Paul Kanolik

My Approach

An "astute and commercially minded" solicitor (The Legal 500 (UK 2017)), with an ‘uncanny ability to achieve the best settlement agreement available’ (The Legal 500 (UK 2018)), and winner of "Lawyer of the Year" at the Dorset Legal Awards 2018. Paul acts on a diverse range of commercial disputes, with particular specialisms in betting and gaming, banking and finance and intellectual property.

Litigious matters invariably involve overcoming difficult challenges and meeting different objectives. I take an analytical and logical approach to each case, always seeking to reach a conclusion which is favourable as well as cost-effective to the client.

Area of Expertise

Betting and Gaming Disputes

I regularly act in betting and gaming disputes with large, multi-national betting companies, including claims and complaints in relation to the following:

• Self-exclusion policies;
• The Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, including in relation to social responsibility and the protection of children and vulnerable persons;
• Anti-money laundering, ‘know your customer’ and other due diligence obligations;
• Non-payment of winnings

Banking and Finance Litigation

I specialise in a wide variety of banking and finance disputes concerning individuals and companies, including claims which relate to the following:-

• Negligent advice by banks and other financial advisors;
• Fraud, unlawful means conspiracy, and other dishonesty-related disputes with financial institutions and advisors;
• Breaches of loan agreements, contracts, or other debt instruments by financial institutions;
• RBS/Global Restructuring Group (GRG) claims and complaints to the Bank, the Financial Ombudsman Service, and via the RBS GRG Redress Scheme;
• Consequential loss claims;
• Interest Rate Swap Hedging products, fixed-rate loans, finance agreements, endowments, equity releases, pensions, and other financial product mis-selling;
• LIBOR manipulation;
• Loan and overdraft disputes;
• Debt restructuring.

Intellectual Property

A significant part of the work I carry out includes intellectual property matters, such as the following:

• Trademark infringement disputes;
• Advice regarding copyright protection and infringement;
• Design right disputes and advice;
• Passing off claims;
• Software licence and mobile app infringement disputes;
• Trade marks registrations;

Commercial and Property Disputes

I also have significant experience in dealing with other disputes, including claims involving:-

• Contractual disputes (e.g. breach of contract);
• Consumer rights and consumer credit/finance issues (e.g. in relation to the sale and supply of goods and services and consumer finance agreements);
• Corporate and partnership disputes (including disputes between directors, shareholders and partners);
• Defamation;
• Property (e.g. breaches of leases and tenancy agreements);
• Professional negligence;
• Debt recovery and set aside and defense of judgments entered into by creditors

Recent Work

• Acting on a number of high-value betting and gaming disputes
• Representing small and medium-sized enterprises against major UK and international banks in relation to Interest Rate Swap mis-selling, with the Banking & Finance Litigation Department recovering over £60million in redress for clients.
• Advising and acting on a number of trade mark registrations and intellectual property (e.g. copyright, trade mark and passing off) disputes for local and international businesses.
• Dealing with a variety of contract, debt and property-related claims.

Professional Associations & Qualifications

• Qualified as a Solicitor in October 2012.
• Became Partner at Ellis Jones in 2019.
• Winner of "Lawyer of the Year" at the Dorset Legal Awards 2018.
• Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 (UK 2024) recognised for adopting "a firm and realistic approach to difficult gambling cases"
• Ranked in Chambers & Partners (UK 2023) for Litigation - "In multiparty cases against difficult opponents they have kept impressive control of where the case is going."
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2023) being described to have an "in-depth knowledge and approach to gambling cases on top of his game"
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2022) for Commercial Litigation – highlighted niche experience in bringing claims against betting companies.
• Recognised a Key Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2020) for Commercial Litigation.
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2019) and rated for his ‘uncanny ability to achieve the best settlement available’.
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2017) being described as 'astute and commercially minded'.
• Recommended Department by The Legal 500 (UK 2016) for Commercial Litigation.
• LLB Law Degree (2:1) and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Distinction).