Sarah Batley

Partner

London + 44.20.7039.5104

Connect:

Share

Sarah Batley is a commercial litigator with experience in complex cross-border litigation. She focuses on antitrust, contract, tort, and breach of duty claims, often in the context of large-scale group actions. Sarah has been closely following ESG (environmental, social, and governance) developments in the United Kingdom and regularly advises clients on ESG and climate change litigation risk.

Sarah's recent experience includes acting for Mastercard in its defense of numerous multimillion pound claims brought by European retailers, alleging that its interchange fees and certain network rules are anticompetitive. Thousands of individual claims are being case managed together as "umbrella" claims, a novel and bespoke procedure akin to an opt-in group action. Sarah also acts for Mastercard in its defense of a multibillion pound class action (brought on both an opt-out and opt-in basis, a first for the United Kingdom) in relation to certain of its interchange fees. She also acted on Mastercard's successful defense and settlement of a claim alleging certain aspects of Mastercard's ATM scheme rules were anticompetitive.

In addition, Sarah regularly acts for clients in general commercial disputes, including advising: global companies on complex post-M&A disputes; a special situations investment management group on claims for breach of contract and conspiracy; multinational corporations on complex worldwide asset recovery and enforcement issues; and investors and liquidators in complex multiparty proceedings arising from the breakdown of investments and joint ventures. Sarah also advises on product liability and related issues.

Sarah has been recognized by The Legal 500 as a "Next Generation Partner," described as a "star in the making" and a "truly exceptional lawyer."

