Stewarts is a leading civil fraud practice, acting for governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporates and individuals in high-value, complex fraud disputes.

We have extensive experience pursuing and defending claims involving asset misappropriation, bribery and corruption, conspiracy, dishonest assistance and breach of fiduciary duty. Many of our cases involve sophisticated international opponents, urgent asset protection measures and parallel regulatory or criminal issues.

Our lawyers have acted in some of the largest and most complex fraud investigations and recovery actions worldwide, helping clients protect assets, recover losses and resolve disputes across multiple jurisdictions.

Crisis leadership and urgent asset protection

Fraud disputes often emerge suddenly and require immediate action. Clients rely on our ability to mobilise rapidly, assess risks clearly and impose structure in high-pressure situations.

We have significant experience obtaining and defending freezing injunctions, search orders and urgent disclosure relief to preserve assets and secure critical evidence. Where there is a risk of asset dissipation or information being destroyed, we act decisively to protect our clients’ positions from the outset.

Our focus is always on stabilising the situation quickly and creating a clear strategy for the next stage of the dispute.

Cross-border recovery on a global scale

The majority of our fraud cases involve an international dimension.

We regularly advise on matters involving complex jurisdictional disputes, foreign law issues and cross-border asset structures. Working alongside a trusted network of specialist lawyers and experts around the world, we coordinate multi-jurisdictional claims aimed at tracing, freezing and recovering assets wherever they are located.

Our international reach enables us to deliver joined-up strategies across multiple legal systems while maintaining clear oversight and direction for clients.

Expertise in sophisticated structures and complex disputes

We are a leading civil fraud practice, acting in high value, complex disputes involving urgent asset protection, cross border investigations and multi jurisdictional recovery.

Our lawyers have acted in some of the largest global fraud investigations. Our work spans the full spectrum of civil fraud litigation, including asset misappropriation, bribery, conspiracy, dishonest assistance and breach of fiduciary duty across multiple sectors.

We have extensive experience in both pursuing and defending fraud claims, particularly those involving major financial institutions and offshore entities.

Who we represent

We act for clients who require decisive, strategic and internationally coordinated action, including:

• Governments and sovereign wealth funds
• Large corporates and financial institutions
• High net worth individuals and family offices
• Victims of cyber fraud and digital asset dissipation.

Our expertise in high value fraud litigation

Fraud disputes often involve urgent risks of asset dissipation, sophisticated concealment structures and complex jurisdictional issues. We are known for rapid mobilisation, clear direction and the ability to stabilise crisis driven situations.

Our expertise includes:

• Large scale fraud and corruption investigations
• Cross border asset tracing and recovery
• Fraud arising in insolvency situations
• Cyber fraud and digital asset recovery
• Trusts, offshore structures and nominee arrangements
• Tax avoidance scheme disputes.

We are free from conflicts and regularly pursue investigations against the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, enabling clients to act decisively without institutional constraints.

Urgent asset protection and court orders

We have significant experience obtaining and defending emergency relief, including:

• Freezing orders
• Search orders
• Norwich Pharmacal and disclosure orders
• Worldwide freezing injunctions.

These tools preserve assets, secure critical evidence and prevent further dissipation — often within hours.

International reach and multi jurisdictional coordination

Fraud is rarely confined to one jurisdiction. Our work is international by default. We regularly coordinate strategy across multiple jurisdictions, working alongside trusted specialist firms worldwide to manage foreign law issues and jurisdictional competition. Our global network enables us to act quickly and effectively wherever assets are located.

Innovative funding and cost solutions

Fraud litigation is high stakes and resource intensive. Our team has unrivalled expertise in structuring innovative funding arrangements that allow clients to pursue claims from a position of financial strength.

This includes:

• Third party funding
• After the event (ATE) insurance
• Risk sharing fee agreements.

These structures help clients manage risk, control cost exposure and pursue recovery at scale.

How we work with clients

Fraud disputes often emerge suddenly, with serious commercial, reputational and regulatory implications. We work closely with clients to understand their priorities, then design proportionate strategies that:

• Stabilise the situation
• Protect assets
• Secure evidence
• Maximise recovery
• Manage regulatory and criminal exposure
• Support informed decision making at every stage.

Our integrated approach combines forensic accounting, digital evidence gathering and large scale disclosure exercises, ensuring that no detail is missed.