Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Private prosecutions

During 2022, Squire Patton Boggs secured the hire of Hannah Laming - 'one of the leading lights in private prosecutions work' - and Ben Ticehurst, assembling a team which 'should instantly be regarded as a market leader given their combined experience.'

Private prosecutions in London

Edmonds Marshall McMahon

Led by Tamlyn Edmonds, Kate McMahon and Andrew Marshall, the specialist private prosecutions practice at Edmonds Marshall McMahon has a pre-eminent position in the market and acts for high-profile individuals, corporations, hedge funds and litigation funders. The firm has a large share of the market and is well versed in fraud, corruption and complex criminal issues, as well as in assisting with investigations and law enforcement cases. Edmonds is a name for international fraud, cybercrime and asset recovery; McMahon is a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) alumna with strong experience in international corruption cases and civil and criminal matters, while Marshall is experienced in organised crime cases, major fraud and regulatory issues. Mike Jackson is another SFO alumnus with experience of criminal investigations and prosecutions, Ashley Fairbrother is a criminal fraud prosecutor with particular experience of the charity sector and special counsel Jack Walsh is another name to note. Fani Gamon was promoted to senior associate in January 2023, and senior associate Jane Guthrie is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Tamlyn Edmonds; Andrew Marshall; Kate McMahon


Other key lawyers:

Mike Jackson; Ashley Fairbrother; Jack Walsh; Fani Gamon; Jane Guthrie


Testimonials

‘Simply the best in the business when it comes to private prosecutions.’

‘Their understanding of the case and attention to every relevant detail and application of the law were all key strengths.’

‘Andrew Marshall has been nothing short of brilliant and accurate in his assessment and handling of the case.’

‘Hi-tech expert fraud lawyers with a personal touch.’

‘Kate McMahon and Andrew Marshall are two of the partners who are go-to lawyers in this field and breathe and sleep it.’

‘EMM are still the pre-eminent private prosecution shop in town; their specialist experience, knowledge and practical advice are second to none.’

‘Tamlyn Edmonds remains a leader in the private prosecution space; a supportive and experienced leader who is successfully shaping her team to follow in her footsteps.’

‘Always on top of her brief, Tamlyn works collaboratively with other professional advisors and the end-client to adapt the legal strategy to a changing picture as an investigation proceeds.’

Key clients

Macmillan Cancer Support


TM Eye Ltd


DAS UK Holdings Ltd


Cyrith Limited


IPE Marble Arch Ltd


Prashant Patel


Work highlights


  • Representing an international trading and property family in respect of a prosecution of fraud-related charges to the value of c.£200m, including forging of a will, perverting the course of justice and perjury.
  • Representing Macmillan Cancer Support, investigating and privately prosecuting prolific fundraiser fraud, grant fraud and legacy fraud.
  • Represented Swiss/French high-net-worth individuals in the successful (and highly publicised) private prosecution of a well-known property tycoon arising from a failed luxury property redevelopment.

Addleshaw Goddard

Addleshaw Goddard fields a dedicated private prosecutions practice under the leadership of Polly Sprenger and leverages its global network for support on cross-border matters. It acts for corporate and individual clients on the bringing and defending of private prosecutions, drawing on expertise from its from civil fraud, commercial disputes, and restructuring practitioners to provide advice on urgent injunctive relief, restraint orders, disclosure orders, and asset tracing and recovery. Former Head of Strategic Intelligence at the SFO, Sprenger has 20 years’ experience in the field with a focus on advising the victims of financial crime, and she is supported by Mark Chesher, who is well versed in commercial and cross-border fraud litigation and counts FTSE100 companies, banks and ultra-high-net-worth individuals among his clientele. Katharine Toney joined as a forensic accounting associate director from an in-house role at Kroll in the firm’s Manchester office in October 2022.

Practice head(s):

Polly Sprenger


Other key lawyers:

Mark Chesher; Katharine Toney (chartered accountant)


Testimonials

‘Well-resourced and knowledgable.’

‘There are plenty of beartraps for the unwary, but AG know them all. If the client has a case, AG will ensure it is put in the best light.’

‘Polly Sprenger is outstanding. In the top three in the UK for private prosecutions.’

‘Polly Sprenger offers a frightening combination of technical knowledge with practical application. Many cases involve deductive reasoning and intelligent investigation, and Polly’s background in investigative journalism and as a strategy officer at the SFO gives her an unbeatable head start in this field.’

Work highlights


  • Advising John and Heidi Hassenfeld on a private prosecution following an alleged fraud of $2m.
  • Advising Bystronic Glass (UK) Limited and Glaston Plc on a private prosecution brought against a former director.
  • Advising Kroll Advisory Limited (Kroll) on a long-standing and significant fraud perpetrated by former directors of the Arena Companies.

Howard Kennedy LLP

Howard Kennedy LLP’s private prosecutions offering is led by Ian Ryan and combines civil and criminal law expertise to advise on high-profile prosecutions and investigations brought by regulatory agencies, such as the SFO, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Ryan offers 22 years’ experience in fraud, financial crime and regulatory matters and recently successfully prosecuted a high-profile case in the retail sector; he is supported by Kyle Phillips, who acts for both companies and individuals on fraud, bribery, corruption and money laundering issues. Jonathan Huth joined from Kobre & Kim LLP in January 2023 and at the more junior end of the team, senior associate Jennifer Harper is recommended for multi-jurisdictional white-collar crime and regulatory investigations.

