James Ramsden KC has an expansive international practice in commercial dispute resolution, regulatory, disciplinary, media, sports and public law serving a diverse clientele of City, corporate, governmental and regulatory clients. He is recognised by Chambers UK and Chambers Global as a leading King's Counsel (KC) in commercial dispute resolution and civil fraud, described as “an absolute star” and “a totally dedicated and stellar leader”. He is a committed and versatile advocate who is known for leading cohesive and effective teams in complex and often time-constrained assignments. Aside from the UK, he has been admitted to or advised in multiple jurisdictions including, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, US, Russia, Ukraine, Iceland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Uruguay, Australia, BVI, Jersey & Isle of Man. He was recently admitted to the Cayman Bar. James lectures widely on Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), fraud and asset recovery and is author and contributing editor for the authoritative practitioner’s reference, Butterworths’ Financial Regulation Service.
Astraea Group
Lawyers
Joe trained at Pinsent Masons. In 2014, he then qualified into their Commercial Litigation and International Arbitration team. Joe advised on a mixture of high value and international disputes. Joe focused on commercial and corporate disputes, as well as Civil Fraud and Asset Recovery. Joe also specialised in Pensions and Investments Litigation and worked closely with Pinsent Masons’ Pensions Litigation Team. Joe was a member of the Association of Pensions Lawyers.
Lisa is an Associate based in Astraea Group's London office. Whilst she works across all of the firm's core practice areas, her focus is commercial disputes, typically involving complex claims or civil fraud with a cross-border element. This includes arbitration, mediation and civil litigation. Prior to joining Astraea Group, Lisa trained and practiced at a global firm that specialises in large-scale, cross-border litigation and arbitration, working between their UAE and Scotland offices. She has experience conducting litigation in the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), UAE (acting alongside local counsel) and UK domestic Courts. In addition, her arbitration portfolio includes claims and awards rendered under many of the major arbitral institutions and rules, including LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL, ICSID and DIAC. Her practice is truly international having worked with clients and legal experts in the UK, Africa, France, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Gibraltar, BVI, Moldova, Ukraine, US, Canada, Singapore, Australia and the Middle East. Work highlights include the ongoing work for a group of international investors seeking recognition and enforcement of an state-investor arbitration award for USD 500 M in damages against the Republic of Kazakhstan. She has an active interest in the evolving body of cryptocurrency and digital asset disputes. She regularly assists on both contensious and non-contensious instructions in this area. Lisa also contributes to the firm's legal insights, which can be accessed via the Astraea Group website and LinkedIn.
Piers joined Astraea in 2023 having previously been a Managing Director with FTI Consulting. He has 20 years of experience helping businesses, international organisations and governments to manage risk, resolve disputes and investigate and respond to allegations or instances of fraud, corruption, bribery, money laundering and other acts of wrongdoing and misconduct. Piers brings a wealth of experience to the firm’s growing investigation practice. In addition to being a Solicitor in England and Wales, he is a CEDR Accredited Mediator, a Certified Fraud Examiner and a Forensic investigator. He has led financial and non-financial cross border investigations in Europe, the Middle East and in the North and Sub-Saharan Africa, on behalf of his clients operating in a range of sectors, including financial services, healthcare, energy & power, construction and the public sector.
Rob joined Astraea from a global firm and specialises in large-scale, cross-border litigation and arbitration. His clients include multinationals, global brands, major banks, and ultra-high net worth individuals. Recent instructions include: long running, multi-jurisdictional proceedings to enforce a US$500 million SCC award against the Republic of Kazakhstan; a EUR900 million investment arbitration against the Republic of Moldova concerning the concession to operate the national airport; and a complex asset recovery action in which worldwide freezing injunctions were obtained against 29 defendants and Chabra respondents across five jurisdictions. He has led a number of investigations including into suspicious prepayments of almost US$300 million to a counterparty shortly before it entered insolvency measures and into alleged breaches of Russia related sanctions. Rob also has a developing regulatory practice and has advised a number of clients with exposure to Russian counterparties on sanctions compliance.
Rory is Counsel at Astraea Group's London office, having previously worked as a Legal Director at a well-known national firm. He is an advocate with over a decade of experience, and is also authorised to conduct litigation. Rory works across all of the firm's core practice areas and has particular expertise in advising on and leading complex regulatory investigations, disputes and appeals. Notable clients to date include the Solicitors Regulation Authority, for which Rory has appeared before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and in the Administrative Court on multiple occasions, including against Leading Counsel. As a result, Rory is well placed to advise on compliance issues generally, from domestic anti-money laundering regulations to international sanctions, an area in which he enjoys a growing practice.