Our corporate and business crime practice has been at the forefront of the highest profile investigations and prosecutions for many years. It acts for individuals and corporates. Clients have included senior executives as well as listed and private companies in issues as diverse as fraud, misleading the market, insider dealing, corruption, money laundering, anti-competitive conduct, extradition and cybercrime.

We deal with each of the prosecuting authorities in the UK, including the SFO, the FCA, the CPS, HMRC and the CMA. Increasingly, our cases are international and involve the US Department of Justice, the FBI and other overseas prosecutors.

We attend on dawn raids and arrests. We have challenged and overturned search warrants. Clients are prepared for interview. Each member of the team is highly experienced in representing clients in cautioned and compelled interviews. We have secured the discontinuance of investigations and proceedings in many cases. In others, we undertake advocacy or ensure first class representation from the Bar.

Recent instructions include acting for traders and submitters in the UK and overseas investigations into the manipulation of LIBOR and EURIBOR; acting for several individuals under investigation for collusion in the foreign exchange market; advising on a corporate investigation into corruption; and advising a client in the SFO's investigation into alleged mis-statements in Tesco's accounts. With the growing reach of some overseas prosecutors, the team has well established links with highly reputable firms in other jurisdictions.

"They have a unique position straddling the criminal and regulatory world in a powerful way. They deliver a very good service to corporates."
Chambers UK 2021

LIBOR and EURIBOR

Acting for submitters and traders under investigation and facing prosecution in the UK and in the US for manipulating LIBOR and EURIBOR, including extradition, regulatory and employment issues arising.

FX

Advising traders under investigation and facing prosecution in the UK and the US for collusion in the foreign exchange market, including extradition, regulatory and employment issues arising.

Tchenguiz

Overturning a warrant given to the SFO to search the Tchenguiz companies, and winning damages from the SFO.

TESCO – alleged false accounting

Acting for an individual assisting in the SFO's investigation into an allegation that corporate accounts were manipulated to the tune of £260 million to present a false picture of profitability.

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Successfully defending a care home corporate in HMRC proceedings to forfeit £450,000 cash alleged to be the proceeds of crime, and having costs awarded against HMRC.

Corruption

Advising in relation to an investigation by the SFO into allegations of corruption committed by companies engaged in the extractive industries in Kazakhstan, the Middle East and West Africa, including self-reporting issues arising.

Anti-competitive activities

Advising the commercial director of Virgin in an internal investigation and investigations by the UK's Office of Fair Trading and the US Department of Justice in relation to price fixing on the London to New York and London to Hong Kong/Sydney routes.

Corporate investigations

Conducting investigations, including allegations that a client was involved in money laundering, corrupt practices in the Chinese subsidiary of a UK entity.