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10 July 2025
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
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Signature Litigation—Mark Beardsworth & Duncan Grieve

Firm launches global white collar crime practice with two-partner hire

Signature Litigation has appointed Mark Beardsworth and Duncan Grieve as partners in its London office, marking the launch of its global white collar crime and investigations practice. The duo joins from Goodwin Proctor and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft respectively, bringing decades of experience in high-profile investigations and cross-border matters.

Mark Beardsworth (pictured) has acted in some of the UK’s most significant Serious Fraud Office investigations, including those involving IKEA, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, and Barclays Qatar. He also advises on corporate governance and compliance, particularly during M&A and distressed scenarios. ‘I am delighted to be joining Signature in London and to work alongside Duncan to add weight to the firm’s global expertise,’ said Mark.

Duncan Grieve brings extensive experience in cross-border investigations, particularly in Brazil, Portugal and Lusophone Africa. A fluent Portuguese speaker, he advised on Operation Car Wash and negotiated leniency agreements with Brazilian authorities. ‘I am excited to be working with Mark again and to contributing to Signature’s disputes-only platform,’ Duncan commented.

Graham Huntley, founding partner at Signature Litigation, welcomed the appointments, calling Mark and Duncan ‘formidable operators’. He added: ‘Our platform as a disputes-only law firm provides fresh opportunities for Mark and Duncan to extend their reach collectively in London and internationally.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association

NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association

From first-generation student to trailblazing president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, John McElroy of Fieldfisher reflects on resilience, identity and the power of bringing your whole self to the law

Clarke Willmott—Elaine Field

Clarke Willmott—Elaine Field

Planning and environment team expands with partner hire in Manchester

Birketts—Barbara Hamilton-Bruce

Birketts—Barbara Hamilton-Bruce

Firm appoints chief operating officer to strengthen leadership team

NEWS
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has underscored the sweeping reach of UK sanctions. In NLJ this week, Brónagh Adams and Harriet Campbell of Penningtons Manches Cooper say the regime is a ‘blunt instrument’ requiring only a factual, not causal, link to restricted goods
Fraud claims are surging, with England and Wales increasingly the forum of choice for global disputes. Writing in NLJ this week, Jon Felce of Cooke, Young & Keidan reports claims have risen sharply, with fraud now a major share of litigation and costing billions worldwide
Litigators digesting Mazur are being urged to tighten oversight and compliance. In his latest 'Insider' column for NLJ this week, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School provides a cut out and keep guide to the ruling’s core test: whether an unauthorised individual is ‘in truth acting on behalf of the authorised individual’
Conflicting county court rulings have left landlords uncertain over whether they can force entry after tenants refuse access. In this week's NLJ, Edward Blakeney and Ashpen Rajah of Falcon Chambers outline a split: some judges permit it under CPR 70.2A, others insist only Parliament can authorise such powers
A wave of scandals has reignited debate over misconduct in public office, criticised as unclear and inconsistently applied. Writing in NLJ this week, Alice Lepeuple of WilmerHale says the offence’s ‘vagueness, overbreadth & inconsistent deployment’ have undermined confidence
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