Key Takeaways
- If you suspect corporate fraud within your business, consult experienced business fraud lawyers in London immediately to safeguard your assets.
- Acting quickly enables urgent court remedies such as freezing orders to prevent loss of stolen funds or assets.
- Delaying action when business fraud is suspected can lead to the permanent loss of assets and weaken your prospects of recovery.
- Civil recovery and asset tracing procedures provide legal channels to identify, locate, and reclaim misappropriated property through the courts.
- Applications for freezing or search orders must be made as soon as strong evidence of fraud emerges, as any delay could seriously limit your options.
- Our team of dedicated fraud litigation lawyers offers deep expertise in asset recovery, conspiracy claims, and urgent court orders across England and Wales.
- We are rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 130 five-star reviews and a 4.9/5 client rating.
- Our client-focused approach ensures you receive proactive advice, clear next steps, and tailored support as your fraud claim progresses.
- Early guidance from skilled fraud litigation lawyers can mean the difference between recovering assets and facing irrecoverable financial loss.
For urgent, confidential legal advice, call our expert business fraud lawyers on 0207 459 4037 or book a Free Consultation online.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Business Fraud in London?
If your business is exposed to fraud, every hour is critical. Fraudsters often act quickly, moving stolen funds in a matter of minutes. Taking strategic, immediate steps increases your chances of recovering assets and protecting your company.
Directors and decision-makers must preserve key evidence (emails, bank records, contracts), limit further access for any suspects, and avoid alerting perpetrators especially if seeking urgent legal remedies. Securing guidance from experienced business fraud lawyers in London is vital to inform your next steps and avoid mistakes that could jeopardise recovery.
Taking decisive, well-informed action from the outset puts you in the strongest position to reclaim assets and hold the offenders accountable.
What Is Business Fraud and How Does It Affect UK Companies?
Business fraud, or corporate fraud, involves wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain at the expense of an organisation. Perpetrators may operate from within the business, such as employees or directors, or from outside, such as suppliers, investors, or cybercriminals.
Consequences for UK companies include:
- Substantial direct financial losses
- Loss of trust among clients, partners, or shareholders
- Risk of regulatory penalties and investigation
- Potential insolvency or severe reputational damage
Directors must act in the company’s best interests and exercise reasonable care under sections 172 and 174 of the Companies Act 2006. Failing to address suspected fraud swiftly may expose directors or officers to personal liability.
What Are the Most Common Types of Corporate Fraud in England and Wales?
Corporate fraud in England and Wales includes a wide range of dishonest activity. The most common forms encountered by business fraud solicitors in the UK are:
- Employee and director theft (misappropriating funds, manipulating payroll, unauthorised bonuses)
- Supplier and procurement fraud (false invoices, duplicate payments, kickbacks)
- Invoice fraud (fake payment instructions, tampering with bank details)
- Investment and shareholder fraud (misrepresentation, Ponzi schemes)
- Cyber-fraud (authorised push payment scams, email compromise, ransomware)
- Bribery and corruption (illegal payments, gifts for business favours)
- Intellectual property theft (illicit use of trade secrets or confidential data)
Identifying the specific fraud type guides your legal, forensic, and recovery strategy. You may also find our guide on What to Do If Your Solicitor Has Been Negligent useful for holding professionals accountable in related scenarios.
How Can Business Fraud Lawyers in London Help Protect My Assets?
Protecting corporate assets is the first priority in any fraud case. Our business fraud lawyers:
- Advise on and obtain freezing injunctions over bank accounts or other assets
- Coordinate forensic reviews to clarify the extent and methods of the fraud
- Issue urgent pre-action correspondence and initiate immediate court proceedings
- Liaise with banks, payment providers, and crypto exchanges to intercept transactions
Booking an early, confidential consultation with our specialist fraud lawyers will give you an immediate action plan and peace of mind that every avenue is being explored to protect your assets.
Taking action without delay dramatically improves your likelihood of stopping further losses and maximising the chance of successful recovery.
