. She appears regularly in the Chancery Division, Commercial Court, King’s Bench Division and in commercial arbitrations.

    Leona is recognised as a Tier 1 leading junior in the latest editions of both the legal directories, Chambers UK and Legal 500, for her expertise in commercial litigation and civil fraud. Recent comments include:

    • "Leona is the standout junior. She is a class act and brilliant advocate."- Chambers & Partners, 2025
    • "With Leona, you are getting a KC at junior level. She is hugely intelligent, really thoughtful and cares a lot - a top advocate."- Chambers & Partners, 2025

    Previous comments include:

    • "Leona is very bright, her advocacy is consistently well pitched with the court, and she is very responsive and approachable."- Legal 500, 2024
    • "Leona is an incredibly fast worker, with impeccable judgement. She is phenomenal."- Chambers & Partners, 2024
    • "Leona is an exceptional barrister – her advocacy work is terrific, her drafting is first class, she works brilliantly with solicitor teams, and is a barrister of choice for any civil fraud dispute."- Legal 500, 2023
    • "Leona is effortlessly brilliant."- Chambers UK, 2023

    Experience

    Shortlist

    Civil Fraud, Asset Recovery & Injunctive Relief

    Leona is well recognised as a leading commercial fraud junior. She has very extensive experience of cross-jurisdictional asset recovery, freezing and search orders, and of dealing with other without notice applications, and she is experienced in managing fraud actions and trials. She also has wide experience of dealing with data theft and recovery cases.

    Leona’s clients frequently include family offices, banks and large insurers. She is regularly instructed in cases involving large scale, multi-jurisdictional and complex frauds, bribery and corruption, employee and supplier frauds, and breach of fiduciary duty. She is recognised by Chambers UK as a leading junior in civil fraud and commercial litigation.

    “Leona is the standout junior. She is a class act and a brilliant advocate.”

    Chambers and Partners, 2025

    “With Leona, you are getting a KC at junior level. She is hugely intelligent, really thoughtful and cares a lot - a top advocate”

    Chambers and Partners, 2025

    “Leona is effortlessly brilliant.”

    Chambers and Partners, 2023

    “The standout star junior at the commercial fraud bar – no one has a better understanding of fraud cases.”

    Legal 500, 2022

    “Quite simply fantastic – I have never come across a better senior junior in the civil fraud arena.”

    Legal 500, 2021

    Cases

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    • Magomedov v TPG & Ors (Comm)2024 (ongoing)

      Leona is acting as lead counsel for a key Defendant in this high profile $13.8 billion conspiracy claim brought by jailed Russian billionaire Ziyavudin Magomedov against TPG, DP World, Transneft and previous directors of FESCO, alleging that he has been wrongfully deprived of his most prized Russian assets, including the commercial port of Vladivostok. The case is currently the subject of substantial jurisdiction challenge applications in the Commercial Court. Leona is leading Marlena Valles.

    • Kowalski v Binance & Ors(2021-2022)

      Acted for the Claimant in relation to this very high value cryptocurrency fraud claim, including Norwich Pharmacal relief against cryptocurrency exchanges and coordination of related proceedings in Singapore and Hong Kong.

    • Bourlakov v Bourlakova & Ors(2020-2021)

      Acting as the main counsel for the First Defendant in this $700m+ claim for deceit and unlawful means conspiracy, and claims under Swiss, Monegasque and Panamanian law. The case involved significant issues in relation to applicable law and jurisdiction, as well as complex issues of fact.

    • Commercial Bank of Dubai v Al Sari(2020-2021)

      Acted for the claimant bank in this multi-million pound claim to enforce foreign judgments. The case involved complex issues in relation to jurisdiction and search orders against third parties

    • Angel Group (in liquidation) v Julia Ann Davey(2016 - 2018, Comm)

      Acted for the Claimant companies (in liquidation) in this multi million claim against their former director and shareholder. The claim involves the dishonest payment of unlawful dividends, removal of company trust assets, and issues of alleged backdating of corporate documents. Various interlocutory orders were obtained including trust asset preservation orders and asset repatriation orders.

