Financial Crime
UK Guide 2025 : The Regions
Band 1
Contact number
0344 587 9996About
Provided by ABV Solicitors
ABV Solicitors Serious Fraud and Business Crime team has an excellent reputation for successfully represented clients facing the most serious and complex fraud cases prosecuted in the UK.
Regarded as leaders in their field, the team have significant experience in providing Advice and Representation to clients in a wide spectrum of fraud investigations from the first approach made by a law enforcement authority through to trial, as well as dealing with Ancillary Financial Matters such as Applications to Vary or Discharge Restraint Orders, Confiscation Proceedings and other Asset Recovery Proceedings.
Extensive experience in dealing with enforcement agencies nationally and internationally with particular focus on multi-jurisdictional, complex investigations where international asset tracing is required.
Areas of practice include:
- SFO Investigations
- FCA Investigations
- Bribery & Corruption
- Tax Investigations
- Unexplained Wealth Orders
- Investment Fraud
- VAT / MTIC Fraud
- Insider Dealing
- Mortgage Fraud
- Corporate Facilitation
- Money Laundering
- Regulatory
Chambers Review
ABV Solicitors is a boutique firm with offices in the Home Counties as well as in central London. It has a strong reputation for its financial crime practice, with experienced advisers who handle charges of tax fraud, credit fraud and money laundering, among others. The team has further experience advising on unexplained wealth orders and match fixing. It is noted for handling international matters.
Work Highlights
- ABV Solicitors represented one of the main directors of Patisserie Holdings in SFO investigations into the alleged £94 million financial irregularities of the company Patisserie Holdings and its subsidiaries.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The practice offers first-class representation across the board for general crime and business crime clients."
"The team is organised, professional and just top-notch. ABV Solicitors provides an exceptional service."
"Complex matters are absolutely no issue for these guys. They explore every option and don't leave any stones unturned."
"The practice offers first-class representation across the board for general crime and business crime clients."
"The team is organised, professional and just top-notch. ABV Solicitors provides an exceptional service."
"Complex matters are absolutely no issue for these guys. They explore every option and don't leave any stones unturned."
Notable Practitioners
Akhtar Ahmad is a seasoned practitioner with deep experience in financial crime matters. He regularly defends clients facing allegations of tax fraud and money laundering.
"Akhtar is very strategic - he listens to the situation, reflects on it and responds tactically. He is committed from beginning to end."
"He sets a tone of high expectations for results, respect and good behaviour between colleagues and clients."
Deepak Vij is head of ABV Solicitors' fraud and complex crime department. He is highly skilled at handling complex financial crime matters, including money laundering investigations and investment fraud. He also advises on unexplained wealth orders, often with cross-border implications.
"Deepak deals with the most serious and complex fraud cases. He is extremely detailed, focused and has a complete and deep understanding of the matters."
"He's a leader in his field, bringing considerable knowledge and experience to a wide spectrum of clients. He is a brilliant lawyer and is tactically very astute."
"Deepak knows how to effectively attack a case at an early stage of an investigation. He has a reassuring demeanour that fills you with confidence; you know you are dealing with a top-calibre lawyer."
Amirah Ajaz advises clients on a range of financial crime matters, including FCA investigations and investment fraud matters. She offers notable expertise in boiler room fraud investigations and also advises on unexplained wealth orders.
"Amirah is extremely tactically aware and doesn't leave any stone unturned in holding prosecution to account. She chases down every piece of evidence and missing exhibit."
"Amirah is hugely intelligent and hard-working, providing superb representation for her clients."
Rohit Sharma has experience advising on a broad range of financial crime matters, including action brought by the SFO, FCA and NCA.
"Rohit Sharma is an extremely smooth operator who presents and liaises with clients in a user-friendly way. He has the ability to put clients at ease and gives clear instructions and clear advice."
"Rohit is incredibly hard-working, focused and extremely intelligent."
"He is dedicated and has incredibly good client care skills, even with the most difficult clients. In terms of professionalism and the way he manages a case, he is the very best."
Fergus Harrington supports senior executives during investigations, including those involving allegations of money laundering and missing trader fraud.
"He's professional and considerate towards his clients."
"He's really tapped into the developments in the law and is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to taking law and precedence."
"His commitment to cases is beyond compare and there's never a task too many."
"He approaches each client as if they're his only client and gives a dedicated service to each of them."
Ranked Lawyers at
ABV Solicitors
The Regions
Members
Provided by ABV Solicitors
Akhtar Ahmad
Head of Department
Fergus Harrington
Rohit Sharma
Industries
Provided by ABV Solicitors
Bribery & Corruption
Confiscation
Corporate Facilitation
FCA
Insider Dealing
Investment Fraud
Regulatory Investigations
Restraint/Freezing Orders
SFO
Unexplained Wealth Orders
VAT/MTIC Fraud
White-Collar Crime