Niall is a partner in the firms Regulatory Department specialising in White Collar and Serious General Crime Defence, based in London.
Niall leads complex and multi-jurisdictional investigations. He has helped coordinate bribery and corruption cases that span the globe and act for corporates and individuals alike. Alongside this, he has brought judicial reviews against enforcement agencies and has also successfully challenged search warrants obtained by them.
Niall usually represents those accused in investigations and proceedings brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), National Crime Agency (NCA), HMRC and City of London Police including regional Fraud and Economic Crime investigators.
Niall's reputation in this field has led him to represent senior business figures, high net worth individuals and CEO’s of multinational companies. He also represents high net worth individuals in investigations and cases that involve reputational issues in relation to general and serious crime allegations.
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Adept at handling high-value fraud, conspiracy allegations and complex proceeds of crime and money laundering matters
Legal 500, 2026 -
Niall Hearty is the name to note for global bribery and corruption investigations
Legal 500, 2025 -
His client care is second to none. His integrity and understanding of the environment of white-collar crime is impressive
Legal 500 -
An excellent lawyer with real skill.
Legal 500 -
Niall Hearty – rock solid performer – great with clients and a real hard worker.
Legal 500 -
Another outstanding lawyer who clients love. A solutions man not a problems man
Legal 500
Experience and notable cases:
Operation Reynaso - Representing an Oil Company founder and CEO accused of bribery in the first prosecution brought by the NCA’s International Corruption Unit. The co-defendant was the ex-petroleum Minister of Nigeria so the case gained considerable press reporting. Acquitted of all charges after a five month Trial.
Representing the son of a HNW individual in allegations of Money Laundering under investigation by a regional Economic Crime Unit. Connected to an Organised Crime Group (OCG) involving high end boutique watch dealerships – Released Under Investigation (RUI).
Acted for a HNW Dubai Businessman & CEO. Successful Reputation Management across financial institutions such as Moody’s and broad sheet US press amongst others.
Represented a Corporate Entity in Account Freezing Order proceedings -£3.4m AFO successfully negotiated between parties.
Acted for two Company Directors in Trial for Theft & Fraud connected to a £3.59m Freehold Land belonging to a Charitable Organisation.
Advisory work with a South African Test Pilot Aviation Company on working in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) with ex British Air Force and Navy pilots training Chinese Military Personnel in Test Aircraft. Advice on potential liability/exposure under the then new National Security Act 2023.
World Wide Shoes (WWS) – Assisted in bringing a Private Prosecution on behalf of the fashion designer daughter of a NYC dynasty family to successfully prosecute her ex UK CEO for Fraud.
Operation Project Trees – Represented a retired CEO (Amec Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd) under investigation by the SFO for alleged bribery & corruption offences in the Oil & Gas sector in five separate jurisdictions including post war Iraq. No further action (NFA).
Operation Booker - Advising investors caught up in a large fraud and money laundering investigation into the operations of a financial company in Mayfair. Allegations of Fraud and Money Laundering.
Operation Quest / Wrath – Represented a HNW individual under investigation by the SFO in its large long running investigation into Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC). Representation included regular common interest privilege discussions with foreign lawyers in Geneva and Malta. No Further Action (NFA).
R (Football Association Premier League) v MG - Represented the Director of a Company who was prosecuted by the Premier League for an offence of Conspiracy to Defraud. This was a nationwide case with multiple co-defendants.
R (Supreme DBA Corp) v IBF International - Represented a Corporate entity and its Director in a private prosecution brought by a boutique American clothing Company. Allegation of Conspiracy to Defraud, Fraud & False Use of Trademarks.