King & Wood Mallesons' (KWM) London dispute resolution team has advised longstanding client Forex Capital Markets (FXCM) on the successful defence of a claim brought against it by a user of the service.

FXCM, an online forex trading and commodities broker, revoked trades placed by retired Bulgarian schoolteacher Daniela Shurbanova on the basis that they had been made in breach of its terms of business, describing them as "abusive".

The broker claimed that Shurbanova was acting as a front for her husband, who had been banned by FXCM on numerous occasions from undertaking particular types of trade.

Shurbanova denied the allegations and brought a damages claim against FXCM, contending that FX was in breach of contract in revoking the trades.

Dispute resolution partner Dorothy Murray led KWM's London team advising the broker on the case, while Shurbanova was advised by City firm Judge Sykes Frixou.

KWM instructed Farhaz Khan and Chloe Bell of Outer Temple Chambers for the dispute, while Judge Sykes Frixou turned to Quadrant Chambers barrister Turlough Stone.

Judge Waksman dismissed the case after finding Shurbanova was an unreliable witness and that she was "a cipher" for her husband and/or son.

KWM's London disputes team consists of four partners who all joined the relaunched firm after the legacy SJ Berwin business collapsed in January.

Earlier this month the firm appointed its first Europe and Middle East (EUME) managing partner since relaunching in the region. China M&A partner Wang Rongkang, who has been at the firm since 1998, is moving to London from Shenzhen to take up the new role.

This July the firm also announced its first lateral hires in Europe since the collapse, with two partners set to join in Frankfurt this October – corporate partner Hui Zhao and restructuring partner Daniel Ehret.