Rahman Ravelli > London, England > Firm Profile
Rahman Ravelli Offices
Bridge House
181 Queen Victoria St
London
EC4V 4EG
England
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Rahman Ravelli > The Legal 500 Rankings
Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals) Tier 2
White-collar crime boutique firm Rahman Ravelli has a strong track record acting for senior executives, individuals in the financial services industry, high-net-worth individuals, and entrepreneurs on the full range of criminal matters. Under the leadership of managing partner Azizur Rahman, a seasoned financial crime practitioner with a notable emphasis on multinational fraud investigations, the team is also routinely instructed on compliance matters, self-reporting work, and internal investigations. Niall Hearty is the name to note for global bribery and corruption investigations, while the ‘outstanding‘ Angelika Hellweger takes point on international sanctions mandates. Matthew Cowie joined the firm from Dechert LLP in November 2023.Practice head(s):
Azizur Rahman
Other key lawyers:
Angelika Hellweger; Matthew Cowie; Niall Hearty; Syed Rahman; Nicola Sharp
Testimonials
‘An ambitious and highly competent firm led by the inimitable Aziz Rahman, a man of inexhaustible energy, commercial savvy and fundamentally sound legal judgment.’
‘The firm has built an incredible reputation in the field of fraud and regulatory litigation. The litigators are tenacious in the defence of their client’s interests with incredible talent at the senior associate/director level.’
‘Angelika Hellweger is an outstanding member of the team. The advice she provides is strategic, commercial and always on point. She is incredibly knowledgeable and hardworking and in the past couple of years has truly cemented her reputation as one of the go-to lawyers when it comes to regulatory investigations and litigation, sanctions, and ESG.’
‘The team is highly specialised in white collar crime and sanctions matters.’
‘Aziz Rahman is an amazing litigator and a real leader of the firm. Syed Rahman is a rising star who is equally adept in dealing with white collar crime matters as well as civil fraud matters. Nicola Sharp is a main stay of the firm. A fierce white collar litigator.’
Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud Tier 1
Respected white-collar crime firm Rahman Ravelli has a strong record representing high and ultra-high net worth individuals and prominent corporate clients in high level financial crime, including multi-million pound frauds, money laundering, and tax evasion. Managing partner Azizur Rahman leads the team from Halifax. Rahman covers fraud and money laundering matters, and has international expertise in bribery and corruption issues. Also key are Nicola Sharp, whose practice includes money laundering and multinational investment fraud, and Syed Rahman, an expert in fraud and business crime, with notable accomplishments in the developing area of cryptocurrency fraud. Angelika Hellweger covers offensive asset tracing and recovery litigation.Practice head(s):
Azizur Rahman
Other key lawyers:
Rahman Ravelli > Firm Profile
With a market-leading presence in the City of London, bases across the UK and Europe and a worldwide network of legal experts, Rahman Ravelli is a leader in multinational and multijurisdictional serious and corporate fraud, white-collar crime, bribery and corruption, regulatory matters, complex crime, civil recovery and commercial litigation.
Rahman Ravelli has grown rapidly and provides strategic advice to corporations, governments and other organisations, senior business figures, professionals and high net worth individuals. All matters are handled directly by a partner of the firm. As a conflict-free, boutique practice offering top-tier legal services, Rahman Ravelli is regularly engaged by other law firms to provide independent advice to senior executives and to handle discrete legal matters in jurisdictions around the world.
The firm: Since it was established in 2001, the practice has built an enviable reputation in the sectors it operates in. It has earned a strong national and international presence by defending the most significant, high-profile, multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency cases robustly and effectively and by managing high-stakes commercial litigation to obtain the best possible outcome. Its caseload here and abroad grows annually.
Its recent work includes some of the largest and most high-profile global corruption investigations, deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) negotiations and cross-border investment fraud cases. It has become increasingly popular with corporates and senior executives looking to investigate and self-report wrongdoing in order to achieve a civil, rather than a criminal, solution to a problem. The firm is also utilised by corporates and high net worth individuals for its investigative and legal expertise in international and multi-jurisdictional asset tracing and recovery work.
