With ‘a fantastic range of talent across the civil fraud sphere’, Devonshires Solicitors LLP, which represents housing, financial services and private client sector corporate clients and HNW individuals, houses specialists in cross-border investigations, internal company frauds, regulatory work, and high-value asset tracing. Philip Barden focuses on multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation that frequently contains civil fraud elements, while David Pack, who acts for UK and offshore companies, partnerships and individuals, is ’indefatigable in fighting his clients’ corner’.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A fantastic range of talent across the civil fraud sphere, particularly in the international context.’

  • ‘A fairly small but industrious team, which leaves no stone unturned in fighting for the client. Able to devise imaginative funding solutions for distressed cases.’

  • ‘Able to call on a wealth of criminal law experience for civil fraud cases.’

  • ‘A good track record in civil fraud cases. Many commercial cases involve fraud and dishonesty and it is just these type of messy cases that the firm excels in.’

  • ‘Philip Barden is the driving force and has a good feel for the strengths and weaknesses in a case. He is shrewd and worldly, as well as unflappable.’

  • ‘David Pack is a proactive, responsive partner who mixes a collegial ease in his dealings with a doggedness to ensure matters are brought to conclusion.’

  • ‘David Pack is a partner who exemplifies the qualities of the team. Indefatigable in fighting his clients' corner, but able to keep costs down in the process. Very imaginative and resourceful in finding solutions for disputes.’

  • ‘David Pack is brilliant. A very thoughtful lawyer who will go the extra mile for any client. Fantastic to work with. Extremely responsive.’

Key clients

  • Axiom Ince (in administration)
  • Musicalize
  • Next Generation Holdings
  • Ambon Brokers
  • Kingly Solicitors Ltd & associated companies (all in liquidation)
  • Unicorn Payment

Work highlights

  • Acted for the board of Axiom Ince in a client account-related £64m fraud, which involved obtaining freezing orders against former directors.
  • Acted for Peter Weinzierl in money laundering-related extradition proceedings.
  • Acted for Sophie Anderson, Ben Anderson and the Musicalize group of companies in relation to investment monies that were obtained through alleged fraudulent misrepresentation to investors in the music/concert industry.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Philip Barden

Other key lawyers

David Pack