Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP
15 FETTER LANE
LONDON
EC4A 1BW
England

Crime, fraud and licensing > Crime: general Tier 1

The general crime team at Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP, described as ‘market leaders‘ and ‘strategically strong‘, is directed by the ‘formidably bright‘ Nick Vamos, who was head of special crime for the CPS before his move to the firm. The practice is experienced in serious crime in both the domestic and international spheres, with recent work involving cross-border criminal investigations and prosecutions across multiple countries. Other high-profile work includes acting for Post Office Limited in relation to criminal appeals. Michael O’Kane is recommended for his work on extradition and corruption cases, while Jasvinder Nakhwal is a key contact for issues involving criminal cartels and extradition. Anna Bradshaw, complimented for her ‘unwavering commitment‘, is adept at advising on proceeds of crime matters. Of counsel Rachel Cook and associates Alistair Jones and Kerri McGuigan are also key contacts for serious general crime.

Practice head(s):

Nick Vamos

Testimonials

‘My experience of the Peters & Peters team has been that they are strategically strong, knowledgeable, and provide excellent levels of client service at all times of day and night.’

‘I instructed Anna Bradshaw (partner) and Alistair Jones (senior associate). Anna Bradshaw oversaw the case, with Alistair Jones running the case on a day-to-day basis. They both stood out for their unwavering commitment to their client, for their willingness to go the extra mile, and for leaving no stone unturned in seeking to achieve the best possible outcome.’

‘As an outfit, they are absolutely superb. Get Nick Vamos to lead the team and you could not be in safer hands. The Rolls Royce of general crime firms, in my view.’

‘Nick Vamos – former barrister – is outstandingly good. Formidably bright, excellent with clients and an all-round first division lawyer. He stays involved right through to trial, watching the team like a hawk. Keep an eye on Kerri McGuigan. She is going places. Charming, hard-working, utterly committed to every case and a great solicitor.’

‘Peter & Peters are market leaders. They have longstanding and exceptional experience in this area. They have recruited well and have a strong team at all levels.’

‘The team at Peters & Peters is comprised of solicitors of the highest calibre. In my view, the practice is unique because of their quality as legal practitioners, no gimmicks, simply excellence.’

‘Very experienced and smart solicitors.‘

‘Anna Bradshaw is extremely experienced, a fiercely astute lawyer, hard working and client conscious.’

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals) Tier 1

The ‘very special team’ at Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP has extensive experience advising individuals subject to allegations of corruption, anti-corruption sanctions, and INTERPOL Red Notices. The practice consistently defends HNW individuals, C-Suite Executives, and high-profile politicians from the oil and gas and technology industries, regularly handling global SFO and FCA investigations. Nick Vamos leads the group, specialising in fraud, money laundering, and general crime issues, whilst Jasvinder Nakhwal is an expert on extradition and asset seizure matters. Neil Swift focuses on international financial crime, and Michael O’Kane is highly knowledgeable on international corruption and financial sanctions. Charlotte Tregunna was promoted to partner in May 2023, and both Anna Bradshaw and Maria Cronin are also highly regarded.

Practice head(s):

Nick Vamos

Testimonials

‘Neil Swift is a calm, clear thinker who is forensic in his approach to witness testimony and fraud analysis. His first priority is the protection of his client and I very much appreciated his candid guidance. Always available when needed, Neil’s common-sense approach to dealing with the stressful situations associated with white collar fraud is to be commended.’

‘This is a very special team that is small and super-efficient. They have a reputation for excellence at all levels and provide an efficient and practical service in all stages of the process. They have consistently achieved astonishing success for clients over a number of years.’

‘Jasvinder Nakhwal is meticulous in her preparation and a delight to work with.’

‘Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP is highly specialized in white-collar crime, fraud, corruption, international sanctions, money laundering, etc., yet its solicitors are never afraid of thinking outside the box and often bring efficient and original and tailored solutions as a result of their deep understanding of the subject matter.’

Michael O’Kane is very bright and one of the best strategic thinkers. He is a top lawyer .’

‘Charlotte Tregunna is able to monitor cases with an iron fist in a velvet glove. Her very pragmatic and subtle analysis allows her to be very efficient and successful.’

‘Neil Swift is the go-to guy for white collar crime/VAT fraud. A consummate professional and unflappable. He fills the lay client with confidence.’

