The considerable international reach of the civil fraud team at PCB Byrne is a boon to its client base of major corporates and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. It has a recent slate of high-profile cases and the team regularly represents clients in the Supreme Court, the Commercial Court, and the Court of Appeal. Leading name in fraud investigation and asset recovery Anthony Riem heads the practice, with Trevor Mascarenhas being another specialist in civil fraud claims, well-versed in precedent-setting cases. Olga Bischof‘s broad practice includes particular experience in offshore jurisdictions, and Ben Davies focuses on high-value fraud litigation. Catherine Eason’s practice continues to develop, and the team was bolstered by the respective additions in February and March 2025 of Simon Colledge from gunnercooke LLP and Matthew Wescott from JMW Solicitors LLP. Elizabeth Seborg left the firm in May 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘PCB are an exceptional boutique firm with a particular emphasis on civil fraud disputes.’
‘Trevor Mascarenhas is hugely knowledgeable when it comes to civil fraud disputes.’
‘PCB Bryne are specialists in this area. They have seen it, done it and worked through it all before. But they remain forward looking and innovative, using their great knowledge and experience as a base from which to address newer problems and opportunities as they arise.’
‘Tom McKernan is so clever, able to assimilate huge amounts of information and to see three steps ahead, so as to out-think and out-play his opponents long before they understand what is happening.'
'Olga Bischof - hugely experienced and knowledgeable with a strategic brain and commercial approach, never losing sight of the larger picture, and how it can be achieved.’
‘PCB Byrne have decades of fraud experience, and their breadth of knowledge from commercial injunctive relief to criminal actions make them particularly adept at the most serious and complex civil fraud cases.’
‘Tom McKernan has a great ability to oversee highly complex cases often involving international elements and early injunctive relief. He has an excellent rapport with all his clients.’
‘Excellent fraud litigation experience, with their boutique status meaning they can take on and achieve results in cases that other larger firms cannot.’
'A sophisticated and close-knit team, with an ability to focus on what is most strategically important.'
'Great team. Lots of very dedicated and talented lawyers.'
Key clients
- IPJSC United Company Rusal
- Estate of Fahad Al Rajaan and Muna Al Wazzan
- ROSATOM
- Banco de Sabadell S.A.
- Lopag Trust Reg and others
- The Republic of Cuba
- Banco Nacional de Cuba
- South Bank Hotel Management Company Limited
- Andrey Guriev
- Hangzhou Jiudang Asset Management Co. Limited
- Hangzhou Biaoba Trading Co. Limited
- Shanghai Baojiehue Venture Capital Partnership
- VTB Bank PJSC
- Invest Bank PSC
- Fastmove Limited
Work highlights
Acting for the Estate of Fahad Al Rajaan and Muna Al Wazzan, the lead defendants in the $1bn fraud claim brought by the Kuwaiti Public Institute for Social Security against the Estate of Fahad al Rajaan and others.
Acting for Andrey Guriev in successfully defending a multi-billion-dollar breach of trust dispute.
Acting for ROSATOM, one of 22 defendants in a $14bn claim relating to an alleged conspiracy to confiscate the claimants’ interests in companies which control the main Russian seaports.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Caitlin Ferguson
Practice head
Anthony Riem
Other key lawyers
Trevor Mascarenhas; Ben Davies; Nick Ractliff; Neil Micklethwaite; Tom McKernan; Catherine Eason; Olga Bischof; Caitlin Ferguson; David Johnson; Simon Colledge; Matthew Wescott