User's blog

Archives: Team

  • Abbas Nawrozzadeh

    Abbas Nawrozzadeh

    Abbas is a specialist White Collar Crime Solicitor at Eldwick Law. He has acted for high-net worth individuals, politicians, multi-national companies, and quasi-state entities in criminal investigations and proceedings.

    He has defended in investigations and prosecutions brought by the Serious Fraud Office, National Crime Agency, Financial Conduct Authority and extraterritorial prosecuting authorities such as Interpol. He has appeared before the High Court of Justice, Crown Court and Court of Appeal.

    Abbas’ White Collar Crime practice includes acting for those facing prosecution for the most serious criminal offences, including bribery and corruption, grave criminal offences, and serious fraud. He has specialised in this area for over 15 years, working with a number of boutique dispute practices in the City of London.

    As a Certified Fraud Examiner, Abbas is qualified to advise those that require specialist compliance advice and/or anticipate an impending investigation. This includes providing advice to multi-national companies, their directors and senior management, and quasi-state entities on:

    • Dawn raids
    • Pre-charge representations in criminal investigations
    • Extradition requests, Interpol Red Notices and MLA

    Described by his clients as personable, focused and detail-orientated, Abbas is able to devise a clear strategy for his clients at the outset of a matter, often leading to his clients’ cases being resolved before proceedings are issued or charges brought against them.

    Abbas works within the Dispute Resolution and Sanctions departments at Eldwick Law, providing advice when issues cross into criminal law.

    White Collar Crime

    • Acted for the COO of a collapsed Texan oil company alleged to have deceived the company’s board of directors into entering into a USD 300 million transaction.
    • Acted for the lead defendants in a prosecution brought by HM Revenue & Customs – which formed part of a series of prosecutions known as Operation Maplin – in response to allegations of fraudulent evasion of duty, VAT fraud and money laundering arising out of the sale of diesel fuel in the UK.
    • Acted for the lead defendant, a Chartered Accountant, in a prosecution brought by the National Crime Agency in relation to a sophisticated immigration fraud, which involved allegations of money laundering.
    • Acted for a company director in a criminal prosecution – under the Operation Spitz regime – brought by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulations Authority (MHRA) arising out of the supply of unauthorised medicinal products.
    • Represented a company director in allegations of causing death by dangerous driving, focusing on complex arguments regarding causation and speed determination.

    Asset Recovery

    Abbas regularly assists clients in civil recovery actions, including contesting Account Freezing Orders (AFOs) and Forfeiture proceedings, often achieving successful outcomes in challenging cases.

    • Represented a Dubai-based property developer in a multi-jurisdictional fraud and money laundering prosecution, including contesting Account Freezing and Forfeiture proceedings.
    • Successfully represented company directors accused of involvement in the illegal importation of tobacco products, fraudulent evasion of excise duty (estimated £5m annually), and money laundering. Contested Account Freezing Orders and Forfeiture proceedings (Operation Fajita).
    • Represented a company director in large-scale HMRC Gift Aid fraud and money laundering allegations, including associated civil recovery actions.
    • Advising a client in respect of a Crypto Wallet Freezing Order (CWFO), arising from alleged regulatory breaches identified by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

    Interpol Red Notices

    Abbas has advised on the following matters

    • Advised a Ukrainian national on disclosure applications to the CCF relating to a potential Interpol Red Notice 
    • Advised a UK national on an Interpol Red Notice issued on behalf of the UAE 

    Professional Societies and Memberships:

    • London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (“LCCSA”);
    • International Compliance Association (“ICA”);
    • Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (“ACFE”).
  • Jenna Kruger

    Jenna Kruger

    Jenna is a Partner at Eldwick Law. She is a specialist dispute resolution lawyer, with a particular expertise in cross-border litigation, arbitration, and international sanctions compliance. She has been recognised by leading directories, including Chambers & Partners Guide 2026 as a notable specialist dispute resolution lawyer “…who acts on global commercial disputes…”.

