Ben Wells
Solicitor – Commercial and International Disputes
3 years PQE (Admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales 2014)
T +44(0) 7944918873
Expertise
Ben is a litigator with specialisation in contractual disputes and debt claims. In addition Ben works on the enforcement of judgments for multinational banks, FCA requests for information and matters relating to white collar crime.
Ben worked for an international law firm in Moscow and is fluent in Russian. In Moscow he was a member of the client service team and met with clients both in and off site. As the founder of the Russian Speaking Legal Professionals’ Forum he has excellent connections with lawyers from Russia and the CIS, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.
Prior to joining Shepherd and Wedderburn Ben has been involved in representing international clients in high value litigation and arbitration.
Indicative experience
· Advised on an LMAA arbitral dispute in relation to the storage and release of a large quantity of LNG. Reviewed documentation and assessed the parties’ positions. Drafted letters of advice and request for arbitration. Researched and agreed appointment of arbitrators.
· Reviewed Russian language Kazakh court judgments for a multinational energy company in relation to the illegal flaring of gas from Kazakhstan’s largest oil field.
· Advised on a gas price dispute with regard to long term fuel supply contracts with the Indian government. Reviewed the price at which gas was being sold nationally against the formulas set out in the contract. Contacted local authorities to verify current prices. Provided analysis of options to exit existing arrangements.
· Dealt with disclosure concerning a US$2.1 billion claim in the High Court by a sovereign wealth fund.
· Processed an FCA request for information with regard to potential LIBOR manipulation.
· Reviewed and analysed documentation concerning the misappropriation of US$9 billion by a Saudi businessman.
· Assisted with a review of company documentation in relation to suspected insider trading at a major American bank.
· Acted on an arbitration against the Republic of Montenegro for the expropriation of a steel plant.
Specialist accreditations
2012 Founder, Russian Speaking Legal Professionals’ Forum
2010 Member, Russian Speaking Lawyers in International Commercial Arbitration
2010 Member, Russian and CIS Arbitration Network
Qualifications
2010 Legal Practice Course, BPP Law School, London
2006 Law LLB, Westminster University
Work history
2016 Lawyer, Shepherd and Wedderburn
2015 Contract Lawyer, Linklaters
2012 to 2015 Lawyer, CMS Cameron McKenna
2011 to 2012 Contractor, Lloyds Banking Group / Deloitte
2010 to 2011 Adjudicator, Financial Ombudsman Service
2010 Paralegal, Freshfields
2008 to 2009 Stagiaire, Gide Loyrette Nouel - Moscow