How to Recover Stolen Company Assets: Civil Recovery and Asset Tracing in the UK
Recovering assets after business fraud requires pinpointing where stolen money or property has been transferred. English courts provide effective tools for fraud victims, including:
- Urgent freezing orders to stop assets being dissipated
- Disclosure orders requiring banks or third parties to reveal asset locations
- Tracing of digital currencies and crypto-wallets facilitated by court orders
Our asset recovery fraud lawyers advise on bespoke legal tactics tailored for the complexity and urgency of your case.
If your circumstances involve possible professional negligence or mishandled funds, you may also find our guide on Understanding Professional Negligence Claims Against Solicitors valuable.
What Urgent Court Orders Are Available? Freezing Orders and Injunctive Relief Explained
When urgent protection is needed, civil courts can impose a range of orders to prevent ongoing fraud. The principal orders used by business fraud solicitors include:
| Order Type | What It Does | When Used |
|---|---|---|
| Freezing Injunction (Mareva) | Freezes bank accounts/assets in the UK or globally | Where there is a real risk of asset dissipation |
| Search Order (Anton Piller) | Authorises the search and seizure of documents/assets | Where vital evidence may be concealed or destroyed |
| Disclosure/Norwich Pharmacal Order | Compels third parties (banks, companies) to disclose information | To reveal and locate stolen assets |
| Proprietary Injunction | Freezes specific property, such as shares or real estate | Where identifiable company assets are at risk |
Each remedy requires swift, thorough preparation and a clear evidential basis. Applications are usually made without notice to keep matters confidential and avoid alerting wrongdoers.
How Do I Apply for a Freezing Order or Search Order in a Business Fraud Case?
Step-by-Step Guide for Directors and Decision-Makers
Applying for urgent relief is a specialist process, most effective when handled by seasoned corporate fraud solicitors:
- Secure all physical and electronic records, limiting access for anyone suspected.
- Have your business fraud lawyers review evidence to assess urgency, strength of case, and legal risks.
- Prepare a detailed witness statement, supporting evidence, and legal argument for court.
- Attend a ‘without notice’ hearing often in private to avoid tipping off suspects.
- If granted, the order is served immediately on all relevant parties (e.g., banks, digital platforms).
- A follow-up hearing (return date) occurs within days, where respondents give their side and the court reviews the ongoing order.
Acting openly, quickly, and with clear evidence ensures injunctive relief is both granted and remains enforceable.
What Are the Risks of Delaying Action in Corporate Fraud Cases?
Fraudsters move quickly to hide assets in complex domestic and international structures. The longer you wait:
- Evidence may be destroyed or altered
- Asset trails become harder to follow
- Courts may conclude you failed to treat the matter as urgent, which can damage your chance of securing an injunction
- Insurers or regulators may question your leadership and raise compliance concerns
Rapid intervention by experienced fraud litigation solicitors markedly increases your chance of a good outcome.
What Laws and Deadlines Apply to Business Fraud, Asset Recovery, and Injunctive Relief?
Business fraud and asset recovery in England and Wales are underpinned by:
| Area | Key Laws/Rules | Typical Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Fraud/Deceit | Fraud Act 2006, tort of deceit (civil fraud) | 6 years from loss (Limitation Act 1980) |
| Asset Recovery | Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), Insolvency Act 1986 | Immediate (freezing orders upon discovery) |
| Injunctive Relief | CPR Part 25, Senior Courts Act 1981 | Urgent applications usually within days |
| Company Law Duties | Companies Act 2006 (ss. 170–177, director duties) | Depends on date of knowledge and company loss |
Limitation periods are strict. Delays risk undermining your rights and may allow suspects to dissipate or conceal assets beyond recovery.
What Do the Courts Say About Asset Recovery and Freezing Orders in Fraud Cases?
English courts actively support robust asset protection for fraud victims, building on decades of fraud litigation precedent. Select key cases include:
| Case | Facts | Outcome | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mareva Compania Naviera v Int’l Bulkcarriers [1980] 1 All ER 213 | Claimant sought to protect assets at risk in a fraud scenario | Court established the freezing (Mareva) injunction | Landmark ruling empowering urgent asset restraint |
| Anton Piller KG v Manufacturing Processes [1976] Ch 55 | Vital evidence risked destruction in an IP/fraud dispute | Court issued search order “without notice” | Allows evidence to be secured before removal |
| JSC BTA Bank v Ablyazov [2015] 1 WLR 3505 | Major international bank fraud | Court upheld ongoing worldwide freezing orders | Demonstrates courts’ powers to protect assets globally |
Courts step in swiftly when there is urgency, a clear loss, and strong evidence of fraud.