    Jenna’s clients include state owned energy and shipping companies, very high net worth individuals, and multi-national corporations. She works closely with her clients’ in-house legal teams, providing strategic advice on how they should navigate high-value commercial disputes.

    With an eye for detail and an analytical mind, Jenna is able to break down complex cases in clear and concise terms. Her analytical skills make her the ideal choice for sophisticated clients looking to control the pace and direction of technically complex cases.  She has appeared in cases before the High Court, the Court of Appeal and several international arbitration centres.

    Jenna has developed a reputation as a self-assured and strategic litigator. She has experience of prosecuting and defending claims for fraud, breach of trust, professional negligence, and various company law claims, including shareholder disputes and derivative claims.

    In addition to her disputes practice, Jenna is a specialist sanctions lawyer. She has developed Eldwick’s practice in this niche area of law, and is the firm’s leading practitioner on the interpretation of the UK’s sanctions regime. She has acted for multi-national companies, private individuals and state entities in providing advice on how to comply with and navigate the multi-faceted world of sanctions compliance. In addition to the UK, Jenna regularly co-ordinates with lawyers from G7 countries, particularly the US, EU, Canada and Australia to provide global sanctions advice to her clients.

    Jenna is a dual-qualified solicitor in the UK and South Africa. Prior to joining Eldwick Law, Jenna worked in one of South Africa’s leading competition firms based in Johannesburg, where she acted for large corporations in the construction, mining, energy and retail sectors.

