Corporate Crime & Investigations | UK

Freshfields offers recognised skill in high-stakes regulatory and internal investigation work, in connection with domestic and cross-border matters. The team acts for clients on allegations of fraud, bribery, corruption and money laundering as well as advising on sanctions matters. Freshfields also draws on noted financial services expertise to provide counsel on criminal prosecutions by the FCA, as well as more traditional criminal agencies.

Herbert Smith Freehills enjoys a highly regarded practice providing effective advice on white-collar criminal matters. The team is sought out for a range of matters including sanctions, SFO investigations and alleged regulatory breaches, while wielding particular expertise in representing major corporations facing multi-jurisdictional corruption proceedings. It is also valued for its expertise in matters involving bribery and money laundering.

A high-level practice for criminal work, SFO investigations, fraud and bribery matters, Simmons & Simmons is also noted for its strength in internal corporate investigations. The team acts for top-level international clients that include professional services companies and financial institutions, and fields significant strength in anti-money laundering investigations. Simmons & Simmons also boasts capability in cross-border proceedings, complemented by a notable presence across EMEA.

Slaughter and May is a popular choice for a raft of household-name entities including banks, manufacturers and government departments. The firm offers first-rate experience in dealing with high-profile investigations by major prosecutors, including the SFO and the FCA, and is accomplished in cross-border regulatory investigations involving alleged rate manipulation, as well as sanctions matters. The team is also well versed in the interaction between civil litigation and corporate financial crime.

A&O Shearman is highly reputed across compliance and regulatory investigations, including anti-bribery matters. Its team employs experienced advisers on corruption and money laundering allegations, alongside sanctions, who make use of the firm's strong global platform to provide effective representation in multi-jurisdictional investigations. It is also noted for its enviable client base, which includes major financial institutions, manufacturing companies and sovereign governments.

Debevoise & Plimpton can boast a superb international footprint and ensures an ability to assist easily on complex cross-border matters. Areas of strength within the team include advising on complex corporate investigations and regulatory work, and it also wields an impressive record of handling anti-bribery and corruption matters for blue-chip clients from a range of sectors. The team also offers deep experience in complex SFO and internal compliance investigations.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher advises public companies and financial institutions on FCA and SFO investigations, as well as general compliance matters. The firm offers expertise in bribery, corruption, money laundering, fraud and sanctions cases as well as noted expertise in international investigations. The team is active across a number of sectors, including financial services, oil and gas, and energy.

Addleshaw Goddard is sought out for its pragmatic counsel on matters such as SFO investigations and related DPAs. The team also acts on allegations concerning money laundering, fraud and bribery and offers significant expertise in cross-border matters.

Clifford Chance advises an enviable roster of clients, including household-name banks and service companies. A popular choice for high-profile domestic and cross-border investigations, as well as high-stakes FCA and SFO matters, the team is experienced in international money laundering, bribery and corruption investigations. Clifford Chance also provides advice on anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance matters.

Hogan Lovells offers a flexible and effective service for clients faced with cross-border investigations into allegations of bribery and money laundering. The firm regularly provides compliance advice and assists with anti-corruption procedures, and has an enviable international client base, including manufacturers and financial institutions. The team's reputation for handling multi-jurisdictional matters is bolstered by a large network and deep sanctions experience.

Jenner & Block offers substantial expertise acting for corporates in SFO investigations as well as conducting internal investigations. The team frequently advises on money laundering and sanctions, and is noted for its strong capabilities in cross-border matters, particularly with the USA.

Linklaters offers substantial experience representing large corporations in SFO and FCA investigations. The team also has notable capabilities acting for international clients and is well versed in matters concerning fraud, bribery and corruption allegations.

A respected practice assisting clients with significant financial crime matters, Ropes & Gray boasts noted expertise in advising corporates and financial institutions on internal investigations. The team has significant experience in international investigations involving the SFO and DOJ, and also provides advice on international risk and compliance matters.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom has a prominent financial crime team benefiting from the presence in London of partners from its wider international network. The firm has notable expertise in high-stakes US compliance issues, as well as in handling large-scale, multi-jurisdictional investigations into matters including corruption and sanctions breaches. The team enjoys marked proficiency in SFO and DOJ investigations, and its key clients include large banking corporations and international manufacturers.

