George Hilton

Call: 2012

Custom PDF Contact

Contact George Hilton

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, png, jpg, jpeg, Max. file size: 5 MB, Max. files: 8.
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Education

    BA & MChem, Chemistry, Oxford, 1st Class

    Custom PDF

    Which sections would you like to include in your PDF download?

    Introduction

    George has a broad commercial practice and is ranked in the legal directories as a leading junior in commercial litigation, international arbitration, civil fraud, property damage, insurance and reinsurance.

    He has experience across a wide range of industry sectors including financial services, technology, artificial intelligence, life sciences, engineering, and insurance.

    His practice also encompasses the specialist areas of AI regulation, data protection, cybersecurity, competition and insolvency. Many of his cases involve scientific, engineering and information technology subject matter.

    Recent recommendations in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 have described him as being “a true intellectual heavyweight”, “outstanding”, “wonderfully persuasive, logical and commercial”, “an excellent advocate”, “always spot-on” and having “an exceptional impact”.

    Prior to joining Chambers, George worked at the EU Commission in Brussels and at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co in the technology and pharmaceutical mergers and acquisitions team.

    George read Chemistry as a scholar at New College, University of Oxford, graduating in 2010 with first class honours and winning the Oxford University Press Chemistry Prize.

    • News
    • Commercial litigation

      George is ranked as a leading junior for commercial litigation and international arbitration.

      He is experienced as sole counsel in disputes relating to contracts, joint venture agreements, share sales, breaches of warranties and guarantees, banking and finance, commodities, cryptocurrency, securities under FSMA 2000, sale of goods, confidential information, pharmaceutical licensing, IT, choice of law and injunctive relief. He is also experienced in group litigation.

      His disputes are often international in character, involving cross border elements. He has regularly acted in disputes in the Middle East, China, and CIS countries.

      He is sought after for commercial disputes concerning scientific or technology subject matter.

      Cases

      Recent experience includes:

      • Acting for the Ford Motor Company, a main “ALGLO” defendant in the diesel emissions group litigation led by Neil Moody KC, George Peretz KC and Sonia Nolten KC and leading Ben Phelps, Kate Legh and Georgia Terry.
      • Acting for a claimant asset management business in Commercial Court proceedings claiming £30m for breaches of a share purchase agreement.
      • Acting for a private equity fund in relation to breaches of warranty claims against vendors valued at c.£10m.
      • Acting in the Commercial Court [2023] EWHC 135 (Comm) and in the Court of Appeal [2024] EWCA Civ 33 for the appellants in ADM International SARL v (1) Grain House International S.A. & (2) Boutguearay concerning committal proceedings relating to a grain trading dispute. Secured the dismissal of various contempt allegations and an anti-suit injunction at first instance; succeeded on appeal in overturning a finding of contempt for alleged asset non-disclosure.
      • Acting for an Asian conglomerate in an ICC arbitration with claims valued in excess of £2.7bn relating to a series of loan and guarantee arrangements (ICC arbitration).
      • Acting for a Dutch infrastructure investment company in an ICC arbitration claiming breaches of a joint venture agreement valued at $2.5bn concerning a major private investment project in the CIS region (ICC arbitration).
      • Acting for a series of department stores in bringing contractual claims against their IT providers in respect of a series of significant cybersecurity breaches.
      • Acting for the administrators of various companies in a gas and energy group in claims valued at over £11m relating to breaches of loan and expenses agreements (Chancery).
      • Acting for the claimants in a quasi-partnership dispute relating to breaches of shareholders’ agreements, breaches of fiduciary duties, diversion of business and breach of confidence valued at £25m (Chancery).
      • Acting for a US multi-national telecommunications company in stakeholder proceedings relating to the distribution of historic royalties (Commercial Court).
      • Acting for a major hospitality group with claims valued at over £10m against a third-party finance company in respect of breaches of a share purchase agreement (Commercial Court).
      • Acting for the Petitioner in s994 CA 2006 unfair prejudice proceedings relating to a pioneering ad tech company, claiming a minority share buyout order of £4.5m giving account to unfair prejudice including diversion of business, unauthorised copying of a valuable ad tech algorithm, breaches of directors’ duties and breaches of a shareholders’ agreement.
      • Advising on a shareholder dispute concerning the control of popular entertainment venues in the DIFC (DIFC Court).
      • Acting in claims relating to the breakdown of a joint venture to own and operate a popular art gallery in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC Court).
      • Acting for the liquidators of a development group in relation to the mis-selling of interest rate hedging products (Circuit Commercial Court).
      • Acting for a solar infrastructure manufacturer defending a £multi-million breach of contract claim.
      • Acting for a tobacco company in claims arising out of an exclusive distribution agreement to import tobacco products into Guadeloupe and Martinique (Commercial Court).
      • Acting for a UAE based conglomerate in an LCIA arbitration claim under UNCITRAL rules involving claims of $200m relating to oil distribution and production (LCIA arbitration).
      • Assisting with a $90 million financial services regulatory claim under DFSA’s regulations and COB Rules for the mis-selling of financial products on a leveraged basis (DIFC Court).
    • International arbitration