Work highlights

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: civil Tier 2

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP caters to a mixture of governments, international corporates and high-net-worth individuals, supporting them across an array of complex, multidimensional cases. The practice is led by Jonathan Tickner , a lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in cartel, fraud and large-scale damage claims.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Tickner

Other key lawyers:

Sarah Gabriel; Keith Oliver; Vlad Meerovich

Testimonials

‘Peters & Peters are top dogs when it comes to civil fraud work. They are commercial, realistic, sensible and fight very hard for their clients.’

‘Keith Oliver is an absolute legend in the civil fraud field and his litigation instincts are unfailingly correct. He is a calm and reassuring presence for clients in their darkest hour.

‘Jonathan Tickner is a commercial litigator at the top of his game. What he doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing, but fortunately he knows everything.’

‘The Peters & Peters team has been exceptional to work with. The cases are staffed appropriately, and handled by excellent practitioners at every level. Partner Keith Oliver is a well known attorney, who gives each case his all–throwing himself into everything. Partner Jonathan Tickner is a brilliant strategist, who thinks outside of the box and takes a thorough approach to solving problems. Working with the Peters & Peters team is like working with an all-star cast: they are consummate professionals at the top of their game.’

‘The main differentiator for Peters & Peters is their overall knowledge and individual attention. The team always focuses on the problem at hand, works through the array of possible solutions, and ultimately picks the most appropriate path while making the decision tree plain. The team is always transparent, takes suggestions, and deftly handles matters to achieve perfect results. The matters always seem perfectly staffed, both in terms of expertise and efficiency.’

‘We have full confidence in the ability of Peters & Peters and always feel safeguarded and well protected.’

‘The Peters and Peters civil fraud team is superb. I have worked with many teams, and none better than this one. They have a wealth of experience, fantastic tactical ability, an in-built efficiency and are a delight to work with. They are absolutely at the top of their field.’

‘I would mention Vlad Meerovich for his outstanding dedication and commitment to the case.’

Work highlights

Crime, fraud and licensing > Private prosecutions Tier 2

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:

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.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 2

Best known for its enviable fraud credentials, Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP's 'very experienced and understanding team' also acts in major commercial disputes before the English courts and internationally. The group is particularly active on behalf of governments, multinational corporations and ultra-high-net- worth individuals. Commercial litigation and civil fraud head Jonathan Tickner is a specialist in international and commercial disputes, as well as civil fraud and asset recovery work; international head Keith Oliver is 'a standout partner and absolute star'; Sarah Gabriel is a commercial litigation expert; and Jason Woodland is 'a great operator'. The next line of key advisers features Emma Ruane, who is experienced in multi-jurisdictional civil fraud and competition litigation; and Vlad Meerovich, a specialist in both multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation and international arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Tickner

Testimonials

‘Keith Oliver is a standout partner and absolute star – skill and effectiveness in securing successful outcomes for clients.’

‘Jonathan Tickner – clients are very happy with the service provided.’

‘Jonathan Tickner is efficient and helpful.’

‘Jonathan Tickner is very experienced.’

‘Jonathan Tickner, Sarah Gabriel and Vlad Meerovich are top-drawer litigators.’

‘Jason Woodland is a great operator and a star of the future, and Emma Ruane is a great member of the team.’

‘The service could not have been better.’

‘Very experienced and understanding team, sympathetic to deal with, and clear advice and management of expectations. Transparent and honest fees.’

Key clients

The Republic of Mozambique

Instituto de Salud para el Bienestar (a branch of the Mexican government’s Ministry of Health)

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

NHS Business Services Authority

Asendia UK

Swiss Post International (UK)

Select Lifestyles

Equity Real Estate

Work highlights

  • Acting for the Republic of Mozambique in the $2bn tuna bond scandal.
  • Acting for 122 of the 519 claimants, including numerous celebrities, footballers and other sports stars, in the Ingenious litigation (a £60m film financing fraudulent misrepresentation dispute).
  • Acting for an ultra-high-net-worth Turkish national in an international fraud and asset tracing claim.

Corporate and commercial > VAT and indirect tax Tier 3

Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 3

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP has extensive experience of acting on behalf of corporations in fraud, corruption, and money laundering proceedings, and international criminal investigations. The firm represents a client-base from a wide array of industries, ranging from energy and mining to retail and finance, and has grown its presence within the sanctions space, particularly since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. Nick Vamos heads the team, focusing on export controls and related offences, whilst the ‘superb’ Michael O’Kane has vast expertise in advising companies in high-profile international business crime cases. Jasvinder Nakhwal is an expert on INTERPOL and extradition matters, while Maria Cronin and Anna Bradshaw are noted for their money laundering and insider dealing expertise.