Its heightened worldwide presence has led to a rising cross-border investigation workload. The firm is at the forefront of cases linked to investigations into the share selling practice known as Cum-Ex.
Rahman Ravelli is being increasingly called upon to advise global companies and financial institutions regarding sanctions compliance, and to act in significant, complex sanctions cases and related litigation. It is also in great demand to conduct private prosecutions for UK and international clients.
The firm is now at the cutting edge of cryptocurrency, having represented clients in a number of cases that have shaped the law in this area. Rahman Ravelli lawyers are also being sought to advise and represent major institutions in relation to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
Rahman Ravelli’s track record of success, ability to recruit top-ranking lawyers, expertise and attention to detail have led to it being recommended to others by past and present clients, other law firms and professionals. Its strong, innovative and robust, proactive approach coupled with its network of worldwide experts has attracted clients from all over the world who need to resolve bribery and corruption allegations, corporate matters, tax investigations and regulatory issues. The firm is available around the clock and anywhere in the world to discuss its core specialisms of serious fraud, serious and white-collar crime, bribery and corruption and civil recovery, as well as defence against actions brought by regulatory bodies.
Types of work undertaken: The firm is known for its tenacious defence of clients’ interests in the face of attacks by governments and agencies. It regularly challenges allegations made by bodies such as the SFO, NCA, FCA and City of London Police and international organisations such as Interpol, FBI, OLAF and the SEC.
Fraud: Rahman Ravelli’s serious fraud expertise includes commercial fraud and business crime defence services, and all aspects of major tax fraud, international corruption and money laundering. SFO prosecutions are a speciality, with acquittals achieved in the UK’s largest-ever investment fraud trial and many other large-scale, high-profile cases. The firm regularly manages the most complex multinational and multijurisdictional fraud cases, including investigations involving multilateral development banks (MDBs), and the biggest investment fraud investigations conducted by the Financial Conduct Authority and HM Revenue and Customs. Rahman Ravelli is also heavily involved in investigations into the share-selling practice Cum-Ex.
Sanctions: Rahman Ravelli has represented major financial institutions, corporates and senior business figures from a wide range of business sectors in the highest-level sanctions cases and related litigation. It handles all aspects of sanctions, including challenging a sanctions regime’s targeting of an individual or organisation and making licence applications to the relevant authorities to release frozen funds or assets for designated persons or entities. Recently, the firm has been particularly busy advising companies and individuals on how sanctions imposed on Russia may affect their activities.
Regulatory: The firm’s regulatory department handles national and international cases; representing professionals and advising companies, including PLC’s, on corporate risk. Its serious crime expertise includes experience of complex, large-scale conspiracy allegations. The firm has developed specialist knowledge in tackling covert policing evidence relating to the right to privacy; including directed and intrusive surveillance, covert human intelligence sources and entrapment issues – techniques increasingly adopted by investigative bodies. The practice has experience in the fields of abuse of process and public interest immunity. Its case of R v H and C established the law in this area in the House of Lords in 2004. The case is the leading authority on disclosure and brought about a sweeping change regarding prosecution obligations on disclosure – an area where the firm excels.
Bribery/corruption: Rahman Ravelli works on bribery and corruption cases here and overseas that routinely involve billions of dollars, governments and companies of all sizes and from all industry sectors. It advises international companies regarding compliance and internal investigations. The firm’s client list includes corporates and professionals from all sectors, senior officials, high-net-worth individuals and members of the public being investigated by one or more agencies. Its caseload also sees it representing the likes of lawyers, IFA’s, accountants, surveyors and bankers, as well as those working in the health and education sectors, charities, the royal household, forex, pensions, mining and environmental schemes, motor transport and real estate. Its most recent work in this field has included extensive involvement in a number of huge, long-running investigations into major companies in the oil, gas and other natural resources sectors.