      George is ranked as a leading junior for international arbitration.

      George has a strong international arbitration practice, especially in relation to large-scale commercial disputes. He has extensive experience of high value and complex ICC, LCIA, GAFTA and DIAC arbitration proceedings concerning disputes across Europe, Asia, Russia and the Middle East. His arbitration work concerns disputes relating to joint ventures, major infrastructure projects, IT, insurance and commodities disputes.

      He regularly appears in arbitration jurisdiction challenges and in applications for injunctive relief in support of arbitration proceedings.

      Cases

      Recent experience includes:

      • Acting for a world sporting body against a Qatari investment fund in ICC arbitration proceedings concerning breaches of a joint venture agreement (ICC arbitration).
      • Acting for an Asian state bank in an ICC arbitration with claims valued in excess of £2.7bn relating to a series of loan and guarantee arrangements (ICC arbitration).
      • Acting for a Dutch infrastructure investment company in an ICC arbitration claiming breaches of a joint venture agreement valued at $2.5bn concerning a major private investment project in the CIS region (ICC arbitration).
      • Acting for a policyholder against insurers in an arbitration concerning a catastrophic fire at commercial premises (LCIA arbitration).
      • Acting for a UAE oil company in an LCIA arbitration claim under UNCITRAL rules involving claims of $200m relating to oil distribution and production (LCIA arbitration).
    • Civil fraud

      George is ranked as a leading junior for civil fraud.

      George regularly acts for insurers, insolvency practitioners, the FCA, international banks, payment services providers and directors in fraud matters including cases involving deceit, fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duties, breaches of trust, cyber fraud, regulated and unregulated FSMA 2000 offences and claims brought by office holders. George’s civil fraud practice often overlaps with his commercial, insolvency, insurance and reinsurance practices.

      George has wide-ranging experience of bringing pre-emptive injunctive relief in the form of freezing and proprietary injunctions, search orders, Norwich Pharmacal and Bankers Trust disclosure orders, applications to appoint receivers and provisional liquidators, asset tracing and international enforcement strategies.

      He is particularly sought after in disputes involving cybersecurity breaches and crypto assets. He has lectured across the UK, Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the law relating to cyber fraud and crypto assets.

      Cases

      Recent experience includes:

