Practice area: Crypto disputes - tracing and recovery

Crypto disputes – tracing and recovery

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We can help you trace and recover cryptoassets which may have been lost due to fraud, hacking, phishing or other illicit activities. Our team have a deep understanding of blockchain technologies and the intricacies of tracing the transfer of cryptoassets on blockchains to identify the end location of the assets. This is coupled with our expertise in traditional asset recovery techniques to obtain information and injunctive relief, including:

  • Assisting in freezing accounts held with centralised exchanges to assist with recovery of assets
  • Obtaining information from centralised exchanges to identify individuals or entities involved in any illicit activities and to identify legal actions to take against any such individuals to recover assets or mitigate loss

Joe May

  • 21 September 2024
Joe May

Joe’s broad practice spans from advising on large commercial disputes to assisting his clients with complex trust and estates disputes.

His clients include ultra high net worth individuals, trust companies, international banks and large corporations.

Joe has particular experience in relation to complex multi-jurisdictional fraud disputes, shareholder disputes, insolvency proceedings, and contractual disputes. He has acted on cases heard in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Joe is a member of the firm’s Pro-Bono committee and its Green Impact network.

Alex Keane

  • 21 September 2024
Alex Keane

Alex is an Associate in our Private Client team.

He acts for both UK based and international clients, advising individuals, families, and trustees on a broad range of estate planning and taxation matters.

Alex’s work includes the preparation of wills and lasting powers of attorney, UK and offshore trust structuring and administration, and the preparation of domicile statements.

Rory Carter

  • 29 August 2024
Rory Carter

Rory sits in our Trust and Estate Disputes team with a specialism in onshore and offshore trust disputes and issues, as well as advising on estate matters. Rory has particular experience in litigation involving offshore trusts, complex tax issues and crypto assets. He regularly assists our Private Client team in stress testing structures that are being established and he has significant experience in acting for family and trust owned businesses, as well as farms and estates.

As a Senior Associate specialising in litigation, Rory brings a comprehensive understanding and strategic insight to navigating the complexities of disputes over wills, trusts, and estate administration. His expertise lies in meticulously analysing each case’s unique aspects and getting into the granular detail to find solutions and strategies to advance or resolve disputes.

Hannah Mantle

  • 29 August 2024
Hannah Mantle

Hannah is a Partner in the Trust and Estate Disputes team and is recognised for her expertise in domestic and international private client disputes, including contentious probate, trust disputes, Court of Protection and capacity matters.

She combines emotional intelligence with technical expertise to advise clients on sensitive and complex matters. Taking a proactive and strategic approach to disputes, she works to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients. Hannah also recognises the value of mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution where these align with her clients’ objectives. She acts for a wide range of onshore and offshore clients, including professional and lay fiduciaries, beneficiaries and other parties, across the full spectrum of private wealth disputes.

Hannah values effective collaboration with clients, colleagues across Forsters and professionals in other jurisdictions. She regularly coordinates cross-jurisdictional teams on international matters, as well as multidisciplinary teams advising on both contentious and non-contentious issues alongside colleagues in the Private Client, Family and Property teams.

Ranked in Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2024 and praised in The Legal 500 2023 for her ‘excellent litigation management skills’, Hannah is also described in the directories as ‘brilliant’ and ‘practical, collaborative and sensible’. She is a full member of ACTAPS, STEP and AIJA, and serves as Deputy Chair of STEP’s Contentious Trusts and Estates Special Interest Group.

James Brockhurst

  • 29 August 2024
James Brockhurst

James is ranked in Chambers High Net Worth and The Legal 500 and is recognised in Legal Week’s Global Elite: Private Client Global Excellence listing.

As a Partner in our Private Client team, James advises international clients – including high‑net‑worth individuals, family offices, entrepreneurs and trustees – on succession planning, tax, family governance and cryptoassets. Based in the United Arab Emirates, James leads our offering in the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

A trusted adviser to globally prominent families, James combines empathy with technical expertise and a strong commercial mindset. Whether working with family offices, entrepreneurs or senior executives, James approaches every matter with sensitivity, discretion and professionalism.

James has extensive experience in establishing trusts, foundations and corporate structures. He regularly conducts complex family governance exercises involving multiple generations and branches, with a focus on preventing disputes and fostering family harmony. He also advises on UAE structures (including ADGM and DIFC) and UAE wills.

An early pioneer in cryptoasset advisory, James is listed as a ‘Top Recommended’ adviser in Spear’s Cryptocurrency Index (2023–2025) and is the author of Cryptoassets for Private Clients. He advises some of the world’s wealthiest crypto investors and token issuers.