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Fraud in trusts lawyers
Any suspicion of fraud in a trust naturally causes great concern. If you've been affected by an alleged fraud - whether as a trustee, executor, fiduciary or trust beneficiary - our trust fraud solicitors can advise on the best strategy.
One of the most common examples of fraud is a sham trust, set up to hide money from creditors, tax authorities or another party after a divorce. Alternatively, there might be an allegation of wrongdoing by a trustee or executor: perhaps someone has stolen from a trust or there are concerns about ill-gotten gains going into it.In some cases, deploying technical arguments to challenge the formal setup of the trust can achieve the best results. Here, our trust fraud lawyers' in-depth knowledge of trusts can be a valuable weapon in a client's arsenal.
As a leading trust fraud law firm, we also have significant experience in attacking and defending trusts and trustees and offer guidance on how to build robust structures and prevent potential threats from arising in the future.
However complex the situation, whether you are directly or indirectly affected by fraud, our trust fraud advisors offer pragmatic legal advice regarding proof and evaluation of evidence, as well as the available remedies, that will help you to decide on the best course of action. With lawyers located around the world, as a reputable trust fraud legal firm, we work as a single global team to get information and, if necessary, obtain and enforce court orders.
Track record
Allegations of fraud and misappropriation of business assets in the British Virgin Islands
Advising a private trust company in the BVI holding significant interests in energy businesses in Eastern Europe on issues arising from allegations of fraud and misappropriation of assets within the businesses. We guided the trustees through difficulties that arise where underlying businesses and individuals are subject to fraud allegations and where court injunctions are causing problems for the administration of the trusts.
Heirs of a Swiss succession pact challenge the trustees of a British Virgin Islands trust
Proceedings were commenced in the BVI, Switzerland and Italy around a BVI trust where trustees had distributed to beneficiaries in accordance with a letter of wishes of the deceased settlor, who had died in Italy. Disappointed heirs of a Swiss succession pact said that the trustees had acted fraudulently in not abiding by the succession pact. Withers advised the beneficiaries including on the conflicts of laws issues arising.
Advice following the Madoff investment scandal
Following the Madoff scandal we advised the investment arm of a bank trustee with numerous Central and Latin American settlors / beneficiaries who had exposure to Madoff.
Asset freezing in Jersey
An unreported case centered on a civil compensation claim by the US Department of Justice and resulted in the freezing of assets in Jersey which were held by a Nevis trustee. Proceedings were issued in Jersey and Nevis.
Misrepresentation to Swiss trustees
A Protector misrepresented to Swiss trustees that the primary beneficiaries had agreed that very substantial trust assets should be appointed out to a secondary beneficiary (a close relative of his) on the basis that he would provide for the primary beneficiaries. Later the primary beneficiaries requested the trustees for help. Withers advised the trustees on taking steps to set aside the transfer to him.
Swiss Trustees and a Swiss Bank
Advising Swiss trustees and a Swiss bank on the recovery of assets relating to unravelling an appointment upon the discovery of a fraud on a family trust and on the assets in the estate of the deceased settler in the sum of approximately £400m.
Allegations of fraud and misappropriation of business assets in the British Virgin Islands
Advising a private trust company in the BVI holding significant interests in energy businesses in Eastern Europe on issues arising from allegations of fraud and misappropriation of assets within the businesses. We guided the trustees through difficulties that arise where underlying businesses and individuals are subject to fraud allegations and where court injunctions are causing problems for the administration of the trusts.
Heirs of a Swiss succession pact challenge the trustees of a British Virgin Islands trust
Proceedings were commenced in the BVI, Switzerland and Italy around a BVI trust where trustees had distributed to beneficiaries in accordance with a letter of wishes of the deceased settlor, who had died in Italy. Disappointed heirs of a Swiss succession pact said that the trustees had acted fraudulently in not abiding by the succession pact. Withers advised the beneficiaries including on the conflicts of laws issues arising.
Asset freezing in Jersey
An unreported case centered on a civil compensation claim by the US Department of Justice and resulted in the freezing of assets in Jersey which were held by a Nevis trustee. Proceedings were issued in Jersey and Nevis.
Misrepresentation to Swiss trustees
A Protector misrepresented to Swiss trustees that the primary beneficiaries had agreed that very substantial trust assets should be appointed out to a secondary beneficiary (a close relative of his) on the basis that he would provide for the primary beneficiaries. Later the primary beneficiaries requested the trustees for help. Withers advised the trustees on taking steps to set aside the transfer to him.
Swiss Trustees and a Swiss Bank
Advising Swiss trustees and a Swiss bank on the recovery of assets relating to unravelling an appointment upon the discovery of a fraud on a family trust and on the assets in the estate of the deceased settler in the sum of approximately £400m.
Allegations of fraud and misappropriation of business assets in the British Virgin Islands
Advising a private trust company in the BVI holding significant interests in energy businesses in Eastern Europe on issues arising from allegations of fraud and misappropriation of assets within the businesses. We guided the trustees through difficulties that arise where underlying businesses and individuals are subject to fraud allegations and where court injunctions are causing problems for the administration of the trusts.
Heirs of a Swiss succession pact challenge the trustees of a British Virgin Islands trust
Proceedings were commenced in the BVI, Switzerland and Italy around a BVI trust where trustees had distributed to beneficiaries in accordance with a letter of wishes of the deceased settlor, who had died in Italy. Disappointed heirs of a Swiss succession pact said that the trustees had acted fraudulently in not abiding by the succession pact. Withers advised the beneficiaries including on the conflicts of laws issues arising.
Advice following the Madoff investment scandal
Following the Madoff scandal we advised the investment arm of a bank trustee with numerous Central and Latin American settlors / beneficiaries who had exposure to Madoff.
Asset freezing in Jersey
An unreported case centered on a civil compensation claim by the US Department of Justice and resulted in the freezing of assets in Jersey which were held by a Nevis trustee. Proceedings were issued in Jersey and Nevis.
Advice following the Madoff investment scandal
Following the Madoff scandal we advised the investment arm of a bank trustee with numerous Central and Latin American settlors / beneficiaries who had exposure to Madoff.
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Recent recognition
Our team
Steven Kempster
Partner | London
Sherlin Tung
Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York) - Withers Hong Kong, Partner - Withersworldwide | Hong Kong
Sherlin Tung
Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York) - Withers Hong Kong, Partner - Withersworldwide | Hong Kong
Litigation and arbitration
Dawn Goodman
Senior counsel | London
Chris Williams
Knowledge Lawyer | London
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