England - London • Crime, fraud and licensing
Withers LLP
Withers LLP enjoys a track record in a wide array of cases, from those involving cross-border, financial services and trust structure elements, through to its distinct expertise cases relating to art and cultural asset fraud. Stephen Ross, an expert in international asset freezing and recovery matters, leads the practice, often working in close tandem with colleagues in Milan, the US, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Stephen Ross - a superb brain, an excellent commercial sense and a practical, calm manner. He's ideal.’
‘Breadth of knowledge and experience spread over multiple jurisdictions with lawyers at every level and demonstrating linguistic skills’
‘Peter Wood - global head of litigation - a fabulous lawyer who is feathers are never unruffled - always attracts the big cases with the big clients, such as the Vatican case which he is dealing with in the UK
‘An exceptionally capable team with a vast wealth of experience. One of the very best civil fraud teams in London. Tremendously user-friendly and very easy to work with. They have a remarkable track record when it comes to delivering results.’
‘Roberto Moruzzi (partner) has a lifetime of experience in this field and is able to assemble the right people for the job in question. A delight to work with.
‘An excellent team with a significant amount of high value work. The firm also has significant international links, critical for fraud work.’
‘Roberto Moruzzi is very experienced and offers exceptional wisdom when managing cases. There is very little he has not seen before.
‘A heavily experienced commercial litigation and fraud team with strength in depth and a closely cooperative team. Very communicative and easy to deal with.’
Key clients
- Jatin Mehta and family
- Barrowfen Properties Limited
- Say Chong Lim (and investment vehicles)
- Mrs Kalliopi Lemos, Church Bay Trust Company and Mr Roderick Forrest
- Transomas Limited and Transomas Investments Limited
- Two HNW individuals
- Metigen Limited
- Wise Payments Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for the successful Claimants in the case of Lim & Others v Ong and Others [2023] EWHC 321 (Ch). The case involved multiple worldwide freezing orders. The Court found that the Defendants acted in breach of trust, knowing receipt, fraudulent breach of directors duties and more.
- Representing members of an UHNW, high-profile family in a $1billion plus claim involving legal causes of action in civil fraud and insolvency arising out of successful gold, diamond, retail and export businesses.
- Obtained judgment in favour of Barrowfen Properties Limited with findings of fraud professional negligence against Barrowfen's former solicitors, the Second Defendant, and findings of forgery against its former director, the First Defendant, Mr Girish Patel.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Stephen Ross