‘A very good team which knows its own areas of expertise very well’, Brodies LLP is a chief point of contact for a strong range of public and private clients. The firm is relied upon by major public authorities for help with internal and external audits, investigations, and general financial advice, while a range of domestic and multinational corporates instruct the firm on fraud, bribery and corruption matters. Team head Paul Marshall stands out for his work for senior directors and stakeholders facing allegations of financial crime and sensitive investigations, while Clare Bone has been predominantly active in fraud and embezzlement issues. Katy MacAskill and Finlay MacKenzie have been a key supporting presence across a range of mandates, and Tony Convery regularly assists multi-national corporates.

Pinsent Masons LLP ‘has excellent technical knowledge and awareness of current trends’ and is trusted by a roster of domestic and international clients which seek out the firm for financial crime risk management and advice in relation to allegations of fraud, bribery, corruption and embezzlement. The firm had also seen an expansion of its sanctions and export control work, counselling clients on potential breaches, mandatory licence applications, as well as internal investigations. Head of global investigations and team lead Tom Stocker has ‘excellent technical knowledge, great commercial awareness, and comes up with practical solutions to complex situations’; he covers the entire spectrum of financial crime mandates. Promoted to partner in May 2023, Stacy Keen is the key figure in the practice for sanctions and export control work, Alistair Wood is noted for his growing body of investigatory instructions, and Rachel Trease is also highly active.

BTO Solicitors LLP fields an extensive team of practitioners that is well geared to act across a wide spectrum of financial crime cases, with notable activity in cases pertaining to money laundering and asset freezing. The firm represents clients from a broad range of professional backgrounds and is routinely instructed on high-profile, sensitive cases. Vikki Watt spearheads the practice and is often approached by both high-profile individuals and large multinational corporates for advice on financial crime issues. Co-head Alasdair Gillies is well placed to handle the criminal and civil matters arising in complex cases. Co-lead Lindsay MacNeill is singled out for her wealth of expertise in investigatory matters. Ramsay Hall, who is praised as a 'tour de force', joined the team from Brodies LLP in September 2024.

As a ‘client-friendly practice that strives to go the extra mile to meet client needs’, Burness Paull LLP has a broad offering that covers regulatory investigations, whistleblowing issues, corruption, bribery and fraud charges, and sanctions. The group is particularly noted for its expertise in cybersecurity issues, helping clients mitigate risk pre and post-cyber attack, liaising with public authorities, and instructing external cyber security experts. A ‘fantastic adviser with deep specialist knowledge and wide industry awareness’, Lynne Gray sits at the helm of the practice and is noted for her engagement in the offshore energy space where she has a broad remit of work, ranging from anti-bribery allegations to dawn raids and internal investigations. Lynne Moss is another key name of note, and advises across an array of regulatory and financial crime matters.

CMS is a key adviser to a number of public and private sector clients and has a strong track record in internal investigations, recovery proceedings, insolvency-related fraud matters, bribery and corruption issues, and cyber security breaches. The financial services and energy sectors continue to be primary points of focus for the team, and the group's ability to leverage the firm's global network has seen it instructed by oil and gas clients in cross-border financial disputes in the US and beyond. Head of the practice and the wider disputes team in Scotland, Colin Hutton handles the firm’s most consequential domestic and international fraud cases, while Graeme MacLeod is singled out for his litigation abilities, especially with regards to insolvencies. Will Anderson has taken the lead on fraudulent misrepresentation and fraudulent invoice cases.

Levy & McRae is a key port of call for high-net-worth individuals seeking advice and representation in high-profile financial crime cases. Recently, the firm has been instructed on internal investigations and dawn raids, and allegations of embezzlement, corruption and bribery, as well as sensitive cases of public concern. Neil Hay is the stand-out player in the practice and takes a lead role on the team’s financial crime cases. David McKie and Paul Anderson are further names of note.