    Experience

    Arbitration
    • Represented a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an UNCITRAL arbitration before the LCIA against one of the largest European development banks. Reduced quantum significantly following trial, and then provided advice on appeal.
    • Acting for a multi-national company in fraud proceedings arising out of an Arbitration before the German Arbitration Institution (DIS).  Successfully applied for recognition of the arbitral award from the DIS pursuant to s.101 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
    • Successfully obtained a freezing order in the Commercial Court, High Court of London in support of an arbitration award pursuant to s.44 of the Arbitration Act 1996 on behalf of a multi-national company.
    • Acting for a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an arbitration before the London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association.
    • Advising a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an action against an Azeri state oil company regarding the delivery of Azeri light crude oil.
    • Acting for a high net worth individual, in an LCIA arbitration. Applying to set aside the enforcement of the LCIA award pursuant to s.66 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
    • Acting for a high worth individual in a multi-million pound LCIA arbitration, and advising on challenges to jurisdiction and appeal, pursuant to s.67 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
    • Advising a multi-national corporate, through its UK based director, on an ICC arbitration against Shell plc, arising out of a dispute over JCT construction contracts for projects carried out for Shell plc in Basra, Iraq. A referral was issued to the ICC and the matter resolved through dispute resolution
    Litigation
    • SIA Investment Industry v Pardus Wealth & Gregory Bryce [2025] EWHC 269 (Comm) – Acted for the Claimant in contempt proceedings against the Second Defendant, for failing to abide by the terms of a freezing order. Following a committal hearing, the Defendant was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay indemnity costs in excess of £100,000.
    • London Infrastructure -v- Amin [2020] EWHC 2192 (Ch) – Acting for a UK based export finance company, which held various Kazakh subsidiaries holding mining licenses to drill for rare earth metals in Central Kazakhstan. Successfully obtained a freezing injunction and an order for delivery up of valuable mineral samples, followed by summary judgment in a claim for a declaration before the High Court of Justice in London.
    • Bruno Arboit -v- Kei Kin Hung [2024] EWHC 3399 (Ch) – Acted for the Respondent, a very high-net worth individual from Hong Kong, in the recognition of a Hong Kong bankruptcy of over £1 billion under the Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations 2006. Successfully resisted under Article 21 of the UNCITRAL Model Law on the basis that the Joint Trustees had used material potentially in contempt of court.
    • Quaradeghini -v- Mischon De Reya [2020] 4 WLR 34 – Acting for the Claimant in overturning strike out for want of prosecution on appeal.
    • Acting for an ultra high net worth individual in a common law debt claim in excess of £800 million, arising out of a judgment from China
    • Acting for an ultra high net worth individual in possession proceedings and interim charging order proceedings relating to the ownership of highly valuable properties in London, with a combined value of c. £80 million.
    • Acting and advising senior management of one of Kazakhstan’s largest banks on claims in the English courts for the recovery of shares of the bank in the UK.
    • Advising an international Kazakh based oil and gas drilling company in misfeasance and derivative claims against a formerly listed FTSE 100 oil and gas exploration company.
    • Rahbarpoor -v- Suliman & Jalil [2022] EWHC 1093 (Ch) – Successfully acted for the Claimant, an Iranian Ayatollah and prominent religious leader in claims for a multi-million-pound fraud and forgery, which resulted in a 5-day trial in the High Court of London, Business & Property Courts.
    • Arora & Another -v- Inner City Apartments & Another [2020] EWHC 2192 (Ch) – Successfully acting for the Claimants and Part 20 Defendants in a claim for ownership over several high-value properties in London as well as damages following a 4 day trial in the High Court of London, Business and Property Courts.
    • Acted for a group of franchisees in fraudulent misrepresentation claims against the franchisor of over 100 gyms in the UK, Middle East and Central Europe. Pierced the corporate veil and obtained judgment against the former CEO of the franchise.
    • Acted for a Croatian based very high net worth individual in a multi-million pound fraud claim before the King’s Bench Division of the High Court of London against numerous individuals, including one of the world’s largest hotel chains, arising out of the theft of multiple high value classic cars. Issues in relation to the loss of opportunity arose in the quantification of quantum, given the linked businesses of the client, including a large shipping business transporting cement in the Mediterranean.
    • Acting for a Defendant in multi-million pound claims for fraud arising out of a telecommunications dispute in an ongoing claim before the High Court.
    Sanctions and Export Control
    • Acting on behalf of a global oil, gas and energy company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange in merger notifications to the Competition Tribunal and regulatory investigations.
    • Advising the client on whether the financial and investment sanctions imposed by the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 prohibit them from purchasing shares in a sanctioned entity, from UK nationals on the secondary market.
    • Advising a sanctioned entity on the effect that the sanctions imposed by Ukraine upon them may have within the United Kingdom, as of the UK’s exit from the EU.
    • Advising a company on the effect that the UK’s sanctions regime may have on its current business operations and in particular their use of patented software, belonging to a Russian based company. Advice took into consideration the fact of their being granted a three-year global licence for the use of the software, subject to an annual fee.
    • Advising a UK company, with subsidiaries in India, on the impact of sanctions on the export of pharmaceuticals to Russia, under the Russia Regulations. Issues concerning dual-use and the approach taken by the recently formed Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI).
    • Advising a UK chemical company on divestment of its subsidiary from Russia, including in obtaining trade licences from the Export Control Joint Unit.
    • Advising a property management company on the impact of sanctions on the recovery of service charges from persons designated under the Russia Regulations.
    • Drafting a global sanctions policy for a Kazakh state company, to include preparation, implementation and training. Working as the lead team with Waleed Tahirkheli and Rashid Gaissin on implementing the UK related section of the policy and coordinating with Australian, Canadian, US, EU and Kazakh counsel to complete the global sanctions policy.
  • Waleed Tahirkheli

    Waleed Tahirkheli

    Waleed is a Partner at Eldwick Law, and leads the firm’s Dispute Resolution department. He is recognised by leading legal directories as a specialist dispute resolution lawyer. He has acted for multinationals, high-net worth individuals and state entities in proceedings before the High Court, Court of Appeal and several International Arbitration centres. 

    Waleed advises clients on their commercial and private disputes and often works closely with his clients’ in-house legal teams to resolve disputes at the earliest possible opportunity. Leading with a direct and confident approach, he has acted in numerous domestic and foreign proceedings and arbitrations, developing close relationships with lawyers around the world, particularly in Central Asia, China and the Middle East. 

