SionRichards

Practice Leader Global Disputes

Londres + 44.20.7039.5139

Sion Richards advises clients on complex multijurisdictional investigations and civil litigation with an emphasis on major fraud, asset tracing, and corruption investigations, including contentious insolvency disputes. The Legal 500 (2022) says "Tour de Force: Sion Richards is responsive, flexible, accurate and is able to shift and deliver quickly between macro matters and micro matters in complex cross-border legal disputes related to fraud, anti-money laundering and insolvency/restructuring" and (2024) is "the crème de la crème of Civil fraud lawyers in London." Chambers (2024) says he "is a behemoth in this [civil fraud] area and a master of strategy" and (2021) that he "has a single-minded focus on achieving the client's objectives." Sion leads the Firm's Global Disputes Practice.

His recent experience involves: a listed company in relation to a US$270 million fraud involving approximately 30 jurisdictions; the Bin Mahfouz Family on its successful US$50 million asset tracing investigation; the Commercial Bank of Dubai on its approximately $120 million claim against the Al Sari family; a listed company on a money laundering investigation; a large infrastructure fund on an internal investigation related to allegations of fraud and corruption within a portfolio company; the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation that led to the UK's first deferred prosecution agreement; the liquidators of Weavering Capital on its successful actions arising from the collapse of its $500 million fund; and the board of Langbar International in its successful recovery actions arising from the largest fraud to have hit the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

Experiencia

  • CBD succeeds in contempt proceedings against Al Sari family and related companiesJones Day represented the Commercial Bank of Dubai (the "Bank") in successful contempt proceedings brought against members of the Al Sari family, a wealthy Emirati family operating in the oil and energy industries, and related companies for breaches of a worldwide freezing order ("WFO").
  • Heda Airlines Limited defeats claim arising out of interpretation of English law governed loan agreementJones Day advised Heda Airlines Limited in relation to a claim brought by a lender under an English law governed loan agreement.
  • UK listed company conducts multijurisdictional investigation into allegations of bribery and tax evasionJones Day conducts internal investigation for a publicly listed company in relation to potential Bribery Act 2010 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 offences alleged to have been perpetrated by employees of foreign subsidiary.
  • Publicly listed company pursues claims relating to multi-jurisdictional fraud arising from AsiaJones Day is acting for a large publicly listed company in relation to a significant multi-jurisdictional fraud arising out of one of its manufacturing plants in Asia.
  • Middle Eastern retail and real estate group in dispute with landlord seeks advice concerning major shopping center in Beirut, LebanonJones Day represents a large Middle Eastern based retail and real estate group in connection with a dispute relating to an English law governed leasehold agreement for a major shopping center in Beirut, Lebanon.
  • Kazakh bank pursues US$30 million fraud claims in England and WalesJones Day acts for a Kazakh bank in tracing assets and pursuing claims in England and Wales arising out of a significant fraud perpetrated against the bank valued at approximately US$30 million.
  • Clients seek advice in connection with criminal investigation and potential criminal and civil claims relating to alleged fraud of over US$1 billionJones Day is advising clients in connection with a criminal investigation and potential criminal and civil claims relating to an alleged fraud of over US$1 billion.
  • Joint administrators of Angelic Interiors seek insolvency advice relating to Triangle Site assetsJones Day acted for the joint administrators of Angelic Interiors Limited (in administration) in relation to a number of applications made under the Insolvency Act 1986.
  • Crude oil trading company brings fraud action in Switzerland against former directorsJones Day represents a regulated crude oil trading company in connection with ongoing fraud proceedings brought by it in Switzerland against a number of its former directors.
  • Company defends multijurisdictional dispute relating to sale of oil exploration block in NigeriaJones Day is representing a client in relation to a high profile and high value multi-jurisdictional dispute regarding the allegedly corrupt sale of a very lucrative oil exploration block in Nigeria.
  • Angel Group liquidators succeed in claims worth over £10m against former director and sole shareholderJones Day acted for the joint liquidators of the Angel Group in respect of claims worth over £10 million for breach of trust and fiduciary duties against Julia Davey (the former director and sole shareholder of the Angel Group).
  • Private equity investor resolves dispute relating to substantial investments in a regulated pensions business in AfricaJones Day acted for a private equity investor in a dispute under a subscription and noteholder agreement (and associated documents) relating to substantial investments in a regulated pensions business in Africa.
  • Arcadia Petroleum pursues fraud proceedings against former directorsJones Day represents Arcadia Petroleum Limited, a regulated crude oil trading company based in London (and other companies of its corporate group), in connection with ongoing High Court fraud proceedings brought by the Arcadia Group against a number of its former directors and associated companies.
  • Sheikh Abdulrahman Khalid bin Mahfouz secures committal order in culmination of €35 million asset tracing litigationJones Day successfully represented Sheikh Abdulrahman Khalid bin Mahfouz and his family in proceedings against Mr. Muhaned Farid Mahmoud El-Rashid.
  • Infrastructure fund seeks advice on internal investigation relating to portfolio companyJones Day advised a substantial infrastructure fund on an internal investigation relating to a portfolio company.
  • Jones Day advises on UK's first Deferred Prosecution Agreement and closure of U.S. DOJ investigationOn Monday, November 30, 2015, the Right Honourable Sir Brian Leveson (the President of the Queen's Bench Division) approved the resolution of the first UK Bribery Act section 7 proceedings by way of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement, a procedure never before used in the UK.
  • ICBC Standard Bank agrees to terms for global settlement of US$50 million claim against Kuwaiti real estate company, EFAD Real Estate Company WLL, and relevant individuals, Rezam Mohamed Al Roumi and Khalid Bader Al RoumiJones Day acted for ICBC Standard Bank Plc in relation to recovery of a US$50,000,000 debt owing by EFAD under an Islamic financing agreement.
  • FMS Wertmanagement settles with Apcoa Parking GroupJones Day represented FMS Wertmanagement AöR in the restructuring of Apcoa Parking Group’s financial indebtedness of more than € 700 million.
  • Liquidators of Cayman Islands fund secure $22.5 million of assetsJones Day is advising the liquidators of Hadar Fund Ltd. in proceedings initiated following the discovery that substantial payments were made for the benefit of two of the beneficial owners of its investment manager in connection with one of the investments made by the Fund.
  • Langbar defends Court of Appeal liens success in Supreme CourtJones Day has successfully represented Langbar International Limited ("Langbar") in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in defending an attempt by the law firm Withers LLP ("Withers") to prevent enforcement against funds held in its client account.
  • Ponencias

