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David Bridge

Partner
Solicitor Advocate

Portrait of David Bridge

David Bridge

Partner
Solicitor Advocate

Contact
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
Cannon Place
78 Cannon Place - Cannon Street
London
EC4N 6AF
United Kingdom
Languages English
Dispute Resolution

David Bridge is a partner and solicitor advocate in the Commercial Disputes Team at CMS London. He has over 10 years of experience handling large and complex claims, involving litigation, arbitration and all forms of ADR.

David’s work often involves claims for breach of contract, misrepresentation and shareholder/investor disputes. He regularly advises clients across a range of industry sectors, with a particular focus on life sciences and hotels & leisure.

David sits as an observer on the City of London Law Society Litigation Committee. He is recognised as a “Rising Star” in the 2013 to 2016 (inclusive) editions of London Super Lawyers and is published in a range of industry journals. He is a co-author of the English law chapter of the CMS Guide to International Arbitration.

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"He is technically excellent, hard-working, savvy and very pragmatic. A real class act."

Client Feedback

"He is technically excellent, hard-working, savvy and very pragmatic. A real class act."

Client Feedback

Relevant experience

  • A leading hotel & resort operator successfully obtaining injunctive relief preventing the termination of a long term management agreement, in support of LCIA arbitration proceedings.
  • A global pharmaceutical company in relation to a USD 500m claim for the recovery of the proceeds of patent litigation and a related shareholder tax claim.
  • A hotel owner in a USD 100m dispute with a global hotel operator.
  • A multinational corporation in relation to a large-scale fraud committed by its former senior management and related parties.
  • A commercial bank defending LCIA arbitration proceedings arising out of a disputed EUR 50 million investor option to acquire shares in a regional commercial bank prior to its merger.
  • IT corporation in relation to the defence of a claim by the UK Government concerning a significant and high-profile contract.
  • Successful settlement of a substantial joint venture shareholder dispute concerning the building of a luxury hotel in Moscow. In conjunction with CMS Moscow, David assisted the client in defending various claims for breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and fraud (with a total value of approximately USD 1bn) in addition to resisting cross-border injunctive relief in Cyprus and dealing with issues of enforcement in the British Virgin Islands.
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Memberships & Roles

  • International Centre for Dispute Resolution
  • LCIA Young International Arbitration Group
  • ICC Young Arbitrators Forum
  • City of London Law Society Litigation Committee (observer)
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Publications

  • 2015 - Crowdfunding litigation - power to the people? - Legal Business Disputes Yearbook
  • 2015 - No win, no fee, no problem? - The Journal
  • 2013 - Stepping into the unknown – Solicitors Journal
  • 2013 - We've got the power – The Commercial Litigation Journal
  • 2010 - The long road to non-enforcement – Global Arbitration Review
  • 2008 - Bond ‘no action’ clause: covers all claims – Practical Law Company
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Lectures list

  • 2016 - Informa EU Pharmaceutical Law Forum 
  • 2016 - Hotel Owners Conference
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Education

  • 2013 – Higher Rights of Audience (Civil)
  • 2003 – Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham
  • 2002 – Post Graduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham
  • 2001 – BA, University of Birmingham, Birmingham
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Hotels & Leisure

David Bridge is a partner and solicitor advocate with 18 years of experience handling claims involving international arbitration and all forms of ADR.

He typically acts on large, complex disputes, often involving shareholder/investor claims (including claims against states), M&A litigation and allegations of fraud.  David has a particular focus on the hotel & leisure sector and regularly advises hotel owners and operators on international/cross-border disputes, often involving termination of HMAs, franchise disputes and expert determinations concerning the operation of hotels and related issues. 

David is a key member of CMS’ market-leading hotels team, which is the number one law firm in Europe in the sector and the only law firm ranked in the top tier for hotels work by both Chambers and Legal 500 directories.  

Legal 500 credits him as “showing real leadership and class; he is a calming influence” and he was shortlisted as a Rising Star at The Legal Week Commercial Litigation & Arbitration Awards 2019.  Clients describe him as “Outstanding” (General Counsel of FTSE 100 company).  