    Alongside having Higher Rights of Audience (civil), he is also an Accredited Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CiARB). In addition to this, Waleed has also carried out advocacy in the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. 

    Waleed also has significant experience of sanctions litigation and in providing advice on sanctions compliance. He has acted in de-listing applications which have been heard before the General Court in Luxembourg (prior to the UK’s exit from the European Union) and advised on numerous sanctions related transactions, including divestments, and advised on sanctions exemptions and licences from OFSI, OTSI and the Export Control Joint Unit.  

    Innovative, personable and commercial, Waleed has the trust of his clients and can identify the right strategic approach to resolve even the most intractable disputes. 

    Waleed graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in Spanish Language & Literature, working in a legal and accounting advisory firm in Spain, before qualifying as a solicitor. He founded Eldwick Law in 2017, shortly after qualifying.

    Waleed is fluent in Spanish, speaks conversational French and is currently learning Russian.  

    Experience

    Arbitration
    • Acting for a high net individual in enforcement proceedings arising out of an LCIA Arbitration. 
    • Acted for a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an UNCITRAL arbitration before the LCIA against one of the world’s largest multilateral development banks.
    • Acting for a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an arbitration before the London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association.
    • Acting on behalf of a multi-national construction company in an ICC arbitration against Shell Iraq Petroleum.
    • Advising a Kazakh quasi-state entity in an action against a state company regarding the delivery of light crude oil.
    • Acting for a high net worth individual, in an LCIA arbitration. Applying to set aside the enforcement of the LCIA award pursuant to s.66 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
    • Acting for a high worth individual in a multi-million pound LCIA arbitration, and advising on challenges to jurisdiction and appeal, pursuant to s.67 of the Arbitration Act 1996.
    • Acting for an ultra high net individual, at one point considered to be one of the 100 richest men in China, in contempt proceedings arising out of an arbitration from the Shanghai International Arbitration Centre, later recognised in the UK. Defending the civil and criminal contempt proceedings against my client.
    • SIA Investment Industry -v- Pardus Wealth & Gregory Bryce [2024] 2774 (Comm) – Acted for the Claimant in obtaining a freezing injunction, following recognition of an award from the DIS (German Arbitration Institute) under s.101 of the Arbitration Act 1996. Following the freezing injunction, made the Defendants bankrupt, and then issued a committal application which was heard in the Commercial Court.
    Litigation
    • SIA Investment Industry v Pardus Wealth & Gregory Bryce [2025] EWHC 269 (Comm) – Acted for the Claimant in contempt proceedings against the Second Defendant, for failing to abide by the terms of a freezing order. Following a committal hearing, the Defendant was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay indemnity costs in excess of £100,000.
    • Bruno Arboit -v- Kei Kin Hung [2024] EWHC 3399 (Ch) – Acted for the Respondent, a very high-net worth individual from Hong Kong, in the recognition of a Hong Kong bankruptcy of over £1 billion under the Cross-Border Insolvency Regulations 2006. Successfully resisted under Article 21 of the UNCITRAL Model Law on the basis that the Joint Trustees had used material potentially in contempt of court.
    • Rahbarpoor -v- Suliman [2022] EWHC 1093 (Ch) – Acted for the Claimant in a High Court claim for forgery relating to the ownership of a property in London. Successfully obtained judgment, and freezing orders against the Defendants.
    • Arora -v- Moshiri [2021] EWHC 2230 (Ch) – Successfully obtained judgment for the Claimant in a trial before the High Court for forgery. Pursued a post-judgment freezing injunction after the Claimant attempted to dissipate assets following judgment being handed down.
    • London Infrastructure -v- Amin [2020] EWHC 2192 (Ch) – Acting for a UK based export finance company, which held various Kazakh subsidiaries holding mining licenses to drill for rare earth metals in Central Kazakhstan. Successfully obtained a freezing injunction and an order for delivery up of valuable mineral samples, followed by summary judgment in a claim for a declaration before the High Court of Justice in London.
