> Experience > Our practices > Commercial litigation > Civil fraud
Civil fraud lawyers
We are highly experienced in complex, large-scale international fraud cases that involve private capital. From art and cultural asset frauds to high-value multi-jurisdictional cases involving financial services or complex trust structures; from acting for foreign governments to acting against bankers and trustees - we do it all as civil law fraud specialists.
As our civil fraud law firm has a strong presence in London, we are often able to assist international businesses, families and individuals who choose to bring an action there.Our international fraud lawyers achieved a landmark judgement at the Court of Appeal, restraining the Bank of St Petersburg from enforcing Russian judgments against Mr and Mrs Vitaly Arkhangelsky, pending a trial in England. The bank had brought proceedings in Russia for the repayment of alleged loans but our clients contended that the judgments were part of a conspiracy against them. The Court ruled unanimously in favor of the appeal put forward by our civil fraud lawyers.
In Asia, as a civil fraud legal firm, we have acted for various corporations (and their directors) in investigations by the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and the Securities and Future Commission and for international banks in fraud cases, cross-border litigation and regulatory investigations.
Withers' broad experience and global reach as a civil fraud law firm allow us to trace assets across the world. For example, our offices in Asia provide access to local litigators and fraud investigators. Our civil fraud solicitors are also able to consult with colleagues with experience in trusts and complex offshore structures – and we stand alone as the only onshore law firm to be based offshore in the British Virgin Islands.
Track record
Family business dispute involving fraud and professional negligence
We successfully represented a UK company over a complex and highly litigious dispute arising out of a family business. Spanning over many years, there were findings of professional negligence against our client's former solicitors and findings of forgery against one of the respondents. Various teams across our firm worked on this case including corporate, trusts and litigation to fully service our clients needs under one roof.
Foreign-based seller of NY property
Represented a foreign-based seller of NY property, whose lawyer stole the proceeds of the sale. In addition to partial recovery from the Lawyers' Fund, we were able to recover a substantial amount of the uncovered losses.
A major international gallery
We successfully represented a major international gallery in a lawsuit claiming art that it exhibited on behalf of an artist it represented violated the copyright rights of a photographer.
Major art forgery
Represented an art collector who purchased what was represented to be a painting by a well-known American painter, but which was revealed to be one of many forged paintings in a major art forgery scandal. In a similar case, Withers London acted for a collector against an auction house when he discovered that they had been selling numerous paintings by the same forger.
USD$100 million Industry-wide art fraud
We represented a major art lender in exposing a dealer who committed an industry-wide fraud, and successfully represented the lender in several follow on cases to clean up multiple competing title claims and insurance recoveries.
USD$3.25 billion fraud lawsuit
Our team successfully defended our client in a USD$3.25 billion lawsuit alleging the fraudulent transfer of assets
Recovering the proceeds of fraud in the UK and Cyprus
We are representing a publicly owned company in recovering the proceeds of a fraud perpetrated on it by its in house accountant. This involved obtaining urgent injunctions first in England and then in Cyprus to freeze the stolen money and then secure its return
Swiss fraud
We are pursuing a Turkish company and an entrepreneur in respect of fraud perpetrated on a Swiss trading group.
Art theft case for underwriters
Following the alleged theft of nine old master paintings from a European art gallery, we represented insurance underwriters in a fraud claim relating to the art work, and resulting in a successful settlement.
London courts secure fraudster's assets
An ex-director of our client, a Cypriot company, defrauded the business of $6m. Following a case in Cyprus, we stepped in to obtain a freezing injunction from the London courts, and then secured a final charging order over a London property to recoup the losses.
International bank mandate fraud
When our client suffered a bank mandate fraud, it severely affected his art dealership business. We put a team in London and Hong Kong into action to freeze the stolen funds, held in a Hong Kong bank, and were able to retrieve them for our client.
Major art forgery
Represented an art collector who purchased what was represented to be a painting by a well-known American painter, but which was revealed to be one of many forged paintings in a major art forgery scandal. In a similar case, Withers London acted for a collector against an auction house when he discovered that they had been selling numerous paintings by the same forger.
Recovering the proceeds of fraud in the UK and Cyprus
We are representing a publicly owned company in recovering the proceeds of a fraud perpetrated on it by its in house accountant. This involved obtaining urgent injunctions first in England and then in Cyprus to freeze the stolen money and then secure its return
Swiss fraud
We are pursuing a Turkish company and an entrepreneur in respect of fraud perpetrated on a Swiss trading group.
Art theft case for underwriters
Following the alleged theft of nine old master paintings from a European art gallery, we represented insurance underwriters in a fraud claim relating to the art work, and resulting in a successful settlement.
London courts secure fraudster's assets
An ex-director of our client, a Cypriot company, defrauded the business of $6m. Following a case in Cyprus, we stepped in to obtain a freezing injunction from the London courts, and then secured a final charging order over a London property to recoup the losses.
International bank mandate fraud
When our client suffered a bank mandate fraud, it severely affected his art dealership business. We put a team in London and Hong Kong into action to freeze the stolen funds, held in a Hong Kong bank, and were able to retrieve them for our client.
Protecting the home in a family fraud dispute
Our client faced claims to his million pound London property, as a result of a massive fraud claim relating to a member of his family. Working to protect his property rights, we secured a landmark ruling from the Court of Appeal to enable him to challenge the claim.
Foreign-based seller of NY property
Represented a foreign-based seller of NY property, whose lawyer stole the proceeds of the sale. In addition to partial recovery from the Lawyers' Fund, we were able to recover a substantial amount of the uncovered losses.
A major international gallery
We successfully represented a major international gallery in a lawsuit claiming art that it exhibited on behalf of an artist it represented violated the copyright rights of a photographer.
Major art forgery
Represented an art collector who purchased what was represented to be a painting by a well-known American painter, but which was revealed to be one of many forged paintings in a major art forgery scandal. In a similar case, Withers London acted for a collector against an auction house when he discovered that they had been selling numerous paintings by the same forger.
Recent recognition
Our team
Andrew Wass
Partner | London
Eleni Polycarpou
Partner | London
Lesley Timms
Partner | London
Peter Wood
Partner | London
Roberto Moruzzi
Partner | London
Shashi Nathan
Partner | Singapore
Stephen Ross
Partner | London
Sara-Jane Knock
Partner | British Virgin Islands
Insight
Join the club
We have lots more news and information that you'll find informative and useful. Let us know what you're interested in and we'll keep you up to date on the issues that matter to you.
You may also be interested in
Typical clients and industries include
Financial services
Our lawyers have a wealth of experience navigating complex global financial markets. We help clients secure their finances and futureproof their businesses. Find Out More
High net worth individuals
With complex interests that often span several jurisdictions, highly successful people need seamless advice. With a full-service offering across our offices around the world, we provide just that. Find Out More
Private companies
As a private company, you need reliable, efficient service. As the only global law firm focused on private capital, we are here to help you protect your interests at every stage of the lifecycle. Find Out MoreHow else can we help?
We offer a full range of services to individuals and businesses. Find out how we can help you solve challenges and maximize opportunities.
Get in touch
Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.