Civil Fraud and Global Asset Recovery

When your financial security or corporate integrity is threatened by complex fraud, Mackrell LLP provides strategic and coordinated legal advice to trace, freeze and recover misappropriated assets.

Our experienced team can provide strategic civil fraud litigation and global asset recovery.

Time is critical

In the wake of financial misconduct, cybercrime, or corporate deception, early action can be critical.

Assets may be moved or concealed through digital networks and complex structures.

Acting promptly can allow appropriate legal remedies to be sought to preserve assets and prevent further dissipation.

Notable cases

Mackrell LLP has acted in several significant civil fraud, asset recovery and cross-border disputes, including:

• Alsaady v Hamadani and Ors [2025] EWHC 1801 (Ch): Successfully acted for defendants in high-value proceedings involving approximately $30 million, concerning partnership, bailment and related claims involving valuable art and other chattels. Following the determination of the English proceedings, we obtained for our clients an anti-suit injunction restraining overlapping proceedings in Iraq.
• GLAS SAS (London Branch) v European Topsoho SARL and Ors [2024] EWHC 83 (Comm): Acted for a defendant in Commercial Court proceedings arising from the default of €250 million secured exchangeable bonds and involving shares in SMCP S.A., a French fashion group.
• Lenkor Energy Trading DMCC v Puri [2021] EWCA Civ 770: Successfully acted for Lenkor in Court of Appeal proceedings concerning the enforcement in England of a Dubai judgment. The decision subsequently featured in UAE Ministry of Justice guidance concerning reciprocity in the enforcement of English and UAE judgments.
• Sevilleja v Marex Financial Ltd [2020] UKSC 31: Acted for Mr Sevilleja in landmark Supreme Court proceedings concerning the scope of the rule against reflective loss. The judgment significantly clarified and restricted the application of that rule, particularly in relation to claims brought by creditors. The proceedings also introduced the Marex tort.
• Wang v Darby [2021] EWHC 3054 (Comm): Successfully acted for Mr Darby in a reverse summary judgment application in Commercial Court proceedings concerning cryptocurrency swap arrangements and whether the transfer of cryptocurrency gave rise to an express, resulting or constructive trust.
• Millicom Tanzania N.V. v Golden Globe International Services Ltd and Anor, BVIHCMAP2016/0036 (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, 10 May 2017): Successfully acted for Golden Globe in cross-border proceedings at first instance concerning forum non conveniens and allegations of a risk of injustice in Tanzania. The Court of Appeal considered the evidential threshold required to establish a real risk of injustice in a foreign jurisdiction.

Our civil fraud and asset recovery capabilities

• Emergency injunctions and freezing orders: Seeking domestic and worldwide freezing orders (WFOs) to preserve assets and prevent their dissipation including orders to support foreign proceedings.
• Disclosure and search orders: Obtaining proprietary, Norwich Pharmacal and Bankers Trust disclosure orders where appropriate to assist in tracing assets and identifying the movement of funds.
• Cybercrime and crypto tracing: Advising on claims involving complex digital asset theft, corporate data breaches, blockchain manipulation.
• Corporate misrepresentation: Handling claims involving director misfeasance, false accounting and investor/shareholder deception.
• Enforcement and cross-border insolvency: Advising on post-judgment enforcement and cross-border insolvency strategies, including working with liquidators and bankruptcy trustees to identify and realise assets.

Why choose Mackrell LLP?

• International collaboration: We support both domestic and international clients in cross-border disputes. We regularly collaborate with trusted firms abroad to protect our clients’ interests in foreign legal disputes. Equally, we act for the clients of foreign law firms in matters before the English courts, assist with evidence and disclosure within England and Wales and provide expert legal advice for use in foreign proceedings.
• Cross-border reach: As a founding member of Mackrell International, a network spanning over 60 countries, we can coordinate legal advice and action across multiple jurisdictions where required.
• Commercial focus and discretion: We recognise that litigation is a means to an end. We build long-standing relationships through trust, discretion, transparent communication and a commercial and cost-conscious approach to asset recovery.