    • Re Gate Ventures plc [2020] EWHC 709 (Ch) – Acted for various shareholders in obtaining an administration order against a company that had raised over £24.5 million from nearly 3,000 mainly Chinese shareholders. The case attracted significant media attention as the company was chaired by former BBC boss Lord Grade and had provided an unexplained loan of £500,000 to the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. After successfully obtaining an order for an administrator to be appointed, we investigated claims against the company to trace and recover the misappropriated investments.
    • Quaradeghini -v- Mischon De Reya [2020] 4 WLR 34 – Acting for the Claimant in overturning strike out for want of prosecution on appeal.
    • Energie Direct Franchising Limited -v- Star Gym [2019] EWHC 2100 – Acted for the Defendant in a franchise dispute, and successfully dismissed Claimant’s claim following a 7 day trial in the High Court.
    • Al-Rawas -v- Hassan Khan & Co [2017] EWCA Civ 42 – Acting for the Appellants in co-joined appeals on the meaning of s.35 of the Limitation Act 1980.
    • Acting for an ultra high net worth individual in a common law debt claim in excess of £800 million, arising out of a judgment from China
    • Acting for an ultra high net worth individual in possession proceedings and interim charging order proceedings relating to the ownership of highly valuable properties in London, with a combined value of c. £80 million.
    • Acting and advising senior management of one of Kazakhstan’s largest banks on claims in the English courts for the recovery of shares of the bank in the UK.
    • Advising an international Kazakh based oil and gas drilling company in misfeasance and derivative claims against a formerly listed FTSE 100 oil and gas exploration company.
    • Acting for numerous franchisees in fraudulent misrepresentations claims against the former CEO of UK based franchisor, operating over 100 gyms in the UK, Central Europe and the Middle East. The claims were brought on the basis of fraudulent misrepresentations made to the franchisees regarding the performance and profitability of the franchise business. Successfully pierced the corporate veil by bringing the claims against the former CEO, eventually obtaining judgment and initiating insolvency proceedings to recover assets.
    • Acted for a very high net worth individual in a civil fraud claim for the recovery of a number of high value classic cars, registered in Switzerland. Successfully obtained a freezing injunction over the Defendants’ accounts and assets, as well as an order for delivery up of the vehicles.
    Sanctions and Regulatory
    • Tri-Ocean Energy v Council T-719/14 ECLI:EU:T:2016:458 – Acting for an Egyptian oil company in proceedings before the General Court in Luxembourg to de-list from the EU sanctions list.
    • Tri-Ocean Trading v Council T-709/14 ECLI:EU:T:2016:459 – Acting for the parent company of an Egyptian oil company in proceedings before the General Court in Luxembourg to de-list from the EU sanctions list.
    • Farahat v Council T-830/14 ECLI:EU:T:2016:462 – Acted for an individual subject to the EU Syrian sanctions on the ground of being employed by a company allegedly supplying crude oil to the Syrian government.
    • Drafting a global sanctions policy for a Kazakh state company, to include preparation, implementation and training. Acting as the lead Partner on implementing the UK related section of the policy and coordinating with Australian, Canadian, US, EU and Kazakh counsel to complete the global sanctions policy. 
    • Advising a UK company, with subsidiaries in India, on the impact of sanctions on the export of pharmaceuticals to Russia, under the Russia Regulations. Issues concerning dual-use and the approach taken by the recently formed Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI). 
    • Advising a UK chemical company on divestment of its subsidiary from Russia, including in obtaining trade licences from the Export Control Joint Unit. 
    • Advising a property management company on the impact of sanctions on the recovery of service charges from persons designated under the Russia Regulations. 
    • Advising a UK software company on how the Russia Regulations impacted their business operations, in particular their use of patented software belonging to a Russian company.
    • Advising a UK based electronic payment company on the effect of Ukrainian sanctions designation in the UK.
    • Advising a UK national on the purchase of shares in Evraz plc on the secondary market.
    • Advised company directors in relation to an investigation by the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA), the regulator of the Astana International Finance Centre (AIFC).