Langbar defends Court of Appeal liens success in Supreme Court

Client(s) Langbar International Limited

Jones Day has successfully represented Langbar International Limited ("Langbar") in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in defending an attempt by the law firm Withers LLP ("Withers") to prevent enforcement against funds held in its client account.

In July 2010, Langbar obtained judgment in excess of €12m ($15.4 million) against its former chief executive (and Withers' former client), Mariusz Rybak. Withers had sought to retain a portion of sums held in its client account by arguing that it had a lien over those amounts on account of its professional fees. In May 2011, Withers obtained a High Court order to that effect.

Langbar, represented by Jones Day, successfully persuaded the Court of Appeal that the High Court had wrongly applied the long established legal principles of solicitor liens on the particular facts of the case and then successfully defended an application by Withers to the Supreme Court for permission to appeal.

This is the third successful action by Jones Day on behalf of Langbar in this matter and further contributes to recoveries from Mr. Rybak, which now amount to approximately £35 million ($53 million).

Langbar v. Withers LLP, Supreme Court of the U.K.