Claire is a highly experienced business crime specialist with over 30 years’ experience in advising on all aspects of White Collar Crime. This includes responding to and defending SFO cases and other Government and Regulatory investigations, the review of and/or implementation of Compliance Programmes relating to all areas of business crime risk, corporate internal investigations, and providing advice on directors’ liability under the criminal law.

Uniquely placed as a lawyer who has worked in defence practice, as an SFO prosecutor and as specialist in-house counsel at a corporate target of multiple investigations, Claire has therefore seen large-scale investigations from all sides and has a seasoned and comprehensive understanding of strategy and crisis management. She has been the client on a “burning platform” so well understands the multiple stresses of that situation. She has also been a Compliance Officer at UK and International level.

Claire has an in-depth knowledge of complex international cases, instigated against corporates and individuals by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), US Department of Justice (DOJ) and other UK and European Government agencies, and has advised both corporate and individual clients extensively, from dawn raids and police station attendance through to negotiated settlement or trial and appeal. She has handled cases involving various multilateral development banks, including the World Bank, and is familiar with the sanctions proceedings conducted by those bodies. As a result of this wide-ranging experience, Claire has extensive expertise in corporate strategy, particularly in cross-border situations and managing teams of investigators and large quantities of forensic evidence, as well as negotiating case resolution.

Claire provides Boards with advice relating to the implementation and /or review of complex Compliance Programmes, on business continuity during large investigations and on wider corporate governance issues. She is often instructed to run urgent and extensive internal investigations on behalf of corporate clients.