Masterclass: "Taking on the fraudsters: a masterclass in bringing group fraud actions"

16.45 – 19.15

Venue: Trowers & Hamlins, One Snowhill,

Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GB

Topic:  "Taking on the fraudsters: a masterclass in bringing group fraud actions"

AGENDA

Speaker Bios:

Jamie De Souza - Partner – Trowers & Hamlins LLP and MFF Director.

Jamie is a Partner in Trowers & Hamlins' Dispute Resolution and Litigation department specialising in high value corporate and commercial disputes and fraud investigations.

He has substantial experience of advising clients in a wide range of corporate and commercial disputes and fraud related matters. His practice includes advising clients in relation to high value and complex shareholder disputes with considerable recent experience in unfair prejudice claims, contractual disputes, warranty disputes as well as fraud claims and investigations.

Clients include businesses of all sizes, from start-ups and SMEs through to PLCs, as well as individuals. In particular, Jamie has an interest in the manufacturing and engineering sector and in advising family owned and owner managed businesses. Jamie is recommended for his outcome focussed approach to disputes. He takes time to understand clients' needs to provide clear strategic advice and is well-versed in advising on dispute-avoidance.

Chambers & Partners has recognised Jamie as "a first-class lawyer and someone you would want on your team. Approachable, commercial and incredibly sharp on the legal issues in the case."

In addition, Jamie is a Director of the Midlands Fraud Forum Limited.

Helen is a Partner and head of Trowers & Hamlins' Birmingham Dispute Resolution and Litigation team. Helen's litigation practice spans all areas of commercial litigation and arbitration with a particular focus on complex commercial disputes involving allegations of fraud.

She has significant experience in dealing with complex and often sensitive disputes emanating from private wealth, investments, trusts and estates.

Her work usually has a cross border element and often involves fraud and dishonesty. Her clients include high net worth individuals, business owners, trustees, executors and beneficiaries. Her clients value her commercial and practical approach.

Helen also has a wealth of commercial experience and regularly works alongside businesses to resolve disputes and advise on risk management. Helen regularly speaks at conferences on the subject of risk management and fraud prevention.

Legal 500 has recognised Helen as "one of the best in the business".

Meera has advised on a range of complex commercial litigation and fraud disputes.

As the primary associate on the 4VVV matter, she managed and coordinated a team of juniors across offices and was pivotal to the successful delivery of the claim. Meera's exceptional organisational skills and ability to handle vast workstreams were highlighted by Leading Counsel who described Meera as a " superlative associate".

Meera has also worked on several complex shareholder disputes which have been taken to trial in the last few years. She has acted for both businesses and private individuals in litigious and advisory matters relating to fraud.

With over 20 years’ experience, Hannah is a seasoned practitioner in litigation support services and a forensic accounting expert witness with testifying expertise in the UK High Court. Before joining Quantuma, Hannah led the forensic accounting team of a regional firm of accountants and business advisers. Prior to this, she held senior roles within the big four.

She has experience in international arbitration, litigation, mediation, expert determination and negotiated settlements. She works across a range of sectors and has particular expertise in hospitality and leisure, professional services, real estate, retail and automotive, in addition to infrastructure and capital projects.

Hannah has supported individuals, partnerships, companies, and central and local government with claims ranging from £50,000 to more than £100 million. She acts on behalf of claimants and defendants relating to claims arising from commercial and contractual disputes, business interruption and disturbance, and professional negligence. She also regularly undertakes contentious business valuations in matters involving compulsory purchase, shareholder disputes and matrimonial proceedings.

Hannah's recent work highlight includes working as an independent expert instructed by the group action claimants in a reported case relating to a multi-million-pound property investment scheme.

Daniel Saoul KC - Barrister - 4 New Square.

Daniel Saoul KC is recognised as one of the leading commercial disputes, civil fraud and group litigation practitioners at the Bar. He has appeared in some of the largest civil and commercial fraud litigation before the English Courts, including appearances in some of the most substantial trials in recent years as well as appeals to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court on developing points of law. He is a highly experienced trial advocate with extensive experience of cross-examination, including spending 18 weeks in High Court commercial fraud trials in 2024.

He is frequently involved in developing claims or defences from a very early stage, marrying complex facts and myriad causes of action to build cases from the ground up. He is also often instructed in relation to the obtaining, or resisting, of injunctive relief, and has significant expertise in relation to freezing orders, search orders, and orders for the provision of information from third parties including banks. He also has extensive experience of applications for committal for contempt of court, in particular for breaches of injunctions.

Daniel’s fraud expertise forms part of a wider practice which includes the full spectrum of corporate and commercial litigation, including banking and finance, professional negligence in a commercial context and international arbitration work, as well as work in emerging areas such as digital assets and ESG related litigation. He also practises offshore, and is called in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Anguilla.

Audience participation is, as always, most welcome and encouraged!

Sponsored by:

Trowers & Hamlins LLP