A former Dechert lawyer decided to “throw his client under the bus” to protect his relationship with the Serious Fraud Office once it became clear fees from the client were about to dry up, a court was told.

Neil Gerrard — a former partner of law firm Dechert who was also previously a policeman — turned on his client, Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation, once it became evident that their relationship was fraying, a barrister for ENRC told London’s Commercial Court on 25 May.