Sion Richards

Practice Leader Global Disputes

London + 44.20.7039.5139

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Sion Richards leads Jones Day's Global Disputes Practice and focuses on representing clients in the most complex multijurisdictional investigations and civil litigation. He has particular experience in major fraud, asset tracing, award enforcement, corruption investigations, and contentious insolvency disputes. Chambers UK (2026) recognizes Sion in the area of fraud (civil) and describes him as an "absolute giant in the space; he's on the tip of everyone's tongue for complex pieces of litigation"; a "clear industry leader in civil fraud, [whose] reputation precedes him"; and "the first person [I'd] recommend for high value, complex fraud disputes." The Legal 500 (2024) reports that he is "the crème de la crème of civil fraud lawyers in London." Chambers (2024) notes that he "is a behemoth in this [civil fraud] area and a master of strategy."

Sion's experience includes advising a listed company on a US$270 million fraud spanning 30 jurisdictions, the Bin Mahfouz family on a US$50 million asset tracing investigation, the Commercial Bank of Dubai on an approximately US$120 million claim against the Al Sari family, a listed company on a money laundering investigation, and a large infrastructure fund on an investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption within a portfolio company. He has acted on the Serious Fraud Office and U.S. Department of Justice investigation that led to the United Kingdom's first deferred prosecution agreement, represented the liquidators of Weavering Capital in proceedings arising out of the collapse of its US$500 million fund, and advised the board of Langbar International on recovery actions following the largest fraud to hit the Alternative Investment Market.

Experience

  • CBD awarded declaratory and injunctive relief relating to sham documents and fraudulent proceedings instigated by Al Sari familyJones Day represented Commercial Bank of Dubai ("Bank") and three BVI incorporated companies ("BVI Companies") in successfully obtaining (a) declarations that (i) a Sharjah judgment obtained by a company controlled by the Al Sari family ("Globe") against the BVI Companies was obtained by fraud and (ii) documents relied on by Globe in the Sharjah proceedings (as well as a Tenancy Agreement allegedly granted between IGPL General Trading LLC (another Al Sari company) and Al Sari children) are shams, made without authority and are void and of no effect, and (b) an anti-enforcement injunction, preventing Globe from enforcing the Sharjah judgment.
  • MOD contractor obtains imaging order against former employeeJones Day acted for a Ministry of Defence contractor in its successful application for imaging and ancillary orders against a former employee in a matter involving a claim for misuse of confidential and classified information.
  • Telecommunications service company obtains DIFC decision rejecting challenge to arbitration awardJones Day is advising a telecommunications service company, for itself and on behalf of a holding company, on its global strategy to enforce a USD$1.6 billion ICC arbitral award ("Award") against a prominent Iraqi businessman, an Iraqi telecommunications company, and a management consultancy.
  • Leading French bank obtains anti-suit injunction against claim brought by airline company in VietnamJones Day successfully represented a leading French bank in obtaining an anti-suit injunction in the London Commercial Court against a US$200 million claim initiated by an airline company in the People's Court of Hanoi arising out of aviation financing structures.
  • Telecommunications company arbitrates shareholder disputes relating to ownership of affiliated companyJones Day has represented a telecommunications company in several arbitration proceedings relating to shareholder disputes connected with the ownership of an affiliated company in the Middle East.
  • 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").
  • CBD defeats jurisdiction challenges made by Al Sari family and related companies in relation to conspiracy proceedingsJones Day represented the Commercial Bank of Dubai (the "Bank") in defeating Part 11 challenges to the jurisdiction of the English Court.
  • CBD obtains possession of luxury London apartment in successful enforcement proceedings against Al Sari familyJones Day successfully represented subsidiaries of the Commercial Bank of Dubai (the "Bank") in possession proceedings brought against IGPL General Trading LLC and persons connected with the Al Sari family, a wealthy Emirati family operating in the oil and energy industries, in which the Bank obtained possession of a multi-million pound luxury apartment in London, England.
  • 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.
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    October 2025 White Paper

    Who's Liable When AI Takes the Wheel? New Frontiers of Civil Liability and Risk Mitigation Strategies in the EU and the U.S.

    July 2025 Commentary

    Civil Justice Council Publishes Report on Civil Enforcement

    July 2025 White Paper

    Global Enforcement and Asset Recovery Series: Asset Disclosure

    May 2025 Alert

    Brazilian Superior Court Greenlights the Seizure of Cryptocurrency in Enforcement Proceedings

    MAY 2025 Alert

    Hong Kong's Highest Court Issues Ruling on Keepwell Deeds

    April 2025 Commentary

    EU Anti-SLAPP Directive: Public Participants May Claim Compensation for Strategic Litigation Outside EU

    MARCH 2025 Alert

    The UK, France, and Switzerland Form New Anti-Corruption Enforcement Task Force

    January 2025 Alert

    China Finalizes Its First Anti-Corruption Guidelines for the Health Care and Life Sciences Industry

    January 2025 White Paper

    Global Enforcement and Asset Recovery Series: Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments and Arbitral Awards

    December 2024 White Paper

    Class Actions Worldview Compendium
    View All

    Additional Publications

    • 2008
      Court of Appeal decision in Stone & Rolls Limited (in liquidation) v Moore Stephens (2008) EWCA Civ 644, coauthor, The Recovery Magazine
    • Autumn 2008
      Stone & Rolls: Claims against advisors where a company has been used as a vehicle for fraud, Recovery Magazine

    Additional Speaking Engagements

    • April 9, 2025
      The Asset Trail: Preventive and Enforcement Strategies in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, Paris Arbitration Week
    • 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

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