White Collar Crime & Regulatory Disputes

At Seladore, our lawyers have decades of experience handling complex commercial disputes, often with an international dimension. One of our core areas of expertise is civil fraud, including the recovery of assets and damages arising from bribery, corruption, and other forms of misappropriation. These cases frequently intersect with criminal and regulatory issues, requiring a nuanced approach to navigating overlapping legal frameworks.

Advising on sanctions and asset restrictions

We advise law firms, accountants, insolvency practitioners, trust services, and other professionals—as well as their underlying clients—on sanctions issues. Our particular focus is on Russia-related designations and the impact of sanctions laws on individuals and corporate assets. This includes advising on how designated UK companies’ Russian-based assets may be relevant to ongoing civil disputes.

Managing the overlap between civil and criminal proceedings

Our expertise in white collar crime allows us to navigate the interplay between civil and criminal processes, ensuring that clients avoid unnecessary conflicts while maximizing their strategic position. This experience is particularly valuable in cases where victims of fraud and misappropriation need a coordinated approach to secure the best overall outcome. We frequently work with overseas authorities to obtain crucial evidence, which can be instrumental in asset recovery efforts. Where appropriate, we assist clients in pursuing financial losses through both civil and criminal proceedings, while also providing strategic support in criminal prosecutions to strengthen enforcement and recovery efforts.

Defending against foreign state-led allegations

We have represented clients facing criminal allegations brought by foreign governments as a coercive tactic to pressure them into relinquishing assets. Our team has also been approached by overseas prosecutors seeking evidence in the UK for use in foreign criminal proceedings against allegedly corrupt government officials. Additionally, we advise foreign governments, heads of state, and state-owned companies in litigation aimed at recovering misappropriated assets or addressing other allegations of corruption.

Addressing market manipulation and abuse

We act for shareholders who suspect they have been victims of market manipulation or who have traded in publicly listed shares or bond instruments issued by companies engaged in market abuse. Our team also advises shareholders and other stakeholders on potential FCA investigations and financial market issues falling within the FCA’s jurisdiction.

Bribery and corruption compliance

We assist overseas companies in understanding the UK Bribery Act and other anti-corruption legislation, helping them develop effective compliance frameworks. This is particularly important for businesses seeking to engage with UK corporates, as many companies are increasingly sensitive to third-party risks under “failure to prevent” offences.

Conducting internal investigations

Seladore partner Dan Hudson has over 20 years of experience conducting internal, independent investigations for corporates, providing crucial insights into financial misconduct, regulatory breaches, and compliance failures.