      • Acting for a large Port Talbot steelworks company in proceedings in the Cardiff District Registry claiming multimillion pound damages in a substantial fraud perpetrated by its senior management team and various contractors.
      • Acting for defendants in claims alleging procurement fraud, misfeasance in public office and bribery relating to a £30 million tender for NHS services in the Midlands.
      • Acting for a North African tycoon in high profile committal proceedings brought by a US multinational commodities company alleging breaches of a freezing order and asset non-disclosure.
      • Acting for a payments services provider in interpleader proceedings concerning funds procured by deceit and mis-selling practices from a large group of individual investors by an oil investment company that was using its foreign exchange facilities (Commercial Court).
      • Acting for a Gibraltar-based corporation claiming significant funds fraudulently misappropriated in breach of trust by its joint venture partner over the course of 7 years as part of a property development project (Chancery).
      • Acting for the joint liquidators of an electronic goods company, bringing s423 Insolvency Act 1986 proceedings as well as proprietary and tracing actions to recover over £14m of assets misappropriated by its former directors and associates in an MTIC VAT carousel fraud (Insolvency and Companies Court).
      • Acting for a bank to recover the proceeds of a substantial fraud, including obtaining worldwide freezing orders and ancillary injunctive relief in support of foreign proceedings, obtaining summary judgment, appointing a receiver by way of equitable execution over £25m of assets held by English LLPs for the benefit of Liechtenstein-based discretionary trusts and bringing committal proceedings against the potential beneficiaries (Chancery).
      • Acting for the FCA in two trials to recover the proceeds of land-banking frauds on private investors from the operator of those unregulated collective investment schemes (Chancery, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court).
      • Assisting a Russian bank seeking to pierce the corporate veil and in a forum dispute to bring recovery proceedings in the English courts in relation to a $200 million fraud claim (Supreme Court).
    • Insurance & reinsurance and property damage

      George is ranked as a leading junior in insurance and reinsurance and property damage.

      George’s insurance and reinsurance practice covers all aspects of commercial insurance including coverage issues, policy construction, misrepresentation, non-disclosure, fraud, breach of warranty, estoppel, waiver and reservation of rights, co-insurance and ICOBS.

      Many of his claims arise in the context of the cybersecurity, construction and financial services industries.

      His property damage practice has a particular focus on damage caused by chemicals, fires, floods, natural disasters and failures in construction materials.

      Cases

      Recent experience includes:

      • Acting for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea TMO in connection with property damage claims arising from the Grenfell Tower fire.
      • Acting for a group of lead insurers in relation to a large number of high value properties damaged during the 2021 London floods (TCC).
      • Acting for structural defects insurers in relation to a claim valued in excess of £12m brought by the tenants of a mixed residential and commercial development for alleged fire safety defects (TCC).
      • Acting for insurers in multi-million pound proceedings raising issues of policy coverage, material non-disclosure and fraud (Commercial Court).
      • Advising insurers in connection with policy coverage for malfunctions in an IT system (TCC).
      • Advising insurers on coverage issues in relation to claims brought against licensed insolvency practitioners (Insolvency and Companies Court).
      • Advising on coverage issues in connection with various Covid-19 business interruption claims (TCC).
      • Acting for the insurers of financial advisers in relation to alleged mis-selling claims (Circuit Commercial Court).
    • Insolvency

      George is regularly instructed in corporate and personal insolvency matters, including in relation to liquidations, administrations, voluntary arrangements and bankruptcies. He has wide ranging experience of bringing transaction avoidance and office holder claims.

      Cases

      Recent experience includes:

      • Acting on behalf of the administrators of several companies in the London Capital & Finance Group in relation to various issues arising from the mis-selling of £237m of mini-bonds (Insolvency and Companies Court).
      • Acting for the administrators of a gas and energy group bringing claims valued at over £11m relating to breaches of loan and expenses agreements (Chancery).
      • Acting for the liquidators of a property development company seeking a declaration that it was beneficially entitled to assets including a valuable property in the Cayman Islands as part of its insolvent estate (Insolvency and Companies Court).
      • Advising the administrators of two public listed energy suppliers in long running administrations (Insolvency and Companies Court).
      • Acting for joint liquidators of a company in transaction avoidance and misfeasance claims against its former directors in excess of £3m (Insolvency and Companies Court).
      • Acting for the joint liquidators of a company owned by a Premier League and international footballer turned manager in a claim to recover significant sums that had been paid to intermediaries under a Quistclose trust to develop a French golf course and not applied in accordance with the agreed purpose (Chancery).
    • Data protection, AI regulation & cybersecurity

      George acts and advises on a wide range of data and information technology disputes. He has a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and its regulation.

      He is regularly instructed in disputes relating to design, delivery and defects in IT systems, cloud and internet services and software including in respect of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and data breaches.

      He is a competent computer coder, literate in most mainstream coding languages which enables him to communicate with experts and the court about technical details that such cases will often involve.

      He has experience of acting for insurers in relation to claims under cyber insurance policies claims against information technology firms and professionals.

