Civil fraud & asset recovery

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Civil fraud & asset recovery

Urgent, strategic action in cases involving fraud, dishonesty, and the tracing or recovery of assets.

We act in complex fraud litigation across sectors including finance, commercial contracts, and real estate. Our team is regularly instructed in urgent, high-value claims involving freezing injunctions, search orders, disclosure applications, and cross-border asset recovery. We are trusted by both claimants and defendants in high-pressure, reputationally sensitive litigation.

Areas We Cover

Fraud and deceit claims
Asset tracing and recovery (UK and overseas)
Freezing injunctions and proprietary injunctions
Search and disclosure orders (including Norwich Pharmacal and Bankers Trust)
Bribery, corruption and breach of fiduciary duty
Conspiracy and dishonest assistance claims
Enforcement of judgments and awards

Our Approach

Fraud litigation demands speed, precision, and strategic thinking. We move quickly to protect assets, secure evidence, and gain tactical advantage — whether that means obtaining urgent injunctive relief or defending against it. Our barristers are regularly instructed in both standalone fraud proceedings and those arising within wider commercial disputes.

Recent Instructions

Members of 1EC have significant experience in substantial fraud claims, typically involving complex issues of law relating to jurisdiction and choice of law; and the wide ancillary and preventative measures available from the High Court in London – principally freezing injunctions and asset disclosure orders; also, the equitable tracing of assets, constructive trusts and restitutionary remedies. Notable recent fraud claims involving 1EC include Winter v Hockley Mint Ltd [2019] 1 WLR 1617 on vicarious liability for fraud; and Kazakhstan Kagazy Plc v Arip & ors [2021] EWHC] 3462 (Comm), the leading case on tracing the proceeds of fraud through multiple jurisdictions.