Alastair Dobbie
Consultant Solicitor & Barrister
Commercial, Corporate & Litigation
About Alastair
Alastair is an experienced litigator with the ability to engage quickly on urgent instructions.
He can assist with complex financial disputes and restructuring, often involving investment. He has represented hundreds of investors in property disputes, and recovered or protected tens of millions of Pounds of value for victims of Property Ponzi schemes, where his legal work sets precedents.
He is currently advising on a family business dispute in divorce, a crossover venture for him, in collaboration with an experienced family lawyer. This involves challenging the valuation of a company where the other party has dissipated assets, with the effect of reducing the company to insolvency.
He has represented investors and privately-owned companies for over a decade in disputes and difficult situations. He advises on legal investment risks in terms of the legal structures underlying security or purchase. He represents landlords and company-owners as well as their companies in litigation in Court. In particular, he has experience in high-conflict litigation in time-sensitive situations. He can help you if you have a contract, commercial or property dispute which needs a sensitive touch or firm grip.
Clients benefit from a dedicated approach without delegation or outsourcing, to ensure high standards. All work done by juniors is vetted before publication and supervised by Alastair as a grade A solicitor.
Outside of the office, Alastair enjoys long walks, skiing and sailing.
Legal Specialisms
- Commercial & Corporate Litigation - Representing claimants and defendants in Court with regard to contract, commercial or corporate disputes. Freeze order work (on both sides) and related orders, such as for passports or disclosure.
- Fraud Litigation, including Ponzi Schemes & Fraud by Accountants - Representing victims of fraud by scheme operators, accountants or other counterparties, especially in the case of Property Ponzi schemes or accountancy frauds.
- Investment & Company Litigation, including Restructuring and Director Disputes - Restructuring complex property scheme insolvencies, responding to hostile Court action and resolving disputes between investors and on behalf of investors. Representing directors vis-à-vis the company.
- Property litigation - Acting for the landlord or the tenant in matters relating to service charges, insurance, rent or forfeiture.
- Family financial litigation, including family-owned business disputes - Acting for either party to a divorce in relation to rights and obligations in the family-owned business.
- Investment litigation - Advising on legal risks in investment, insolvency and restructuring, as well as representation in Court.
Legal Expertise in Practice
- Property Ponzi Schemes (“UCIS” - Unregulated Collective Investment Schemes) - Restructured and resolved £20 million of recovery for investors who were victims of one of the UK’s largest property Ponzi schemes, using a novel analysis of the regulatory legislation to release value.
- Insolvency Facilitation in the Context of a Major Divorce Award from the Court - Insolvency facilitation in relation to one of the country’s largest divorce settlements after assets were not recoverable due to dissipation. This protected the wife from insolvency after her win in Court.
- Fraud Litigation, with Freezing Orders, Passport Orders & Third-Party Bank Disclosure Orders - Domestic and worldwide freezing orders with passport orders in the case of an allegedly fraudulent bookkeeper-accountant. This ensures the Defendant cannot leave the country until the case is resolved.
- Property Litigation in the High Court & County Court - Acting for claimants and respondents in the High Court and County Court to preserve property or prevent its abuse by parties who would see it sold, transferred out or encumbered by their charges.
- Property Litigation in Residential Matters - Acting for the landlord or the tenant in matters relating to service charges, insurance, rent or forfeiture. In one instance, Alastair extracted significant concessions from a tenant in Court via judicial “mediation” after years of dispute around relatively small but significant insurance rent arrears.
- Family Financial Proceedings - Collaborating with a high-end family lawyer, I am facilitating the resolution of a family-owned company dispute, where the other party has dissipated the assets with the effect of ‘reducing’ the company value.
Related Services
Call Alastair: 01204 356428
Email Alastair: a.dobbie@woodstocklegalservices.co.uk
“I have had the pleasure of Alastair Dobbie acting for me on a complaint over the last few years. Throughout the time Alastair has always been personable and professional. He is considered, honest and clear and very knowledgeable on legal detail. I have no hesitation in recommending Alastair's expertise to others.”
“I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Alastair Geoffrey Dobbie, an outstanding solicitor who played a pivotal role in securing favourable judgments in my case against a leaseholder with multiple breaches. His expertise and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. Some of the Mr Dobbie’s qualities as a solicitor which stood out in my own situation were: 1. Expert Advice and Strategic Navigation: Alastair’s legal acumen was evident from our first consultation. He meticulously analysed the complexities of our case, identifying key legal points and crafting a robust strategy. His ability to navigate the intricate web of property law was truly impressive. 2. Strong Relationship with Counsel: Alastair’s established relationship with counsel proved to be a game-changer. He effectively communicated with counsel, ensuring that our concerns were heard and addressed promptly. His diplomatic approach fostered cooperation and facilitated smoother proceedings. 3. Honesty and Focus: Alastair kept me grounded throughout the process. His candid feedback and insistence on focusing on the core issues prevented distractions. He encouraged me to stay honest about the facts and maintain clarity, even when emotions ran high. 4. Transparency and Fairness: Transparency was a hallmark of Alastair’s practice. He explained each step of the legal process, demystifying jargon and ensuring I understood my rights and responsibilities. His fairness extended to cost considerations—there were no surprises, and his billing was transparent and reasonable. In summary, Mr. Dobbie’s unwavering commitment, legal prowess, and ethical approach make him an exceptional solicitor. I wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone seeking top-tier legal representation.”
“Alastair had dealt with two simultaneous matters for us, with a satisfactory outcome for both. He had administered each professionally, competently and with integrity. Alastair was honest and approachable and always personable to deal with. Thank you for walking us through these two awkward matters with confidence, making the experience as painless as could be expected.”