Clifford Chance
Julian specialises in international commercial litigation and advises international corporates and global banks on a wide range of contentious matters including general commercial and financial disputes.
Described by clients as an "exceptional strategist and tactician", he is a pre-eminent practitioner in the London market who is well-known for his involvement in some of the most high-profile and high-stakes complex disputes, including "bet the company" cases heard before London courts in the past decades. He has also built a market leading practice advising on cross-border disputes in the aviation sector.
Due to the diverse nature of his practice and his standing as a trusted advisor to boards, he was recently appointed to co-lead the firm's Industrials, Transport and Mobility sector.
He acted as President of the London Solicitors Litigation Association from 2018 until 2020.
- Advising an aircraft manufacturer on an ongoing basis in relation to a number of disputes and commercial issues arising from the supply of aircraft to an airline. The disputes each involve the management of risk in the context of high value contracts and the application of complex contractual and commercial law principles in order to protect our client's position and further their business interests.
- Advising a US defence technology company in a high-profile dispute with a UK public body in relation to the cancellation of a multi-million pound contract.
- Advising the aircraft financing arm of a financial services company in a dispute with a company concerning the default on aircraft finance loans and recovery of funds across multiple jurisdictions.
- Advising a defence contractor in a dispute with a prominent London Authority in relation to the termination of a major service contract on the grounds of alleged non-performance by the service provider. The case involved a detailed assessment of the grounds of termination, the operation of the relevant contractual mechanisms, and Authority conduct.
- Advising various financial institutions and lessors on significant disputes in the aviation sector involving lenders, finance lessors and operating lessors, often arising in the context of troubled airlines and including, for example, cross-border enforcement and recovery issues.
- Advising a major European bank in relation to recovery claims commenced by a Bolivian customer.
- Advising a major Asian bank in relation to enforcement claims against Pakistani ISDA counterparties.
- Advising a major French bank in relation to enforcement and recovery claims under a Lehman's sponsored investment structure.
- Advising a major European bank (in its capacity as lender and security trustee) in relation to potential enforcement / restructuring of a Russian loan, under a Russian, Cypriot and BVI based security structure.
- Advising an Asian tyre manufacturer on a product recall on safety grounds. The matter required coordination across ten European jurisdictions, including the population of notifications to the competent authorities, recall notices and related documentation.
News and client work
Contact details
Career and qualifications
- Bristol University (LLB) 1992
- Law Society Finals 1993
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 1996
- Joined Clifford Chance 1996
- Partner since 2006
Professional bodies
- President of the London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA)
Awards and citations
- He is highly intelligent and a superb team leader. Julian is a great tactician who strikes the fear of God into the opposition.
Chambers and Partners 2025 - Commercial and Corporate Litigation - He provides exceptional counsel to clients.
Chambers and Partners 2025 - Commercial and Corporate Litigation - Julian can put teams together and run them, knowing when to let people do their own thing and when he needs to step in. This is a great strength.
Chambers and Partners 2025 - Commercial and Corporate Litigation - ‘Julian Acratopulo - utterly brilliant. The cleverest person in the room. The one who has done all the reading. The one who directs the strategy.
Legal 500 2025 - London > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium - Julian Acratopulo: He’s the full package: highly intelligent, an outstanding team-leader, a great tactician, and he strikes the fear of God into the opposition.
Legal 500 2025 - London > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium