Astraea Group
About
Complex disputes often require a multi-disciplinary approach developed by solicitors, barristers and professional services / intelligence firms.
Astraea Group launched as an alternative business structure (“ABS”) in 2021 with a view to transform the delivery of legal services and expert advocacy. Within the gender-balanced partnership is leading commercial silk, James Ramsden KC, and chartered accountant and tax advisor, Nina Stewart FCA. They are supported by Piers Rake and Rob Bedford, solicitors and Partners.
The model brings together a core team of barristers, solicitors, private client/ tax experts and accountants in-house, without the unnecessary cost-layering associated with more traditional business models. Notwithstanding our small size we have the ability to scale resources through technology and our developed network of forensic intelligence, financial intelligence, cyber-security and regulatory specialists.
Types of work undertaken
Commercial Dispute Resolution: Astraea Group works with major multi-nationals (including FTSE 100, Dow Jones and SSE listed companies), governments, state owned entities, statutory authorities, banks, financial service providers, financial service regulators, and private and public sector companies. We litigate, arbitrate and mediate in the UK and across numerous international jurisdictions, and have been admitted as advocate or worked in countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, US, Russia, Ukraine, Iceland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Uruguay, Australia, New Zealand, BVI, Cayman, Jersey and Isle of Man. We have in house junior and senior counsel, as well as a growing solicitor team to manage matters from "cradle to grave". Our James Ramsden KC has appeared as lead advocate in several of the most publicised Commercial Court cases of recent years including; BTA v Ablayazov, TNK-BP v Lazerenko, Wilcox LLC v Balmore Invest & Others, Kolyada v Yurov & BNP Paribas SA v OJSC Russian Machines & JSAMC Ingosstrtakh-Investments.
Arbitration: Our arbitration practice extends to all of the main arbitration forums and rules including the London Court of International Arbitration (“LCIA”), the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”), the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”), the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”), as well as ad hoc arbitrations. We work closely with our contacts in the business intelligence community to design effective enforcement strategies at the outset of actions which allows us to support clients from pre-action measures, through the arbitration and finally recognition and enforcement. Our Rob Bedford (Partner) and Lisa McCreath (Associate) are particularly well versed in enforcement matters, managing a complex cross-border enforcement strategy of a USD 500M investor-state arbitration award for breach of the Energy Charter Treaty, issued under the rules of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (Stati & others v The Republic of Kazakhstan).
Investigations: We investigate issues that might have criminal, regulatory or civil repercussions. This can involve suspicion of bribery, fraud, cartel activity, sanctions or money laundering breaches, or inappropriate personal relationships. Our experience of acting for regulators and prosecuting bodies means we are ideally placed to advise on whether a report to the relevant authorities is required.
Civil Fraud: Astraea Group has expertise in issues concerning the tracing and recovery of assets in civil fraud cases and is regularly instructed by government and public bodies in large scale fraud investigations. Since May 2007, James Ramsden KC has been appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of counsel instructed to carry out asset tracing and confiscation applications under the Serious Organised Crime & Police Act.
Fintech & Digital Currency Regulation: This largely unregulated sector is especially prone to fraud and at risk of being a vehicle for money laundering. Astraea Group is an expert in identifying and tracing the origins and flows of cryptocurrency and has secured unprecedented cooperation from banks and FX traders on the basis of the orders for disclosure we have obtained. James Ramsden KC is recognised as pre-eminent in disputes concerning Fintech & Digital Currency Regulation. Astraea Group has considerable expertise in the policing and removal of offensive and defamatory material on web publications and social media platforms and has pioneered use of the Defamation (Operators of Websites) Regulations 2013 for that purpose. In addition to client work, the team are actively publish insights into this evolving area of law.
Regulatory & Compliance: Prior to forming Astraea Group, our James Ramsden KC has been consistently ranked as a leader at the London Bar in regulatory, compliance and disciplinary work. Rory Mulchrone, who is a recognised practitioner in professional disciplinary matters, joined the team in 2022 to bolster our regulatory and compliance offering. As a leading expert in Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (“CTF”) work, we are retained by a number of City legal and financial institutions to advise on these regulatory issues. This work extends to FCA compliance and disciplinary proceedings, and advice on EU, UN and US sanctions. The team also has considerable experience in professional disciplinary matters; James Ramsden KC is Panel Counsel retained by the Law Society and Solicitors Regulatory Authority and by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (“ICAEW”) and the Intellectual Property Regulation Board (“IPReg”).
Public Law: Our James Ramsden KC has been ranked by the Legal 500 in the area of Administrative & Public Law for making “sound and independent judgments” and for “pragmatic and solution-orientated advice”. Astraea Group is regularly instructed in cases at the interface between commercial, regulatory and public law.
Reputation Protection and Crisis Management: We offer strategic solutions to complex issues, leading teams with diverse skill sets, including: public relations, investigations, forensic accountancy, and business and political analysis
Private Client: We advise High Net Worth ("HNW") and Ultra High Net Worth ("UHNW") individual clients on their personal planning and wealth holding structures in the UK and internationally. We are able to assist our private clients with most matters on which they require advice through our network of top tier firms in the UK and internationally including private banks, trustees, accountants, IFAs, family lawyers, immigration experts, real estate professionals, art advisers and yacht and private jet specialists, among others.
Key Clients:
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
- London Wall Master Pool Ltd
- RPC
- Capsticks LLP
- Bird & Bird LLP
- Monzo Bank Ltd
Work Highlights:
- Acting as global counsel for a group of international investors enforcing USD 500M investor-state arbitration award against the Republic of Kazakshtan