Katie Byrne

Katie is the Head of the Commercial Dispute Resolution Team, leading a national practice of specialist commercial litigation and dispute resolution lawyers. The team is renowned for its ability to manage high-value, complex litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution, delivering exceptional results across a broad range of sectors. 

Katie has extensive experience in domestic and international commercial contract, liability and professional negligence disputes, and complex cross-border matters. 

Recognised in legal industry rankings for her technical excellence, commercial judgment and ability to align legal strategy with organisational strategy, Katie has been commended in Legal 500 as ‘outstanding’. 

She regularly acts for large corporates, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals. 

Katie leads our General Counsel programme, providing innovative practical and commercial advice, events and know-how to our General Counsel and in-house lawyer clients. 

Katie qualified as a solicitor in 2008. 

Recent highlights

• Defending an Indian bank in a £40m+ dispute arising from syndicated loan participations, involving allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation and deceit.
• Acting for a major leisure sector client in a multi-million-pound cross border dispute concerning the enforceability of a parent guarantee, including complex jurisdictional challenges.
• Advising a UK bank on an urgent proprietary injunctive relief application, delivering rapid strategic support in time critical circumstances.
• Representing a UK bank in multiple high value professional negligence claims against surveyors and solicitors.
• Client Relationship Partner to a major UK international airport, advising on risk mitigation and contentious issues involving retail concessionaires.
• Negotiating the successful settlement of a complex, multi-party, multi-jurisdictional dispute for directors defending £100m+ claims for wrongful trading and misfeasance. 

Testimonials

"Katie Byrne is outstanding. She provides very clear and straightforward advice and can absorb vast amounts of information and quickly understand complex international matters. You always get clear, straightforward and considered advice." - Legal 500, 2022

"Katie Byrne is an outstanding lawyer. She can quickly absorb large volumes of information, understand complex situations and formulate a response strategy. She provides very clear advice" - Legal 500, 2025