Described by clients as ‘reliable, thorough and efficient’, ABV Solicitors’ client roster consists of high-profile individuals, senior company executives and corporations. Jointly headed by Deepak Vij, Akhtar Ahmad and Robert Borwick, the team is lauded for its expertise in serious fraud investigations, and is well-equipped to handle cross-border cases involving foreign investigative agencies. As head of the financial crime team, Vij excels in commercial and financial fraud matters, as does Ahmad, while Borwick’s varied caseload includes murder, regulatory, and serious sexual offences. Amirah Ajaz specialises in white-collar fraud, organised crime and complex confiscation cases, and Fergus Harrington is a key contact for boiler room fraud, tax evasion and money laundering as part of his white-collar crime focused practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘This practice offers first class representation across the board for general crime and business crime clients. Corporate and individual clients receive advice and service at the highest level. Their operation is efficient and their teams well liked and always deliver.’

  • ‘Deepak Vij heads the business crime and serious fraud department. A leader in his field, he brings considerable knowledge and experience to a wide spectrum of clients. He is a brilliant lawyer, and is tactically very astute.’

  • 'Amirah Ajaz is hugely intelligent and hard-working, providing superb representation. Responsive and determined she leaves no stone unturned when preparing cases.'
  • 'Rohit Sharma is a talented, highly capable and all-round excellent lawyer, specialising in complex fraud.'
  • 'Robert Borwick is a standout general crime heavyweight. Liked by clients and providing the highest standard of representation, you want him on your side.'
  • 'ABV Solicitors have always gone the extra mile for their clients. There is an approachable and hands-on attitude to the cases they handle. They have a steely determination to ensure they achieve the very best for their clients. Reliable, thorough and efficient.'
  • ‘Deepak Vij is a legend of financial crime defence. His calm and affable disposition puts clients and colleagues at ease, but laying beneath it is the fortitude of a major player who opponents know is not to be trifled with.’
  • ‘They are a close and hard-working team. They care about their clients and fight tooth and nail for them.’

Key clients

  • AOG Technics
  • Patisserie Holdings

Work highlights

  • Representing an individual facing a SFO investigation, charged with a £88 million Ponzi scheme fraud.
  • Represented a client charged by the SFO with a fraud allegation of £94 million 'black hole' accounting fraud.
  • Represented a client charged in the high profile multi-rape and sexual assault trial of a Premier League Footballer playing for Manchester City FC.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Deepak Vij, Akhtar Ahmad, Robert Borwick

Other key lawyers

Rohit Sharma, Amirah Ajaz, Fergus Harrington