Investigative support to governments, companies and law firms in complex international disputes, including arbitration, litigation, fraud, asset recovery and corporate investigations.
A major component of GPW’s work is the provision of dispute and investigative consulting to the world’s top litigators and in-house general counsel. We are routinely engaged to gather evidence and intelligence to help clients build and win cases, from simple fact finding and locating and interviewing witnesses, to evidential and investigative support in complex international arbitration and litigation.
A core skill is the mapping of assets of international business figures in support of litigation or arbitral awards. Since its establishment in 2004 GPW has conducted in excess of 250 asset tracing assignments, ranging from single strand search and seize to multi-jurisdiction asset mapping assignments involving many millions of pounds worth of stolen, or professionally hidden, assets. Over the course of their professional careers GPW partners have been publicly identified as having led a number of major investigations into sovereign assets plundered by Benazir Bhutto (Pakistan), Saddam Hussein (Iraq), Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines), ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier (Haiti), Sani Abacha (Nigeria) and Daniel Arap Moi (Kenya).
Our team also investigates fraud and malpractice. When management becomes suspicious or aware of potential fraud they need to move fast to understand what went on, who is responsible, why they did it and the level of damage suffered. GPW has honed its fraud investigation methods, including computer forensics and other specialist skills, to bring a wealth of practical experience and knowledge to bear on such cases. In doing so, we apply the highest ethical standards, operating in accordance with recognised best practice, while ensuring evidence will withstand scrutiny by the courts or tribunals at a later stage.
Digital forensics and information risk management
Computers and electronic data continue to transform modern business, but they also present significant risks and challenges.
How we can help
Our dispute consulting expertise provides critical insight and information during complex international litigation and arbitration.
- Andrew Wordsworth
Partner in Charge - Dispute Consulting -
Andrew Wordsworth spent his early career in fund management at the Man Group and later qualified at the New York Bar. He has a wealth of experience in coordinating large scale international investigations and litigation support, with a particular focus on energy, natural resources and telecoms. He has particular expertise in Russia and the CIS where he has supported both domestic and overseas clients in their dealings with local governments and other power bases.
- Richard Blaksley
Partner & Chief Executive -
Richard Blaksley has over twenty years’ experience in this sector, specialising in complex cross-border investigations. During this period he was Head of Europe, and later Asia, of a leading global risk management consultancy. He spent his early career in the British Army, before working in the City in the fixed-income security markets and then for defence manufacturer Alvis in Africa and other emerging markets.
- Nicholas Bortman
Partner, Head of Middle East -
Nicholas Bortman heads GPW’s Middle East practice from Dubai, managing complex investigations and due diligence cases across the region. He has a BA from New York University and an MA in International Relations from the London School of Economics. Before joining GPW, Nicholas worked in the specialist investigative practice of a former senior trial prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
- Daniel Hall
Partner -
Daniel Hall graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Law. He is a qualified solicitor, who practised in London and Hong Kong, specialising in fraud and financial crime investigations, before moving into business intelligence and corporate investigations. Daniel has broad experience across a range of jurisdictions and sectors. He regularly provides investigative support to law firms and their clients engaged in complex international litigation, including asset tracing.
- Michael Redman
Partner -
Michael Redman obtained a BA in Russian Studies from University College London before going on to postgraduate study at Cambridge. He later converted to Law. With particular expertise in Russia and the CIS, Michael was formerly based in Moscow where he ran the Russia office of a leading global risk management consultancy. He previously advised underwriters in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market and worked in West Africa in the diamond industry. He is fluent in Russian.