When an individual or organisation faces a criminal or regulatory investigation, they need experienced advisors who understand the complexities and risks involved. Our international regulatory and investigations team brings decades of experience to bear in guiding clients through every stage of these challenging situations.
We have a proven track record of representing both corporate clients and individuals in high-profile and complex cases, including some of the most significant investigations and proceedings. Our experience in this area goes back decades; we acted for defendants in the first Serious Fraud Office (SFO) prosecutions (Guinness and Blue Arrow), and the first ever international corruption case brought by the SFO.
More recently, we have acted for prominent individuals and entities in the most high-profile Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and SFO investigations in the last decade, including LIBOR, FX, Rolls Royce, Barclays and Unaoil. We have recently been engaged in two of the most prominent new matters brought by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), after several years without any new investigations by that agency.
Our team covers the full spectrum of business / white-collar crime and regulatory issues, including fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption, tax offences, sanctions, cartels and anti-trust behaviours, insider dealing and market manipulation. We have extensive experience dealing with key regulators and law enforcement agencies in the UK, EU, Asia, the Middle East, and the US and we are skilled at both engaging with and, when necessary, challenging these authorities to protect our clients’ interests. Often our advice encompasses the regulatory aspects and implications of a criminal investigation as well as the civil litigation risk that frequently accompanies such investigations.
First-class, well-resourced firm offering an excellent white-collar crime and regulatory service.’
The Legal 500 UK 2025
We support clients at every stage - from initial investigation through to interviews, prosecution, and trial - offering practical, strategic advice tailored to their specific situation. Our holistic approach means we can address related issues such as employment concerns, asset confiscation, regulatory relationships, and the management of parallel civil or regulatory proceedings.
Our goal is to help you navigate investigations and proceedings with confidence, minimise disruption, and achieve the best possible outcome.
Our Services
Handling criminal and regulatory matters is key to avoiding regulatory scrutiny and financial implications.
We act for corporates subject to financial services regulation, such as retail and investment banks, hedge funds and professional services firms. Outside of the financial sector, we act for listed and private companies across of range of sectors.
SFO investigations
- Acting for a Real Estate Investment Trust that is listed on the London Stock Exchange in relation to regulatory intervention and potential prosecutorial action by the SFO and by Companies House.
HSE prosecution
- Advising a FTSE-listed life sciences company, a subsidiary of which is being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for breaches of law and regulation relating to the control of hazardous substances.
UK-based regulated pensions fund manager
- Acting in relation to their discovery, reporting of and cooperation with the Pensions Regulator, the FCA and HMRC in relation to systems and records errors and process failings in relation to the pension administration activities.
A Japanese trading house
- Advising in respect of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) anti-corruption investigations into allegations of bribes in excess of US$180 million paid to the former Nigerian dictator, General Sani Abacha, and other Nigerian officials in order to secure US$6 billion of work.
An insurance company
- Acting in investigations prompted by the Monetary Authority of Singapore against 5 different agencies involving over 150 representatives potentially engaged in various forms of fraud and other unlawful conduct, including forgery of documents and financing of policyholders' premiums.
Allegations of money laundering
- Advising a firm in respect of ongoing allegations of money laundering made against it in the international media.
A major and high-profile art dealer
- Advising in relation to an investigation by HMRC into alleged breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations.
A major airline
- Advising in relation to a matter commenced by the UK National Crime Agency (NCA).
A car retailer
- Advising in relation to serious allegations that a senior member of staff had engaged in various criminal conduct, including fraud and bribery and corruption.
Complex criminal investigation
- Monitoring complex criminal investigations (corruption, tax fraud, money laundering) within the French Public Prosecutor’s Office, namely the French National Financial Prosecution Office between 2015 and 2019 (e.g Panama Papers and matters of national and international corruption), including procedures on prior admission of guilt (CRPC) and negotiated justice agreements (CJIP).
It is key for individuals to be independently represented to avoid reputational and financial risk.
We act for senior executives of global organisations across multiple sectors, helping them to navigate complex matters relating to financial crimes.
FCA enforcement
- Advising on one of the most significant contested FCA enforcement matters, which relates to market abuse by a senior Bond Trader. The matter is one of very few to be tried before the Courts (Upper Tribunal, February 2025).
Prominent SFO investigation
- Acting for a senior legal adviser at a global bank in respect of one of the most prominent SFO and long running investigations of recent times.
SFO criminal investigation
- Advising a former General Counsel in relation to a SFO criminal investigation into suspected offences of bribery and corruption.
FCA and PRA investigation
- Acting for the Chairman of a global bank in respect of one of the FCA's and PRA's most high-profile investigations.
Significant FCA victory
- Advising a former member of the Executive Board of Bank Julius Baer, following on from achieving the most significant victory in recent times against the FCA in the context of allegations of fraud and criminality.
Financial crime investigation
- Advising the Board and Senior Executives (including the MLRO) of an International Bank in the context of a Financial Crime investigation.
Unaoil investigation
- Acting for one of the most significant individuals in the global Unaoil investigation.
Corporate account manipulation
- 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.
Investigation conducted by the French PNF
- Defending a senior executive in the context of a preliminary investigation conducted by the French PNF, targeting a French leading agri-food company, for alleged facts of aggravated tax fraud and money laundering of aggravated tax fraud.
Awards and Recognition
Latest News & Insights
Failure to prevent fraud: corporate prosecution guidance updated
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Failure to prevent fraud: UK Finance Guidance for the financial services sector
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Threats to financial sanctions compliance in the UK financial services industry
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