Profile
Kathryn Garbett, Co-Chair of the UK Civil Fraud & Business Disputes Practice, focuses her commercial litigation practice on matters related to civil fraud. Kathryn has been involved in some of the most high-profile commercial fraud cases before the Supreme Court in recent times.
Kathryn has a practical and sensible approach and tailors her advice and support to help clients navigate extremely complex legal and factual issues.
Kathryn regularly manages highly sensitive matters spanning multiple jurisdictions, often leading teams of international lawyers and professionals. She offers strategic advice to clients facing a civil claim while simultaneously being investigated by prosecution agencies, employers, the Inland Revenue, and both UK and foreign regulators.
In The Legal 500 UK 2024, Kathryn is recognised in the Hall of Fame for Civil Fraud. She is described as “one of the most experienced civil fraud litigators around; she knows it all”, “a seasoned player who is excellent at identifying an opponent’s weak spot” and “a doyenne of the Civil Fraud world.”
She is praised by Chambers & Partners as “a very impressive operator and an astute solicitor” for her ability to provide "experienced guidance in hugely complex matters combined with a fine tactical overview. Kathryn “has been running huge cases for years and knows everything there is to know”.
Capabilities
Experience
- Currently representing the first and main defendant in one of The Lawyer’s top 20 cases for 2020, and one of the largest disputes ever before the Commercial Court, involving alleged secret commissions in the Middle East and Europe. The case raises important issues of jurisdiction, applicable law, and Swiss banking secrecy.
- Acted for the main individual defendant in one of the most aggressively pursued claims brought before the Commercial Court (quantum - US2.1bn), which was listed for a 13 week trial in April 2017 (number 6 in The Lawyer’s top 20 cases for 2017). The case involved complex developing legal issues, including the use of confidentiality clubs to protect the physical security of people based in Libya. The action, which included allegations of bribery and intimidation, was discontinued with an agreed payment of £16.5m in respect of Kathryn’s clients costs.
- Led a team of lawyers acting for one of the largest UK privately owned property groups, Topland, and its directors in their defence of two sets of High Court proceedings concerning the central London building, First Avenue House. The proceedings were brought in 2010 by the previous owner, Standard Life, and the Government tenant, the Secretary of State for Justice. Both sets of proceeding were settled on confidential terms without admission of liability with confirmation that the Secretary of State for Justice and Topland will continue to work together to ensure that the building continues to meet the operational needs of the Courts and Tribunal Service.°
- Acted for an individual against his former tax advisers, which included obtaining a freezing order, disclosure order, and Norwich Pharmacal relief against a corporate trust entity in the Isle of Man.°
- Acted for a major credit card company in recovering the proceeds of a substantial fraud. Obtained Norwich Pharmacal relief against a number of banks and tracing into the proceeds of the fraud and assets purchased with the proceeds, including several high value sports cars. Procured the release money and the sports cars restrained under a Proceeds of Crime Act restraint order.°
- Acted for a foreign national in securing the return of funds which had been improperly seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act by HMRC.°
- Advised a City of London banker in defending civil proceedings brought by the Bank to recover substantial bonuses paid by the Bank for alleged misconduct, deceit, and breach of contract and in the parallel investigation by the Financial Services Authority. The allegations concerned the pricing of sophisticated financial products.°
- Acted for a number of individuals seeking the return of money and other valuable property seized by various regulatory or criminal authorities both in the UK and overseas, including Switzerland, Nigeria, and Denmark.°
- Advised several City of London bankers in proceedings brought by the Italian regulator. Led teams of international lawyers.°
- Acted for a high street manufacturer and retailer of jewellery. Obtained a freezing, asset preservation, disclosure and delivery up order against ex-employees, employees and others who had stolen money, stock, and confidential information, and set up a competing business. Achieved Judgment at the earliest opportunity, third party debt orders, charging orders, and significant cost orders against all the defendants.°
- Acted for private equity investment companies and an Administrative Receiver. Achieved innovative Interlocutory Orders allowing the companies whose ownership was in dispute to trade (by virtue of a court-appointed board of directors) whilst proceedings were extant. A Strike Out Judgment was obtained against the two main defendants (who had asset stripped the companies and by virtue of an illegal share allotment had awarded control to themselves) to return control of the companies to their clients, damages and Costs Orders. The proceedings were settled with all the defendants.°
- Acted for a senior executive summarily dismissed on spurious grounds of dishonesty and/or gross misconduct. Negotiated a substantial financial award for the client and a full written retraction of the dishonesty allegations after actively pursuing claims in the High Court and Employment Tribunal.°
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Garbett prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Legal 500 UK, 2023-2025
- “Banking Litigation: Investment and Retail,” 2023
- "Fraud: Civil," 2023-20245
- Leading Individual, 2024
- Hall of Fame 2025
- “Commercial Litigation Premium,” 2025
- Listed, Chambers UK Guide, "Fraud: Civil," 2023-2025
- Selected, Who’s Who Legal, 2021-2023
- “Thought Leaders – GIR – Asset Recovery,” 2021-2023
- “Global Leader – Asset Recovery,” 2021-2022
- “Global Leader – Investigations,” 2021-2023
- Selected, The Lawyer, "Hot 100," 2021
- Director, Fraud Women’s Network (FWN)
- Member, Women’s White Collar Defense Association
Credentials
- LL.B. (Hons), University of Essex
- England and Wales