Kate advises and represents clients on corporate crime matters, in particular in respect of fraud, corruption, money laundering and sanctions. She also has general litigation experience, advising clients in respect of High Court litigation. She assists clients in balancing the competing risks and demands they face from concurrent civil litigation and criminal and regulatory investigation by agencies in multiple jurisdictions.
Kate has significant experience of internal and external investigations, including those conducted by the SFO, FCA, Police and HMRC as well as the DoJ and SEC. In 2017/2018 she was seconded to the SFO, and she has spent substantial time in-house at a FTSE 100 client as lawyer to their investigations team. Kate has also worked in the Herbert Smith Freehills Hong Kong Office, and is admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong as well as in England and Wales.
She acts for a range of clients, including banks, multinational corporates and individuals.
Representative Matters
Representing Roger Jenkins in respect of a prosecution of fraud charges brought by the SFO in respect of events surrounding capital raisings by Barclays Bank in 2008.
Represented a number of employees/ex-employees in respect of the SFO investigation into Tesco and prosecution of individuals formerly employed by Tesco, in relation to charges of fraud and false accounting.
Advised an individual in respect of the SFO's investigation into affairs at Rolls Royce plc.
Acted for an investment bank on a $billion fraud claim brought by a sovereign wealth fund, in respect of allegations that trades were procured by bribery and/or intimidation.
Acted for UBS in connection with an unauthorised trading incident ("UTI") resulting in a loss of $2.3billion. Provided advice from the initial discovery of the UTI, through internal and independent investigation and criminal trial to conviction of the "rogue trader", Kweku Adoboli, and conclusion of enforcement action by FSA and FINMA.
Acted for Mabey & Johnson in respect of its internal investigation, self-report and subsequent investigation and prosecution by the SFO, in respect of overseas corruption.
Advised the Weir Group Plc in its prosecution for breach of UN sanctions under the Iraq 'Oil for Food' programme.
Advising various clients, including a number of FTSE 100 companies, on the Bribery Act and the implementation of adequate procedures, including delivering training in Asia, Africa, Europe and the US. Advising on the failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion offences brought into force under the Criminal Finances Act 2017.
Advisory work for various clients in the financial and non-financial sectors on potential money laundering liability and reporting, corruption issues and dawn raid procedures.
Other Distinctions
Fraud Lawyers Association, member
Publications
Blog: https://hsfnotes.com/fsrandcorpcrime/
Podcasts:
http://hsffinancialservicesdisputes.buzzsprout.com/495013/1839604-corporate-crime-investigations-ep1-deferred-prosecution-agreements
http://hsffinancialservicesdisputes.buzzsprout.com/495013/1839613-corporate-crime-and-investigations-ep2-suspicious-activity-reports
Prior Experience
Trainee, Associate, Of Counsel at Herbert Smith (now Herbert Smith Freehills LLP) (2004-2020)
Promoted to Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in May 2020
Secondments:
Herbert Smith, Hong Kong 2009-2010
BP 2013
Serious Fraud Office 2017-2018