Civil Fraud: examples of cases

H v B & others

Acting for 3 investors allegedly defrauded of US$ 35 million in their claims against one of the world's biggest banks in the High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Commercial Court, reported as one of the trials of 2007.

S Ltd v H & Ors

Acting for an alleged de facto director in the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, in the defence of a claim brought by the liquidators of S Ltd; these claims involved allegations of diverting in excess of £30 million tax by utilising 1000 personal service companies. The litigation was compromised on confidential terms.

P v G

Secured a substantial settlement on confidential terms against a prominent property developer for breach of contract and fiduciary duty in relation to a joint venture.

D v B

Representing D, a Saudi based financial services company against an aerospace manufacturer in relation to a transaction involving a purchase of a private jet and claims of bribery. We secured a seven figure out of court settlement in February 2007.

Assets Recovery Agency v C

Following the securing of his acquittal of an alleged £35 million VAT conspiracy; compromising civil confiscation proceedings in the High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Administrative Court, which enabled our client to acquire three properties by utilising the conviction of a co-accused under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

S v R

Acting in the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, on behalf of a $350 million bankrupt; the case involved the appeal by his Trustees in Bankruptcy to suspend his automatic discharge from bankruptcy.

Assets Recovery Agency v S

Defending a solicitor in one of the biggest civil claims being conducted by ARA. The litigation was described by the Director of the Assets Recovery Agency in the national press as 'trench warfare'. ARA had brought proceedings for the recovery of a £19 million property portfolio pursuant to its civil recovery powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Revenue & Customs Prosecution Office v B

Represented a director of two companies charged with a substantial VAT fraud involving land sales. Restraint proceedings (Involving Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Criminal Justice Act 1988) having been challenged on his behalf in the High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division, Administrative Court.

S v R

In Queen's Bench Division of the High Court successfully resisting multi-million dollar claim by a New York bank in relation to a guarantee.

DTI v D

Secured leave to continue to act as a director in the Companies Court for director disqualified pursuant to the Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

S v B

Acted against the liquidator and trustees in bankruptcy to secure substantial settlement in Chancery Division of High Court. Case involved alleged breaches of a Mareva injunction, the efficacy of a solicitor's lien and a creditor's right of set-off under the Insolvency Act 1986.

Criminal Fraud: examples of cases

R v R & others

We continue to represent the former Chief Executive Officer of RBG Resources plc, a metal trading company, who was prosecuted by the SFO in relation to a global fraud on lending institutions with losses reported to be in the region of $700 million dollars.

RCPO v H

We successfully defended the former manager of a company who was charged with conspiracy to cheat the Revenue generating an estimated loss of approximately £30 million in unpaid corporation and/or income tax. The case concerned 1000 personal service companies. The investigation led directly to changes in the tax regulations.

SFO v L & another

Successfully defended the marketing manager of an Independent Financial Adviser who was prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office. This case involved an alleged fraud on life insurance companies.

Dept of Work & Pensions v N

Represented the former Financial Director of an NHS Trust accused of forgery and theft in relation to the preparation of annual accounts and resulting in artificially inflated revenue surplus. The case has involved an analysis of the internal and external accounting procedures applied to NHS Trusts.

R v C

Defended alleged main organiser of a £35 million duty evasion conspiracy who had been extradited for trial. Our client being the only defendant to be acquitted out of 14 prosecuted.

R v S

Defended the ring-leader of a major conspiracy to defraud the UK Post Office with estimated loss of £20 million.

R v S

We acted for the defendant in substantial confiscation proceedings arising out of a significant fraud against a major pension fund. This case was prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office, who conducted the investigation together with the West Midlands Police Economic Crime Unit.

R v W & W

Defended brothers concerned in a major internet scam which affected 17,000 customers across the UK.

R v H

Defended extradited defendant in a notorious Spanish £50 million timeshare fraud.

Investigations: recent examples

PPH v The Chief Constable of Norfolk

Acted on behalf of an accountant in the Divisional Court to quash and declare illegal a search warrant issued by the Norwich Magistrates in relation to an investigation into a high yield investment fraud.

D

Instructed to conduct an internal investigation and to advise the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Finance Officer and Head of Legal at a major multi-national conglomerate following suspected bribery in relation to overseas contracts

A

Represented a law firm investigated by the City of London Police Anti-Corruption Unit for alleged bribery of foreign officials. The police were eventually persuaded to take no further action in this matter.

O

Successfully represented a mobile telephone data solutions provider in relation to a corruption investigation by the Metropolitan Police Economic Crime Unit.

M

Engaged by a leading commercial law firm to represent lawyers interviewed by the SFO under their compulsory powers of questioning under s2 Criminal Justice Act 1987 in connection with the investigation into a high profile plc company.