Asset Recovery &
Enforcement
Overview
Astraea helps clients to recover value in high-stakes disputes, often involving fraud and concealed assets. We combine sophisticated legal strategy with in-house asset-tracing and intelligence capabilities. We mobilise quickly and deliver integrated, commercially-focused solutions.
We deploy the full range of tools available through the UK courts, including search orders, Norwich Pharmacal orders and Worldwide Freezing Orders. We also use insolvency processes as a recovery tool, such as applications for the appointment of UK officeholders and the recognition of foreign appointments.
Alongside principal proceedings, we advise on the recognition and global enforcement of domestic and foreign arbitral awards and judgments, helping clients translate legal rights into recovery.
Many of our instructions involve tracing and targeting assets concealed across multiple jurisdictions. We work with in-house investigators and trusted local partners to identify recovery routes, develop pressure points and coordinate parallel actions. Astraea has a strong track record acting as Global Counsel, leading overall strategy and coordinating local counsel in concurrent proceedings. Senior Partner James Ramsden KC is called to the bars of key offshore jurisdictions including the BVI, Cayman Islands and Gibraltar.
Our intelligence-led approach allows us to apply calibrated legal, commercial and reputational pressure, encouraging counterparties to engage constructively.
We also act for defendants facing fraud allegations, parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, or simultaneous criminal and civil exposure, bringing clear judgment to complex and fast-moving disputes.
Astraea is part of a strategic alliance with Sequor Law in the US and Hillmont Partners in Ukraine, with a particular focus on matters connected to Eastern Europe and Eurasia. The alliance gives clients access to deep, multi-regional expertise.
Astraea Asset Recovery & Enforcement
Our Focus Areas
Commercial and Civil Fraud
We identify and trace high-value assets across jurisdictions while securing and preserving critical evidence. We plan and execute targeted enforcement and recovery strategies, including urgent applications for freezing, disclosure and Norwich Pharmacal relief. We investigate conspiracy, asset dissipation and undisclosed ownership structures.
Sovereign Enforcement
We support sovereign enforcement by identifying overlooked assets, coordinating cross-border recovery campaigns and strengthening investor-state claims through multidisciplinary legal, forensic, geopolitical and communications expertise.
Fraud Defence
We defend clients in high-value, multi-jurisdictional fraud matters involving criminal, regulatory and civil proceedings, including freezing orders, regulator engagement and enforcement risk.
Private Capital
We advise private capital clients on cross-border enforcement strategies arising from loan facilities, acquired debt positions and related security packages. We support recovery through freezing orders, asset-focused litigation and coordinated action across jurisdictions.
Estate & Inheritance Disputes
We advise HNW individuals, heirs and family stakeholders on high-value estate and inheritance disputes involving misappropriated assets, concealed wealth and cross-border recovery.
Representative Experience
Commercial and Civil Fraud
Enabling targeted proceedings in a high-value contractual dispute by identifying previously undisclosed assets through corporate, litigation and land records research, social media analysis and discreet enquiries.
Helping a client pursue recovery following the theft of several million pounds by an employee, including by recovering key evidence from overseas data repositories, obtaining freezing and Norwich Pharmacal orders, and identifying the perpetrator.
Private Capital
Advising credit funds on enforcement options relating to a USD100 million loan facility and related security package across multiple jurisdictions.
Acting for distressed debt specialists enforcing a loan liability acquired from a defunct Ukrainian bank, with substantial sums recovered following worldwide freezing orders against 29 defendants and Chabra respondents across multiple jurisdictions.
Sovereign Enforcement
Acting as Global Counsel in the enforcement of a USD 500 million arbitral award against the Republic of Kazakhstan, coordinating lawyers across the US, BVI, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Gibraltar and Sweden.
Supporting an investor’s claim against a state through Astraea’s multidisciplinary special situations capability, drawing on human rights, forensic accounting, geopolitical and communications expertise.
Estate & Inheritance Disputes
Advising a Saudi entity on claims to recover more than USD 100 million of bequeathed assets allegedly misappropriated by a UK-based relative of the testator.
Conducting an asset-tracing investigation for a HNW individual in support of inheritance proceedings, identifying property and business assets across Europe, the Middle East and multiple offshore jurisdictions, together with evidence of tax evasion and concealed wealth.
Fraud Defence
Advising a crypto entrepreneur and related entities on a multi-jurisdictional response to a DOJ Indictment and SEC Complaint alleging involvement in a USD 1 billion fraud. Engaged with regulators and defended related English civil proceedings supported by a Worldwide Freezing Order.
Advising Emirati individuals on the defence of a multi-jurisdictional USD 80 million fraud action; including proceedings in England, supported by a Worldwide Freezing Order, to recognise and enforce foreign judgments.
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