Civil Fraud

Over the years Kingsley Napley has been involved in a large number of substantial and sometimes high profile fraud cases in both the UK and abroad.

Our specialist dispute resolution lawyers have expertise in and experience of fraud extends to civil fraud claims brought in the UK and abroad and includes acting in conjunction with threatened or existing criminal proceedings, on regulatory matters, conducting investigations of all types and complying with and making requests for international mutual legal assistance.

Drawing on its broad experience and many contacts abroad, we are able to assemble, as necessary and at short notice, a multi-disciplinary team that can deal with all aspects of any fraud case.

If you think you have been the subject of fraud you need to act quickly

The cost of fraud to businesses and individuals runs into billions every year.  The international nature of commerce and the increased use of electronic communications mean that there has been a sharp increase in the number and value of fraud claims over recent years.

If you think you have been the victim of fraud, you need to act quickly, to protect your business and assets, identify the perpetrator and seek restitution for the damage you have suffered.

Kingsley Napley's team of dispute resolution solicitors has the experience and resources to help you to find, preserve and recover stolen money and assets, including by means of applications for injunctions such as worldwide Freezing Orders and Search Orders and for disclosure of information to assist you in your claim.  Using the network of lawyers with whom we have worked across the world we can assist in claims which involve an international element.

Our lawyers can also provide advice on fraud prevention and detection: an area of increasing concern to employers and businesses with the forthcoming introduction of the Bribery Act.

If you have been accused of fraud you need to deal swiftly and appropriately to the allegation

Not every allegation of fraud is well founded.  If you find yourself accused of fraud or subject to a Freezing Order or Search Order you need to deal swiftly with the claim and to protect your position. 

Kingsley Napley has for years represented those against whom allegations of fraud have been made.  We can help you to understand your rights under Freezing Orders and Search Orders, to challenge these where appropriate and to fight your case if you are the subject of unfair claims.

Where criminal proceedings are contemplated or in existence we work with our criminal department to ensure you receive the best advice to promote and protect your interests.

Our experience

Throughout its history Kingsley Napley has been renowned for its civil fraud work.  We provide advice and representation on (amongst other matters).

• a wide range of fraud related matters including claims for dishonesty and deceit, corruption, receipt of bribes and secret profits, conspiracy, misfeasance, misrepresentation, money laundering, breach of fiduciary duty, trust litigation where fraud is involved or suspected and insolvency cases involving fraud.
• all types of investigation including regulatory, tax and company investigations and investigations of a disciplinary nature
• civil injunctions, including Freezing Orders and Search Orders and Orders for disclosure of information and documents
• restraint and confiscation proceedings under the civil fraud provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
• the prevention and detection of fraud

We are also conscious that the solutions you might be looking for might not just involve recovery of money or assets.  Kingsley Napley's team of fraud solicitors has assisted and continues to assist clients with their reputation management and prevention and detection of fraud as well as bringing and defending claims for clients involving allegations of fraud.

If you require further information, or would like to speak to our fraud or dispute resolution lawyers, please contact Sophia Purkis

Typical Cases

Some of the typical scenarios in which we have acted include:

• representing a local authority as claimant in relation to an alleged fraud involving the dumping of waste materials, which included obtaining Freezing and Search Orders against a number of Defendants;
• acting for a beneficiary under a Will in a claim for fraud and dishonesty against one the executors and to enforce a judgment obtained in Israel;
• acting for a Defendant who was subject to a Freezing Order and Search Order whose case was settled swiftly following service of her Application for summary dismissal of the claim and to set aside these Orders;
• representing a Defendant to a claim for breach of fiduciary duty and receipt of secret profits brought by a large multi-national where corresponding proceedings had been brought in Latvia and Jersey; the claim also involved representing the Defendant upon committal proceedings for alleged breach of the Freezing Order obtained by the Claimant against the Defendant;
• acting for one of several Defendants in a claim for fraud and dishonest assistant brought by over 500 investors in tax avoidance schemes
• representing a former director of a company in a claim brought by his former employer for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty arising out of the alleged misappropriation of company monies
• acting for a Director in proceedings brought by HMRC relating to an alleged multi million pound inward diversion fraud.  The Director was the subject to a Freezing and Search Order.  His company had been placed into provisional liquidation and the provisional liquidator commenced proceedings for misfeasance and dishonest assistance