Commercial Fraud & Misrepresentation Claims
Specialist Solicitors for England & Wales
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No Win, No Fee
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No Win, No Fee
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£66m+ Recovered
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Have You Been Defrauded or Misled in a Commercial Transaction?
Commercial fraud and misrepresentation can cause substantial financial losses for businesses and individuals. Whether you were misled during a business transaction, induced to invest through false statements or suffered loss as a result of negligent misrepresentation, legal remedies may be available.
Fraud claims often provide wider remedies than ordinary negligence claims, including more flexible limitation rules and, in some cases, court orders to protect assets while a claim is ongoing.
Tony Hill has acted in complex, high-value fraud disputes, including a multi-million-pound property fraud claim involving surveyors and solicitors. With more than 35 years’ experience in commercial litigation, he personally oversees every fraud and misrepresentation case handled by Wealth Recovery Solicitors.
Types of Fraud and Misrepresentation Claims We Handle
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Commercial Fraud Claims
Claims arising from deliberate deception in commercial transactions, including fraudulent inducement, asset misappropriation and dishonest conduct by business counterparties. Examples include falsified accounts, forged documents and the deliberate concealment of important information.
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Fraudulent Misrepresentation
Where a party knowingly, or recklessly, made a false statement that induced you to act to your financial detriment. Fraudulent misrepresentation can give rise to a range of remedies, including rescission of the contract and damages for losses resulting from the fraud.
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Negligent Misrepresentation
Where a party made a false statement without reasonable grounds for believing it to be true, causing you to enter a transaction or make a decision that resulted in financial loss. Claims for negligent misrepresentation are available under the Misrepresentation Act 1967 and at common law under the principle in Hedley Byrne & Co Ltd v Heller & Partners Ltd [1964].
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Misrepresentation in Business Sales
Where a seller misrepresented a business's financial position, performance, assets or liabilities, causing you to purchase at an inflated price or on terms you would not otherwise have accepted. These claims often require forensic accounting evidence to establish the true value of the business and the losses suffered.
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Investment Fraud and Inducement
Where you were induced to invest on the basis of false or misleading information, including inaccurate projections, misleading statements or the concealment of material risks. These claims often require detailed analysis of how the investment decision would have differed had the true position been known.
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Claims in Deceit
The tort of deceit applies where deliberate fraudulent misrepresentations have caused financial loss. Successful claims can recover losses flowing directly from the fraud, including consequential losses that may not be available in a contractual or negligence claim.
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Asset Misappropriation and Dishonest Dealing
Claims against individuals or entities who have misappropriated assets, diverted business opportunities, or dealt dishonestly with property or funds held in a fiduciary or commercial capacity. These claims may involve asset tracing, proprietary claims, and applications for freezing relief to prevent dissipation.
Why Fraud and Misrepresentation Claims Require Specialist Expertise
Fraud and misrepresentation claims are legally complex and factually intensive. Establishing fraudulent intent requires evidence of the defendant’s state of mind at the time the representation was made. Quantifying losses — particularly where a business was acquired on the basis of misrepresentation — requires expert financial analysis. Defendants typically resist these claims vigorously, often instructing specialist counsel and raising every available defence.
You need legal representation that matches that level of expertise and determination. Tony Hill and the team at Wealth Recovery Solicitors have the experience, the willingness to engage with complex legal and evidential arguments, and the track record to pursue these claims effectively — whether through negotiation, mediation, or contested litigation.
What Losses Can You Recover?
The remedies available in fraud and misrepresentation claims are broader than in many other civil claims. Depending on the nature of the wrong and the facts of your case, recoverable losses may include:
- The full price paid for a business, investment, or asset acquired on the basis of fraudulent misrepresentation (rescission and restitution)
- The difference between the price paid and the true value of what was acquired (damages)
- All consequential losses flowing directly from the fraud — including lost profits, wasted expenditure, and financing costs — even where those losses were not foreseeable at the time of the transaction
- The cost of remedial works or corrective action required as a result of the misrepresentation
- Professional fees incurred in investigating and unwinding the transaction
- Interest on losses from the date of the fraud.
