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William advises corporate clients, institutions and high net worth individuals on a wide range of contentious matters including resolving complex contractual and civil fraud disputes. His practice has a strong focus on disputes involving intellectual property, art and cultural property.

William’s clients in the art world include galleries, museums, artists and collectors. He has acted in a wide range of art disputes involving allegations of misrepresentation over provenance, false attribution, theft and contested donations.

His work in the art sector combines with his expertise in copyright infringement and misuse of trade marks. In terms of IP and commercial litigation, he regularly acts on brand disputes and disputes involving misuse of information and breaches of restrictive covenants in the employment context.

William has a special interest in civil fraud and has advised clients on applications for interim relief including freezing injunctions, asset disclosure orders and passport seizure orders.

William has extensive court experience and has conducted cases in a range of jurisdictions including the Commercial Court, Technology & Construction Court, Intellectual Property Enterprise Court and the Court of Appeal.

William advises on alternative forms of dispute resolution such as mediation and arbitration.  His pragmatic approach has helped clients to settle disputes on satisfactory terms without having to involve the courts.

William recognises the burden that litigation can place on clients in terms of time and costs. He therefore encourages clients to think about managing their litigation risk at the earliest opportunity. He advises clients when contractual terms are being negotiated, counselling on potential dangers and on the inclusion of the most appropriate dispute resolution provisions.

William is an Italian speaker and run’s the firm’s Italian desk.

William qualified as a solicitor in 2009.

Membership & Accolades

  • Fraud Lawyers Association
  • London Solicitors Litigation Association
  • British Italian Law Association
  • Art Lawyers Association
  • International Association of Lawyers (UIA)

Testimonials

"William Charrington is super clever, unbelievably hard-working and a first-rate lawyer. He is an absolute delight to work with and top drawer for art-related disputes." (Chambers HNW 2024)

"Mr Charrington is a very bright man. He is a good convenor of discussions and has a high level of emotional intelligence." (Chambers HNW 2024)

"William Charrington operates at a high level. His writing is admirably clear and his advice is always top-drawer. He is calm and clever." (Legal 500 2024)

"Will Charrington – He’s super clever, unbelievably hard-working, and an excellent lawyer. Top drawer for any art dispute." (Legal 500 2023)

"Will is a good and careful lawyer - he is very thoughtful and great to work with." (Chambers HNW 2023)

"William Charrington has been our principal contact at Farrers for English legal advice on art and cultural property. Charrington is superb: he is smart, his writing is concise and he always appears unflappable. He clearly enjoys what he does and is terrifically good at it. I would not hesitate to recommend him." (Legal 500 2022)

"William Charrington – my experience with working with him is very positive. He is constantly on top of everything, always well informed, and doesn't mind working in evenings or weekends if required. His analysis, arguments, suggestions, etc. are usually very good as far as I (not being a lawyer myself) can judge on this." (Legal 500 2021)

"Will Charrington is super clever, unbelievably hard-working, and an excellent lawyer. You don’t get a better associates than Will." (Legal 500 2021)

"Will Charrington gave excellent, precise and commercial advice in a complex case." (Legal 500 2021)

Reported Cases

  • GB Minerals Holdings Ltd v Short [2015] EWHC 1387 (TCC)
  • GBM Minerals Engineering Consultants Ltd V GB Minerals Holdings Ltd [2015] EWHC 3091 (TCC)
  • Otkritie v Urumov & Ors [2014] EWHC 191 (Comm)
  • Chilab v King’s College London [2013] EWCA Civ 147
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