ABV Solicitors
Client SatisfactionABV Solicitors counts high-profile individuals in the financial services, oil and gas, energy, and insurance sectors among its strong roster of clients. Handling both privately and publicly funded instructions, the team is well-placed to advise on the full spectrum of fraud and white-collar criminal matters on a national basis. Deepak Vij and Akhtar Ahmad jointly oversee the team; Vij has a strong record defending company directors and government officials in SFO investigations, while Ahmad has notable experience handling investigations by overseas law enforcement agencies in the US and Asia. ‘Star performer’ Amirah Ajaz has a notable focus on serious organised crime and confiscation cases, while Rohit Sharma attracts praise for his ‘excellent strategic mind’. The core team also includes Fergus Harrington, who ably assists on complex fraud investigations.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The fraud and business crime team provide first-class representation across the board for Corporate and individual clients. Pragmatic and highly professional in their approach, the team respond quickly to client needs and provide the highest quality representations. The firm applies considerable diversity from top to bottom in an impressive manner that attracts clients.’
- 'The team has a breadth of experience across the white-collar crime spectrum. They are a set of hardworking and available lawyers, devoting an impressive amount of resources into advising clients and preparing their cases. They deal with document heavy cases with ease, cutting through to give focused advice.'
- 'Rohit Sharma is an exceptional lawyer. He has an excellent strategic mind and can plot a course through the most complex white-collar crime cases.'
- 'ABV are one of the very best white-collar crime firms around. Their lawyers pride themselves on client care and go above and beyond what is required for them. They are highly experienced in dealing with high volume complex casework prosecuted by the SFO and FCA so are always on top of the issues their clients need assistance with. They are one of the very best firms out there in this practice area.'
- 'Deepak Vij is a true legend of white-collar crime litigation. His affable exterior camouflages his steely resolve to fight his clients' cases. He is extremely knowledgeable and has an exceptional track record of getting results against the odds.'
- 'Amirah Ajaz is a star performer. Her dedication and work ethic are unrivalled. She effortlessly navigates through the challenges of even the most complex financial crime cases by relying upon her considerable experience and impressive ability.'
- ''Fergus Harrington is an outstanding and experienced lawyer who goes the extra mile for his clients every single time. He is a skilled strategic, creative thinker and always immaculately well prepared - he knows his material and the case papers inside out.'
- 'This is a tight, focused and driven practice with outstanding partners and a tremendous work ethic.'
Work highlights
- Representing a company director, part of a Plc, floating on the London Stock Exchange, alleged to be running multi-million investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
- Representing an individual facing a SFO investigation, charged with a £88m Ponzi scheme fraud.
- Representing a client charged by the SFO with a fraud allegation of £94m “black hole” accounting fraud.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Deepak Vij, Akhtar Ahmad