Practice head(s):

Nick Vamos

Other key lawyers:

Michael O’Kane; Jasvinder Nakhwal; Maria Cronin; Anna Bradshaw; Neil Swift; Charlotte Tregunna

Testimonials

‘Michael O’Kane is superb and leads a wonderful team of gifted individuals including Jasvinder Nakhwal and Nick Vamos.’

‘They provide practical and efficient solutions and can handle investigations on a massive scale without any loss of quality.’

‘Michael O’Kane is a world class lawyer with great charisma and imagination.’

‘Jasvinder Nakhwal is meticulous and has brilliant judgement. She is a delight to work with.’

‘Nick Vamos had years of experience with the CPS and he now uses this on behalf of his clients. He is a superb lawyer and tactician.’

‘The team has real in-depth knowledge in a very specialist area. There are few firms that offer this depth of knowledge in the field of corporate crime.’

‘The team has acted on a significant number of high-profile cases and have an in-depth expertise in a wide range of regulatory and corporate crime matters. The practice is highly regarded within the legal profession and also instructs exceptional legal counsel when required. The needs of the client are the clear focus of the practice.’

‘The team in general stand out for their legal knowledge and ability to assimilate a significant amount of technical information. The team’s client care is exceptional and in particular Jasvinder Nakhwal has the ability to explain complex legal nuances to a layman in a way that is easily understood.’

Dispute resolution > Public international law Tier 4

The PIL expertise of 'world-class firm' Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP incorporates advice on UK sanctions and export controls; and its track record includes complex and groundbreaking sanctions challenges. The team is co-led by 'well-known specialist' Anna Bradshaw, and business crime expert  Michael O’Kane. Senior associate Alistair Jones 'has in-depth knowledge'.

Practice head(s):

Michael O’Kane; Anna Bradshaw

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Peters & Peters has longstanding and unrivalled experience in challenges to sanctions listings, and deep knowledge of sanctions compliance in several jurisdictions.’

‘Michael O’ Kane is a master in this field.

‘Michael O’Kane has vast experience and is a master tactician. He achieves extraordinary results.

‘Anna Bradshaw is a well-known specialist in the area, who stands out for the depth of her knowledge and ability to cut through complex legislative provisions, to identify the key issues and come up with pragmatic solutions.’ 

‘Anna Bradshaw – willingness to make difficult decisions when necessary, in the interests of clients.’

‘Senior associate Alistair Jones deals with the day-to-day running of various workstreams calmly and efficiently, and formulates much of the overall strategy without missing opportunities to advance matters proactively when the time is right.’

‘Alistair Jones has in-depth knowledge of how best to frame a sanctions designation challenge, avoid pitfalls, and make the case in the most compelling way possible.’

‘Provides practical and economical solutions – a world-class firm.’

Key clients

Opus Private

Work highlights

  • Acted for a high-profile entrepreneurial family (the subject of highly-politicised corruption allegations) in making written representations to INTERPOL on the political character of the corruption allegations and consequential factual and legal flaws in the prosecution’s case.
  • Provides Opus Private with sanctions advice on an ongoing basis.
  • Acting for Eugene Shvidler in challenging his designation under the UK’s Russia sanctions regime.

Dispute resolution > Tax litigation and investigations Tier 4

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP is experienced in handling parallel civil and criminal tax investigations, including cases with complex multijurisdictional elements. Practice head Neil Swift specialises in criminal tax fraud and civil cases involving a risk of criminal sanctions. Maria Cronin advises on FCA and money laundering cases. Of counsel Rachel Cook specialises in criminal tax litigation.

Practice head(s):

Neil Swift

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They are specialists in the area of white collar crime, and this enables them to give specific and appropriate advice and support.’

‘Clear strategic thinking and efficiency in implementation. Effective communicators and sympathetic case management.’

‘Very responsive and client friendly approach. Well networked beyond their immediate area of expertise. Focus as much on the personal aspects of advice as the technical.’

‘Rachel Cook – very client friendly approach. Responsive, gives clear practical advice, and uses her network effectively to think holistically about matters at hand.’

‘Neil Swift – provides clear advice, cutting through to the key issues at hand and explaining the rationale for his recommendations succinctly. Clearly very available to his team.’

