Member Profile

Jeff Lane leads the Tanner de Witt fraud and asset recovery team. He is Hong Kong’s go-to specialist in the burgeoning area of cyber fraud, and his main activities include litigating and coordinating asset recovery proceedings on behalf of the myriad victims of economic wrongdoing seeking redress through the Hong Kong courts, and developing strategies for the domestic and international search for and recovery of assets. The TDW team regularly advises on all aspects of fraud recovery, including applications for emergency injunctive and disclosure relief, both domestically and in aid of foreign proceedings, liaison with the police and regulatory authorities, business crime defence, offshore disputes, international judicial assistance, the enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, and tracing and recovering the proceeds of fraud.

Jeff has practiced in Hong Kong for more than thirty years and is the sole Hong Kong representative of FraudNet, the international network of specialist fraud practitioners established by the International Chamber of Commerce, which is recognised by Chambers and Partners. FraudNet is an international network of independent lawyers who are the leading civil asset recovery specialists in each country. He is also recognised by Who’s Who Legal 2020 as a Global Elite Thought Leader, who “garners extensive praise as an ‘outstanding lawyer’ from peers around the globe”.

The Fraud and Asset Tracing team at Tanner De Witt Solicitors offers legal solutions in relation to investigations and disputes arising from commercial fraud, asset misappropriation and business or white collar crime. Jeff Lane is the Hong Kong representative of FraudNet, the ICC’s network of fraud specialists.

Our Hong Kong lawyers are regularly involved in complex, high-value commercial disputes. Our practitioners are recognised for their ability to deal with domestic and multi-jurisdictional fraud, asset tracing and recovery exercises. As an independent Hong Kong law firm, we have close relationships with leading practitioners in many other jurisdictions. We are frequently instructed by international law firms and other professional service providers such as major accountancy firms to coordinate and manage recovery teams in Asia as a part of a worldwide recovery.

• Tracing, freezing and recovering stolen or misappropriated assets

• Anton Piller “search and seize” orders

• Mareva “freezing” injunctions

• Third party and disclosure orders

• Forensic investigations relating to corporate or public corruption

• Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR)

Acted for two major international banks involved in an multi-million dollar arbitration involving the fraudulent transfer of funds between a UK-based private equity firm and a well-known hospitality group in China; Acted for Swedish-based listed company in multi million dollar internet identify theft fraud with proceeds laundered in Hong Kong and China; Acted for three private banks in Guernsey, Switzerland and Singapore involved in complex and sophisticated identity theft fraud; Acted for former director of a Hong Kong subsidiary of a building materials and construction company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange alleged to have caused substantial losses through breach of duty via a carousel fraud in Romania.

Instructed by the liquidators of an Irish bank in a multi-jurisdictional tracing and recovery exercise seeking recovery of EUR2.5 billion through proceedings in Ireland, Russia, India, Switzerland, Dubai and Hong Kong; Instructed by Grant MacEwan University in tracing and recovery of CA $11.8 million misappropriated through cyber fraud through action in Hong Kong and Canada; Assisted liquidators of a UK technology company in recovery of £35 million due to HMRC through obtaining injunctions and disclosure orders in aid of overseas proceedings; Acted for business owner involved in a boiler room fraud worth US$4 million.

Grant MacEwan University, liquidators of an Irish bank, a UK technology company, a major Hong Kong-listed telecoms company, a German company internationally operating in the plant and engineering sector, a Swedish-based listed company

Jeff Lane leads the Tanner De Witt fraud and asset tracing practice. He focuses on asset recovery, business crime defence, offshore disputes, international judicial assistance, the enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitration awards, and tracing the proceeds of fraud. Jeff has practised in Hong Kong for 30 years. His main activities are litigating and coordinating asset recovery proceedings on behalf of victims of economic crime, and developing strategies for the international search for and recovery of assets.

Jeff regularly speaks at domestic and international conferences and has written a number of published articles regarding dispute resolution, fraud and asset tracing.

The Law Society of Hong Kong Civil Litigation Committee

ESSAR Claims Committee

FraudNet (sole Hong Kong representative; international network of specialist fraud and leading civil asset recovery specialists established by the International Chamber of Commerce)

ForensIG

Has served as a member of the Civil Justice Reform, Anti-Money Laundering, Civil Litigation and Employment Law committees for the Law Society of Hong Kong.

Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017: Jeff Lane is recommended as ‘a fantastic practitioner, who gives clear and commercial advice on complex issues, and, most importantly, achieves results’; praised for ‘not shying away from the difficult-to-hear facts’; is ‘a true market leader in fraud and asset recovery claims, with tremendous experience and local knowledge’.

Chambers Asia Pacific 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017: Commentators note his good reputation in asset tracing and recovery and consider him to be “a safe pair of hands.” Regularly assists clients with domestic and cross-border financial fraud disputes and asset tracing matters. Interviewees describe him as “a pretty impressive litigator” who “responds to requests very quickly.” Sources acknowledge his established credentials, describing him as a “hardcore and serious litigator.”

Who’s Who Legal: Global Elite Thought Leader 2020 - Asset Recovery

Jeff’s father, who was a police officer, used to bring home tales of adventure and legal battles in the Courts of Glamorgan; and John Houseman, who immortalised the grumpy law school contracts professor in The Paper Chase inspired Jeff to pursue a legal career.