Thomas K. Sprange

Partner

99 Gresham Street
London, EC2V 7NG
TEL: +44 20 7367 8024
FAX: +44 20 7367 8001

Tom Sprange is a partner and Solicitor Advocate in the London office of Steptoe & Johnson. He is a member of the firm's International Dispute Resolution group. Prior to joining Steptoe, Tom was an associate at a London firm specialising in international law.

Tom's arbitration and commercial litigation practice centers on large scale litigation and arbitration, with particular emphasis on multi-jurisdictional disputes. He has been involved in arbitration proceedings in the leading arbitration institutes including ICC, AAA, SCC, LCIA and ICSID.

His arbitration and litigation experience relates to a variety of legal areas, such as telecommunications, engineering, energy and natural resources, corporate fraud and product liability. He is particularly experienced in fraud claims, Worldwide Freezing Orders and asset tracing.

Tom also has expertise in conducting internal investigations, audits, and risk assessments for clients in the context of regulatory compliance, including in respect of international and local anti-corruption and money laundering legislation.

Tom is dual qualified, having also practiced in Sydney, Australia, in predominately insurance and commercial litigation.

Representative Matters

Arbitration

ICC arbitration on behalf of a major telecommunications provider in a product liability dispute under a GSM frame contract involving alleged defects in one of Europe’s largest GSM/GPRS networks. Value £375 million.
SCC Arbitration on behalf of Swiss trading company arising from shareholders dispute and consequent fraud under frame and tolling agreements associated with the Russian Aluminium industry. Value $325 million.
ICSID proceedings involving a global telecoms supplier in the prosecution of $multi-billion claims against a Middle Eastern State arising from the supplier’s investment in a national telecoms system. Value $2.32 billion.
ZCC Arbitration proceedings involving a telecoms manufacturer/financier in disputes arising from a $1.8 billion loan facility, including defaults under the facility, issues of interpretation and economic force majeure.
SCC arbitration on behalf of Dubai based investor arising from take over of Tajik aluminium plant and related breaches of tolling and share pledge agreements. Value $75 million.
ZCC proceedings on behalf of a financial services company in disputes arising from a share pledge agreement associated with a financing facility. Value $60 million.
ICC arbitration on behalf of major telecommunications provider in a dispute arising from the supply and distribution of handsets. Value $16 million.
Representing three global telecommunications suppliers in parallel LCIA arbitrations concerning rights to distribute technologically advanced telecommunications services in worldwide markets. Value $250 million.
ICC arbitration on behalf of UK subsidiary of major US oil services company in relation to dispute with middle eastern oil company. Value $10 million.

Commercial Litigation

Worldwide freezing order proceedings, to the value of $800 million on behalf of a major telecommunications company in relation to billion dollar fraud, including obtaining freezing orders, asset tracing, aircraft and yacht arrests and enforcement of foreign judgments in the EU and elsewhere. Co-ordination of ancillary proceedings in France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Greece, Bermuda, BVI, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man and Israel.
Fraud proceeding on behalf of UK property fund in respect of breach of fiduciary duties, including freezing order relief. Value £35 million.
Fraud and conspiracy proceedings on behalf of French, Cypriot and Dubai based investors in Tajik aluminium plant. Proceedings involving claims under 6 separate governing laws. Value $75 million.
Freezing order proceedings on behalf of Russian trading company in British Virgin Islands arising from shareholders dispute and related fraud. Issues as to underlying validity of foreign arbitral award, risk of dissipation of assets and veil piercing. Value $50 million.
Freezing Order proceedings on behalf of major telecommunications company, to the value of $1 billion, securing roaming and interconnect revenues of defendant company pending enforcement and recognition of foreign arbitral award. Co-ordination of related proceedings in France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Israel, Holland, Belgium and Italy.
Acting on behalf of major German telecoms operator in respect of the enforcement of $200 million ICC Award, related freezing order relief and ancillary proceedings in Malaysia.
Acting for European subsidiary of major US oil services company in respect of enforcement of ICC award by Iranian entity and raising of public policy arguments against enforcement. Value $10 million.

Regulatory

Acting for Energy minister of African State in respect of investigation by commonwealth authorities in relation to allegations of bribery and corruption.
Investigation by UK Authorities in respect of activities of International Bank in several European jurisdictions including money laundering compliance.
Investigation by US authorities into activities of leading oil services company in multiple jurisdictions throughout the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia.
Acting for one of the world largest communication companies in respect of investigation by Swiss authorities in relation to money laundering and fraud.
Investigation into activities of a large telecommunications company's middle eastern operations.

Noteworthy

Select News & Events

Publications

Preserving the status quo - the latest developments in freezing orders
December 14, 2007, New Law Journal
Energy Dispute Resolution in Africa, co-authored with Matthew Coleman
2007, The ICC UK Official Energy Handbook
Co-author, "Enforcing English Worldwide Freezing Injunctions in Switzerland: Denilauler, Van Uden and Mietz Revisted"
September 2004, Business Law International