Civil recovery: Rahman Ravelli’s expertise includes national and international cases involving the NCA, SFO, HMRC, CPS and other agencies. It was the first firm to take a civil recovery case to the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights to protect clients’ assets – a case that defined important civil recovery issues – and manages cases involving unexplained wealth orders.
Commercial litigation including civil fraud: Rahman Ravelli regularly and aggressively challenges worldwide freezing orders, defends multijurisdictional actions and pursues corporate wrongdoing. The firm is adept at bringing civil fraud proceedings and conducting asset tracing and recovery actions for clients globally. Its acknowledged global asset tracing and recovery skills are repeatedly used by corporates and high net worth individuals. It is also at the forefront of cryptocurrency, having represented clients in a number of cases that have shaped the law in this area.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior and managing partner | Aziz Rahman | ||
| Corporate and financial crime | Aziz Rahman | ||
| Corporate and financial crime | Nicola Sharp | ||
| Corporate and financial crime | Syed Rahman | ||
| Corporate and financial crime | Niall Hearty | ||
| Complex crime | Shaff Rahman | ||
| Asset recovery and restraint | Syed Rahman | ||
| Regulatory and commercial litigation | Syed Rahman | ||
| Regulatory and commercial litigation | Nicola Sharp | ||
| Internal investigations and risk management | Syed Rahman | ||
| Internal investigations and risk management | Nicola Sharp | ||
| Internal investigations and risk management | Aziz Rahman | ||
| Serious and general crime | Amrik Bilkhu |
Lawyer Profiles
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Francesca Cassidy-Taylor | Francesca Cassidy-Taylor, a senior associate at Rahman Ravelli, has a track record… | View Profile |
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Mr Matthew Cowie | Matthew Cowie is a partner at Rahman Ravelli with a track record… | View Profile |
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Dr Angelika Hellweger | Angelika Hellweger is a legal director at Rahman Ravelli. A dual-qualified Austrian… | View Profile |
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Zulfi Meerza | Zulfi Meerza, a senior associate solicitor at Rahman Ravelli, has in-depth expertise… | View Profile |
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Syed Rahman | Syed Rahman is a partner at Rahman Ravelli and is recognised as… | View Profile |
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Mr Aziz Rahman | As founder and senior partner at Rahman Ravelli, Aziz Rahman orchestrates the… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 4 Number of legal directors : 2 Number of other UK fee-earners : 15Diversity
Since its founding in 2001, Rahman Ravelli has placed great emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Both have become an ingrained part of the firm’s working practices.
Rahman Ravelli has always prided itself on the multicultural, multinational and mixed socioeconomic make-up of both its legal team and its support staff, as well as the wide age range of those who work for it. This is illustrated by the current composition of the firm’s senior legal team.
Its staff policies promote equality and cultural awareness, as it views such diversity as an asset, both for the firm and for its wide variety of current and potential clients. It also supports its lawyers’ work with representative groups.
Rahman Ravelli makes every effort to ensure every case is handled by lawyers with the best possible legal expertise and, where required, the necessary cultural and social awareness. It has undertaken a wide range of pro bono work in the community and has sponsored and given other forms of support to local charitable events.
Press Releases
Trading Abroad And Money Laundering Risks
21st April 2017Aziz Rahman explains what those trading internationally need to do to ensure they are not targeted by money launderers.
The Future For Corporate Liability
21st April 2017With the government looking at how to change the law when it comes to prosecuting companies, Aziz Rahman considers the possibilities.
Money Laundering Obligations And Property Professionals
21st April 2017With the housing market facing further scrutiny regarding money laundering, Aziz Rahman outlines what those working in the property sector must do to stay within the law.
The Rolls-royce Dpa – Lessons That Can Be Learnt
9th March 2017Aziz Rahman outlines the lessons that corporates and senior executives under investigation can learn from the huge Rolls-Royce bribery settlement.
