Martin Evans
KC
Call
Call
1989
Silk
Silk
2017
Expertise
POCA & Asset Recovery
Private Prosecutions
Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets
Criminal Fraud
International Arbitration
Martin’s practice involves all aspects of the law relating to asset recovery, money laundering and confiscation, with cases straddling criminal and civil jurisdictions, Martin acts for clients in the Crown Court, the High Court as well as the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He is frequently instructed in cases involving the freezing and recovery of crypto assets.
Martin is acknowledged as one of the leading practitioners in the field of Criminal Fraud; he defends, prosecutes and represents third parties (including companies) in serious fraud and corruption cases.
He has a strong appellate practice and is frequently instructed in cases where he did not appear in the lower court including two appeals in the Supreme Court including Haden & ors [2024] 1 WLR 4777. [2024] 1 WLR 4777. [2024] 1 WLR 4777.
Martin was also instructed by the CPS in four joined appeals involving ten defendants including two appeals to the Supreme Court both of which are landmark cases of CPS v Aquila Advisory Ltd (for the Respondent) and in Andrewes for the Appellant (the CPS).
Ranked as a leading silk by Chambers & Partners and star individuals in Legal 500 for POCA work
“Outstanding Intellect”
Martin has been a contributing editor of ‘Archbold’ since 2006 and has responsibility for the chapters on confiscation and money laundering offences. He is co-author of ‘Corporate Criminal Liability’ (described as “scholarly and comprehensive” by Lord Hoffmann), the fourth edition of which was published in April 2021.
He also regularly lectures on asset recovery and related topics both in the UK and abroad and has recently delivered money laundering advocacy training for prosecutors in Malta and Estonia.
“Exceptional Advocate”
“First class strategist and tactician”
"Accessible and responsive”
“Eloquent, Brave and Effective”
“A go to barrister for Supreme Court POCA work. Outstanding advocacy - highly persuasive with silky elegance and charm.”
“Martin is exceptional. A joy to work with, he has sound judgement and offers real expertise in POCA matters.”
“Very skilful and a pleasure to work with, he gives clear, categorical advice.”
“He is clearly respected by judges and other practitioners in the field.”
“Few know more about this area. A real leader in the field. Delivers particularly high-quality written work. He is well-respected by all, including the judiciary and opponents. At home before any tribunal - civil or criminal. A good communicator and very responsive. A real team player who is willing to put himself out to deliver for those instructing him.”
“Stands out amongst his peers for top-tier handling of fraud and corruption cases relating to money laundering and SFO investigations.”
Other Language(s)
Other Language(s)
"Martin has as encyclopedic knowledge of proceeds of crime law and practice, across both civil and criminal jurisdictions and an ability to weave the most complex of cases interlaced with novel points of law into compelling legal arguments with an ease and a delivery style which sits well with the judiciary."
"Martin Evans is excellent at handling the most complex and highest-value POCA matters."
"Very skilful and a pleasure to work with, he gives clear, categorical advice."
"Martin Evans is a real POCA specialist. He knows everything about the area."
“Evans is absolutely phenomenal.”
“He understands how the authorities work and how they're going to react to issues.”
“Few know more about this area. A real leader in the field. Delivers particularly high-quality written work. He is well-respected by all, including the judiciary and opponents. At home before any tribunal - civil or criminal. A good communicator and very responsive. A real team player who is willing to put himself out to deliver for those instructing him”.
“Clever, engaged, personable and very knowledgeable, he's a pleasure to work with.” “Very personable and able to give clear, practical advice in short order. Very responsive.“
"Clever and analytical but also charming and funny."
“Martin is considered a leading thinker on corporate crime and a ‘go to’ for money laundering cases”
"Martin has as encyclopedic knowledge of proceeds of crime law and practice, across both civil and criminal jurisdictions and an ability to weave the most complex of cases interlaced with novel points of law into compelling legal arguments with an ease and a delivery style which sits well with the judiciary."
"Martin Evans is excellent at handling the most complex and highest-value POCA matters."
"Very skilful and a pleasure to work with, he gives clear, categorical advice."