Experience

  • Mastercard wins limitation judgment in retailer interchange fee litigationIn its ongoing representation of Mastercard International Inc., Jones Day won a Competition Appeal Tribunal judgment on limitation issues in the retailer interchange fee litigation in the United Kingdom.
  • Mastercard successfully resists summary judgment applicationJones Day represented Mastercard defending an application for summary judgment brought by numerous retailers in respect of their claims which allege that multiple types of Mastercard's interchange fees for credit and debit cards violate EU and UK competition law (in particular, Mastercard's interchange fees which apply to commercial and consumer domestic, intra-EEA and inter-regional transactions).
  • UK listed company conducts multijurisdictional investigation into allegations of bribery and tax evasionJones Day conducts internal investigation for a publicly listed company in relation to potential Bribery Act 2010 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 offences alleged to have been perpetrated by employees of foreign subsidiary.
  • PAG invests in Key Safety Systems to finance acquisition of global assets of Takata CorporationJones Day represented PAG Asia Capital Ltd. and PAG Asia II LP in connection with its investment in Key Safety Systems, a subsidiary of China-based Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corporation, to finance the acquisition of substantially all of the global assets of Takata Corporation out of bankruptcy in the U.S. and Japan and certain non-bankruptcy transactions elsewhere in the world.
  • FTSE 100 technology company resolves £25 million data security breach claimsJones Day advised a FTSE 100 technology company in breach of warranty claims under a share purchase agreement, alleging breaches of data and technology warranties arising from alleged PCI-DSS non-compliance.
  • Liquidators of Cayman Islands fund secure $22.5 million of assetsJones Day is advising the liquidators of Hadar Fund Ltd. in proceedings initiated following the discovery that substantial payments were made for the benefit of two of the beneficial owners of its investment manager in connection with one of the investments made by the Fund.
  • Diamond broker resists claim for share of commissionJones Day advised the world's largest diamond broker in its successful resolution of a claim by a fellow broker for commission said to be owed in respect of clients who defected from one broker to the other.
  • High net worth individual successfully resolves dispute over alleged £30 million joint ventureJones Day acted for a high net worth individual in the successful resolution of a claim in excess of £30 million said to be owed under an alleged oral joint venture agreement arising out of the refurbishment of a super-prime central London property.
  • Groveholt obtains successful declaration involving overage paymentJones Day successfully represented Groveholt Ltd. in its claim alleging an overage payment due to a former owner of a Brownfield regeneration site in Derbyshire.
  • Leading IT managed services provider successfully resolves joint venture disputeJones Day advised a leading UK managed IT services provider in its successful resolution of an unfair prejudice and employment dispute arising out of a joint venture for the provision of managed services.
  • High net worth individuals win professional negligence claim against former solicitorsJones Day successfully advised two high net worth individuals on their claim for professional negligence against their former solicitors.
  • Bombardier Aerospace defeats customer's attempt to reject aircraft and claim return of approx US$30 million purchase priceJones Day represented Bombardier Aerospace in its defense to Air Transworld's claim that the customized Challenger 605 aircraft manufactured and sold by Bombardier was not fit for purpose, of satisfactory quality or in correspondence with description, and defeated Air Transworld's attempt to reject the aircraft and claim the return of the purchase price paid (approx. US$30 million).
  • Bombardier Aerospace wins in Court of AppealJones Day successfully represented Bombardier Aerospace in the Court of Appeal against the claim brought by Gesner Investments Limited that it had validly terminated its aircraft purchase agreement and was therefore entitled to an amount in excess of US$8.5 million.
  • Brittle Bone Society's hotel conference dispute is satisfactorily negotiatedSarah Batley, an associate in the Trial Practice group, and Julia Carson, in the New Lawyers Group of Jones Day London, advised the Brittle Bone Society, a charity which supports people with osteogenesis imperfecta in a dispute with a hotel where it had held a conference.
  • Metro Baltic Horizons, property investment company, investigates claims against former directors, investment manager, and investment advisorJones Day is advising Metro Baltic Horizons Plc, an AIM listed property investment fund, in connection with claims arising out of investigations into the activities of its previous directors, investment manager, investment advisor and other professional advisors, including the individuals behind the entities.
  • Consortium of 700 investors seeks advice in £320 million tax-driven collective investment schemeJones Day is advising investors in a tax-driven scheme to invest in carbon emission trading and research and development.
  • Langbar wins action for damages against former chief executive involving fraudulent misrepresentationJones Day successfully represented Langbar International Limited ("Langbar") in its action for damages in excess of €12m ($15.4 million) against its former chief executive, Mariusz Rybak, following the discovery that Mr. Rybak had fraudulently misrepresented the value of his Monaco apartment during the settlement of the original fraud proceedings commenced against him by Langbar in 2006.
  • Absent husband complicates divorce proceedingsJones Day lawyers advised a pro bono client with no means of obtaining paid legal advice whose husband had agreed to a divorce, and then claimed not to be the respondent, and then left the country and became unreachable.
  • Sibir Energy pursues action relating to the alleged misappropriation of over $400 millionJones Day has been acting for the energy company, Sibir Energy Plc, in relation to the high profile misappropriation of sums exceeding US$400 million by former directors and shareholders.
  • JohnsonDiversey closes €50 million trade receivables securitization facilityJones Day represented JohnsonDiversey Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of commercial cleaning, sanitation and hygiene products, in connection with the €50 million (US$63.4 million) trade receivables securitization facility that will provide cash proceeds through the ongoing purchase of receivables from French, Spanish, and English subsidiaries.
    • View All

    June 2025 Alert

    Civil Justice Council Recommends "Light Touch" Regulation of Litigation Funding in United Kingdom

    May 2025 Commentary

    DDADUE Law Ushers in a New Era for Class Actions in France

    December 2024 White Paper

    Class Actions Worldview Compendium

    NOVEMBER 2024 Alert

    Radical Changes to Europe's Product Liability Rules Adopted

    May 2024 White Paper

    Class Actions Worldview: Part IV—China, Japan, Belgium, The Netherlands, and England and Wales

    April 2024 Commentary

    Unwelcome Visitors? UK Court Greenlights Domestic Search Warrants in Competition Cases

    December 2023 White Paper

    Class Actions Worldview: Part III—Australia, Germany, and France

    October 2023 White Paper

    Class Actions Worldview: Part II—Italy and Spain

    October 2023 White Paper

    The Rise of US-Style Class Actions in the UK and Europe

    September 2023 White Paper

    From Aspiration to Execution—ESG Legal Risks in the UK Real Estate Sector
    View All

    Before sending, please note:

    Information on www.jonesday.com is for general use and is not legal advice. The mailing of this email is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Anything that you send to anyone at our Firm will not be confidential or privileged unless we have agreed to represent you. If you send this email, you confirm that you have read and understand this notice.