Francesca Titus Partner

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Francesca represents companies and individuals in complex, high value, multi-jurisdictional white collar crime litigation. An experienced barrister, she has defended clients in over one hundred jury trials, and appeared as advocate in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). Francesca advises business leaders at times of crisis when they are caught up in high profile investigations or prosecutions conducted by the Serious Fraud Office, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Financial Conduct Authority, the National Crime Agency or the Crown Prosecution Service.

Her practice encompasses the full range of economic crime including bribery and corruption, money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, misconduct in public office and insider dealing. She advises on linked areas including private prosecutions, extradition, mutual legal assistance, and Proceeds of Crime Act powers including restraint and confiscation.

A focus of Francesca’s practice is internal investigations for client organizations ranging from sports governing bodies and large pharmaceutical companies to banks. She often works across borders, leading teams from across the globe to ensure a cogent worldwide strategy, local law compliance and reliable evidence gathering.

“Francesca brings years of independent practice as a barrister to offer unique advantage for those wishing to avoid litigation. She is brilliantly clever and a delight to work with.” – Legal 500, 2019

Experience

  • Successfully represented CEO and founder of a tech company alleged to have won a £24 million contract as a result of bribery. Joint HMRC and City of London Police enquiry resulted in allegations against two men of Bribery Act 2010 offences and tax fraud. After two trials Francesca’s client was acquitted of all charges. The separately represented co-defendant was convicted of all charges he faced.
  • Represents a businessman charged with multiple counts of insider dealing in a prosecution brought by the Financial Conduct Authority.
  • Represented senior government officials at the request of the Ministry of Justice in a Serious Fraud Office investigation into fraudulent activity in the operation of supplier contracts.
  • Acted for a businessman involved in a conspiracy to defraud valued in excess of £1 billion.  Relevant jurisdictions Britain, Russian Federation, Republic of Cyprus.  Issues included civil and criminal law cross over and private prosecution.
  • Counsel on multi-jurisdictional internal investigation for global sporting body.
  • Instructed by one of the world’s largest banks to represent key staff during a money laundering investigation being conducted by the Serious Fraud Office.  Relevant jurisdictions Ukraine, Britain, US and Switzerland.
  • Defended a British client arrested in the US following a request by European authorities investigation a 700 million Euro tax fraud.  Coordinated global team working in London, US, Germany and United Arab Emirates.
  • Represented company registered on London Stock Exchange in relation to suspected fraud linked to wholesale gas trading and electricity markets.  Alleged criminal conduct took place in France, Italy and Britain.
  • Advisor to a significant shareholder of an AIM listed business, which was subject to investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies at once, including the Serious Fraud Office, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Financial Conduct Authority, for multimillion pound fraud.
  • Acted for a European Bank in relation to a Board level fraud.
  • Defended Director of a company in long running multimillion pound tax evasion prosecution.
  • Advising a ‘dot com millionaire’ wanted for extradition from the US to a European jurisdiction.
  • Defended CEO of a company accused of market abuse and insider dealing.
  • Advised a multinational pharmaceutical company who suspected an employee led fraud against customers.  Relevant jurisdictions India and Britain.
  • Advised a travel company in a long running fraud undertaken by the Finance Director.
  • Instructed by a businessman residing in Dubai in relation to five separate tax evasion conspiracies alleged to have been conducted in England with a value in excess of £100 million.