Tackling Business Crime In Your Workplace
9th March 2017Failure to prevent fraud and other business crime can prove costly to companies. Ben Ticehurst and Aziz Rahman consider what can be done to identify wrongdoing and the options available when it is found.
Defending Sfo Accusations
9th March 2017Aziz Rahman explains how the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) builds a case – and how it can be challenged.
The Jp Morgan Scandal And The Definition Of Bribery
18th January 2017JP Morgan is paying $264M to settle allegations of bribery over its hiring of children of key Chinese decision makers to try and secure business. Aziz Rahman explains what constitutes bribery and how to prevent it.
No Avoiding It
9th November 2016Accountants and advisors could face tougher fines for helping clients avoid paying tax. So how can they make sure they do not fall foul of the law?
Collapse
9th November 2016Aziz Rahman examines some of the issues involved before, during and after a company collapses.
Damage Limitation
9th November 2016Putting right the wrongs and minimising the damage when your company is accused of business crime.
Lengthy Sfo Investigations
9th November 2016Aziz Rahman considers whether SFO investigations could be concluded quicker.
Preventing Fraud And Money Laundering
9th November 2016The government wants corporate executives charged when their staff carry out offences such as fraud and money laundering. How can you make sure you’re not one of those prosecuted?
Pensions and the risk of fraud
9th November 2016What those working in pensions must do to avoid being a victim of fraud – or being accused of it.
Why Those In Finance Must Tackle Money Laundering
9th November 2016With the authorities looking for more ways of tackling money laundering, Aziz Rahman explains why those working in finance must stop it for themselves.
Bitter Pill
9th November 2016Aziz Rahman explains why the latest pharmaceutical bribery scandal emphasises the need for companies to have a strong compliance policy.
Legal Developments
The Limits of the Bankers’ Book Evidence Act 1879
6th April 2021Nicola Sharp considers a recent case that highlighted the scope of the Act.
KBR, THE SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE AND SECTION 2 NOTICES
1st March 2021 Aziz Rahman assesses the implications of the Serious Fraud Office’s defeat in a Supreme Court case regarding its ability to use Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act to obtain documents held in other countries.Parallel Proceedings – Civil And Criminal
30th September 2019Syedur Rahmanconsiders the factors that determine when civil proceedings can go ahead before,or at the same time as, criminal proceedings relating to the same circumstances.
Sfo Guidance, Privilege And Internal Investigations: Some Brief Advice For Corporates
2nd September 2019 Neil Williams outlines the legal situation regarding privileged material and the most recent SFO advice on corporate cooperation.Businesses, App Fraud And Recovering Losses
30th August 2019A new code of conductaims to give individuals greater protection against authorised push payment(APP) fraud. Syedur Rahman explains what the best available options are forbusinesses looking to recover such losses.
The Fifth Money Laundering Directive And The Uk
17th June 2019 With the UK government’sconsultation period on the European Union’s Fifth Money Laundering Directive coming to an end, AzizRahman outlines the Directive's likely effect.Taking The Right Steps To Ensure You Do Not Commit The Offence Of Failure To Prevent The Facilitatio
23rd May 2019 Nicola Sharp outlines what needs to be done to avoid thefailure to prevent offence that was introduced by the Criminal Finances Act.The Right Way To Report A Company’s Failure To Prevent The Facilitation Of Tax Evasion
23rd May 2019 Self-reporting such a failure can be used as part of thecompany or partnership’s reasonable procedures defence if it is charged with anoffence. It can also be taken into account by prosecutors when making adecision about whether to prosecute and can be reflected in any penalties thatare imposedWhat General Counsel Need To Know About Money Laundering
11th April 2019WHAT GENERAL COUNSEL NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MONEY LAUNDERING
Nicola Sharp explains what money laundering is and outlineshow businesses can reduce the dangers it can pose.
Unexplained Wealth Orders: Their Potential And The Right Way To Respond If Faced With One
21st March 2019Aziz Rahman considers why we may see an increase inunexplained wealth orders (UWO’s) and the implications for law enforcement and individuals.
