Overview
Benedict is widely regarded as a preeminent financial lawyer with particular expertise in transactional and advisory matters arising from structural and prudential regulation, especially the changes resulting from financial and political crises. His practice combines market-leading advisory expertise with a transactional structured finance offering designed to assist institutions address regulatory challenges.
Benedict advises many of the leading UK, European, US and Asian banks on structural change as well as regulatory capital, liquidity and leverage ratio requirements. He has also advised a number of Central Counterparty Clearing Houses (CCPs) across the world, and/or their clearing members, on the structuring of their platforms, particularly from an insolvency and regulatory capital perspective. He also acts for major corporates. He is the firm’s relationship partner for Nomura.
Benedict is currently developing a new class of derivative.
Work highlights
Benedict has advised on many groundbreaking financial regulatory-related matters. Notably, these include advising RBS in relation to the UK Government’s Asset Protection Scheme (APS) and the ring-fencing of its investment and retail banking operations. The APS was unique and completely original, and is probably the largest single financial transaction anywhere.
Professional experience
Benedict writes extensively on his area of expertise. He has written major industry opinions including ones for CCPs and/or dealer groups that can run to 300 pages. Among published articles, he wrote:
“Set-off of secured debts: relevance of the Lehman Waterfall Case”, with Elli Karaindrou, Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, April 2019
“PRA guidance on guarantees: far reaching consequences?”, with Elli Karaindrou, Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law, June 2018
Education
Benedict studied classics at Jesus College, University of Cambridge.
He speaks English, Greek and Latin.
