Can still skate backwards
Euan Palmer
Partner, Disputes
Will you win? Probably the first question, but not the last. Clarity as to time frames, process, cost and the inevitable risk factors are key for any client that is facing litigation. Euan ensures that from the outset there is focus and answers, and that you know his view.
That clarity means early decisions on what success should look like – whether an early commercial exit, or a matter fought to judgment – and that pragmatism informs those decisions. Euan enjoys his work, and he enjoys the clients he works with. (And …he wants to win).
Euan originally qualified and practiced in New Zealand, before moving to the UK in 2001. He has worked at Baker McKenzie and Maclay Murray & Spens before joining Greenwoods in 2020.
He has been acting in international commercial arbitration and litigation throughout his career and, with a focus on the Oil & Gas industry, has represented clients from the sector in the High Courts and in international arbitrations including ad hoc conducted under UNCITRAL rules, and in the ICC, LCIA and SIAC; he commonly appears as counsel before the tribunals in the arbitrations that he acts on.
Euan otherwise advises across a range of commercial disputes, including unfair prejudice petitions and shareholder claims, warranty disputes under Share Purchase Agreements, and commercial fraud and consequential asset tracing claims. He has significant experience in claims commonly arising out of company insolvencies, in particular pursuing directors for breach of duty, fraud, preference and wrongful trading claims, and has also advised in auditor negligence claims.
Euan is a member of AIPN, Offshore Energies UK, and the IBA. He is also a board member of the London Fraud Forum.
Every four years Euan becomes quite a patriotic All Blacks supporter (maybe not so much in 2019, but definitely 2023) and is an all year round keen and competent golfer. He speaks Spanish just well enough to have created issues with his in-laws, and can still skate backwards.
Euan has particular focus on the Oil & Gas industry, and has represented clients from the sector in the High Courts, and in international arbitrations including via the ICC, LCIA and SIAC.
Within the Oil & Gas sector he has acted on both sides of Operator/Contractor disputes arising out of drilling services disputes (onshore and offshore), and has acted in operator/non-operator disputes arising out of transportation and asset sharing agreements, farm-ins, JVs, and other inter-operator agreements.
Euan plays a key role in the day‑to‑day management of Greenwoods’ work advising individuals who have received loan repayment demands from West 28th Street Limited, including coordinating group strategies and analysing historic documentation and enforcement issues.
If you’ve received a letter from West 28th Street Limited demanding repayment for an old loan, you’re probably feeling confused and understandably worried.
These demand letters often arrive many years after the contractor loan or Employee Benefit Trust arrangements ended. The sums claimed may be significant, and the letter probably threatens legal action if payment is not made.
The key point to understand straight away is that receiving a demand does not automatically mean you have done something wrong, and it does not mean you must pay the sums demanded.
Greenwoods is helping people understand their options at this stage. While each person’s position needs to be assessed on its own facts, there can be practical advantages in identifying shared issues and, where appropriate, considering a coordinated way forward. This can help keep advice proportionate and cost‑effective, while still ensuring that guidance is tailored to individual circumstances.
Click here to find out more about how Greenwoods can help you.