Practice head(s):

Ian Ryan


Other key lawyers:

Kyle Phillips; Jonathan Huth; Jennifer Harper


Testimonials

‘The team are experienced experts in this field.’

‘Kyle Philips is very experienced, strategic and successful in bringing private prosecutions for clients across a broad spectrum of sectors.’

Ian Ryan, Kyle Phillips, and Jen Harper are excellent and know this field inside out.

The team has a proven track record in private prosecutions. It combines highly experienced partners and senior associates with enthusiastic and able junior associates to provide an efficient and responsive service given high quality advice and representation in this specialist field.’

‘Kyle Phillips  combines excellent commercial and legal judgement to provide a hands-on and pragmatic approach. Jennifer Harper – an outstanding associate who combines intelligence, diligence and judgment in equal measure. Both exude a positive and confidence-inspiring attitude which pervades their team and makes them a pleasure to work with.’

Mishcon de Reya

Sitting as part of the firm’s wider white-collar crime and investigations and civil fraud offerings, the private prosecutions practice at Mishcon de Reya LLP is led by Gareth Minty and includes cyber, asset recovery and insolvency practitioners. It is well known in the market for advising both corporates and individuals on multi-jurisdictional frauds, investigations and criminal litigation. Minty is a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) alumnus with considerable experience of representing the victims of economic crimes in private prosecutions and wider criminal enforcement issues; he often works alongside the police and state prosecution agencies in relation to investigations. Associate Owen Griffiths is also active in the team and is well versed in complex fraud and financial crime matters, as well as asset recovery.

Practice head(s):

Gareth Minty


Other key lawyers:

Owen Griffiths


Testimonials

‘I value Gareth Minty’s ability to manage private criminal prosecution cases which involve complex technical matters; I do not have much criminal law experience and trust in Gareth to take care of procedural and other matters, which he does excellently.’   

‘Gareth Minty is a market leader in private prosecutions and across the interesting area between criminal and civil work.’

‘Gareth Minty has a great depth of knowledge in the area and understands all the issues and pitfalls.’

Key clients

Trust Company


Allseas S.A.


Work highlights


  • Advising a corporate trustee in connection with serious allegations arising from a trustee’s alleged abuse of his position to defraud the trust of a substantial sum of money.
  • Advising a corporate client in connection with a complex, cross-border investment fraud resulting in the misappropriation of €100m.

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP

The ‘wonderful’ team at Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP is ‘a major presence in this field’. Its private prosecutions practice sits as part of the firm’s business crime and investigations department and is experienced in both the bringing and defence of high-profile prosecutions for both corporate and individual clients. Practice head Nick Vamos has over 20 years of experience in the field; a CPS alumnus, Vamos has wide-ranging experience in criminal matters, including corporate manslaughter, election fraud and police corruption – he currently leads on the well-known Post Office case, in which a computer error may have led to over 800 wrongful convictions. Michael O’Kane is another heavyweight practitioner who is recommended for business crime, corruption and fraud issues. Charlotte Tregunna was promoted to partner in May 2023 and assists with domestic and international criminal matters, while Hannah Laming  left for Squire Patton Boggs in July 2022.

Practice head(s):

Nick Vamos


Other key lawyers:

Michael O’KaneCharlotte Tregunna; Maria Cronin


Testimonials

‘A wonderful team.’

‘They are a major presence in this field.’

‘They have acted in most of the significant cases over the past few years.’

‘They have strength at all levels and provide an efficient and practical service.’

‘Michael O’Kane is one of the best solicitors around. He has vast experience and superb judgment. He is a brilliant tactician.’

‘Maria Cronin is also superb.’

‘They have a team of gifted individuals.’

Key clients

Post Office Limited (POL)


Work highlights


  • Acting for Post Office Limited on more than 800 potential wrongful convictions in Britain’s largest-ever miscarriage of justice, which could potentially result in over £1bn in compensation claims for malicious prosecutions.

JMW Solicitors LLP

The ‘highly experienced’ team at JMW Solicitors LLP sits within the firm’s national crime, financial crime and investigations group and advises on criminal defence matters, fraud and private prosecutions. Daniel Martin, who took over leadership of the practice in 2022, is a name for financial and business crime, regulatory investigations, and serious and organised crime cases. Amy Shaffron is another key practitioner who acts for both corporates and individuals on fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and bribery and corruption; she is experienced in investigations brought by the SFO. Former practice head Lee Adams left the firm in April 2023.

 

Practice head(s):

Daniel Martin


Other key lawyers:

Amy Shaffron


Testimonials

‘Highly experienced private prosecution team.’

‘Amy Shaffron is extremely diligent and hardworking, a first-rate lawyer and enormously popular with clients.’

‘JMW have a wide reach in terms of clients and their ability to pick up work.’

‘Their reputation is the very best.’

‘They have expanded in London very quickly and have recruited a number of good, young and hungry solicitors.’

‘They have quickly established a good reputation and are very busy.’

‘The instructions I have received from them are diverse and of good quality.’

‘They are a firm to watch out for. ‘

Work highlights


  • Acted for Hadlands Estate Agents, who prosecuted their former financial controller for fraud committed while working remotely due to the pandemic.
  • Acting for a client in relation to a prosecution for fraud by false representation and conspiracy to defraud in relation to a crypto investment fraud with a total loss of approximately £110k.
  • Represented the private prosecutor in relation to a cross-jurisdictional fraud leading to a loss in excess of $160k.