Civil Fraud and Investigations

We offer swift, strategic and integrated legal solutions for victims and defendants in complex fraud cases. Our highly regarded and experienced team of specialist civil fraud lawyers can trace, preserve and recover stolen money and assets around the world - and defend those accused of fraud.
 

At Kingsley Napley, we bring together leading experts in civil fraud, criminal law, and reputation management to deliver a truly integrated service. This multidisciplinary approach is essential in complex, high-stakes disputes.

We can also draw on the expertise of our specialist lawyers in insolvency, employment, tax, regulatory, real estate, and corporate whenever required.

Whether you are a victim of fraud or facing allegations, we act quickly and strategically to protect your interests. Our ability to assemble multi-functional teams at short notice means we can freeze assets, secure evidence, and safeguard your reputation with precision and speed.

Our lawyers are regularly ranked both as a team and individually in the legal directories, including Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and Lexology.

What Sets Us Apart
 

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Our fraud and investigations team works seamlessly with our leading criminal lawyers and reputation management specialists to address every dimension of your case.

Reputation Protection

We understand that reputational damage can be as serious as financial loss. Our acclaimed Reputation Management lawyers can help protect your public profile.

Global Reach & Technical Excellence

From tracing assets across jurisdictions to challenging injunctions in the English courts, our lawyers are recognised for their innovation, tenacity, and legal insight.

Client-Centred Approach

Our teams are praised for being responsive, collaborative, and commercially astute.

Our Track Record

We have acted in landmark cases, high-profile international disputes, and achieved successful outcomes in both civil and criminal proceedings. Legal directories consistently rank our partners and teams among the best in the field.

View our recent high-profile fraud cases

• Successfully opposed the CPS’s appeal to the Supreme Court on the effect of a confiscation order on assets held on constructive trust;
• obtained a multi million pound summary judgment acting for the victims of a Ponzi scheme based around investment-grade wine;
• obtained the only judgment in favour of a member of the Ablyazov family in the wide-ranging and on-going litigation brought by BTA Bank;
• acted for the liquidator of a Cayman company in relation to a pension scheme being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office;
• acted for an African government trying to recover assets stolen by a former head of state;
• obtained judgment in favour of a PPI reclaim company against one of its directors /shareholders and assisting with the recovery of the substantial amounts owed to it;
• acted for a Saudi Arabian Sheikh in successfully discharging a world-wide freezing order;
• represented one of over 100 defendants in five consolidated claims brought by the Danish tax authority seeking to recover over £1 billion in withholding tax.

 

Read what clients and directories say

Our experienced team is recognised by the legal directories Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.

This large team works together seamlessly, displaying great strength from senior partners to trainees. This translates into impressive results for clients: documents are turned around with admirable speed; crisis situations meet with a speedy and joined-up response; the supportive and interconnected nature of the team allows a 24-hour service, 365 days a year. Clients’ legal problems are met with empathy and concern as well as a practical determination to succeed."

The Legal 500, 2026

They are very thorough and work very closely with me to understand what has happened. They ask a lot of questions and give a lot of very thorough and well thought out advice which is so helpful."

The Legal 500, 2026

Throughout, the client's best interests are kept to the fore, never allowing a 'win' for the firm to be a detriment to the client. Settlement is encouraged."

The Legal 500, 2026

It's a robust and responsive team at both partner and associate level, which is able to work well under pressure and to tight timetables with a client-friendly approach."

Chambers and Partners, 2025

They bring innovation, focus and place the client's interests first in all circumstances - above all, it's a great collaborative team."

Chambers and Partners, 2025

Kingsley Napley's multi-faceted team approach enables them to provide timely and insightful analysis of the many complex and sophisticated issues which a multi-jurisdictional fraud case entails."

Chambers and Partners, 2025

Their focus is what is in the client's best interest rather than their billable hours. What enables them to be so innovative is their detailed understanding of the law, never hesitating to push the boundaries and challenge groupthink."

The Legal 500, 2025

A great business with standout, long-established rainmakers, a body of excellent partners, and well-recruited and trained associates, who are given early responsibilities and development opportunities. They provide a first-rate, results-driven service, with a very diverse group of practitioners - an excellent all-round firm."

The Legal 500, 2025

The team is highly innovative, continually seeking the most effective means of achieving the stated objective, even when that objective may migrate through time."

The Legal 500, 2025

We have been impressed by the knowledge and experience of Kingsley Napley's team, and by their ability to draw on other skills in their wider teams."

Chambers and Partners, Litigation Support, 2024

Kingsley Napley are very user-friendly and on top of the latest developments of the law. They also have a wealth of real-life, practical experience, which sets them apart from most firms."

Chambers and Partners, Litigation Support, 2024

Kingsley Napley's multi-faceted team approach to this complex case has enabled them to provide us a timely and insightful analysis of the many complex and sophisticated issues which this case entails."

Chambers and Partners, Litigation Support, 2024

This is a really brilliant team."

Chambers and Partners, 2024

Kingsley Napley has a cohesive and collaborative team that communicates very effectively."

Chambers and Partners, 2024

The team are very responsive, analytical and commercial."

Chambers and Partners, 2024

This is a very strong team and benefits from the synergy which the firm has in having strong cross-departmental ability and experience."

The Legal 500, 2024

The breadth of their service line and experience across the teams."

The Legal 500, 2024

The team has a very strong profile for fraud-related work, and boasts a deep bench of strong and capable partners."

The Legal 500, 2024

The team are a cohesive and supportive unit with different personalities and approaches and as a consequence innovative and self challenging. Each are great lawyers at the top of their game for their respective levels. Sue Thackeray is a wonderful lead."

The Legal 500, 2024

The team is big and diverse. They really do have decades of experience between them."

The Legal 500, 2023

They have strength in depth and a diverse team of civil fraud practitioners with a highly-regarded criminal team to complement their civil offering."

The Legal 500, 2023

They are able to communicate complicated matters simply and also show an enormous amount of understanding during a difficult situation."

Chambers and Partners, 2023

The firm thoroughly understood our problem and could pull in experts as required."

Chambers and Partners, 2023

Kingsley Napley did an excellent job of navigating through a nuanced and difficult situation."

Chambers and Partners, 2023

They are the ultimate professionals."

The Legal 500, 2023

tenacious, patient, efficient and hugely knowledgeable and ethically correct but yet very resourceful. Totally dedicated to achieving a result for the client whilst managing expectations and setting realistic objectives in case management. The team machinery runs like clockwork"

The Legal 500, 2022

The team has some very bright lawyers and the quality of its legal analysis compares favourably with departments at competing firms. It also has a very deep understanding of this sphere of practice, the level of which is not replicated at many other firms"

The Legal 500, 2022

Kingsley Napley is one of the leading firms in the London market for large civil fraud disputes, with particular strength in asset tracing and multi-jurisdictional work"

The Legal 500, 2021

 

For more information, read our frequently asked questions on civil fraud vs criminal fraud disputes and details regarding supervising solicitors.