Astraea Group is ‘a leading commercial boutique for arbitration award enforcement, cryptocurrency, civil fraud, and asset recovery disputes’. The 11-member team also acts in general commercial disputes and sports law matters. ’Star individual’ James Ramsden KC is a cryptoasset dispute specialist and Lisa McCreath assists with disputes across a range of sectors. Robert Bedford, who was promoted to partner level in July 2023, is experienced in cross-border matters. Joe Young, who ‘does a tremendous job’, is a May 2023 recruit from Pinsent Masons LLP.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Astraea Group is a leading commercial boutique for arbitration award enforcement, cryptocurrency, civil fraud, and asset recovery disputes.’
‘The firm is going from strength to strength.’
‘An efficient, dedicated team that is always in contact with clients. The Astraea’s team is interchangeable, so clients can count on every team member.’
‘It is expanding steadily both at partner and associate level. The service is very personal and benefits from the combined decades of experience of disputes partners James Ramsden KC and Robert Bedford (and their teams).’
‘James Ramsden KC is a star individual. He has longstanding experience as a barrister and is an adept strategist and advocate.’
‘James Ramsden KC is comfortable as leading counsel on the most complex disputes.’
- ‘Robert Bedford is an excellent coordinator and strategist for complex multi-jurisdictional disputes.’
‘Joe Young does a tremendous job. Clients are very thankful to him for working round the clock some days. Great integrity and honesty.’
Key clients
- Bitcoin Association & Ors
- BTC Core & Ors
- Anatoli Stati & Ors
- O Soloshansky & Ors
- Kin Ming Je
- Molson Equipment Services Ltd
Work highlights
- Acting for the defendants in a $4bn action, in which Craig Wright (a high-profile figure claiming to be the inventor of bitcoin) alleges hackers stole the key to a number of wallets.
- Acting for the first defendant to a $6m claim for unlawful means conspiracy and fraudulent misrepresentation.
- Representing investors in ongoing, multi-jurisdictional proceedings to enforce a $500m SCC arbitral award, resulting from Kazakhstan’s breaches of the Energy Charter Treaty.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
James Ramsden KC, Robert Bedford