Former Dechert white collar partner Neil Gerrard could potentially face a custodial sentence if found guilty of contempt of court, as the decision on whether legal action can proceed is referred to the Attorney General.

The mining company ENRC, and its legal advisers Hogan Lovells, are arguing that Gerrard lied under oath while being cross-examined during the major ENRC case, which Dechert lost last year.