Can I Start Both Civil and Criminal Proceedings for Corporate Fraud?
Our corporate fraud solicitors coordinate with law enforcement and manage risks of running parallel actions, ensuring your strategy maximises recovery while protecting your legal position.
What If the Suspect Is a Director, Employee, or Third Party?
Fraud often involves trusted individuals within the business, creating additional risk for sensitive handling. The response varies depending on the suspect:
- For directors: You may need to convene an urgent board meeting, suspend the director, and protect the company’s interests under Companies Act 2006 duties.
- For employees: You must consider immediate removal of IT access, suspension, and, where appropriate, begin disciplinary proceedings without tipping off the person if an injunction is needed.
- For external parties: Contractual remedies, debt recovery action, and freezing third-party assets may be suitable.
If you have concerns about possible fraud by directors, employees, or third parties, our specialist business fraud lawyers can provide confidential guidance on risk management, evidence preservation, and urgent legal remedies.
Always ensure evidence is preserved lawfully, and avoid any steps that could create exposure to claims of wrongful dismissal or defamation.
How Do Business Fraud Solicitors Trace and Recover Assets Internationally?
Fraudsters frequently try to move money offshore to hinder recovery. Business fraud lawyers in London use a series of cross-border strategies:
- Obtaining worldwide freezing orders, which are enforceable in multiple countries
- Serving Norwich Pharmacal orders on international banks to trace and recover funds
- Collaborating with overseas law enforcement, forensic accountants, and tracing agents
- Coordinating parallel legal proceedings in relevant jurisdictions to prevent asset dissipation
Success depends on immediate action, strong legal evidence, and trusted international partners. Waiting even days can reduce the chance of full recovery.
Our Winning Approach to Business Fraud, Asset Recovery & Injunctive Relief
Our strategy combines sharp commercial awareness with technical expertise a vital combination for unravelling complex asset trails, fraud rings, and conspiracy claims. Key features include:
- Rapid forensic assessment of documentary and digital evidence at a fixed fee
- Urgent court applications for freezing, search, or disclosure orders often within 24 hours
- Collaborative work with forensic accountants and cyber experts for asset analysis
- Clear, direct communications and updates at every stage of the process
- Transparent pricing structures and comprehensive representation in all courts
If your business needs urgent or large-scale support, contact our litigation lawyers for a confidential, rapid assessment and tailored recovery plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a company recover assets if the fraudster has left the UK?
Yes. Courts can grant worldwide freezing orders and use international cooperation to trace and recover assets abroad. Prompt action greatly improves success rates.
Is it possible to keep proceedings confidential?
Applications for urgent freezing or search orders are usually made ‘without notice’ (ex parte), meaning they are kept confidential from the respondent until action is taken.
How quickly must I act to obtain urgent injunctive relief?
You must apply as soon as credible evidence of fraud emerges ideally within days. Delay can jeopardise your prospects for an effective injunction.
Do I need to prove criminal fraud to recover assets civilly?
No. Civil asset recovery requires proof on the “balance of probabilities,” not the more stringent “beyond reasonable doubt” threshold in criminal law.
What if cryptocurrency or digital assets are involved?
Courts in England and Wales now recognise digital assets as property. Injunctions can be granted over crypto-wallets or exchanges, and forensic tracing is vital in these cases.
If you encounter any of these situations, contact our corporate fraud solicitors for urgent, specialist advice and a focused recovery plan for your business.
Get Expert Help With Business Fraud & Asset Recovery Today
Suspecting business fraud demands immediate, decisive action. The earlier you act, the better your chances of preserving evidence, tracing assets, and recovering losses especially given the procedural and technical complexity of fraud claims in England and Wales. Delay or hesitation may close off vital remedies and risk a total loss of funds.
Our business fraud solicitors provide swift, practical, and commercially informed solutions. Whether you need urgent court orders, cross-border tracing, or strategic advice on insider threats, our tried-and-tested approach helps clients regain control, secure their interests, and rebuild commercial trust.
Do not risk your company’s future or reputation. If you suspect fraud, speak to us today.
