Thomas Cattee heads up the White-Collar Crime, Regulatory and Investigations Team at Gherson.

Experienced in leading aspects of high-profile international cases as both a defence and investigative/prosecution lawyer, Tom is ably positioned to advise both individuals and corporations subject to multi-agency domestic, and multi-jurisdictional, proceedings and regulatory actions.

Tom also has extensive experience advising in relation to extradition, mutual legal assistance and INTERPOL, specifically in relation to cross-border proceedings involving allegations of complex financial crime, bribery and corruption, and money laundering.

With a thorough understanding of blockchain technology, digital currencies and cryptoassets, Tom is able to advise regarding the financial regulation and compliance of this novel and disruptive area, and in cases that have a cryptoasset angle. Tom regularly writes and comments on these topics.

Experience

Tom joined Gherson from the Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”), where he initially worked as disclosure counsel on LIBOR cases and the Barclays Qatar case. Then, as principal investigative/prosecution lawyer, Tom led in collaboration with overseas prosecuting agencies (the French PNF, and the US DoJ and DoS) significant legal aspects of the multi-jurisdictional investigations and negotiations resulting in the Airbus Deferred Prosecution Agreement (“DPA”), the world’s largest global settlement for bribery and corruption. Tom was part of the SFO team awarded the Employed Bar Awards Legal Team of the Year 2020. Tom also assisted in drafting the SFO’s Operational Handbook DPA section.

Tom has additionally led significant aspects of a large-scale fraud investigation and elements of another global investigation.

At the SFO Tom provided particular legal expertise in relation to interviews, searches, extradition and mutual legal assistance.

In 2016 Tom undertook an LLM (Distinction) in Financial Regulation and Compliance and his dissertation focused on the regulation of blockchain technology.

Prior to joining the SFO Tom was a highly experienced criminal and extradition defence lawyer (duty solicitor) in a Chambers and Partners Band 1 rated team.

There Tom robustly challenged investigative and prosecutorial decisions concerning serious criminal offences and fought extradition requests and judicially reviewed decisions in relation to high profile international cases. Tom led the management of two extradition cases before the Supreme Court.

Recently Tom advised:

• Individuals regarding INTERPOL, Red Notices and data protection issues and made representations to INTERPOL;
• A company responding to a request under data protection law and a Crown Court production order;
• In relation to a SFO UK property freezing order against the backdrop of a complex multi-jurisdictional matter concerning allegations of bribery and corruption;
• In the context of an Unexplained Wealth Order;

• In relation to litigation in a multi-jurisdictional cryptocurrency related dispute;
• Regarding anti-money laundering compliance procedures, including in relation to cryptoassets and non-fungibletokens;

• Individuals who have had their bank accounts frozen and made representations;
• In relation to account freezing orders

Thomas Cattee ranked in Chambers and Partners UK 2024
Practice areas: Extradition