Blog
Fraud: 2023’s unwelcome guest
Louise Hodges
Richard leads the Disputes practice and acts for organisations in a variety of commercial disputes and also advises private individuals and entrepreneurs. Richard has particular expertise acting for and advising directors and management teams in relation to civil litigation. He is recommended in the Who's Who Legal: Asset Recovery Global Guide 2024, and listed as a Thought Leader in the Who's Who Legal: GIR - Asset Recovery 2020 Guide.
He is experienced in both obtaining and defending injunctive proceedings, including Freezing and Search Orders. His focus is on achieving commercial and cost effective results and often advises on risk management approaches and strategies to avoid pursuing a dispute through the courts.
Richard has wide ranging expertise and specialisms and advises on contractual disputes, directors’ duties, civil fraud, insolvency, professional negligence, injunctions and financial services disputes.
Richard has also been appointed by the High Court to act as a Supervising Solicitor in relation to the execution of Search Orders.
He joined Kingsley Napley in 1995 and became a Partner in 1999.
WHAT CLIENTS AND DIRECTORIES HAVE SAID
Richard Foss covers a broad range of cases, providing more than the usual level of direct input as the supervising partner; and he is excellent at strategic legal thinking and client care."
The Legal 500, 2023
the lead partner in commercial litigation – he is fantastic with clients and pulls them in."
The Legal 500, 2023
Richard is brilliant and so knowledgeable – he makes us aware of the risks, gives good advice and is very measured, personable and proactive."
Chambers and Partners
An outstanding lawyer in the Asset Recovery space."
WWL Asset Recovery, 2022
Richard really tries to push you to be as creative as you can be and leaves no stone unturned."
Chambers and Partners, 2022
Richard Foss has put together an excellent team of lawyers. He is a top-quality litigator, and that skill feeds through to the rest of his team.”
Legal 500 2022
Richard Foss is superb. Very hands on and client focussed. Always interested in the law which given his level of seniority is a rare find.”
Legal 500 2022
brilliant strategic thinker. Also very supportive even when things are not going that well. He is always absolutely upfront with clients on the strengths and weaknesses of their case and does not pull any punches. That way there are no surprises other than good ones – and he does amazingly manage to pull rabbits out of a hat.
The Legal 500 UK, 2021
a dynamic lawyer who is creative and easy to work with"
Chambers and Partners 2020
a very solid fraud litigator"
Chambers and Partners 2020
passionate, driven and clever"
Chambers and Partners 2020
an extremely able, versatile, and experienced partner with excellent analytical skills and very fine judgement"
Legal 500 UK, 2019
experienced in both obtaining and defending injunctive proceedings, including freezing and search orders."
Legal 500 UK, 2019
a ‘very experienced litigator’ who has ‘sound judgement’ and ‘excellent client skills’"
Legal 500 UK, 2019
The "excellent" Richard Foss leads the dispute resolution practice. He has particular experience representing individuals and their associated companies."
Chambers and Partners, 2018
gives excellent client care and is very proactive, creative and easy to work with"
Legal 500, 2017
a "very knowledgeable" and "very sage individual."
Chambers and Partners, 2017
Practice leader Richard Foss is ‘a very good person to have on your side’"
Legal 500, 2016
a true specialist in commercial fraud claims’. His team has a ‘very strong defence’ focus and is aided by the firm’s renowned criminal team
Legal 500, 2016
good tactical skills"
Legal 500 UK, 2016
... A safe pair of hands''
Legal 500 UK, 2015
...Industrious"
Legal 500 UK, 2015
"Clients praise Richard Foss for his ‘good tactical skills'"
Legal 500, 2016
"a true specialist in commercial fraud claims"
Legal 500, 2016
"... A safe pair of hands...''
Legal 500 UK, 2015
"...Industrious..."
Legal 500 UK, 2015
in the press
- Quoted in Law360 in In-House Legal Teams Predict More Litigation In 2023, January 2023
- Quoted in The Law Society Gazette, In-house teams to feel the pinch - survey, January 2023
Recent work
- Acting for the director and shareholder of a major hospitality organisation in administration, advising on directors' duties, various contractual disputes and related financial disputes with banks, creditors and the administrators.
- Acting for a number of commercial clients against various financial institutions in relation to the mis-selling of Interest Rate Hedging Products or SWAPS ranging from between £1 million to £100 million and in relation to other complex financial products.
- Acting for a local authority in relation to a multi-million pound fraud involving the alleged dumping of waste materials, including obtaining Freezing and Search Orders against a number of defendants.
- Acting for a number of individual and commercial clients relating to claims for professional negligence against solicitors, accountants, insurance brokers, IFA’s and architects.
- Acting for a major PLC in a professional negligence claim against its previous solicitors which involved proceedings before the VAT & Duties Tribunal.
- Acting for various clients bringing and defending claims relation to directors’ duties, misfeasance, unfair prejudice, dishonest assistance, knowing assistance and breach of duties.
Professional societies and memberships
- Richard sits on the City of London Law Society Litigation Sub-Committee and the Committee of the Fraud Lawyers Association (FLA)
- Law Society
- London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA)
- Professional Negligence Lawyers Association (PNLA)
Recommended in the Who's Who Legal: Asset Recovery Global Guide 2022