David is published in a range of journals and speaks at industry events, including the UK Hotel Owners Conference on topic such as “Trust me, I’m an operator: anticipating issues before they arise”.  He is co-author of the English law chapter of the CMS Guide to International Arbitration and a member of the LCIA.  David also edits the firm’s flagship International Disputes Digest bi-annual publication and is a member of the CMS Disputes Practice Management Committee.

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Relevant experience

  • The owner of a 5* Moroccan hotel in an LCIA arbitration concerning the disputed termination of the hotel management by the previous US operator of the hotel, involving allegations of fraud.  The total value of the claim was USD 150.5m.
  • The operator of a luxury golfing resort in High Court proceedings and a subsequent LCIA arbitration over a disputed termination of a management agreement for loss of trust and confidence.  The case involved securing two injunctions and an expedited LCIA arbitration.
  • The owner of a 5* London hotel in connection with the proposed termination of a hotel management agreement operated by a US hospitality company and an expert determination regarding the fees charged to the owner.
  • Approximately 200 investors in a bilateral investment treaty dispute regarding the alleged mishandling of a UAE-based residential and hotel development.
  • An owner of a UK hotel in a disputed termination of its franchise agreement with a leading US hotel and resort chain.
  • Successful settlement of a substantial joint venture shareholder dispute concerning the building of a luxury hotel in Moscow. In conjunction with CMS Moscow, David assisted the client in defending various claims for breach of contract, fiduciary duty, and fraud (with a total value of approximately USD 1bn) in addition to resisting cross-border injunctive relief in Cyprus and dealing with issues of enforcement in the British Virgin Islands.
  • The owner of a luxury hotel in Dubai on terminating its hotel management agreement with one of the world's largest hotel companies.
  • A credit hire company in a GBP 127m claim for unlawful means conspiracy, in what has been described as the largest ever fraud on the civil justice system and one of the largest and most complex matters recently before the Commercial Court. 
  • Advising a federal republic on a challenge under section 67 of the Arbitration Act 1996 of a USD 70m award made in an UNCITRAL arbitration pursuant to a bilateral investment treaty.
  • Advising the owner in relation to claims in connection with its flagship 5* European hotel, operated by a US multinational operator, and substantial renegotiation of its portfolio of European HMAs and franchise agreements. 
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Memberships & Roles

  • International Centre for Dispute Resolution
  • LCIA Young International Arbitration Group
  • ICC Young Arbitrators Forum
  • City of London Law Society Litigation Committee (observer)
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Publications

  • 2015 - Crowdfunding litigation - power to the people? - Legal Business Disputes Yearbook
  • 2015 - No win, no fee, no problem? - The Journal
  • 2013 - Stepping into the unknown – Solicitors Journal
  • 2013 - We've got the power – The Commercial Litigation Journal
  • 2010 - The long road to non-enforcement – Global Arbitration Review
  • 2008 - Bond ‘no action’ clause: covers all claims – Practical Law Company
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Lectures list

  • 2016 - Informa EU Pharmaceutical Law Forum 
  • 2016 - Hotel Owners Conference
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Education

  • 2013 – Higher Rights of Audience (Civil)
  • 2003 – Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham
  • 2002 – Post Graduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham
  • 2001 – BA, University of Birmingham, Birmingham
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Life Sciences & Healthcare

David is a Partner and Solicitor Advocate with 18 years of experience handing large and complex claims, involving litigation, arbitration and all forms of ADR. 

David has a particular focus on the life sciences sector and regularly acts for global pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers and private healthcare providers on international/cross-border disputes. 

Legal 500 credits him as “showing real leadership and class; he is a calming influence” and he was shortlisted as a Rising Star at The Legal Week Commercial Litigation & Arbitration Awards 2019.

David is published in a range of industry journals and a past speaker at the EU Pharmaceutical Law Forum in Brussels. He is a co-author of the English law chapter of the CMS Guide to International Arbitration, edits the firm’s flagship International Disputes Digest publication and is a member of the CMS Lifesciences Sector and Disputes Practice Management Committees.  

