Charles Russell Speechlys LLP ‘covers a lot of the important bases in the investigations bracket’. The team represents corporates and individuals in financial crime, anti-money laundering, bribery and corruption cases, and is also noted for global asset recovery and corruption work. Sara Sheffield specialises in fraud and asset tracing and recovery mandates, often working alongside fellow team head Ghassan El Daye, who is highly respected for fraud investigations, on key matters. Karl Masi is widely praised for his ’understanding of the complex legal and factual issues in cases‘ and his ’technical skills’.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The CRS team cover a lot of the important bases in the investigations bracket. I understand that Sara Sheffield and Karl Masi have good experience in contentious enforcement and investigations work from the UK and Australia.'

  • 'Proactive, knowledgeable, and willing to collaborate.'
  • ‘I predominately liaised with Karl Masi on the CRS side, who demonstrated to me a real understanding of the complex legal and factual issues in the case. There is a difference between representing a corporate and representing an individual in an investigation, and Karl’s experience in representing the latter was particularly clear on several occasions.'

  • 'Karl's skill-set in representing individuals in large investigations brings a unique value to the CRS team. Aside from technical skills, Karl was very easy to work with - pleasant, responsive and helpful.'

Work highlights

  • Represented an individual in enforcement proceedings brought by the Dubai Financial Services Authority for failings in respect of the audit of the Abraaj Group entity, Abraaj Capital Limited (ACLD).
  • Acted for a British national charged and prosecuted by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in relation to ongoing bribery and corruption charges related to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Advising a global group entity on its UAE subsidiary’s compliance with bribery and corruption laws in the UAE.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sara Sheffield, Ghassan El Daye

Other key lawyers

Karl Masi