Identify ownership, control and realistic targets.
You need to know where the money has gone, and whether any of it is still reachable, before you spend on a freeze. Legal remedies come after that answer, not before.
Speak to the investigations practiceWhen ownership and reachability are the questions
- You need to know where misappropriated value went, and whether any of it is still there.
- A defendant appears to have nothing, and that needs testing before proceedings.
- You need schedules a solicitor can put in front of a court.
When another route may be better
If the need is already a freezing application or enforcement, that is legal work described on the asset tracing and recovery page. This page is the investigative work that decides whether those remedies have anything to bite on.
Exists is not the same as reachable
This page is investigation: locating value and saying whether it is reachable. Freezing orders, receivership and trust claims are legal remedies described on the expertise page. An asset that exists is not always an asset that can be frozen, charged or sold.
How ownership and control are tested
- Identify ownership, control and enforcement targets. Banks, payment firms, companies, property, goods and wallets, from the point of loss.
- Test reachability. Encumbrances, nominees, location, and the cost of getting there.
- Stop or hand to the legal route. If it is not worth pursuing, we say so. If it is, the expertise remedies can follow.
Principal risks
- A valuable-looking asset can be mortgaged, overseas, or not in the defendant’s control.
- Speed without a hold can announce the enquiry.
- Mixing investigation with an unfounded freeze application wastes the cross-undertaking.
Fees
We agree the scope and charging basis before substantive work begins. Most matters are charged by reference to time; a fixed fee may be available for a clearly defined preliminary review. Full rates and terms are on the Pricing page.
Who is responsible
Each matter is supervised by a named solicitor. Specialist investigators and forensic professionals are introduced where their expertise is needed, with their role and status explained. Job titles on this site are not a reserved-activity authorisation. Confirm current authorised individuals on the Regulatory information page and the public SRA record.
Questions we are asked
Can you guarantee that assets will be found?
No. We will tell you early when there is value to pursue, and equally early when the trail ends.
How is this different from Asset tracing and recovery under Expertise?
This page locates value and tests reachability. The expertise page is the High Court and enforcement work that may follow.
Do you chase uneconomic assets?
Not if we can see that coming.
Do you use insolvency as a tracing tool?
Sometimes, where it is faster or more effective. It is not always the right lever.
Speak to the investigations practice.
Send the facts you already have. Do not send passwords, private keys, seed phrases or original identity documents.
Speak to the investigations practiceReviewed by Priya Raman, Compliance Officer for Legal Practice, on 15 June 2026. Next review due 15 June 2027. This page is general information about the law of England and Wales and is not advice on your situation.