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Relevant experience

  • A global research based company on a £500m+ shareholder dispute arising out of an acquisition of a global pharmaceutical company.
  • A leading US provider of medical devices and procedure based solutions in disputed termination of key distributorship agreements relating to networks in the EMEA region and claims for compensation.    
  • A global healthcare company in successfully defending a claim by an Israeli distributor for breach of a pharmaceutical exclusive distributorship agreement and for a mandatory injunction requiring the client to continue to supply.
  • A UK private healthcare provider in connection with allegations of fraudulent invoicing claims for treatments provided to insured patients, including investigating the allegations and defending the claims brought by insurers.
  • Medtronic in relation to lobbying regarding Directive (EU) 2020/1828 on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers and its impact.
  • A global lifesicences company in a substantial manufacturing dispute regarding drug development.  
  • Various clients in relation to group litigation orders or threatened group litigation orders arising out of product liability claims.
  • A European care services group in successfully resolving breach of warranty and other claims arising from a GBP 120m acquisition of a UK luxury care homes business.  
  • A global pharmaceutical company on investigating allegations of fraud and bribery in a Russian business. 
  • A credit hire company in a GBP 127m claim for unlawful means conspiracy, in what was described as the largest ever fraud on the civil justice system and was one of the largest and most complex matters before the Commercial Court in recent years. 
  • A global entertainment business in defence of a USD 3bn unfair prejudice petition, involving injunctive relief, an expert determination and ongoing High Court proceedings in relation to the exploitation of sports data rights.  
  • A leading UK health provider in relation to a GBP 26m claim arising from the disputed exercise of a call option to acquire shares in a marked leading business providing teleradiology services to the NHS.
  • A specialist medical services company providing response services for clinical trials and medical information in defending complex High Court representative proceedings commenced on behalf of all its former, current and future employees in relation to its alleged failure to make contributions to an employee benefit trust.  
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Memberships & Roles

  • International Centre for Dispute Resolution
  • LCIA Young International Arbitration Group
  • ICC Young Arbitrators Forum
  • City of London Law Society Litigation Committee (observer)
more less

Publications

  • 2015 - Crowdfunding litigation - power to the people? - Legal Business Disputes Yearbook
  • 2015 - No win, no fee, no problem? - The Journal
  • 2013 - Stepping into the unknown – Solicitors Journal
  • 2013 - We've got the power – The Commercial Litigation Journal
  • 2010 - The long road to non-enforcement – Global Arbitration Review
  • 2008 - Bond ‘no action’ clause: covers all claims – Practical Law Company
more less

Lectures list

  • 2016 - Informa EU Pharmaceutical Law Forum 
  • 2016 - Hotel Owners Conference
more less

Education

  • 2013 – Higher Rights of Audience (Civil)
  • 2003 – Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham
  • 2002 – Post Graduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School, Nottingham
  • 2001 – BA, University of Birmingham, Birmingham
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Expertise

