Civil Fraud & Asset Tracing

Claims of this nature often relate to sophisticated schemes where allegations of serious wrongdoing are made. When such allegations arise, we work closely with our clients and other professionals, including foreign lawyers, forensic accountants, private investigators and IT specialists, and liaise with criminal and regulatory authorities, if necessary, in order to ensure that the most effective strategy is adopted.

At Signature we have extensive experience in investigating, initiating and defending all types of civil fraud claims. We understand the commercial and strategic issues relating to civil fraud claims and provide robust advice on how to handle them. Interim measures are frequently required, including search and seizure orders and freezing injunctions, to prevent dissipation of assets prior to the issue of proceedings.

Our significant experience in asset tracing across multiple jurisdictions includes the use of pre-action (including Norwich Pharmacal) techniques for the disclosure of documents and information, and to discover the identity of individuals. In securing and enforcing foreign judgments, we regularly work with claimants who seek pre-emptive relief, or want to freeze and recover the assets of defendants.

Our team in London and Paris regularly uses their experience in acting on cases relating to CIS.

Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 recognise Signature as a leading firm for Civil Fraud.

Highly ranked in The Legal 500 UK 2024, the Guide notes that the practice is spearheaded by Graham Huntley, “a lawyer with a particularly formidable reputation within the banking sector,” and is also home to acclaimed names such as Ioannis Alexopoulos and Kate Gee.  The Guide highlights Signature for having “an outstanding bespoke litigation service for its clients. It has a compact and dynamic approach to creating a team for a case that is able to deliver the highest quality product efficiently and competitively. They are also ahead of the curve on technology.” In The Legal 500 UK 2023 Guide, Signature is described as a “heavy hitting litigation shop” with an “extremely impressive” team of “experienced commercial and civil fraud litigators” who are “regularly involved in high-stakes fraud matters” in the Civil Fraud category. The Guide notes that our capabilities “range from handling interim measures and asset tracing issues to securing and enforcing foreign judgments.” The Legal 500 UK 2022 noted we are “very well coordinated and able to work with large and complex matters”, and “every member of the team is valued and as a result they provide a much higher quality of service to their clients than their competitors.” Our Civil Fraud practice has also been praised as “dedicated and meticulous”, and that we are “active in investigations and large-scale disputes, in which they act for claimants and defendants in various countries”, and has further described Signature as “one of best boutiques around, delivering a high class service to clients pitted against the institutional behemoths”, and its “key individuals are supremely professional and very informed.” Chambers UK recognises Signature’s “ability to formulate, plan and implement a sophisticated global strategy” and notes our experience at “obtaining all forms of injunctive relief and in tracing assets across multiple jurisdictions”.

Individual lawyers are also highly rated. Chambers ranks Signature’s founding partner, Graham Huntley, highly for his experience in fraud disputes and investigations. He has been described by Chambers as an “incredibly able” fraud practitioner with a “real eye for detail” who “puts his heart and soul into the case for his client”. The Guide notes that Graham is “regularly involved in cross-border cases with significant elements of fraud.” He is recognised as a ‘Hall of Fame’ lawyer for Civil Fraud in The Legal 500 UK 2024 Guide. Previous Guides describe Graham as a “force of nature” and an “impressive litigator”. He has also been described by the directory as “a veteran of large fraud cases” with “an extraordinary legal mind”.

Kate Gee has over twelve years’ experience acting in complex, high value, cross border disputes, including civil fraud and asset tracing claims, general commercial litigation and banking litigation. Kate is ranked in the Chambers UK 2023 guide for Civil Fraud and is described as having “notable experience in civil fraud work” and commended for having “a real commercial handle on things and is completely unflappable”. She is also ranked as a ‘Rising Star’ for Civil Fraud in The Legal 500 UK 2024 Guide and previous Guides highlight her “real depth of experience in civil fraud matters, including cryptocurrencies.”

In Paris, the practice is led by partner Thomas Rouhette. Regarded by the leading legal directories as an “outstanding” and “fierce litigator”, Thomas has a seasoned, wide and multifaceted practice with particular expertise in civil fraud and asset tracing. The Chambers Europe Guide praises Thomas’ “excellent ability to communicate with clients and help them understand the French system and navigate the way litigation is conducted in France.” The Legal 500 EMEA Guide consistently recognises Thomas as a leading individual for his litigation expertise and he is also ranked in their ‘Hall of Fame’ for his market leading practice.