"Martin Evans is a real POCA specialist. He knows everything about the area."
“Evans is absolutely phenomenal.”
“He understands how the authorities work and how they're going to react to issues.”
“Few know more about this area. A real leader in the field. Delivers particularly high-quality written work. He is well-respected by all, including the judiciary and opponents. At home before any tribunal - civil or criminal. A good communicator and very responsive. A real team player who is willing to put himself out to deliver for those instructing him”.
“Clever, engaged, personable and very knowledgeable, he's a pleasure to work with.” “Very personable and able to give clear, practical advice in short order. Very responsive.“
"Clever and analytical but also charming and funny."
“Martin is considered a leading thinker on corporate crime and a ‘go to’ for money laundering cases”
"Martin has as encyclopedic knowledge of proceeds of crime law and practice, across both civil and criminal jurisdictions and an ability to weave the most complex of cases interlaced with novel points of law into compelling legal arguments with an ease and a delivery style which sits well with the judiciary."
"Martin Evans is excellent at handling the most complex and highest-value POCA matters."
"Very skilful and a pleasure to work with, he gives clear, categorical advice."
"Martin Evans is a real POCA specialist. He knows everything about the area."
“Evans is absolutely phenomenal.”
“He understands how the authorities work and how they're going to react to issues.”
“Few know more about this area. A real leader in the field. Delivers particularly high-quality written work. He is well-respected by all, including the judiciary and opponents. At home before any tribunal - civil or criminal. A good communicator and very responsive. A real team player who is willing to put himself out to deliver for those instructing him”.
“Clever, engaged, personable and very knowledgeable, he's a pleasure to work with.” “Very personable and able to give clear, practical advice in short order. Very responsive.“
"Clever and analytical but also charming and funny."
“Martin is considered a leading thinker on corporate crime and a ‘go to’ for money laundering cases”
Martin Evans : Experience & Expertise
Martin’s practice involves all aspects of law relating to asset recovery, money laundering and confiscation.
Martin is regularly instructed in civil proceedings under Part 5 of POCA including account freezing and forfeiture and civil recovery claims.
He is experienced in handling the most complex restraint, receivership, forfeiture and civil recovery proceedings and has been involved in some of leading cases before the CoA and Supreme Court.
He regularly lectures on POCA related topics both in the UK and abroad. He has been a contributing editor of ‘Archbold’ for many years with responsibility for the chapters on confiscation and money laundering.
View Cases
Director of Public Prosecutions v Surin [2025] EWHC 10 (KB)
Acting for DPP where summary judgment was granted on a claim for a civil recovery order in respect of Bitcoin held in an overseas crypto exchange by a UK national living in Dubai.
R v Haden & others
Instructed in ten conjoined appeals by CPS against refusals to extend postponement beyond the two-year permitted by s.14, PoCA.
CPS v Aquila Advisory Ltd
Acted for company resisting enforcement of confiscation orders made following convictions of two directors for cheating the revenue where they had made secret profits in breach of fiduciary duty.
R v Wood (Niki) [2023] 1 WLR 156
Application for reconsideration of available amount under section 22 of PoCA 2002.
Chief Constable of Merseyside v Bennett [2023] 1 Cr App R 10
Forfeiture of seized cash below statutory minimum.
R (River East Supplies Ltd) v Crown Court at Nottingham [2017]
Privilege against self-incrimination and independent material.
R (Rahman) v Local Government Election Court [2017]
Election Court and ECHR art.6(2).
Barnes v Eastenders [2015] UKSC 26
Receiver remuneration and unjust enrichment.
Ahmet v Tatum [2024] EWCA Civ 255; [2024] 1 W.L.R. 3630
Proceedings begun in the High Court Chancery Division by a third party claiming a beneficial interest in a property subject to a confiscation order were struck out as abuse of process.
DPP v Qian and Wen
Acting in a civil recovery claim in respect of a Bitcoin and other crypto assets alleged to be the proceeds of a huge ‘Ponzi’ fraud committed in China.
