In
Hinkel v Simmons & Simmons, Mr Justice Adam Johnson refused permission to appeal an order entering summary judgment for the law firm, and in doing so upheld the decision to dismiss David Hinkel’s fraud claim.
The claimant had brought legal action against Simmons & Simmons over an aborted purchase of a property owned by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hinkel said that an individual involved in the transactions, who was in contact with a member of Simmons & Simmons, was not a representative of the seller but instead an imposter. Hinkel sought incurred costs and lost profits caused by the failed transaction from the firm on the basis it was a party to a fraud.