Deferred Prosecution Agreements: The Best Option? Or A Flawed Idea?
28th February 2019Tescoadmitted wrongdoing over its accounting scandal in order to obtain a deferredprosecution agreement and avoid a conviction. But with everyone charged overthe scandal having been cleared, Aziz Rahman examines whether the deferredprosecution agreement process needs revising.
Deferred Prosecution Agreements: Obtaining One And Seeing It Through To Completion
28th February 2019With Standard Bank having become the first organisation to conclude a DPA, Aziz Rahman explains why gaining one is only the start of the challenge.
Dismissal At Nissan And Workplace Crime Prevention
17th January 2019The sacking of Nissan’s high-profile chairman may have beenproof that nobody is infallible. But Nicola Sharp argues that it should also beseen as an indicator that no company can be considered safe from wrongdoing.
Bribery Allegations In More Than One Jurisdiction: The Importance Of Ensuring A Joined-up Defence Ap
13th December 2018Aziz Rahman considers the Ericsson bribery investigation and outlines how best to respond if you are investigated by more than one law enforcement agency
Bribery And The Risk It Poses To Technology Companies
22nd November 2018With Microsoft’s activities in Hungary having come underinvestigation, Nicola Sharp explains why those at the cutting edge oftechnology need to be aware of the age-old dangers of bribery.
Dealing With Agencies That Investigate Business Crime
4th October 2018Aziz Rahman outlines the powers and functions of the Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority and National Crime Agency and explains how defence teams should respond to them.
Conducting An Internal Investigation
4th October 2018Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman explain the value to companies of internal investigations and the importance of carrying them out correctly.
Preventing Money Laundering In The Gambling Industry
4th October 2018With a bookmaker being ordered to pay millions for failing to prevent money laundering, Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman examine how the gambling industry can tackle the problem.
Obtaining A Dpa
4th October 2018With the SFO laying down tough conditions to those seeking adeferred prosecution agreement (DPA), Aziz Rahman examines what companies need todo to have a chance of securing one.
Failing To Prevent Bribery
19th April 2018Following the first conviction of a company for failure toprevent bribery, Aziz Rahman considers the implications of the case for thosein business.
Money Laundering And The Gambling Industry
6th April 2018With a bookmaker being ordered to pay millions for failingto prevent money laundering, Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman examine how thegambling industry can tackle the problem.
How To Prevent Workplace Fraud
28th March 2018Aziz Rahman examines the scale of fraud in business andexplains how it can be prevented, identified and reported.
Politically Exposed Persons And The Legal Restrictions They Face
28th March 2018Aziz Rahman and Ben Ticehurst consider the Novartis scandaland the business restrictions on those holding high office.
Corporate Liability And The Individual
28th March 2018With much still to be decided regarding the prosecution ofindividuals over the financial scandals at Rolls-Royce and Tesco, Aziz Rahmanexamines how the fate of investigated companies can differ to that of those whoworked for them.
Defending Yourself When International Bribery Allegations Are Made
28th March 2018Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain how corporates shouldrespond if investigated over bribery allegations abroad.
Unexplained Wealth Orders
22nd February 2018With unexplained wealth orders now part of UK law, Aziz Rahman assesses their likely effect and how people should respond to them.
How Executives Can Protect Themselves If A Company Collapses
22nd February 2018Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp take an overview of the Carillion crisis and explain how those who ran a failed company can defend themselves
Airbus And The Risks Of Bribery Across Borders
11th January 2018Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the risks of bribery in international trade and how corporates should respond if they face such allegations.
The Paradise Papers – Defending Tax Evasion Allegations
11th January 2018Aziz Rahman considers how anyone under investigation following the Paradise Papers leaks can mount the strongest possible defence.
The Rise Of The Dpa
11th January 2018With deferred prosecution agreements (DPA’s) now part of theFrench, UK and US legal systems, Aziz Rahman explains their value – and how toobtain one.
Collusion And Competition Law
11th January 2018Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp look at the Financial ConductAuthority’s action to tackle alleged breaches of competition law.
