Sarah Lainchbury

Sarah Lainchbury's practice focuses on the resolution of complex corporate and commercial cross-border disputes by way of litigation and arbitration.

Sarah's international dispute resolution experience includes proceedings in England before the High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as proceedings in off-shore jurisdictions (most recently in the BVI). Sarah has acted in disputes involving breach of contract, joint venture agreements, international sale and purchase agreements, shareholder disputes, insurance/reinsurance disputes and cross-border insolvency issues. She has recently worked on a number of swap mis-selling cases and has been part of the team representing a major financial institution in a high-profile bonus dispute.

Sarah's arbitration experience includes acting for clients with cases being conducted under ICC and LCIA rules, with arbitral seats in London and New York. Sarah has also advised clients on the drafting of arbitration clauses in a transactional context.

Sarah has extensive experience of regulatory work and investigations. She has acted in a number of major enquiries such as investigations by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Sarah currently serves on a team of legal advisers to the Monitor of HSBC Holdings plc and its subsidiaries appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice, the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in connection with the US$1.9 billion resolution of money laundering and sanctions violations.

Sarah trained as a solicitor at Sidley where she gained experience in the corporate, global finance (with a particular focus on derivatives) and corporate restructuring and insolvency practices. As part of her training contract, Sarah also gained experience in Sidley's competition practice, assisting the Brussels office with the preparation of a number of submissions to the General Court and Court of Justice of the European Union.