Feed

05/09/2023
CMS Disputes 101 - Autumn Webinar Series 2023
CMS’ popular Disputes 101 annual webinar series returns in Autumn 2023. This series will take place over 11 weeks, every Tuesday from 5 September – 28 November at 2pm - 3pm. Partners and as­so­ci­ates...
Event Webinar
11/08/2023
In­ter­na­tion­al arbitration law and rules in England and Wales
There is a notoriously high hurdle to overcome in order successfully to challenge an arbitration award under English law. In figures published by the Commercial Court in 2018, 112 challenges were brought...
Expert Guide Corporate Disputes
26/06/2023
Exercising Options Carefully – Guidance on when “Time is of the Essence”
In an interesting judgment on the exercise of options, the English courts have found that time is of the essence for a call option agreement but not for the completion of the resulting contract to purchase...
Law-Now Dispute Resolution
26/06/2023
In­ter­na­tion­al Disputes Digest - 2023 Summer Edition
We are pleased to present the summer edition of the In­ter­na­tion­al Disputes Digest, our bi-annual publication bringing essential news and analysis on the latest trends in dis­pute-res­ol­u­tion around the world.There are many crises and problems that continue to complicate global business. These include inflation, particularly in the energy sector, as the EU and other regions struggle to wean themselves from Russian natural gas and oil. There is also the US debt crisis, which has weakened in­ter­na­tion­al confidence in the economy and distracted Washington from pressing issues, such as its relationship with China and the on-going war in the Ukraine. We hope that the articles in this digest provide readers with the know-how and tools to help them resolve any disputes or setbacks they may face.In this edition, we feature a range of articles from around the world on topics such as ESG litigation, the financial impact of cy­ber-at­tacks on businesses, post-merger disputes, the use of arbitration in resolving M&A-related issues, and how disputes can be managed in digital trade trans­ac­tions. We also explore the reasons behind a wave of class action lawsuits in Portugal, the influence of personal re­la­tion­ships among arbitrators on disclosure, recusal, or appeals, and the 'without prejudice' principle, amongst other matters.We hope that you enjoy reading these articles and please do not hesitate to contact us should you wish to discuss any issues in relation to them.  
Publication
08/06/2023
In Dispute: Risk in Litigation
There are many ways of seeing a major piece of litigation, but one way in which it is commonly understood by clients is simply as a game of chance.  In the commercial sphere in particular, key stake­hold­ers...
Event Webinar
06/06/2023
In Dispute: Risk in litigation 2023
There are many ways of seeing a major piece of litigation, but one way in which it is commonly understood by clients is simply as a game of chance.  In the commercial sphere in particular, key stakeholders want to know simply what are the chances of winning.  But lawyers have tra­di­tion­ally struggled to engage effectively with clients in relation to the risks of litigation, often giving broad brush estimates (if they give even that) of prospects of success without any apparent explanation or rigour. So, what are your odds, what are the factors which cause uncertainty in litigation and how can these be best analysed and addressed?
Publication
22/03/2023
Settling Disputes: striking the deal… and executing it
Some of the most difficult issues in disputes come at the end of the process, both during settlement negotiations and after a deal has been struck.In this session, our speakers, David Bridge and Emma...
Event Webinar
06/02/2023
Future turmoil in the hotels sector
The travel industry is no stranger to turmoil. Having emerged phoenix-like from the ashes of the COVID-19 pandemic, last year started with a pent-up demand for global travel, and room rates generally...
Publication
18/01/2023
CAT rules on what details defendants are entitled to receive on class members...
The Competition Appeals Tribunal has specified the cir­cum­stances in which defendants may or may not respond to cor­res­pond­ence received directly from proposed class members. The tribunal also ordered the...
Law-Now Dispute Resolution
10/01/2023
Please release me - Court of Appeal clarifies how the scope of a set­tle­ment...
The Court of Appeal has given guidance on the construction of a settlement agreement that is expressed to release claims unknown to either party at the date of settlement, confirming that claims in con­spir­acy...
Law-Now Dispute Resolution
23/12/2022
In­ter­na­tion­al Disputes Digest - 2022 Winter Edition
Welcome to the winter edition of the In­ter­na­tion­al Disputes Digest, our bi-annual publication that considers and analyses current trends in global dis­pute-res­ol­u­tion and their wider impact. With war raging...
Law-Now Dispute Resolution
20/12/2022
In­ter­na­tion­al Disputes Digest - 2022 Winter Edition
Welcome to the winter edition of the In­ter­na­tion­al Disputes Digest, our bi-annual publication that considers and analyses current trends in global dis­pute-res­ol­u­tion and their wider impact.With war raging in eastern Europe and no end to the conflict in sight, the world and the global economy continue to face complex challenges.  In response to the invasion of Ukraine, Russian sanctions have impacted a world economy already suffering from supply-chain deficiencies and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pan­dem­ic. Eco­nom­ic stresses have also been magnified by the decision of western countries to reduce reliance on Russian energy supplies, resulting in gasoline and natural gas shortages and widespread inflation in both the energy sector and the general economy.  Although Ukraine's resilience on the battlefield raises the hope that the conflict will be resolved sooner rather than later, the in­ter­na­tion­al business community still faces a plethora of un­cer­tain­ties. In this edition, we feature a range of articles from around the world on topics as diverse as directors’ duties for companies in financial distress, potential reform of the English Arbitration Act 1996, and risk management in the life sciences sector.  We also consider how businesses in the UK can take steps to protect themselves in a “season of protest” and the obtaining of evidence abroad for use in in­ter­na­tion­al arbitration, amongst other matters.
Publication
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