    • November 17, 2023
      Panelist, Global Trade Secrets Seminar - Enforcement of Trade Secrets in APAC and Around the World
    • March 28, 2023
      The Legal 500/Jones Day Singapore Breakfast Roundtable 2023
    • November 1, 2022
      Klepto to Crypto Breakfast Seminar Alex Wilson
    • November 2, 2020
      Hiding in Plain Sight:How Criminals Target Employees to Become Unwitting Co-Conspirators in Major Fraud
    • July 2, 2019
      Presentation on privilege issues in the UK, France and the US
    • October 5, 2017
      Whistleblowers: Ticking time bomb or compliance pressure valve?
    • March 23, 2017
      Commercial Litigators' Forum on Asset Tracing and Enforcement of Judgment
    • January 25, 2017
      My Brother's Keeper: Bribery, Corruption and the Growing Threat of Criminal Liability, presentation to the British Exporters Association
    • September 21, 2016
      The French Anti-corruption Bill / Loi Sapin II – Crossed Views: France – United States
    • September 21, 2016
      Sapin ll and International Anti-Corruption Developments
    • 21 septembre 2016
      Loi Sapin II : Anti-corruption - Regards croisés France - Etats-Unis
    • February 9, 2016
      First Deferred Prosecution in the UK, US Department of Justice agrees to close investigation
    • June 9, 2015
      KKR General Counsel & Regulatory Affairs Conference
    • March 19-20, 2015
      Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery
    • October 16, 2013
      Navigating Global Risk
    • July 10, 2012
      The Lasting Effects of the Weavering Storm
    • June 30, 2011
      Managing Your Risk - Bribery, Corruption and Business Ethics
    • June 30, 2011
      Bribery & Corruption Workshop
    • March 14-17, 2011
      Fraud & Corruption Africa Summit
    • January 19, 2011
      Integrity Management Workshop
    • January 2011
      Maintaining Integrity in a Changing World, Jones Day and Control Risks on the Bribery Act 2010 Seminar
    • September 2010
      Assessing the mechanisms of "pump and dump" share fraud, C5 Fraud and Asset Tracing Conference
    • July 2010
      Team Moves: Litigation Risks and Strategies, Client Seminar
    • July 13, 2010
      Insolvency Litigation - Maximising Recoveries
    • July 2010
      Cross Border Fraud Case Study: Langbar International Limited
    • June 2009
      Practical Recovery Solutions in Asset Based Lending, RBS Invoice Finance Limited Seminars
    • June 2009
      Company Voluntary Arrangements and Schemes of Arrangement, Jones Day Seminar
    • January 2009
      Panel Discussion on Fraud
    • March 2008
      UK and American Perspectives on CDO Litigation
    • December 2007
      European Asset Based Lending Opportunities and Pitfalls, Jones Day Seminar
    • November 2007
      Fraud: Prevention and Cure, London (FDA Educational Foundation Course)
    • July 2005
      Representation and Warranties in Receivables Financing Facilities, Seminar for The Royal Bank of Scotland Commercial Services Limited
    • March 2005
      IIR Telecoms & Technology Conference Speaker - Fraud in the telecoms sector, The Waldorf Hilton
    • November 3, 2004
      U.K. Insolvency