The Sfo, The Future And Securing A Dpa
19th October 2017Now that the SFO’s future appears assured, Aziz Rahman considers what this means for those seeking deferred prosecution agreements.
The Need To Prevent Money Laundering – Everywhere
19th October 2017China is toughening its money laundering prevention by taking a closer look at many more business sectors. Aziz Rahman explains the thinking behind this – and what it means for everyone trading abroad.
Compliance After The Event In Bribery And Corruption Cases
19th October 2017Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the merits of compliance committees and how improving your compliance measures can help you, even while you are under investigation, in global corruption cases.
Formula One, Bribery And The Serious Fraud Office
19th October 2017Aziz Rahman explains why the SFO’s enquiries into Formula One are relevant to all senior executives and corporates.
Health And Safety: The Corporate Implications
29th September 2017Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp consider how companies can minimise the problems that can be posed by health and safety prosecutions.
Automation And Money Laundering
29th September 2017Aziz Rahman explains how automation can bring its own risks of money laundering – and how they can be reduced.
Challenging Witness Credibility
29th September 2017The SFO has been criticised for its use of an expert witness in trials. Aziz Rahman examines how the SFO can be challenged over its use of such witnesses.
Increased Insolvency Powers
26th September 2017Ben Ticehurst explains the new powers at the Insolvency Service’s disposal – and what those in business need to do to ensure they do not fall foul of them.
The Serious Fraud Office: Ways To Deal With It
24th August 2017Aziz Rahman explains how to respond to a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation in order to secure the best outcome.
Making Sure You Do Enough To Prevent Money Laundering
24th August 2017With money laundering coming under ever-closer scrutiny, Aziz Rahman explains why you need to make sure your preventative measures are good enough.
Emissions Testing And Fraud
24th August 2017Porsche is the latest car maker to be investigated over emissions test fraud. Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain the wide-ranging effects of workplace fraud and the way to eradicate it.
The Dangers Of Cartels.
10th July 2017Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp consider two recent cartel cases and examine why businesses must take care not to become involved in such behaviour.
The Sfo And Section Two Interviews: Why Robust Defence Is Needed
10th July 2017Aziz Rahman explains why the SFO’s insistence that solicitors cannot be present for interviews under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act can be and should be challenged.
The Fourth Eu Anti-money Laundering Directive: What It Means For Business
5th July 2017With the Directive coming into effect, Aziz Rahman examines its implications.
The Huge Costs Of Bribery
5th July 2017Aziz Rahman looks at the case of Petrofac, explains how bribery can ruin a company and emphasises what must be done to prevent it.
Cross-border Investigations
5th July 2017The huge Petrobras bribery scandal has engulfed companies in many countries. Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain what needs to be done if your company is investigated in more than one country.
Corruption: How To Defend Yourself
5th July 2017Aziz Rahman outlines why allegations of corruption in football should act as a warning to everyone in business about the need to prevent wrongdoing.
Challenging Fca Accusations
13th June 2017Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman explain how changes to the way the FCA investigates cases will make it easier for companies and individuals to negotiate the best possible outcome.
Obtaining A Dpa
13th June 2017With deferred prosecution agreements (DPA’s) becoming more common, Aziz Rahman considers how a company under investigation can enhance its chances of obtaining one in order to avoid prosecution.
Tesco: A Question Of Corporate Criminal Liability?
22nd May 2017Aziz Rahman examines what the deferred prosecution agreement the supermarket giant has reached with the SFO may mean for other corporates.
The Laundromat Saga: The Fca And Money Laundering Risks
22nd May 2017With banks being investigated over alleged Russian money laundering, Aziz Rahman examines the precautions financial professionals must take.
What The Criminal Finances Bill Means For Asset Seizure And Forfeiture
22nd May 2017Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the changes likely when the Criminal Finances Bill becomes law.
The Policing And Crime Act 2017
22nd May 2017Aziz Rahman talks through the Act’s implications for those in business in the UK.
- Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud