Thomas Malato-Johnson
Thomas is a Barrister in the Commercial Disputes & Class Actions team. He was Called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn and became a Partner in April 2023.
He specialises in complex commercial disputes with a strong international dimension. His practice encompasses all aspects of litigation and arbitration, with a specific focus on high-value fraud, finance, and company law. Thomas is noted in particular for his abilities as an advocate (“thorough barrister and a confident advocate”), written work (“on top of all the detail”) and dedication to the cases on which he is instructed. He acted in one of The Lawyer’s ‘Top 20 Cases’ of 2024.
Thomas advises individuals and businesses:
- International arbitration: Experience under major institutional rules including the ICC, LCIA, and FOSFA. In 2025, he was granted rights of audience before the AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre) Court, further reflecting the international scope of his work.
- Civil Fraud & Asset Recovery: Represents clients in high-value fraud claims, including cross-border strategies.
- Financial Services: Acts in regulatory and finance disputes, including mis-selling claims, breach of margin, and professional negligence.
- Corporate Governance: Advises on shareholder disputes, directors’ duties, and breaches of fiduciary obligations. Experienced in contentious boardroom issues, unfair prejudice petitions, and claims arising from corporate mismanagement or deadlock.
- Advocacy: Appeared in a broad range of courts and tribunals, including the County Court, High Court (King’s Bench and Chancery Divisions), Chancery Appeals, and the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Thomas read law at undergraduate continuing his studies at King’s College London (distinction and top of year, receiving the Dickson Poon School of Law Prize) and completed his SEC Advanced Internation Advocacy course at Keble College, University of Oxford.
Expertise
Competition Disputes
Financial Services Disputes
Civil Fraud & Asset Recovery
Arbitration
Class Actions
Commercial Disputes
Credentials
Recognised as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ in Legal 500 UK 2026
Recommended in Legal 500 UK 2026 for Commercial Litigation and Civil Fraud
Included in the Lawdragon 500 Global Plaintiff Lawyers 2025 Guide
Shortlisted for Employed Barrister of the Year 2024
Nominated for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year 2024
SEC Advanced Internation Advocacy course at Keble College, University of Oxford
Winner of the Dickson Poon School of Law Best in Year Prize at King’s College
Member of the Commercial Bar Association
Panel Member of Advocate (Bar Pro Bono)
Completed Advocate’s 25 for 25: The Pro Bono Challenge
EXPERIENCE
Thomas's experience includes:
Acting for the claimant in proceeding arising from the liquidation of the Claimant’s US index options and wider portfolio following an alleged breach of the margin level (£20 million).
Acting and appearing as counsel in the High Court, obtaining permission to appeal on an issue arising out of compliance with unless orders. This case is now cited in the White Book 2023.
Acting and appearing for Only Fans (the social media platform) on the question of liability for VAT in respect of payments made by customers to creators.
Acting and appearing as counsel for the claimant group in a £1.3 billion claim in deceit, conspiracy and dishonest assistance against HSBC for its part in structuring partnerships to invest in Disney films.
Acting for a claimant seeking specific performance arising from the defendant’s breach of a share purchase agreement and use of associated intellectual property rights. Similarly, applying for injunctive relief to protect a business from a rogue director.
Acting in a dispute as to the nature and extent of the parties’ business relationship and the ownership of certain assets, particularly a number of market sites in Moscow.
Acting for a claimant group arising from the mis-selling of timeshares and pursuing claims for misrepresentation and under consumer credit legislation.
ICC Arbitration – acting for a Dubai claimant in a €8,000,000 joint venture action raising issues of contractual interpretation on the share purchase agreement.
LCIA Arbitration – advising a Dutch claimant in its claim for pre-emption.
Thomas Johnson is a class act.
The Legal 500 UK 2026
Thomas Johnson stands out. He takes a very thoughtful approach to litigation and is forensic in his paperwork, where he needs to be. He is willing to get stuck into the detail and the documents. He will challenge the views of others, and raise the level of the whole team.
The Legal 500 UK 2026
Thomas Johnson is on top of all the detail, independent of thought, and hard-working.
The Legal 500 UK 2025
Thomas Johnson is strategic, efficient and very hard-working.
The Legal 500 UK 2025
Thomas Johnson is one to watch – really gets the issues, cuts to the chase, and has a good instinct for what will matter in court.
The Legal 500 UK 2024
Thomas Johnson is very hard working, cuts through issues, and gets the practicalities of claimant side group litigation.
The Legal 500 UK 2024
Thomas is the definition of justice. He is an incredible barrister and I can never repay him for his time, kindness and relentless hard work to get us to this position
Advocate Client Feedback
Thomas Johnson is frighteningly efficient and refreshingly direct – he is a real asset in the team for heavy-duty litigation.
The Legal 500 UK 2023
Thomas Johnson is a very shrewd and sophisticated litigator, who gets straight to the point and is very focused on the litigation’s objectives.
The Legal 500 UK 2022
Thomas Johnson stands out as tenacious and knowledgeable; highly competent and a good fighter to have on your side.
The Legal 500 UK 2020
Thomas was absolutely brilliant. He is a thorough barrister and a confident advocate who got the Judge on side in a very tricky High Court hearing.
Client Feedback