With a consistent presence in the top civil fraud cases, CMS excels in financial services and energy sector-related cases, cyber fraud, and investigations work. It is also regularly involved in major non-sector specific international fraud cases. Work in the Middle East has been a recent trend within the firm, with Andrew Taplin acting on a number of cases for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, alongside the firm’s Dubai office. Practice head Bernard O’Sullivan frequently acts for both claimants and defendants in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Gambling and gaming sector fraud is a notable strength of Tamsin Blow's practice, while Luke Pardey continues to lead on an array of top matters, drawing new clients to the practice year on year. Nadia Latti is forging an excellent practice and was elevated to the partnership in May 2024, and Anita de Villiers has significant experience in fraud proceedings, both in the UK and in Australia.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Andy Taplin is a big name in the fraud world. A great mixture of charming but aggressive when needed.’
‘They have a real strength in depth - the partners are top-class strategic thinkers who also have an eye for the detail of a case; the associates are hard working and extremely bright with a wealth of experience in a range of litigation and arbitration; they are friendly and easy to work with, while being intimidating opponents in any dispute.'
‘Luke Pardey is a brilliant litigator. He appears to be extremely easy going and relaxed, but behind the friendly smile is a steely determination and a razor sharp mind. He thinks about problems in different ways and comes up with innovative ideas for how to resolve a dispute and how to find that all-important edge.'
‘The practice of this law firm stands out due to its combination of deep legal expertise, client-centric approach, and innovative solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. In comparison to other firms, CMS differentiates itself through its holistic and client-focused approach.'
‘The individuals I work with at CMS, including Nadia Latti, stand out for their exceptional dedication, expertise, and unique approach to client service. What differentiates these individuals from those at competitor firms is their holistic approach to client engagement. While many professionals may possess technical skills, the individuals here combine that expertise with genuine empathy and a proactive mindset.'
‘The team combines star quality with genuine warmth. The team has depth and breadth of expertise, and is impressively diverse for a top City firm. The diverse team means there is not just calibre but also a relatable quality to the members which makes them a top choice with clients.’
Key clients
- Outlier Ventures
Work highlights
Acted for Alexander Gorbachev in his £3.5bn claim against Russian billionaire Andrey Grigoryevich Guriev.
Acting for Outlier Capital in its commercial court claim against Tingo International Holdings Inc. in the context of an alleged fraud at the heart of the defendant’s business.
Acted for former CEO of Solo Capital in the civil and criminal proceedings arising from the collapse of Solo Capital.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Bernard O’Sullivan
Other key lawyers
Andrew Taplin; Luke Pardey; Tamsin Blow; Eoin O'Shea; Nadia Latti; Anita de Villiers