David de Ferrars

David has led on some of the largest financial fraud cases of the last 20 years. His clients know him as eminently reliable and professional, and value his exceptional negotiation skills. He advises on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, and corporate crime issues often in multiple jurisdictions.

David is a recognised leader in the field of fraud. He regularly works with clients from multinational companies and banks to individuals and family estates, and clients in the technology sector. David guides clients through contractual disputes, fraud and asset tracing, corruption investigations, product liability cases, partnership and joint venture disputes, and shareholder disputes.

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Career

Since 2004	Partner, Taylor Wessing
1995 - 2004	Associate and Senior Associate, Taylor Wessing
1993 - 1995	Trainee, Taylor Wessing

Education

1995

Admitted as a lawyer, England & Wales

Expertise

Services and Groups Disputes & investigations Corporate/M&A & capital markets Environmental, social & governance (ESG)Information technology Corporate crime & compliance Banking & finance Data protection & cyber Corporate crime Investigations Product liability & product safety Tech Litigation Banking & finance disputes Litigation funding Anti-bribery & corruption Anti-money laundering & proceeds of crime Audits Compliance D&O liability Defending prosecutions Fraud & asset recovery Independent legal advice Regulatory enforcement Sanctions Whistleblowing Corporate litigation & post-M&A disputes Cyber security & data breaches Insurance & reinsurance disputes Technology disputes Trophy assets

Sectors Technology, media & communications Business & professional services Financial institutions & insurance Manufacturing & industrials Private wealth Life sciences & healthcare Medical devices Pharmaceuticals Cryptoassets, blockchain and distributed ledger technology

Experience

Secured the acquittal on all counts, after a retrial, of Michael Anderson in R v Alstom Network UK Ltd	Michael Andersen, former Project Manager, Alstom Networks on securing his acquittal on all counts, after a retrial in R v Alstom Network UK Ltd., a case alleging corruption in the award of public contracts in Hungary.
Defending a multi-million pound claim	A household brand domestic electrical appliance company in the UK in defending a claim for millions of pounds worth of damage arising out of a fire alleged to have been caused by a defective dishwasher.
Advice in relation to allegations of bribery	An English group of companies in relation to allegations of bribery in a subsidiary business. Advice on investigation of the allegations, self-reporting, victim reparation and corporate criminal liability.

Awards

Chambers and Partners UK 2023	Fraud (civil) - Band 3: David de Ferrars centres his practice on fraud cases arising in the banking and finance sector, as well as those that relate to insolvency proceedings. He is an experienced litigator and has substantial expertise in asset tracing and injunctive relief. "David is very strategic with a good overarching eye." "He is very experienced and has good judgement."
Legal 500 UK 2023	Fraud (civil) - Ranked: The group is led by ‘brilliant negotiator‘ David de Ferrars.
Legal 500 UK 2023	Fraud (civil) - Ranked: ‘David de Ferrars – hugely experienced, which means he is able to identify and implement a really wide range of ways of tackling any problem, choosing the solution which most closely fits the particular features of the case. He is a brilliant negotiator, able to engender a lack of confidence in the other side, without any appearance of doing so. Excellent at leading a team and getting the best out of people.’
Chambers UK 2022	Leading individual - Fraud: Civil (Band 3): "David is a formidable lawyer and a good litigator."
Legal 500 UK 2022	Product liability - defendant
Legal 500 UK 2022	Fraud - civil: "David de Ferrars is hugely experienced in civil fraud matters and a pleasure to work with."
Chambers UK 2020	Leading individual - Fraud: Civil (Band 2): David de Ferrars has notable expertise in fraud litigation and asset tracing, particularly cases involving insolvency proceedings and complex offshore structures. Sources describe him as "an excellent civil fraud lawyer" who is "very knowledgeable" and "someone you want on your side."
Chambers UK 2019	Leading individual - Fraud: Civil (Band 2): The "very knowledgeable, detailed and pragmatic" David de Ferrars heads the firm's corporate crime and fraud unit. He advises clients on international litigation and investigations relating to fraud, as well as associated asset tracing. As one source notes: "In addition to being incredibly smart, David is incredibly responsive and no matter is too big or too small – he treats each one as though he'll drop everything else and focus on that. He is eminently reliable, the guy you can always go to in a crunch and he'll pull through."
Chambers UK 2018	Leading individual - Fraud - Civil (Band2): David de Ferrars is co-head of the corporate crime and fraud group, and advises on litigation, including international fraud and asset tracing. Clients say he "has a great manner and is good to work with, and is tough enough to get the job done."
Chambers UK 2018	Leading individual - Litigation (Band 5): David de Ferrars is co-head of the corporate crime and fraud group, and advises on ligation, including international fraud and asset tracing. Clients say he "has a great manner and is good to work with, and is tough enough to get the job done."
Legal 500 UK 2017	Leading individual - Crime, Fraud & Licensing - Fraud: White Collar Crime: Key individuals include David De Ferrars, who advises on fraud and asset tracing.
Legal 500 UK 2022	Product liability - defendant

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