‘The number one team in the country for this kind of work.’

‘Neil Swift and Rachel Cook are a brilliant duo, working seamlessly together.’

Work highlights

  • Represented a high-profile entrepreneur charged with eight offences of avoiding VAT, causing an alleged loss of £22m to HMRC.

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious Tier 5

Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP brings a ‘strategic’ approach to actual and potential investigations and proceedings in the financial services sector, including those conducted by the FCA, PRA and SFO. Neil Swift brings his ‘great experience and judgement‘ to cases concerning both individual and corporate clients. Other key senior contacts include Anna Bradshaw, Maria Cronin and Nick Vamos.

Practice head(s):

Neil Swift

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Anna Bradshaw has encyclopaedic knowledge of anti-money laundering and sanctions laws.’

‘Solid and reliable.’

‘Trusted and strategic.’

‘Depth of knowledge and experience in the subject matter. Peters & Peters (from a US perspective) is the go-to UK firm.’

‘Neil Swift has great experience and judgement, and was a great help in a complex matter.’

‘I can definitely vouch for Maria Cronin’s team. They are not only great technical lawyers but have developed and keep enhancing their expertise in the various international environments their clients are coming from. It is a very well-structured team, hence always responsive. Would strongly recommend.’

‘I would like to specifically praise Maria Cronin: she is very hard-working, dedicated, client-focused, responsive, and thinks out of the box when it comes to creating solutions for her clients.’

‘Nick Vamos is a fantastic lawyer whose modesty and charm belies his high profile and his incredible client list.’

Work highlights

  • Representing a senior individual at the UK branch of a Luxembourg nank under investigation by the FCA over its role in an alleged scheme to manipulate currency and bond markets during an embargo that cost a Gulf nation billions.

This specialist practice is best known as a market-leading firm in business crime, civil fraud, commercial litigation and regulatory work, for which it attracts an impressive client base.

The firm: Peters & Peters was one of the first City law firms to develop a key multidisciplinary approach, allowing the firm to act for corporate and individual clients in fraud-related cases that require both civil and criminal expertise. Much of its work is high-profile and international in scope, with the firm providing advice to foreign regulators, worldwide organisations and governments, and forging close relationships with overseas law firms.

Types of work undertaken
Civil fraud/asset tracing: the acclaimed team, led by market-leading partners Keith Oliver, Jonathan Tickner, Sarah Gabriel, Jason Woodland, Emma Ruane and Vlad Meerovich enjoys a formidable reputation both in the UK and internationally for the breadth and depth of its expertise, acting for both claimants and defendants. It has extensive experience in applications for emergency remedies within and outside the UK. Its parallel sanctions expertise enables it to undertake civil fraud and criminal/regulatory litigation in tandem. The team conducts internal investigations for corporations.

Commercial litigation/arbitration: complex international commercial litigation and arbitration and contentious sports law disputes are widely recognised as one of the firm’s core strengths. Recent cases include contentious trust litigation, contractual disputes and corporate bankruptcy and related insolvency. Each of the team’s partners has acted in high-profile, complex and significant commercial disputes in recent years. The team has acted in claims surrounding Formula 1, and for the Department of Health and the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service in various private competition law damages claims against major pharmaceutical companies, as well as in arbitrations both domestic and international.

Business crime: acting for both corporate and individual clients, the firm’s long-standing experience and pre-eminence in commercial fraud and regulatory issues is universally acknowledged.

Anti-bribery/corruption: the firm has been involved in many significant cases of the last 50 years. Partner Neil Swift is also a contributing author of Blackstone’s Guide to the Bribery Act (2010).

Economic sanctions: the firm advises national and multinational companies on transactional matters and corporate compliance. It also acts for governments, corporates and individuals facing sanctions imposed by the UN, EU and individual states. Winner of ‘Sanctions Law Firm of the Year, Europe’ 2015, the firm recently acted for a high-profile Russian national facing both US and EU sanctions. The firm also brought the most complex sanctions challenge ever brought before the EU General Court on behalf of 123 Zimbabwean individuals and entities, and is very active with multiple clients facing sanctions relating to Egypt and Iran. Michael O’Kane is the co-author of the leading EU sanctions blog at www.europeansanctions.com.

