Leading Individuals

Next Generation Lawyers

Crime: fraud in Scotland

Brodies LLP

Brodies LLP has established a pre-eminent fraud and financial crime practice in Scotland, consistently displaying a ‘deep understanding’ of not only traditional risks arising from fraud, bribery and corruption, but also emerging threats facing clients such as cyber-attacks, IP theft, and tactical disruption to businesses. Paul Marshall is an ‘outstanding lawyer’ and leads the team from Edinburgh, regularly sought after by boardroom executives for his extensive investigation and advocacy skills. The offering was considerably bolstered by the addition of Clare Bone from BTO Solicitors LLP in September 2022, a former prosecutor with a broad sector focus spanning construction, transport, chemical engineering and agriculture. Senior associate Ramsay Hall has experience advising large corporate organisations on high-value tax evasion and money laundering matters, while associate Lisa Kinroy has ‘formidable’ experience conducting investigations with international dimensions.

Practice head(s):

Paul Marshall


Other key lawyers:

Clare Bone; Ramsay Hall; Lisa Kinroy


Testimonials

‘A very pragmatic, responsive and client-oriented team.’

‘Brodies’ team have a deep understanding of their sector / areas of competence. Brodies fully appreciate the impact these issues can have on a business and individuals. They understand the end game and ensure all activity is closely aligned to contributing toward a positive result.’

‘Paul Marshall and his team ensure that justice prevails.’

‘Paul Marshall is an outstanding lawyer and human being.’

‘Ramsay Hall shows empathy, patience and most importantly, makes clients feel like they have the best team in their corner.’

‘Paul Marshall and Lisa Kinroy are happy to take the lead and ownership of a complex, high publicity matter. Their knowledge, experience and connections are formidable.’

‘Very strong on knowledge; approachability; dependability; service; and good at understanding context.’

‘Overall, they are really good to deal with.’

Work highlights


Pinsent Masons LLP

Leveraging a comprehensive network of specialists across the UK and internationally, the Scotland practice at Pinsent Masons LLP is notorious in the market for its strength in the energy, infrastructure, financial services, sports and public sectors. The practice is overseen by Tom Stocker and covers the gamut of financial crimes including corporate bribery, fraud, anti-money laundering, international sanctions, and tax evasion. Stacy Keen leads the sanctions and export control offering and also handles a number of significant anti-bribery risk assessments and investigations, while associate Alastair Wood specialises in self-reporting and anti-bribery compliance.

Practice head(s):

Tom Stocker


Other key lawyers:

Stacy Keen; Alastair Wood


Key clients

Wood plc


City of Edinburgh Council


Work highlights


BTO Solicitors LLP

BTO Solicitors LLP offers 'a team of highly experienced criminal lawyers who are skilled in dealing with corporate clients’, acting for a particularly diverse span of clients in high-risk sectors such as banking, academia, construction, charities and accountancy. Practice head and solicitor advocate Vikki Watt specialises in the defence of regulatory crime, routinely handling proceeds of crime cases and has regular dealings with the National Crime Agency (NCA). Criminal solicitor advocate Alasdair Gillies is a key contact, having acted for high-profile individuals in the sport, music and business sectors.

Practice head(s):

Vikki Watt


Other key lawyers:

Alasdair Gillies; Lindsay MacNeill


Testimonials

‘The depth of skills across various teams within BTO that can be simultaneously and timely accessed and utilised is brilliant.’

‘They immediately showed an interest and were efficient in directing me to the most appropriate person. Their approach is pragmatic and explains the complicated legal processes and legal language in an easy-to-understand manner.’

‘Lindsay MacNeill has been exceptional for her accessibility, legal knowledge in both criminal and civil law, attention to detail, and strategic approach. She prioritises her clients and provides responses exactly when required.’

‘Lindsay MacNeill is knowledgeable, confident and extremely diligent. Her clients always receive the highest quality of representation.’

‘Alasdair Gillies is helpful in explaining where we were in the legal process and setting expectations around what we could expect and when.’

‘Vikki Watt is a highly experienced partner who exudes confidence, which ensures that clients are able to navigate through extremely stressful events.’

‘Alasdair Gillies is a highly experienced partner with the firm. He is extremely capable and confident when dealing with corporate clients. The combination of knowledge and determination ensures that his clients always receive the best possible representation.’

‘They are a team of highly experienced criminal lawyers who are skilled in dealing with corporate clients.’

Work highlights


Burness Paull LLP

The corporate crime team at Burness Paull LLP offers a deep bench of dedicated specialists in key areas of financial crime, providing contentious advice on regulatory investigations and on the non-contentious side, advising on compliance issues covering everything from whistleblowing and fraud to anti-bribery and corruption. The practice, which has developed a strong niche advising on sanctions arising from the Ukraine/Russia conflict, is led by the highly experienced Lynne Gray, whose particular expertise in the offshore energy industry is utilised when advising on crisis response management including dawn raids and international sanctions issues. She is heavily supported by director Lynne Moss, who has a formidable track record on a diverse range of regulatory and financial crime matters, from anti-bribery and corruption to exports and sanctions.

Practice head(s):

Lynne Gray


Other key lawyers:

Lynne Moss


Work highlights


  • Advising a global energy services company in relation to an audit by HMRC into its compliance with UK export control and sanctions regimes.
  • Advising a technology company in relation to bribery, corruption and whistle-blowing allegations.
  • Advising a global food and drink company of issues relating to Russian sanctions and modern slavery.

CMS

Utilising a strong domestic and international presence, CMS advises major private and public sector clients regarding internal investigations and recovery proceedings, particularly noted for its expertise concerning bribery, banking and insolvency-related fraud matters, and cases of theft of public funds. The practice, led by Colin Hutton from Edinburgh, has developed experience advising companies on self-reporting and also has recognised expertise in insolvency-related fraud.

Practice head(s):

Colin Hutton


Key clients

Ledingham Chalmers


SPEX Group Holding


Work highlights