Addleshaws names new litigation head as Ablyazov lawyer steps down

Leedham, who is withdrawing from management to focus more on client work, will be replaced by Simon Kamstra on 1 June. Leedham has been head of litigation since 2010, when he replaced Simon Twigden, who left to set up his own boutique practice (23 April 2010).

Kamstra will combine the litigation head job with client work and with his role as head of international arbitration, which he has held since 2007 (1 May 2007).

In a statement, Kamstra said: “We have a talented team, which is fast becoming regarded as one of the best in the UK. Through Richard’s leadership we’ve remained at the vanguard of, and lead the debate on, litigation funding and costs control, and we have a more diverse and very significant UK and international flavour to our litigation portfolio - five cases running simultaneously in the opening weeks of the new Rolls building is a real sign of our breadth and capability. It’s a terrific platform.”

Leedham is lead advisor for Addleshaws on the £3.1bn litigation between client Mukhtar Ablyazov and BTA Bank JSC, which is represented by Hogan Lovells. Tomorrow the High Court will decide whether Ablyazov can appeal against a committal order that he should be jailed for failure to disclose his full assets (5 March 2012).