In claims for deceit, the damages are assessed on a wider basis than in contract or negligence — the defendant is liable for all losses directly caused by the fraud, whether or not those losses were foreseeable. This can result in substantially higher recoveries.
Tony Hill and the team will advise you clearly on the remedies available and what you can realistically expect to recover.
Do You Have a Fraud or Misrepresentation Claim?
You may have a viable claim if any of the following apply:
- You were induced to purchase a business, property, or investment on the basis of false statements about its value, performance, or condition
- A counterparty made representations you relied on, which proved to be false, and you have suffered financial loss as a result
- You have been deliberately deceived in a commercial transaction and suffered quantifiable financial harm
- Documents or accounts provided to you in connection with a transaction were falsified or materially misleading
- You entered a contract on the basis of a representation that turned out to be negligently wrong — that is, made without reasonable grounds for believing it to be true
- Assets, funds, or business opportunities have been misappropriated by a person in a position of trust or commercial responsibility.
How We Handle Your Claim
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Step 1 — Confidential Consultation
We assess the transaction, the representations made, the evidence available, and the losses suffered - at no charge and in strict confidence.
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Step 2 — Evidence Investigation
We identify and preserve the evidence of fraud or misrepresentation — including documents, financial records, correspondence, and expert financial analysis. In fraud cases, evidence preservation is a priority.
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Step 3 — Protective Measures
Where appropriate, we apply for injunctive relief or freezing orders to prevent the dissipation of assets before judgment. These are powerful tools available in fraud cases and we advise on their suitability at an early stage.
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Step 4 — Letter of Claim or Proceedings
We formally assert your claim and pursue recovery through negotiation or, where necessary, by issuing court proceedings. In fraud cases, we often issue proceedings at an early stage to preserve the court’s jurisdiction to grant protective relief.
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Step 5 — Recovery and Enforcement
We pursue judgment, enforcement, and — where applicable — asset tracing and recovery. Our objective is not merely to obtain a judgment but to ensure you actually receive the sums awarded.
Head of Professional Negligence & Commercial Litigation Wealth Recovery Solicitors
Your Specialist — Tony Hill
Tony Hill has acted in a major multi-million pound property fraud matter involving surveyors and solicitors — navigating complex arguments and negotiations throughout the litigation process to produce a favourable result for his clients. With more than 35 years in high-value commercial litigation, Tony has the experience and determination to pursue fraudulent misrepresentation and commercial fraud claims through every stage of the legal process, including appellate proceedings where necessary.
Tony acts for corporate and partnership entities as well as for individuals. He is experienced in urgent applications — including freezing orders and search orders — and understands that in fraud cases, speed and decisive action are often critical to preserving the prospect of recovery.
Tony personally oversees every fraud and misrepresentation instruction accepted by the firm.
Member, The Law Society of England and Wales | University of Oxford (MA)
Why Clients Choose Wealth Recovery Solicitors
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Senior-led from day one
Tony Hill personally reviews and oversees every claim. You deal with an experienced specialist, not a junior fee earner.
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Proven track record
More than £66 million recovered across professional negligence and commercial litigation matters, including multi-million pound fraud cases.
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No Win, No Fee
We offer conditional fee arrangements on qualifying fraud and misrepresentation cases, so you can pursue your claim without upfront legal costs. Our fee is payable only on success.
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Experienced in complex and high-value claims
We handle claims involving fraudulent misrepresentation, business sale fraud, asset misappropriation, deceit, and negligent misstatement — including cases requiring urgent protective relief.
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Decisive and strategic
In fraud cases, timing matters. We act quickly to preserve evidence, protect assets, and secure the strongest possible position for our clients.
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National coverage
We act for clients throughout England and Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Fraud & Misrepresentation Claims
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What is the difference between fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation?
