We regularly act on behalf of corporate clients and individuals on matters of financial wrongdoing, fraud, bribery or corruption. We act in the largest and most high-profile cases throughout investigation and litigation.

Government agencies, and victims of financial wrongdoing, often have the option as to whether to pursue opposing parties by issuing criminal or civil proceedings and sometimes they will issue both. Chambers is in the unique position of having experienced practitioners who can recognise their clients’ criminal and civil exposures throughout investigations. Early engagement of counsel is almost always beneficial, as expert advice on risk and corporate structure can restrict or reduce potential financial penalties.

We have been involved in some of the largest HMRC, FCA and SFO investigations to date, including ENRC, Glencore, Unaoil, Petrofac, Rolls-Royce, London Capital & Finance, Barclays, Tesco, GPT Special Project Management, and Alstom.

We undertake a significant amount of work acting for companies and individuals in Account Freezing Order (AFO) and Civil Recovery cases.

Our advisory and advocacy work is not limited to corporate investigations. We also provide numerous advices in relation to corporations requiring POCA Money Laundering advice in respect to potential criminal property within commercial investments. We also advise and assist in developing reasonable prevention policies and procedures for companies, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Failure to Prevent (FTP) (Bribery, Fraud, Tax Evasion etc), and Sanctions.

Representative cases

Close cases

Tianjin Lantian Gerui Investment Company investment fraud and civil recovery – barristers acting for multiple parties: DPP, several groups of victims, the Management Receiver holding the bitcoin and litigation funders

Representing company director in SFO prosecution concerning the operation of the SANGCOM project for the provision of telecommunication equipment and related services to the Saudi Arabian National Guard

Defending in SFO prosecution re allegedly conspired to misstate and inflate Patisserie Holdings PLC’s cash and fixed asset position, concealing a £94m black hole

Numerous ongoing advisory instructions in relation to corporations requiring POCA Money Laundering advice in respect to potential criminal property within commercial investments

Representing corporate caught up in the PPE Government corruption allegations

Advice on criminal liability, directors' liability, potential Regulatory enforcement and commercial strategy regarding a Nation State’s request to ‘kick-back’ a percentage of a contract price under the guise of a ‘commission payment.’

Leading Counsel in the investigation and continuing prosecution (and civil recovery) of individuals (attorneys and former cabinet ministers) on charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering further to a Commission of Inquiry into a number of property developments in the Turks & Caicos Islands

Representing a company in an investigation into corruption arising out of the sale of offshore oil exploration block

Leading the defence for two principal directors of the foreign currency exchange brokerage in £1 billion money laundering investigation

Representing corporates in AFO proceedings

Criminal and civil fraud case with claims exceeding £25m, linked to bribery by waste companies

Acting for 2 companies defrauded of £3m to bring fraudster to court and recover its loss in confiscation proceedings

R v S — National Excise Duty Conspiracy

Defended a businessman charged alongside ten co-defendants in an alleged large-scale national conspiracy to evade excise duty on diesel fuel. The case collapsed following disclosure failings.

Advised a company on challenging HMRC’s decision to cancel its registration under the UK anti-money laundering regime, in a matter involving allegations of CJRS (furlough) fraud and PAYE irregularities.

Assisted King’s Counsel in advising on an investigation into the corporate offence of the failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion.

Representing public official from an African nation, accused of corruptly obtaining vast government contracts in favour of his wife’s company

Advising arms manufacturer in investigation into corrupt payments in connection with the sale of arms to an African state

Defence of a large global city firm in a foreign money laundering prosecution arising from the firm’s role in acting in a corporate control dispute between parties asserting ownership of a series of companies

Successfully represented a multi-national corporate engaged in complex offshore banking arrangements by securing the release of significant funds held in a UK bank account which had been frozen pursuant to the domestic asset freezing/forfeiture legislation

Representing senior executive of chemical manufacturing company in prosecution for corruption of public officials in Indonesia

Advising on the acquisition of a UK company with overseas operations in Central Asia and the Middle East. Corruption had been uncovered and unlawful payments identified

Representing company director in connection with investigation into fraud concerning the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Representing Big Four Bank client in High Court anticipated £50m civil recovery action

Representing a national company accused by the leading motor manufacturers of trading in counterfeit motor parts and accessories. Defeated the potential criminal proceedings, defeated the civil forfeiture proceedings and defeated the other side’s appeal

Advising an NGO on the potential of a private prosecution for bribery or corruption of a global company

Instructed by non-UK Financial Services Commission and local Bank to deliver extensive reports on the Bank’s policies and procedures and adherence to those procedures relating to the handling of particular deposits amounting to the sum of US$500m

R v K — £33m Royal Mail Revenue Fraud

Defended an employee of Royal Mail Revenue Protection Department alleged to have assisted a company to defraud Royal Mail of approximately £33 million and to have attempted to pervert the course of justice. Not guilty verdicts entered.

R v Z — Operation Kadenza / £113m Cyber Fraud

Represented a banker in a major cybercrime investigation into corruption across the banking industry. The client was alleged to have opened 144 fraudulent accounts enabling more than £3 million to be laundered and to have passed sensitive information to those involved in a wider alleged cyber fraud of approximately £113 million.

Involved in multiple tax judicial reviews, including in case strategy and procedure prior to proceedings before the Administrative Court, and an application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.