    • ED&F Man Sugar Limited v T&L Sugars & Ors[2016] EWHC 272 (Comm)

      Acting for the Defendants in this claim for £30m concerning the allegedly wrongful diversion of a sugar cargo. The claim involved allegations of conversion, procuring breach of contract and conspiracy. It is a key authority on the requirements for pleading claims based in conspiracy where there are direct or indirect allegations of dishonesty.

    • Abdulrahman Bin Mahfouz v Irshaid(2015 - 2017, Comm)

      Acted for the Claimant bank in this €35m claim for repayment pursuant to personal guarantees and/ or oil procurement contracts. The claim involved allegations of forgery. Applied for and obtained freezing and search orders, summary judgment, and various asset enforcement orders. Applied for and obtained order for committal against the Defendant for breach of the freezing order.

      Leona applied for and obtained an order for committal against the Defendant, following his breaches of the freezing order (before Teare J).

    • Standard Bank v EFAD Real Estate(Comm) 2014

      Acted for the Claimant bank in this €50m claim for repayment pursuant to two Islamic finance facilities, together with personal claims against the officers of the principal borrower for dishonestly procuring the dissipation of the bank’s security.

    Shortlist

    Commercial

    Leona has an extensive commercial practice, appearing regularly in heavy commercial disputes in the Commercial Court and the Chancery Division. She has extensive experience of managing cases involving proceedings across multiple jurisdictions.

    Leona has also acted as counsel in many confidential commercial arbitrations, in particular in relation to commodities disputes. She has experience of UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA and DIFC-LCIA arbitrations. She has also acted as an arbitrator in relation to two UNCITRAL arbitrations.

    “Her judgement on the basis of analysis is genuinely probably better than everyone and she’s smarter than a lot of silks.’”

    Legal 500, 2023

    “Leona is an exceptional barrister – her advocacy work is terrific, her drafting is first class, she works brilliantly with solicitor teams, and is a barrister of choice for any civil fraud dispute.”

    Legal 500, 2022

    “Her judgement on the basis of analysis is genuinely probably better than everyone and she’s smarter than a lot of silks.”

    Legal 500, 2023

    “A brilliant advocate who is jaw-droppingly quick at getting on top of complex cases”

    Legal 500, 2022

    “Hugely intelligent, brilliant to work with and a fantastic advocate.”

    Legal 500, 2021

    Cases

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    • Magomedov v TPG & Ors (Comm)2024 (ongoing)

      Leona is acting as lead counsel for a key Defendant in this high profile $13.8 billion conspiracy claim brought by jailed Russian billionaire Ziyavudin Magomedov against TPG, DP World, Transneft and previous directors of FESCO, alleging that he has been wrongfully deprived of his most prized Russian assets, including the commercial port of Vladivostok. The case is currently the subject of substantial jurisdiction challenge applications in the Commercial Court. Leona is leading Marlena Valles.

    • Liberty France Industries v Lightship Capital II(2024)

      Acting for a US private equity firm in relation to on-notice injunctions in support of a US$200m claim concerning the enforcement of a Luxembourg share pledge.

    • Delancey Real Estate and Asset Management & Ors v HMRC(2022 – 2023)

      Throughout 2022 to 2024, Leona was acting as the main junior counsel for the Defendants in this high profile tax dispute, concerning complex and highly contentious allegations of misrepresentation in relation to the tax settlement of an employee benefit trust. The case involved substantial issues in relation to tax law, trusts, and rescission.

    • Bourlakov v Bourlakova & Ors(2020-2021)

      Acting as the main counsel for the First Defendant in this $700m+ claim for deceit and unlawful means conspiracy, and claims under Swiss, Monegasque and Panamanian law. The case involved significant issues in relation to applicable law and jurisdiction, as well as complex issues of fact.

    • ED&F Man Sugar Limited v T&L Sugars & Ors[2016] EWHC 272 (Comm)

      Acting for the Defendants in this claim for £30m concerning the allegedly wrongful diversion of a sugar cargo. The claim involved allegations of conversion, procuring breach of contract and conspiracy. It is a key authority on the requirements for pleading claims based in conspiracy where there are direct or indirect allegations of dishonesty.

