Edwin Coe, the UK’s leading collective action litigation firm, is leading a group action on behalf of hundreds of investors seeking damages, in a £150 million legal action against various parties involved in designing and selling the Eclipse schemes for investment in major films including Barclays, Bank of Ireland, HSBC and Disney. The investors allege that the designers of the scheme and those selling it misrepresented the chances of the Eclipse film investment scheme delivering tax breaks, with the result that many now face ‘life-changing’ tax bills and possible bankruptcy. The scheme was marketed as a tax efficient vehicle for investment in future returns on film rights on studio-made films, creating a tax deferral benefit.

David Greene, Edwin Coe’s Senior Partner and Head of Litigation, said: “These investors were misled on a wholesale basis. They thought, and were advised, that they were investing into film-backed investments that had potential tax advantages. Now the whole façade presented appears to have been fictional.”

The investors are also represented by tax specialists Newport Tax Management LLP.

Further information on the action may be found here.

About Edwin Coe

Discreet strength. Clear judgement. Enduring relationships.

Founded in 1913 and based in Lincoln's Inn, Edwin Coe is a leading independent London law firm built on clarity, collaboration and trust. We specialise in dispute resolution, private capital and cross-border matters.

What began as a boutique disputes practice over 100 years ago has evolved into a firm advising private clients, entrepreneurs, family offices, UK and international businesses across the areas of corporate, private client, real estate and litigation. Throughout that evolution, one thing has remained constant – our belief that the best advice combines legal insight with human understanding.

Collaborative in approach. Committed in purpose. Connected where it matters most.