World-renowned experts in financial fraud recovery
Meet the visionaries leading the fight against financial fraud
Senior Partner| Property
Ballaster serves as Senior Partner and is a specialist in secured lending for both lenders and borrowers within the Carter Vanguard Apex Legal commercial property team. His team supports lenders by ensuring robust protection for their loans — offering advice on the appropriate forms of security, establishing efficient reporting systems between lawyers and lenders, preparing documentation, conducting title examinations, raising relevant enquiries, and carrying out the necessary searches. Rufus also brings extensive experience in advising borrowers, helping them understand the risks involved in each transaction and negotiating the most favorable terms possible. When appropriate, and after carefully considering the professional rules on conflicts of interest, Rufus is able to act for both the lender and the borrower within the same transaction. His strong technical legal expertise and exceptional analytical skills make him an invaluable asset in both transactional matters and as Vanguard Apex Legal’s resident spreadsheet enthusiast.
Partner | Company/Commercial
Is a Partner in our Corporate & Commercial team. His corporate work focuses on the acquisition and sale of primarily owner-managed SMEs, along with providing related advice on contractual and banking documentation. In his employment practice, Andrew handles all aspects of both contentious and non-contentious matters for employers and employees alike. Additionally, his charity practice is centered on compliance and amalgamation issues, where he provides strategic guidance to ensure smooth and compliant operations..
Solicitor | Commercial Dispute Resolution | Litigation
In September 2025, Julian qualified as a Solicitor and joined the Litigation department. Before relocating to London to complete the PGDL and LPC at BPP Law School, he studied at the University of Cape Town, where he earned First Class Honours in Philosophy and received a Distinction in Studies in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Julian advises clients across a broad range of contentious matters, including contract, tort, and shareholder disputes, as well as insolvency proceedings and the enforcement of judgment debts. He also brings significant experience in secured lending, which he applies to assist lender clients with enforcement actions against defaulting borrowers. Beyond his professional work, Julian is an active powerlifting competitor, coaches at a rowing club in West London, and enjoys painting and exploring London’s museums and galleries in his free time.
Paralegal/Team Assistant | Civil Litigation
Emily is a dedicated paralegal and team assistant with a strong focus on litigation. Holding a first-class LLB in Law and planning to begin her SQE LLM soon, she has quickly distinguished herself since joining VAL in October 2022. Originally from Llanelli, Wales, where she gained experience as a legal secretary, Emily later moved to London to advance her career in civil litigation. She now provides support across a diverse range of litigation matters, including commercial and property disputes, international arbitration, and family law. Emily works closely with experienced litigators and assists in managing complex cases for our South African clients.
Consultant | Litigation
Is a consultant solicitor in the litigation team and has specialised in professional negligence claims for over 20 years. He trained at Trowers & Hamlins, qualifying in 1992. His recent successful cases include over 30 professional negligence claims arising out of an elaborate mortgage fraud, recovering over £5million on behalf of borrower/purchaser clients who have been defrauded into buying substantially overvalued “buy to let” properties. He has also acted for a group of investors who had purchased properties ‘off plan’ in the Philippines that were either not built or were sold twice. In this case the investors brought successful claims against the negligent solicitors who failed to ensure that the purchase contracts were backed with the promised performance bonds that should have protected the buyers from default by the developer. He has also acted in various other professional negligence matters, relating to solicitors, barristers, valuers/surveyors, accountants, financial advisors, banks and insurance brokers. Graham takes pride in providing clear, concise and practical advice and is regularly contacted to offer expert comment on media reports relating to professional negligence and property. He is on the register maintained by the London Solicitors Litigation Association of solicitors with experience of supervising and executing civil search orders.
Trainee Solicitor | Litigation
Lucie completed her LLB Law degree at the University of Reading and has recently finished her part-time LPC at the University of Law. She is a Trainee Solicitor in the Litigation department. Before joining VAL, Lucie gained experience in a client facing role which dealt with investment banking and private equity roles. She joined VAL in October 2023. Outside of work, Lucie really enjoys running and has taken part in a number of races including the London Marathon in support of charity. She also loves singing and discovering new cafes and restaurants.
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