By Jemma Slingo2021-05-24T12:07:00+01:00
City firm Dechert and its former head of white-collar crime faced allegations of scaremongering, greed and fee inflation this morning, as a mammoth negligence claim got underway in the commercial court.
Kazakh-based mining giant Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC) accuses Neil Gerrard – former global co-head of white-collar crime at Dechert – of using its case as a ‘cash cow’ to justify his $3m-a-year salary.
The claim relates to ENRC’s retainer of Dechert and Gerrard between 2011 and 2013. ENRC claims Gerrard was originally retained to conduct an internal investigation into allegations of wrongdoing concerning a subsidiary.
EnergyMiner ENRC rounds on UK s SFO, Dechert in London court battle
Kirstin Ridley
3 minute read
ENRC, a Kazakh mining company at the centre of one of Britain s longest corruption investigations, on Monday opens its case against its former lawyer and the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), seeking damages over allegations of serious wrongdoing.
In a highly anticipated London High Court trial, Eurasian Natural Resources Company (ENRC) alleges that law firm Dechert and its former partner, Neil Gerrard - hired to carry out an internal investigation into a whistleblowing report - disclosed privileged and confidential information to the SFO.
Former SFO director Richard Alderman was desperate to nail a high-profile corporate suspect in 2011 and Gerrard wanted to milk ENRC for vast fees by expanding the scope of his internal investigation, that at times employed more than 50 Dechert fee earners, ENRC alleges in documents filed with the court.
ENRC opens £70m claim against SFO and top law firm Dechert cityam.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cityam.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The Serious Fraud Office encouraged a Machiavellian lawyer to leak confidential information about his client in the middle of a corruption probe, the High Court heard.
Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC) is suing the SFO for alleged misfeasance in public office over an investigation into the Kazakh mining giant, and is seeking £70million in damages.
The company is also suing City lawyer Neil Gerrard and his former employer, Dechert, which represented ENRC in the investigation, for colluding with the SFO.
Damages claim: Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation is suing the Serious Fraud Office for alleged misfeasance in public office over an investigation into the Kazakh mining giant