Expertise
- Dispute Resolution
- Legal Advice
- Litigation
- Compliance Consultant
- Fraud
- Fraud Investigation
- Regulatory Defence - Companies
- criminal defence
- Compliance Audits
- Crime, Fraud
- Compliance training
- Regulatory
- fraud and misrepresentation
Summary
Nicola is a regulatory, white-collar and corporate crime specialist with over 20 years' of experience.
She leads internal investigations into regulatory breaches and suspected financial crime such as money laundering, fraud and bribery and corruption and modern slavery. Many internal investigations involve multiple jurisdictions. Nicola also liaises with law enforcement and advises corporates from a variety of sector groups in relation to requests and demands for information and communication held by third parties.
Nicola advises corporate clients in the regulated sector, developing, reviewing and stress testing crime prevention frameworks in areas such as AML, anti-bribery and corruption, fraud and modern slavery. Nicola advises on complex AML / CTF issues in the UK and EU, including making suspicious activity reports. Nicola regularly advises in relation to self-reporting issues and during investigations by regulators into potential breaches.
Throughout her career Nicola has defended individuals and corporates under investigation and prosecuted by HMRC, NCA, SFO, FCA and CPS, for serious multi-jurisdictional fraud and white-collar offences. Her timely advice often avoids harsh penalties by regulators and prosecutions.
Nicola enjoys preparing and presenting bespoke training sessions for corporate clients covering AML, anti -bribery and corruption, failing to prevent facilitation of tax evasion and modern slaver issues. She also trains staff at various levels within an organisation how to respond during a dawn raid.
Nicola is regularly asked to speak at events and provide commentary for press on financial crime topics. She has also spoken frequently on television debate programs and on radio.
Nicola joins Constantine Law from a large international law firm. Her recent experience includes:-
Advising on suspicious activity reports, moratorium periods and self-reporting to regulators.
Acting for directors under investigation for alleged cross border bribery and corruption and money laundering.
Led cross border internal investigation for parent company into possible fraud and money laundering offences within the group.
Acting for a director in the care home sector alleged to have made fraudulent applications for COVID grants and loans.
Successfully challenging a freezing order made during investigation into fraudulent applications for bounce back loans.
Led internal investigation relating to possible breaches of AML regulations in the UK and Europe.
Asset tracing of funds from UAE sent to UK.
Advising multiple businesses in relation to applications for bounce back loans and under the furlough scheme.
Advising business during investigation in relation to theft of crypto currency.