WilmerHale has a renowned practice with considerable experience of white-collar crime matters, including SFO work and expertise in bribery and misconduct matters. The firm is frequently engaged by banking and manufacturing clients to advise on high-stakes, cross-border internal investigations, drawing on its market-leading US practice to provide a strong transatlantic service.

Arnold & Porter has a well-regarded team that represents multinational corporations in investigations by the SFO and other prosecuting authorities. The team also provides compliance advice and is called upon by clients to conduct internal investigations.

Dechert offers international expertise which draws on its global footprint of offices including in London, Washington DC and Hong Kong. The team is adept at managing investigations brought by a range of regulatory bodies, including the NCA, FCA and SFO, responding to allegations spanning from bribery and corruption to sanctions compliance and market manipulation.

Greenberg Traurig offers expertise in international criminal investigations, counting global corporations and senior executives among its clients. The team offers particular depth of experience in anti-bribery investigations and compliance.

A well-known name in the market, Kingsley Napley has deep expertise in all aspects of serious corporate crime including regulatory breaches and complex fraud. The team is adept at handling international corruption, fraudulent trading and false accounting matters, and is also well versed in bribery and money laundering investigations. Kingsley Napley also offers notable experience in advising on internal investigations and compliance, as well as in handling proceedings by government enforcement agencies.

The team at Kirkland & Ellis is made up of experienced advisers who cover a variety of areas including anti-bribery and anti-money laundering compliance and sanctions-related advice. The team is adept at handling internal corporate investigations and draws on the firm's strong global network to provide expert advice on cross-border investigations.

Norton Rose Fulbright provides expert counsel to international corporations in connection with regulatory compliance, including sanctions work. The firm has a noted ability in internal investigations involving fraud, bribery, corruption and money laundering matters, and is also experienced in handling enforcement proceedings and corporate self-reporting to the SFO. The team acts for a variety of clients such as financial institutions, telecommunications companies and professional services providers, and is adept at handling matters with multi-jurisdictional elements.

White & Case is a well-regarded outfit with a broad financial crime practice including internal investigations, compliance work and FCA and SFO investigations. The team is able to draw on the firm's strong US offering, with substantial expertise in multi-jurisdictional matters and representing clients before the DOJ.

Baker McKenzie is recognised for its corporate investigations and compliance practice, with a track record in acting for clients with international considerations. The team is regularly instructed in connection with allegations of corruption and SFO investigations.

BCL Solicitors' well-established practice provides deep expertise in the business crime area, offering tailored specialist advice to corporates affected by search warrants, allegations of money laundering and SFO investigations. The team is well versed in matters involving bribery and corruption and draws corporate clients from a wide range of sectors, including life sciences, construction and retail.

Morrison Foerster acts for an impressive range of clients, including in the energy sector and financial and professional services. The team is frequently called on by clients for its experience with global investigations into allegations of bribery and corruption, drawing on the strength of the firm's global presence.

Paul Hastings has an experienced white-collar defence and investigations team, with capabilities in assisting corporates facing allegations of fraud, corruption and bribery, among others. The firm has expertise engaging with a wide range of agencies in domestic and cross-border matters, including the FCA and SEC.

Peters & Peters is a well-established and strong choice of counsel when issues arise surrounding fraud and bribery. The team is able to handle legal and regulatory challenges brought by domestic and international enforcement agencies. Its client base includes leading banks and large oil and gas companies, and the team enjoys particular strength lies in multi-jurisdictional investigations and those with a crossover civil element.

A popular choice for matters at the crossover of financial crime and financial services regulation, Stephenson Harwood acts for an impressive client base, including financial institutions and sovereign states. The team is noted for its far-reaching knowledge of corruption matters, while its complementary sanctions expertise serves as a draw for international matters. The team is also regularly called upon to represent clients in matters relating to fraud, money laundering and bribery allegations.