Fraud and asset tracing

Identifying the perpetrators and causes of a fraud and then pursuing, securing and preserving information and assets, often in a number of jurisdictions, is a complex task.

Our dedicated team of fraud and asset tracing specialists combines our corporate and commercial law, criminal litigation and regulators teams, to secure and restrain assets and the proceeds of crime. 

We have significant expertise in dealing with civil fraud and asset tracing matters, and act for both claimants and defendants in high profile cases of significant value. We advise both corporate and individual clients in complex fraud and regulatory matters.

Both partners in our fraud and criminal litigation team are recommended by Chambers Global, the legal directory. 

We advise on a full range of fraud and asset tracing related issues. Our areas of expertise include:

• commercial and corporate fraud and misfeasance
• cross-border registration and enforcement of judgments
• data protection
• directors duties/disqualification proceedings
• e-disclosure
• evidence preservation orders
• freezing orders (Mareva injunctions)
• insurance fraud
• interviews
• investigations
• mortgage fraud
• police and SFO
• Proceeds of Crime Act
• reputational management/we have experience of dealing with
• cases with a high level of press interest
• search and seizure orders/dawn raids (Anton Piller Orders)
• third party disclosure orders
• tracing claims
• whistleblowing

Our cases frequently require us to work closely, both nationally and internationally with other law firms, forensic accountants, insolvency practitioners, the police and regulatory and judicial authorities. We have an established network of contacts and referrals in other fields and professional disciplines that can be called upon, when appropriate, to work with us to maximise our client's strategic objectives and, ultimately, the prospects of successful enforcement and recovery.

Our team is increasingly involved in assisting individuals and corporate entities in their responses to enquiries and investigations launched by organisations or individuals. We advise on the interplay of both civil and criminal issues in investigations which frequently require expedited responses to information requests.

Our experienced team provides round the clock advice and urgent representation during an emergency, such as dawn raids and search and seize orders, to ensure that evidence gathering processes are lawfully complied with from the outset of a case.

We also act as 'supervising solicitors' to ensure that search and seize orders are properly implemented in compliance with court orders.

Our specialist team is also able to offer practical advice and training for key personnel.

Dawn raids

Advising accountancy practices how to respond to requests for information on behalf of their clients, and also how to deal with a 'dawn raid' scenario.

Police investigations

Advising a company caught up in an investigation by police in relation to an alleged fraud committed by a company that provided payroll services.

Freezing orders

Engaging in an international arbitration and subsequently enforcing an ICC arbitration award, which resulted in the client obtaining a worldwide freezing order over assets in a number of jurisdictions.

Conducting asset tracing and 'false accounting' proceedings, in conjunction with a worldwide freezing order, for an individual in his claims against his former business managers, for the recovery of misappropriated earnings.

Obtaining freezing injunctions for charities where employees were alleged to have misappropriated company funds.

Legal sector work

Acting for the Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) on a number of reported high profile, high value and complex fraud and asset tracing claims arising from the intervention of solicitors’ practices. 

Search and seizure orders

Acting for the respondents/defendants to a search and seize order and springboard relief applications. Also in subsequent civil proceedings relating to the alleged theft, and misappropriation, of confidential information regarding a number of property transactions (value in excess of £20 million).

Multijurisdictional work

Acting for an international trading company in arbitration and subsequent High Court proceedings in an international fraud case.

Fraudulent trading

Acting for the liquidator in the pursuit of fraudulent trading claims against the directors of a ship construction company.

Undisclosed profits

Advising the expelled partners of a partnership regarding their entitlement to undisclosed profits, arising from breaches of their former partners' statutory and fiduciary duties.