Matthew Oliver Wynne

Recent contracts as the principal solicitor of AFL :

 

Skatteforvaltningen (Danish Customs and Tax Administration) v Solo Capital Partners LLP (in special administration) & others

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SKAT is attempting to reclaim > $2 billion which was allegedly paid out in response to unlawful and fraudulent tax reclaims in multiple jurisdictions.

 

Led a team managing the implementation of 5 confidentiality orders in force for several revenue authorities in several jurisdictions. There were >120 individuals, from >30 firms / companies, to which disclosure could be disclosed – all with varying levels of access and permissions. Point of contact with the hosting site, e-Data team and communicated the final decisions on grant of access. Communicating, creating and implementing a systematic approach to electronically signing the confidentiality orders for all involved in order to comply with the current laws and industry standards.

 

Co-lead of the US deposition redaction and analytical review team. Provided insight and solutions to the law firm and the client for complying with the US / UK confidentiality orders. Led calls with several law firms and the client.

 

Provided clear and concise instructions to the team of lawyers conducting the review. Made final call decisions on the status of privilege and assisted in the drafting of the advice note provided to the client.

 

Assisted in the management of the preparations for an important preliminary trial. Central point of contact with all work-streams, all 6 counsel and the client. Modified counsel’s chronology of events, the affidavit being submitted into evidence and reviewed / redacted the finalised version to bring it in line with confidentiality orders.

 

Co-ordinated the disclosure reviews the US Inland Revenue Service, the Bundesfinanzministerium, HMRC and the FCA. This involved High level use of a Relativity platform, creating systematic coding for the reviews in line with the litigation objectives. Circa 300,000 documents reviewed and redacted.

Work conducted when I worked for Pinsent Madsons : 

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Transactional Work

 

Modified several Energy Service Agreements for EDF. This included the alteration of: Force Majeure clauses taking into account the, then impending, Covid-19 pandemic, assignment and minimum energy requirement clauses.

 

Edited modification agreements for several Energy Contracts of Engie. Alteration of termination clauses, notice provisions, assignment clauses, term clauses etc.

 

Lead junior on a share purchase agreement for the sale of an online training company. Editing SPA clauses such as conditions precedent, representations and warranties, insurance clauses and indemnities. Responsible for drafting, negotiating and agreeing all ancillary documentation with the seller's solicitors such as: board minutes, guarantees and employment agreements (service contracts and employment contracts).

 

Sole junior on reducing the capital, distributing dividends and striking-off of a subsidiary for a long-standing client of the Head of Corporate. Drafted all documentation such as the Companies House forms, board minutes and a report.

 

Drafted a disclosure letter and warranty schedule for the sale of 2 companies (UK & US) from a FTSE 100 company to a Japanese company. After numerous calls with the client, accommodated 3 levels of "disclosure" and put into action complex commercial and jurisdictional issues. Identified the major points of risk when drafting the warranties.

 

During a bolt-on acquisition to a PE deal, implemented a reporting system for numerous experts, maintained version control of the Due Diligence Report. Drafted the “Risk of Litigation” section. Edited the main sections of the DDR such as the “Executive Summary”, “Data Protection” and “Tax”.  

 

Drafted legal opinions for large financial institutions on due execution / capacity and enforceability for term and revolving credit facilities agreements.

 

Managed virtual and physical completions for M&A deals and a concession agreement. Instructed the clients where to sign, provided overviews of each document and ensured all signed documents were witnessed correctly before reporting back to the client and team. 

 

Contentious Work 

 

Prepared for, conducted and later summarised a witness interview for a multi-jurisdictional VAT fraud case (>£230,000) for a large shipping company. Extracted pertinent information through questioning, listening and analysing the individual.

 

Prepared and assisted drafting a novel disclosure order for a market leading e-cigarette company. Lead junior on enforcing the order, reviewing the subsequent disclosure and reporting back to the team and client.

 

Drafted witness statement for an anti-competition case claimed against a lead manufacturer in Germany. Liaised with German lawyers to tease out key facts.  

 

Drafted multiple advice notes, notably advising on: gambling laws in the Channel Islands, the PCI/PFI regulations (which were previously not known) that informed the direction and advice given to a household sports-fashion retailer.

 

Drafted several cost budgets and statement of costs; applying varying hourly rates to the same fee earners, estimated value of future work and calculating write-offs.

 

Main point of contact for a client subject to a search and seize order. Coordinated several multi-party meetings (supervising solicitors and experts). Managed the client's expectations when questioned about the case and was sensitive when imparting difficult news.

 

Drafted multiple regulation required risk assessments which captured technical and legal facts of a data breach.

 

Tracked and drafted responses to customer complaints stemming from a data breach of a major high-end fashion retailer. Liaised directly with a Vice-President to provide guidance and enforce deadlines sensitively. Generated a key indicators spreadsheet to inform correspondence with the regulator.

 

Lead junior on the data breach of a police force. Analysed and extracted information from privacy and data policies, complaints and a contract with a pension provider. Provided an overview that dealt with the potential quantum for an insurance claim, demonstrating a commercial understanding of the client's needs.

 

Lead junior on multiple data breach matters such as: mailbox intrusion, password hygiene hacks, ransomware, phishing emails, DDoS and malware. All involved active participation on calls with the client and external experts (IT Forensics & PR).