BTO Solicitors LLP has assembled a robust financial crime offering, guiding international businesses through anti-fraud compliance measures, and investigations into money-laundering, tax evasion and bribery. Practice head Vikki Watt’s reputation advocating at all stages of the criminal litigation process is highlighted through her work with high-profile professionals in the public and private spheres. Co-head Alasdair Gillies is the go-to for private individuals facing fraud-related investigations. Lindsay MacNeill is lauded for her advice on complex regulatory frameworks including in relation to money laundering, while the recruitment of Ramsay Hall from Brodies LLP in September 2024 has amplified the firm’s offering in contentious and advisory matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Ramsay Hall gives focused, concise advice and ensures he fully understands the brief. He is response and very knowledgeable in all areas of regulatory compliance and he provides practical solutions to problems.’

  • ‘Professional, responsive and straightforward.’

  • 'Alasdair Gillies is a highly experienced and knowledgeable partner who has a broad experience of financial crime. He has a tremendous rapport with clients who have full confidence in his ability to navigate them through extremely difficult, complex high-profile cases.'

  • 'Vikki Watt - highly experienced, knowledgeable and confident partner. Her experience of complex financial cases both at common law and under statute is highly impressive. Clients have great confidence in her ability and place their trust her. She deals with people in stressful situations in a compassionate way whilst remaining entirely focused on the issues of the case.'

  • 'I can expect without exception that BTO will handle my matters efficiently and expeditiously.'

  • 'Lindsay MacNeill is a partner of many years of experience. Clients are immediately impressed by her grasp of the issues and detail of complex financial cases. She is entirely committed to the cause of her clients and leaves no stone unturned to ensure her clients receive the best possible representation.'

  • ‘Ramsay Hall has an exceptional legal mind with a sharp eye for detail. He is professional, strategic and brilliantly articulate.'

  • 'Ramsay Hall is a brilliant person to work with and is wise beyond his years!'

  • 'They are a team of highly experienced criminal lawyers who are skilled in dealing with corporate clients in relation to financial crime. They work together as a team for the benefit of their clients. They have an in-depth knowledge of this complex area both at common law and under statute, and their legal analysis of complex cases is highly impressive.'

  • 'Collaboration between practitioners with expertise in specific areas of law has ensured that I am provided with timely, accurate advice in a complex case which involves a number of areas of law.'

Work highlights

Secured the acquittal of a senior businessman charged with multiple money laundering offences.
Advising a UK business in connection with a complex and high-value fraud investigation involving concerns around the alteration of records.
Representing a leading Scottish business prosecuted for financial crime beaches.

Lawyers

Next generation lawyers

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Ramsay Hall

Practice head

Vikki Watt

Other key lawyers

Alasdair Gillies; Lindsay MacNeil; Ramsay Hall