Fraudulent misrepresentation requires proof that the defendant knew the statement was false, or made it recklessly as to whether it was true. Negligent misrepresentation requires proof that the defendant had no reasonable grounds for believing the statement to be true. The remedies differ significantly: fraudulent misrepresentation allows rescission of the contract and damages for all losses directly flowing from the fraud, including losses that would otherwise be considered too remote. Negligent misrepresentation damages are assessed more restrictively.
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Can I rescind a contract entered on the basis of misrepresentation?
Yes, in appropriate circumstances. Rescission restores both parties to their pre-contract position — in effect, unwinding the transaction. However, the right to rescind can be lost if you have affirmed the contract after discovering the misrepresentation, if third-party rights have intervened, if restitution is no longer possible, or if an unreasonable period of time has elapsed. We assess the specific circumstances of your case and advise on the most effective remedy.
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What is a claim in deceit?
The tort of deceit is committed where a person makes a fraudulent misrepresentation — a false statement made knowingly, without belief in its truth, or recklessly as to its truth — that is intended to be acted upon, is in fact acted upon, and causes loss. The measure of damages in deceit is wider than in contract: it includes all losses directly flowing from the fraudulent transaction, even if not strictly foreseeable at the time the representation was made.
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What evidence do I need for a fraud claim?
You will need evidence of the false statement (or concealment), evidence that it was made knowingly or recklessly (or, for negligent misrepresentation, without reasonable grounds), evidence that you relied on it, and evidence of your loss. Documentary evidence — emails, accounts, valuations, representations in sale memoranda, board minutes — is typically central to fraud claims. We advise on evidence preservation and gathering as a priority at the outset of every instruction.
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Can I get a freezing order to prevent assets being dissipated?
In appropriate cases, yes. A freezing order (formerly known as a Mareva injunction) prevents the defendant from dealing with or dissipating assets pending trial. The court will grant a freezing order where there is a good arguable case and a real risk that the defendant will dissipate assets to frustrate any judgment. These applications are typically made without notice to the defendant and require careful preparation. We advise on suitability at an early stage.
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How long do I have to bring a fraud claim?
Under section 32 of the Limitation Act 1980, where an action is based on fraud or where a relevant fact has been deliberately concealed, the limitation period does not begin to run until the claimant discovers (or could with reasonable diligence have discovered) the fraud or concealment. This is a significant advantage over ordinary limitation rules. However, the rules are complex and fact-specific, and we strongly recommend seeking advice promptly once you become aware of potential fraud.
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What does No Win, No Fee mean?
Under a No Win, No Fee arrangement (formally known as a conditional fee agreement), you do not pay our legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. If the claim is unsuccessful, you do not owe us a fee for our work. Not all fraud and misrepresentation claims will qualify for No Win, No Fee funding — suitability is assessed on a case-by-case basis. We explain the terms of the agreement fully before you commit.
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How much does it cost to speak to someone?
There is no charge for an initial consultation. We assess whether you have a viable claim, explain the process, and advise you on the likely merits and available remedies — all at no cost and with no obligation.
Important Information
In certain particular circumstances, there may be longer limitation periods available through statute or other mechanisms but the primary periods, as noted, are always to be considered.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Every claim depends on its own facts and circumstances. Nothing on this page should be relied upon as a substitute for specific legal advice tailored to your situation.
Wealth Recovery Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). “No Win, No Fee” refers to a conditional fee agreement under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (as amended). Not all cases will qualify for No Win, No Fee funding; suitability is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Limitation periods for fraud and misrepresentation claims are governed by the Limitation Act 1980, including section 32 (postponement in cases of fraud, concealment, and mistake). The time limits referenced on this page are a general summary only. Specific rules, exceptions, and extensions may apply depending on the nature of the claim and the date of discovery. If you are concerned about time limits, seek legal advice without delay.
References to injunctive relief, freezing orders, and asset tracing describe remedies that the court may grant in appropriate cases. These remedies are discretionary and subject to the applicant satisfying the relevant legal tests. The availability of such relief depends on the facts of each case.