Criminal antitrust (cartels): the firm has acted for more individuals in national and international criminal cartel investigations than any other UK law firm. Cases include auto parts, BA/Virgin, air cargo, marine hose, DRAM and construction. Michael O’Kane is the author and Jasvinder Nakhwal a contributing author of The Law of Criminal Cartels and Procedure (OUP), the seminal work on this subject.

Extradition/international mutual legal assistance: the team, led by Jasvinder Nakhwal, has acted in many of the leading extradition cases of recent years, often from Russia or CIS jurisdictions. Such cases include acting for former Yukos executives, Evgeny Chichvarkin and the Hermitage Group.

Private prosecutions: Peters & Peters has a proven track record in bringing and defending private prosecutions. It represented an interested party in Haigh v Westminster Magistrates’ Court [2017] EWHC 559 (Admin), successfully resisting an attempt by the claimant to overturn a six-figure costs award made against him following his abandoning an application for summonses. In 2014, Peters & Peters brought what is believed to be the largest private prosecution of an individual ever seen in this country: the case of R v Somaia, at the Central Criminal Court, which resulted in nine convictions for obtaining a money transfer by deception, contrary to s15A Theft Act 1968 (as amended), with a total value of US$19.7m.

Other areas of expertise: HMRC inquiries and investigations; financial regulation/ data protection/freedom of information; regulatory and corporate governance matters; policy-making and crisis management.

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing Partner Helen McDowell
Senior Partner Michael O'Kane
Anti-bribery and Corruption Neil Swift
Business Crime Michael O'Kane
Business Crime Helen McDowell
Business Crime Jasvinder Nakhwal
Business Crime Neil Swift
Business Crime Anna Bradshaw
Business Crime Nick Vamos
Business Crime Maria Cronin
Business Crime Charlotte Tregunna
Civil Fraud/Commercial Litigation, Asset Recovery Keith Oliver
Civil Fraud/Commercial Litigation, Asset Recovery Jonathan Tickner
Civil Fraud/Commercial Litigation, Asset Recovery Sarah Gabriel
Civil Fraud/Commercial Litigation, Asset Recovery Jason Woodland
Civil Fraud/Commercial Litigation, Asset Recovery Emma Ruane
Competition Litigation Jonathan Tickner
Competition Litigation Jason Woodland
Criminal Cartels Michael O'Kane
Criminal Cartels Jasvinder Nakhwal
Extradition and Mutual Assistance Jasvinder Nakhwal
Extradition and Mutual Assistance Michael O'Kane
Extradition and Mutual Assistance Neil Swift
Extradition and Mutual Assistance Nick Vamos
Financial Regulation Keith Oliver
Financial Regulation Neil Swift
Financial Regulation Maria Cronin
Investigations Michael O'Kane
Investigations Jasvinder Nakhwal
Investigations Keith Oliver
Investigations Neil Swift
Investigations Jonathan Tickner
Investigations Maria Cronin
Investigations Nick Vamos
Private Prosecutions Michael O'Kane
Private Prosecutions Nick Vamos
Private Prosecutions Neil Swift
Sanctions Michael O'Kane
Sanctions Anna Bradshaw
Tax Neil Swift
Tax Sarah Gabriel
Photo Name Position Profile
Anna Bradshaw photo Anna Bradshaw Anna is a Partner in the Business Crime Department. She advises individuals and…
Maria  Cronin  photo Maria Cronin Maria is a Partner in the Business Crime Department.  She specialises in…
Sarah Gabriel photo Sarah Gabriel Sarah Gabriel is a partner specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration. Sarah’s…
Helen McDowell photo Helen McDowell Managing partner, and partner in the business crime department. Helen specialises in…
Jasvinder Nakhwal photo Jasvinder Nakhwal Partner in the business crime team. Jasvinder is renowned for her specialism…
Michael O Michael O"Kane Senior Partner and Head of the Business Crime Department. He specialises in…
Keith Oliver photo Keith Oliver Keith is the Head of International and one of the firm’s key…
Neil Swift photo Neil Swift Neil is a partner in the Business Crime department with extensive experience…
Jonathan Tickner photo Jonathan Tickner Partner highly recommended in leading legal directories, Jonathan specialises in commercial litigation,…
Nick Vamos photo Nick Vamos Nick has over 20 years of criminal law experience focussed on international,…
Jason Woodland photo Jason Woodland Jason is a partner in the Commercial Litigation, Civil Fraud and Asset…
Number of UK partners : 14
Number of other UK fee-earners : 53