England - London • Crime, fraud and licensing

Macfarlanes LLP

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Macfarlanes LLP comes highly regarded for its work on matters which combine corporate/commercial, financial institution, private wealth and international elements. The practice is led by James Popperwell who enjoys an in-depth knowledge of freezing orders and other forms of urgent relief. Recently promoted partner Chloë Edworthy provides the team with strong ties to the German, Swiss and Austrian markets.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A combination of really excellent partners and diligent and enthusiastic associates gives confidence that the case is in safe hands.’

  • ‘Fraud-related matter is definitely their field and they are the first choice when we have a matter of such type, especially on a global scale. The team is extremely good and possess deep understanding on how to apply the available instruments in a client's case. What is even more valuable, they look into the matters from commercial standpoint and provide a fair assessment whether a case is worth the efforts.’

  • ‘We worked with Nikolas Ireland - his promotion to the partner is very well deserved. One of the top commercial litigators we have encountered.’

  • ‘Macfarlanes have always produced quality advice across all levels. I've continued to work with Nik Ireland and he continues to provide excellent advice’

  • ‘Nikolas Ireland is a superstar with a commercial and pragmatic approach and the ability to explain issues succinctly and clearly. A well deserved elevation to partner.’

  • ‘James Popperwell is a knowledgeable and strategic fraud practitioner who has consistently been involved in some of the biggest cases in the market.’

  • ‘A leading civil fraud firm. Extremely knowledgeable, able to handle the most complex of matters, driven to deliver excellent results.’

  • ‘James Popperwell: knows everything and everyone and how to get results.'

  • ‘Partner James Popperwell: He is exceptional at seeing the bigger picture of things, and is also into the details. Easy to work with.

Key clients

  • VTBE (“Tuna Bonds”)
  • Enigma Diagnostics Limited
  • Primekings Limited, Robin Fisher, Geoff Zeidler, Barry Stiefel
  • AlixPartners
  • British Bankers’ Association
  • Better Capital LLP
  • Business Growth Fund

Work highlights

  • Acting for two corporate clients in successfully obtaining a worldwide freezing order in the sum of over $100m against a Ukrainian businessman in support of LCIA arbitration proceedings. The matter concerns the collapse of a major Ukrainian bank caused by a serious fraud and the misappropriation of over $1b.
  • Advised VTB Bank Europe in the $4bn “Tuna Bonds” litigation, including succeeding in an application for separate representation from its co-claimant subsidiary in a departure from long-standing authority on that topic.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

James Popperwell

James Popperwell

Macfarlanes LLP

James is head of the firm’s fraud practice. He specialises in asset tracing and enforcement and the management of complex, international disputes in state courts and arbitration. As well as running disputes at all levels of the English courts, James has significant experience in managing parallel proceedings in different jurisdictions. James has over 19 years of experience acting on disputes relating to Russia, Ukraine and the CIS and has represented clients from these regions in various courts across the world, including in the Eastern Caribbean, the Channel Islands, Cyprus and Hong Kong, as well as in ICC, LCIA and VIAC arbitrations. James has significant experience of obtaining and defending interim injunctive relief in support of proceedings in England and elsewhere. James also advises on corporate and shareholder disputes (including in relation to companies incorporated overseas), bribery and corruption, sanctions, money laundering and insolvency proceedings. He is often asked to represent overseas clients in jurisdictional challenges in England and has done so on the basis of diplomatic and sovereign immunity as well as the more traditional grounds. James combines his fraud expertise with an intricate knowledge of litigation funding in all its forms. James has advised litigation funders on structuring some of the most innovative funding arrangements in recent years. James is a contributing author to the Law Society’s Handbook on Litigation Funding and a regular speaker on funding issues. James is qualified to act as an independent supervising solicitor on search orders. James is a partner champion of our Balance network, a forum providing networking and peer support for all staff managing careers and home lives, to achieve a sustainable work-life balance.

Next Generation Partners

Chloë Edworthy

Chloë Edworthy

Macfarlanes LLP

Chloë specialises in complex and cross-border litigation and arbitration for corporates, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals. Chloë acts for a broad range of clients in respect of both High Court litigation and international arbitration. She has experience of arbitration with each of the following institutions: LCIA, ICC, SIAC, CIETAC, DIS, Swiss Rules and ICSID. In 2020, Chloë spent time on secondment to the Litigation and Regulatory team at Goldman Sachs. In 2015/2016, Chloë was seconded to a leading German law firm where she advised clients in relation to various international arbitrations (both commercial and investment treaty). Chloë is a member of the London Solicitor Litigation Association and the Young International Arbitration Group of the LCIA. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

James Popperwell

Other key lawyers

Chloë Edworthy, Nikolas Ireland