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).
Experience
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
- 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
- The College of Law, Guildford (Legal Practice Course 1994); University of Exeter (LL.B. 1993)
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Chambers Europe (2018): restructuring & insolvency, litigation, dispute resolution
Chambers UK (2024): civil fraud, restructuring & insolvency, litigation
Chambers Global (2015): dispute resolution, restructuring & insolvency
Legal 500 (2024) Tier 1: civil fraud, dispute resolution, fraud & licensing, commercial litigation, corporate restructuring, insolvency
The Legal 500 Hall of Fame (2024)
Who's Who Legal: Investigations (2020)
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