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Business Crime Lawyers
Business crime is under the spotlight now more than ever, and the increasing global reach of businesses means that prosecutions often involve authorities in multiple jurisdictions.
And as it continues to make its mark on a variety of industries, senior management and boards must continue to acknowledge business crime as a critical risk to their business.
We have a truly international reach. Working collaboratively, across borders with our international team of experts in the Middle East, Asia and Europe means we are well placed to advise and protect your interests.
Our clients range from corporates and company directors to high-net-worth individuals and family offices. We can advise and represent you on complex and sensitive issues, such as those relating to fraud (including cum-ex and cum-cum investigations), bribery and corruption, sanctions, money laundering and extradition/INTERPOL. Our expertise extends to associated regulatory proceedings and internal investigations.
UK
From defending high-profile fraud and bribery cases brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), to guiding businesses and individuals through regulatory and internal investigations initiated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), we have expertise in all aspects of financial crime.
Middle East
We are uniquely placed in the Middle East to offer business and financial crime advice and representation to corporates and individuals. Our lawyers have been at the forefront of legal developments in the Middle East for two decades. We have key offices operating out of the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain staffed by a combination of internationally and regionally qualified lawyers, with expertise in both regulatory and criminal law. Our lawyers, many of whom are Arabic speakers, have a strong understanding of and established working relationships with governmental and quasi-governmental bodies across the region. We operate in both the civil (onshore) and common law (offshore) jurisdictions that exist within the UAE.
Europe
With offices in Switzerland, France and Luxembourg, we cover some of the region’s most important financial centres and provide advice and representation across the full range of financial crime. This includes experience in acting in white collar crime investigations and mutual assistance proceedings on behalf of large financial institutions and high-net worth individuals, and regulatory proceedings involving the Swiss Financial Market Authority (FINMA), Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF).
Asia
Our Hong Kong and Singapore offices contain experts in the region’s regulated sectors and on financial and white-collar crime. We are able to advise clients on investigations and proceedings brought by a number of enforcement authorities, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force. Our Singapore office has expertise in advising clients on investigations throughout the Asia Pacific region on a diverse range of matters, including bribery and corruption, fraud, sanctions, financial services regulatory investigations, whistleblowing and tax investigations.
Our Business Crime expertise covers:
- Criminal investigation and prosecution
- Fraud
- Bribery and corruption
- Money laundering / proceeds of crime
- Sanctions
- Tax investigations
- Sports investigations
- Financial services regulatory investigations
- Whistleblowing
- Extradition
- Mutual legal assistance
- Cross-border evidence gathering and co-operation between state investigative arms
- INTERPOL Red Notices
- Restraint and confiscation
- Account freezing and forfeiture orders
- Civil recovery and unexplained wealth orders
We will bring a deep understanding of both technical and legal requirements of multiple jurisdictions and the practical concerns and investigative methods used by government regulators and criminal prosecutors and embed ourselves in your business to ensure the best possible outcomes at every stage.
Our Business Crime experience
Internal Investigation
Advising a company accused of tax fraud by a former employee. We are advising on the internal investigation and other potential criminal offences, as well as providing specialist advice relating to the potential involvement of HMRC.
International bribery and corruption
Successfully representing former employee of a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell against allegations of international bribery and corruption int eh Nigerian OPL 245 affair, securing a “no case to answer” acquittal and withdrawal of the criminal appeal made by the Italian Prosecutor.
Norway’s largest bankruptcy
Successfully obtaining the seizures and confiscation for the benefit of the bankruptcy estate of the proceeds of crime transferred out of Norway to Switzerland in Norway’s largest bankruptcy.
Fraud, breach of trust and forgery
Advising a Geneva based independent asset manager who has been accused of fraud, breach of trust and forgery of documents, to cover the losses and embezzlement of their investments in Forex trading. The scale of this “Ponzi scheme” is significant, as it also involved a Swizz custodian bank as well as a dozen of business referrals in different countries.
INTERPOL Red Notice
Advising a UHNWI on INTERPOL and related extradition to Mexico. Successfully obtained deletion of INTERPOL Red Notice and avoided execution of a UAE arrest warrant. Involved collaboration between South American, Spanish and Swiss lawyers.
Extradition
Successfully challenging a Bulgarian extradition request on behalf of a UNHWI before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal. This was the first time a UAE Court upheld a challenge to an extradition request on both technical and substantive grounds.
Proactive, knowledgeable, and willing to collaborate.”
The Charles Russell Speechlys team cover a lot of the important bases in the investigation bracket.”
Meet our financial crime lawyers
Related pages
Advocacy
Whether you require advocacy for litigation, arbitration or mediation, our advocates offer a cost and time-efficient one-team approach.
Administrative and Public Law
We handle disputes across all areas of public and administrative law with experienced specialists to support you internationally.
Anti-Bribery & Corruption
Our expert team advises on the full range of bribery and anti-corruption matters both domestic and international.
Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency
Our team carries out the full range of contentious and non-contentious insolvency work.
Fraud & Asset Recovery
Our thoughtful and caring approach means you can be confident in our understanding and expertise in pursuing and defending complex and large scale civil fraud actions.
International Arbitration
Our strategically focused specialists will work alongside you through every aspect of any arbitration.
Investigations
We have brought together an international multi-disciplinary team of specialists who are experts in dealing with all types of investigations and regulatory issues.
Mediation
We have extensive experience acting for parties in mediation and resolving disputes globally through mediation across our locations.
Private Wealth Disputes
We provide tailored solutions for all varieties of domestic and international disputes for families and private wealth professionals.
Shareholder Disputes
We offer pragmatic, strategic and commercial advice on all aspects of partnership, company and shareholder law.
What's important to you is important to us. Let's talk
If you would like to speak to a member of our Dispute Resolution team or to find out more about how we work, please get in touch.
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