      He has lectured across the UK, Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the law relating to cyber frauds and crypto assets.

    • Competition

      George has experience of competition cases in the technology, telecoms and life sciences sectors whilst working at the EU Commission and on secondment at a leading global law firm.

      • He is currently instructed in the diesel emissions group litigation for the main ALGLO, the Ford Motor Company (led by Neil Moody KC, George Peretz KC and Sonia Nolten KC).
      • He has assisted in FRAND proceedings relating to telecoms patents.
      • He has assisted in FRAND proceedings relating to vaccine technology patents.
      • He has assisted with enforcement actions brought by the EU Commission in relation to in-app purchases.

      He has a Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Oxford.

      Cases

    • What the directories say

      International Arbitration: General Commercial & Insurance: 

      “George is an expert in the field of ICC international arbitration with an eye for details and excellent advocacy skills.” – Chambers UK 2025

      “George is an extraordinary barrister. He has a 360-degree view on all the matters he handles. He is a very experienced advocate, and his drafting skills are second to none.” – Chambers UK 2025

      “George has a super brain.” Chambers UK 2025

      Property Damage: 

      “George is assiduous, incisive and commercial in equal measures.” – Chambers UK 2025

      “George can make complex issues seem relatively simple. He is always happy to assist on matters.” – Chambers UK 2025

      “George is really on top of the detail and is very responsive. He is very good with clients.” Chambers UK 2025

      “George has an exceptional impact.” – Legal 500 2025 (International arbitration)

      “Very hardworking, reliable, strong written work and a solid advocate.” – Legal 500 2025 (Commercial litigation)

      “He is wonderfully persuasive, logical, and commercial. A very able junior.” – Legal 500 2025 (Civil fraud)

      “George is attentive to the detail of matters and will always consider the commerciality of matters where required. He provides sound advice and direction as to what is required on the matters in order to achieve the best possible outcome.” – Legal 500 2025 (Insurance and reinsurance)

      “He is quick on his feet and is able to effortlessly hone in on issues within disputes.” – Chambers UK 2024

      “His attention to detail and explanation of his views are easy to follow. He understands the client’s requirements and concisely addresses those with commerciality in mind.” – Chambers UK 2024

      “George is an excellent advocate. He is always spot-on with the detail and takes a very practical approach. Not only is he skilled technically, but he is also very personable.” – Chambers UK 2024

      “George is extremely user friendly. He is a real team player. He is excellent at understanding the technical detail and testing the expert evidence. His advice is always clear cogent and concise. He is willing to take on cases at short notice and provides an excellent service.“ – Legal 500 2024

      “George is an outstanding junior with a strong civil fraud practice. George is particularly strong in the technical areas of fraud work, particularly trusts, and is a true intellectual heavyweight.“ – Legal 500 2024

      “George is a very clear and meticulously prepared advocate who is particularly skilled and experienced in breaking down complex corporate and trust structures designed to conceal or distract from commercial fraud.” – Legal 500 2023

      “A future star of the Bar. He is developing a fine commercial practice with a specialism in insurance, and has great attention to detail. He is also a persuasive advocate.“ – Legal 500 2023

    • Education and further information

      Career

      Prior to joining Chambers, George worked at the EU Commission in Brussels and at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co (technology and pharmaceutical mergers & acquisitions department).

      Education & Awards

      • University of Oxford, New College, Chemistry
          • First class honours, MChem
          • Oxford University Press Prize for Chemistry
          • New College academic scholar
          • Four academic college prizes
      • University of Oxford, Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law
      • City Law School, BPTC (graded “Outstanding”)
      • Lincoln’s Inn, called to the Bar (2012)
          • Lord Mansfield Scholar,
          • Buchanan Prize,
          • Sir Jean-Pierre Warner Award,
          • Levitt Scholarship,
          • Hardwicke Award

      Memberships

      • TECBAR
      • COMBAR
      • Chancery Bar Association
      • IP Bar Association

      Languages

      • French (fluent)
      • Italian (conversational)

      Other Interests

      • Represented Great Britain at the junior European rowing championships and rowed for the University of Oxford.
      • Acted at the University of Oxford and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
    • Publications
    Search