Fraser McKeating

I offer clients practical advice on how to anticipate and avoid disputes.  I provide commercial and strategic advice to resolve those disputes which cannot be avoided, whether that be through negotiation, other dispute resolution methods or litigation, with a view to reaching that resolution in a time and cost-effective manner.

I have particular experience with mediation. The principal factors to a successful mediation are choosing the right mediator for that particular dispute, knowing when to mediate and being fully prepared.  In the right cases, if these factors are taken into account, a settlement can often be reached at mediation avoiding the cost and risk of going to court.  I have successfully represented clients in numerous mediations, in respect of claims with a wide-range of values (from claims under £100,000 through to those for many millions). 

More about Dispute Resolution

Where disputes cannot be avoided or settled using other means, court proceedings may be necessary.  I have represented clients in the Court of Appeal, High Court and County Court on claims relating to breach of contract, boardroom and shareholder disputes, professional negligence and commercial fraud.  I have conducted claims involving parties based in other jurisdictions on numerous occasions.  I have extensive experience of using online document management systems.

Recent cases include:

• Defending a company director and shareholder in respect of a freezing injunction obtained against him by an IT development company of which he was a director;
• Acting for a minority shareholder in a petition for unfair prejudice brought under section 994 of the Companies Act 2006;
• Acting in a multi-million pound litigation in the Commercial Court, involving international litigation in a number of different countries and an underlying arbitration subject to a foreign jurisdiction. 

More about Commercial Litigation

I regularly advise clients regarding commencing and resisting winding-up proceedings.

More about Insolvency

I regularly act for technology companies in respect of contractual issues and disputes, including IT developers, mobile services providers and creative digital agencies.

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I have acted both for and against banks on several matters including:

• acting for a management consultancy in a dispute with a major UK high street bank, which resulted in the successful return of £7.5 million to our client;
• obtaining injunctive relief for a private bank to protect confidential client information;
• acting for a European private bank in respect of the fallout from the Lehman Bros collapse;
• registering and enforcing a foreign judgment for a major antipodean bank.

More about Banking Disputes