Ashley MESSICK

Ashley leads the London disputes and sovereign debt advisory teams at JS Held. Ashley is an acknowledged expert in asset recovery and global investigations with a particular focus on investor-state disputes and sovereign recovery.

Over the past 10 years she has worked with leading law firms, corporate counsel and award holders on complex, multi-jurisdictional enforcement matters including those in excess of £2B and has led a number of high-profile investigations involving debtors originating from Africa, Latin America, Europe and Central Asia.

Ashley is regularly engaged to provide evidence in support of enforcement measures as well as critical intelligence to support their timely application. Her work has been instrumental in successfully arguing alter ego and overcoming sovereign immunity hurdles; evidencing ownership and control of a variety of state assets including successful seizure of financial instruments, bank accounts, aircraft and vessels, companies, receivables, and oil cargos; and developing both lobbying and communications strategies to amplify enforcement measures.

In addition, she regularly supports those investing in sovereign debt through pre-investment due diligence on recoverability as well as identifying and brokering award purchases.