    • T&L Sugars Ltd v Tate & Lyle Industries Ltd[2015] EWHC 2696 (Comm); and [2014] EWHC 1066 (Comm)

      Acting for the Claimant in this very high value contractual dispute arising out of the sale of Tate & Lyle’s European sugar business to American Sugar Holdings, including a dispute over the transfer of the business’s sugar futures book. The Claimant successfully recovered in excess of €30m at trial.

    • Standard Bank v EFAD Real Estate(Comm) 2014

      Acted for the Claimant bank in this €50m claim for repayment pursuant to two Islamic finance facilities, together with personal claims against the officers of the principal borrower for dishonestly procuring the dissipation of the bank’s security.

    • Times Newspapers Limited v Lance Armstrong(QBD, 2013)

      Acting as sole counsel for the Claimant newspaper in its claim for rescission and repayment of the amounts paid in settlement of Mr Armstrong’s libel claims, following his confessions to Oprah Winfrey in 2013.

    • Cherney v Deripaska[2012] EWHC 1781 (Comm)

      Acting as part of the Defendant’s counsel team in this headline commercial case involving a dispute over a 20% share in Rusal and allegations of criminality in 1990s Russia. 

    Shortlist

    Arbitration

    Leona has extensive international commercial arbitration experience and has appeared and acted in UNCITRAL, ICC,  LCIA, DIFC-LCIA and ad hoc arbitrations. She also has particular experience of specialist commodities arbitrations, including the Sugar Association of London and the Grain and Feed Trade Association. She has acted as an arbitrator in relation to two UNCITRAL arbitrations. 

    Cases

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    • SAL Arbitration

      Acted as counsel for the Claimants in this very high value breach of contract claim concerning the supply of defective sugar cargoes. The case involved complex valuation issues, in particular in relation to reduced refinery yields and business interruption. The Claimants successfully obtained a very substantial award following a fully contested trial on liability and quantum.

    • LCIA arbitration

      Acted as counsel for the Respondents in this £50m claim concerning the alleged breach of a car industry commercial logistics supply agreement.

    • UNCITRAL arbitration

      Acting as junior counsel for the Respondents in a very high value UNCITRAL arbitration concerning breach of warranty and a claim for specific performance of a put option to acquire shares.

    • ICC arbitrations

      Acting as sole counsel for the Claimant motorsport company in an arbitration concerning the breach of a motorsport sponsorship and marketing agreement.

      Acted as sole counsel for the Claimant telecommunications company in an asset tracing and enforcement action following a $1bn ICC arbitral award.

    • DIFC-LCIA arbitration

      Acted as sole counsel in a commodities (steel) arbitration concerning damages for breach of warranty and non-delivery.

    Achievements

    Education

    MA Oxon

    Appointments

    Junior Counsel to the Crown (B Panel).

    Memberships

    • COMBAR
    • PNLA

    Selected earlier reported cases

    Civil Fraud, Asset Recovery & Injunctive Relief

    Mahfouz v El Rashid [2017] EWHC 1460 (Comm) (asset disclosure, committal, contempt)

    Angel Group v Davey [2017] EWHC 1149 (Ch) (indemnity costs, dishonesty, misappropriation of trust assets)

    Cherney v Deripaska [2012] EWHC 1697 (QB) (organised crime, witness anonymity, witness protection

    Serious Organised Crime Agency v Namli [2011] EWCA Civ 1411 (civil recovery proceedings, disclosure, public interest immunity)

    Commercial

    T&L Sugars v Tate & Lyle Industries [2015] EWHC 2696 (Comm) (breach of contract, hedging, futures trading, indemnity clauses)

    Gutermann v Hartley [2012] EWHC 1697 (QB) (injunctions, confidential information)

    Standard Bank Plc v Al Jaber [2011] EWHC 2866 (Comm) (guarantees, estoppel, implied terms, summary judgment)

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