UK High Court Considers Dismissing Law Firm Over Misuse of Privileged Materials Obtained Through Black Cube Operation.
Salinas originally retained Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, later turning to Enyo Law of London. Most recently, he has been represented by LK Law of London, which appears to have lowered its standards in order to accept representing Ricardo Salinas Pliego. However, filings now before the UK High Court indicate that LK Law may face dismissal and sanctions after submitting transcripts and recordings suspected to have been obtained from confidential conversations between Salinas's legal adversaries while under alcohol inducement—part of a deceitful covert operation orchestrated by Black Cube, posing as legitimate clients at the instruction of Ricardo Salinas Pliego.
Legal observers are calling this one of the most serious cases of attempted perversion of justice in modern UK commercial litigation by solicitors and their barristers. If confirmed, it would mark the first instance of alcohol-compromised legal strategy being used as formal court evidence in a common law jurisdiction.
The ongoing Astor case is just one piece of a broader pattern. Salinas and his entities have been accused in Mexico of obstructing tax enforcement efforts, manipulating courts with frivolous appeals, and, according to Mexican Supreme Court justices, attempting to improperly influence rulings through intimidation and bribery. His companies have reportedly filed nearly 40 motions to delay fiscal rulings totalling over 34 billion pesos.
In the United States, Ricardo Salinas Pliego’s companies are embroiled in a series of lawsuits, refusing to pay debts and facing accusations that include fraud, dissipation of assets, and breach of contract. Ricardo Salinas Pliego has been found to be in contempt of court, and a warrant for his arrest is pending before the U.S. court.
As the UK High Court weighs the implications of the Black Cube operation, questions mount over the role of Salinas's revolving door of law firms and how uncomfortable the lawyers are in continuing to represent him. Legal experts warn that continual lawyer-switching, when paired with unethical tactics, may signal a calculated effort to delay justice and undermine adversaries.
Past and present solicitors and barristers involved in the alleged Black Cube case or named in allegations of misconduct include:
- Stephen Robins KC
- John Wardell KC
- Adam Cloherty KC
- Henry Phillips
- Matthew Abraham
- Ryan Perkins
- Richard Greenberg
- Stephanie Wilkins
- Andrew John Ford
- Edward John Whitney Allen
When asked for comment, a representative of Astor stated:
“Astor Asset Management 3 Ltd intends to report all the solicitors and barristers to the respective oversight committee which regulates solicitors and barristers for further investigation of wrongdoing. The named solicitors and barristers are committing perjury by repeatedly lying to the UK High Court as to the terms of the loan agreement—and that is perjury.”
A formal ruling on LK Law's future participation in the case is expected soon.
Disclaimer: The matters described involve allegations that remain subject to ongoing legal and regulatory review. No findings of liability or guilt have been made, and all individuals and entities mentioned are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Sources:
UK Court filings (Astor Asset Management 3 Ltd vs. Salinas)
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