Fraud

Civil Fraud

Recommended as leading set for civil fraud by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, the barristers at 11 Stone Buildings deal with all aspects of civil fraud such as obtaining urgent without notice relief (freezing injunction; search orders; orders for delivery up of information in electronic form); establishing or challenging the jurisdiction of the English courts in complex international fraud matters; dealing with the matter at trial or arbitration and enforcing any judgment obtained.

Cases involving allegations of fraud cover a wide range of legal areas. Members of chambers working in this area are able to draw on their considerable knowledge and experience of banking and commercial, company and insolvency, property and employment law.

Criminal Fraud and Corporate Crime

We can provide the advice, practical assistance or representation in corporate crime and regulation matters  and throughout all stages of an investigation or prosecution.

We are highly experienced in the field and have acted for clients in a wide variety of business crime cases. Our knowledge and expertise extends to investigations and defence of matters in the following areas:

  • Asset seizure
  • Business fraud
  • Carousel fraud
  • Cartels and Enterprise Act proceedings - OFT
  • Corporate manslaughter
  • Director disqualification
  • Directors and officers liability
  • Environmental law
  • False accounting
  • FSA compliance
  • HMRC – tax and VAT investigations
  • HSE
  • Serious Crime Act
  • Money laundering
  • POCA and SOCA
  • Regulatory investigation
  • Restraining orders
  • SFO investigations
  • Trading Standards

What others say

Our most recent recommendations in the legal directories are:

A leading set for civil fraud - Chambers UK 2012

In the last couple of years or so it has been all change at 11 Stone Buildings. The set has acquired a new clerk in Michael Couling, a new marketing and business development manager, and has sought to extend itself beyond its traditional heavily insolvency-oriented base. It has succeeded in doing this to a certain extent and now involves itself in an increased share of the fraud market. Examples of cases it has handled in recent times include Rosenberg v Nazarov and a £500 million Kazakhstani gold mining fraud.

Alan Gourgey QC is "a bright professional who fully understands that speed is frequently of the essence," according to solicitors. He recently acted on the Chancery Division fraud claim of Cadogan v Tolley.

Max Mallin brings considerable real-world experience to bear on his cases as he is a former investment banker. Sources were quick to praise him as "generous with his time, friendly, and someone who comes across well to judges and clients alike." They also commended Iain Pester, who recently advised the claimant in Abbey Forwarding v Hone. His Russian language skills are particularly welcome in this era of Russian and CIS-dominated litigation, and he is universally regarded as "an accomplished and impressive performer." Former solicitor Ian Smith has a broad practice that takes in POCA litigation as well as general civil fraud matters. Interviewees point to his "commercial outlook and ease of use" as reasons to retain him. He is a frequent sight in High Court fraud claims, and recently handled a matter worth more than £10 million. He is at the same set as Tim Penny, who is well liked for his "broad knowledge of injunctive relief" and is known for his "commercially minded application of the law." His recent highlights include the Jenington v Assaubayev dispute. (Civil Fraud, Chambers UK 2012)

Leading junior for POCA work & asset forfeiture (all circuits) - Chambers UK 2012

The "skilled and pleasant" Ian Smith of 11 Stone Buildings has a general civil fraud practice, but has also carved out a real niche for himself as a POCA adviser. He advises a number of individuals in SFO confiscation proceedings and is someone who knows the ins and outs of this area more than most. (POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture, Chambers UK 2012)

A leading set of civil fraud barristers - Legal 500 2011 

At 11 Stone Buildings, Alan Gourgey QC is "not afraid to roll up his sleeves and immerse himself in a case". Iain Pester "gives considerable strategic thought to his drafting and advice", and Tim Penny is "capable of taking on the toughest of challenges". (Civil Fraud, Legal 500 2011)

For a full overview of the directories' testimonials over the years, please click here.

Our fraud barristers are: