Alexandra Underwood

My practice is concentrated on multijurisdictional commercial litigation and arbitration, with particular emphasis on complex fraud, investment treaty disputes and public procurement.

I act for clients in the English High Court, in international arbitrations (including LCIA, ICC, UNCITRAL, ICSID and ad hoc arbitrations), and in support of legal proceedings in other jurisdictions.

I specialise in assisting our clients to retrieve hidden assets in highly complex structures and have developed an in-depth understanding of current tactics, strategies and best practice which will facilitate successful recovery actions.

I have particular experience in advising large international companies and HNW individuals on a variety of business critical issues including contractual, shareholder, fraud, negligence, regulatory and whistle blower disputes around the world. 

Representative work includes:

• Leading a team defending a USD 3bn+ ICC arbitration claim seated in Geneva concerning alleged breaches of a telecoms licence by an African state.
• Advising a PE House on a Euro 100m fraud claim against the former CEO of a subsidiary – obtaining injunctive relief from the English High Court to freeze the fraudster's assets. The relief was obtained to support the underlying proceedings in Italy.
• Leading a team acting for five real estate owners in arbitration proceedings under UNCITRAL rules claiming compensation for the expropriation of investments by the Russian Government.
• Advising an investor in a multi-million dollar investment treaty arbitration against Ukraine in the airline industry under ICSID Rules.
• Leading a team acting for the seller of a gaming business in Romania against the new owner of the business in a multi-jurisdictional dispute over a finance agreement.
• Acting for the subsidiary of a publicly listed company in challenging the defective award of a UK government contract worth £400m.
• Advising entrepreneurial investors on shareholders disputes
• Advising numerous SMEs on challenging NHS and local government procurement processes including in the healthcare, education, technology and transport sectors

I am recognised in the directories for my work in emerging markets and for my support of women in the fraud industry and I am a proud member of the committee of the Female Fraud Forum supporting and encouraging the advancement of female professionals in the fraud space.