City of London Police is expecting further talks with law firms keen to be involved in an innovative scheme that will partially outsource the recovery of criminal assets.

As the Gazette reported earlier this week, solicitors will be tasked with recouping the assets using civil litigation – raising the prospect of a panel of firms pursuing cases on a no win, no fee basis or through third-party funders.

So far the law firm representatives on the working group are limited to Mishcon de Reya and prosecution boutique Edmonds Marshall McMahon (EMM), together with investigators Kroll, a spokesman said.

However, a number of other firms have expressed interest in joining the embryonic panel, including Pinsent Masons, and Liverpool disputes and corporate recovery specialist Cassell Moore.

Other firms may be invited, the spokesman said, though the panel’s size and criteria for appointment have not been finalised.

On the enforcement side, the working group includes representatives from the National Crime Agency, CPS, Serious Fraud Office and the Metropolitan Police.