Wieromiejzyk v DPP [2024] EWCA Crim 1486; [2025] 1 W.L.R. 1111
Instructed in an appeal against the grant of a restraint order over Bitcoin which considered for the first time the provisions of art.656(5) and art.689(2) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Treaty Series No.8) 2021. The Court of Appeal gave guidance on the required approach with regard to external requests for provisional measures from Member States of the European Union.
Ahmet v Tatum
Instructed in an appeal considering whether civil proceedings in respect of property subject to a criminal restraint order were an abuse of the process.
Gopee v Southwark Crown Court [2023] EWCA Civ 881
Dismissing G’s appeal against a decision to make a general civil restraint order [GCRO] and the refusal to set it aside.
R v Briedis [2023] 1 Cr App R 18
Disclosure orders under s.357, PoCA 2002; alternative means of service under CPR r.9.6.
NCA v Petrosaudi Oil Services (Venezuela) Ltd [2022] EWHC 920 (Admin)
Prohibition order in respect of funds held in escrow following US mutual assistance request.
R v Harvey [2017] AC 105
VAT and proportionality in confiscation orders.
A v DPP [2017] 1 WLR 713
Overseas restraint order challenge.
R v Shabir [2008] EWCA Crim 1809
Confiscation order quashed as oppressive and abuse of process.
R. v Haden (Mark) [2024] EWCA Crim 344; [2024] 1 W.L.R. 4777
Consolidated confiscation appeals re exceptional circumstances to extend confiscation proceedings.
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Private Prosecutions
Martin has considerable experience of private prosecution work in respect of allegations of fraud and money laundering.
View Cases
R v W(G) [2018] 4 WLR 129
Rule of speciality in extradition context.
PDVSA Servicios SA v Clyde & Co LLP [2020] EWHC 2322 (Ch)
Joinder application concerning prohibition order under Part 4A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005.
R (on the application of A, B & C) v Southwark Crown Court [2019] EWHC 3742
Challenge to notices under s357 of POCA dismissed.
R v Reynolds (Nicholas) [2020] 1 Cr App R 20
Guidance on summing-up in long and complex trial.
Martin is frequently instructed in cases involving the freezing and recovery of crypto assets.
View Cases
Director of Public Prosecutions v Surin [2025] EWHC 10 (KB)
Acting for DPP where summary judgment was granted on a claim for a civil recovery order in respect of Bitcoin held in an overseas crypto exchange by a UK national living in Dubai.
DPP v Qian and Wen
Acting in a civil recovery claim in respect of a Bitcoin and other crypto assets alleged to be the proceeds of a huge ‘Ponzi’ fraud committed in China.
Wieromiejzyk v DPP [2024] EWCA Crim 1486; [2025] 1 W.L.R. 1111
Instructed in an appeal against the grant of a restraint order over Bitcoin which considered for the first time the provisions of art.656(5) and art.689(2) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Treaty Series No.8) 2021. The Court of Appeal gave guidance on the required approach with regard to external requests for provisional measures from Member States of the European Union.
Currently acting in a number of sensitive investigations including Covid related fraud and billion pound illegal gambling.
Previous notable cases include: Operation Weeting (News of the World phone hacking); cash for honours; the Berlusconi investigation; the Madoff investigation; recovery by the Egyptian government of Mubarak looted funds; and corruption investigation into former Law Society president.
View Cases
R v W(G) [2018] 4 WLR 129
Rule of speciality in extradition context.
Crown Prosecution Service v Aquila Advisory Ltd (SC)
Company’s proprietary claim against directors in priority over CPS confiscation order against the directors
Andrewes (SC)
Proportionality in requiring a defendant to pay the recoverable amount in confiscation proceedings.
R (on the application of A, B & C) v Southwark Crown Court [2019] EWHC 3742
Challenge to notices under s357 of POCA dismissed.
Martin Evans : Experience & Expertise
Martin’s practice involves all aspects of law relating to asset recovery, money laundering and confiscation.
Martin is regularly instructed in civil proceedings under Part 5 of POCA including account freezing and forfeiture and civil recovery claims.
He is experienced in handling the most complex restraint, receivership, forfeiture and civil recovery proceedings and has been involved in some of leading cases before the CoA and Supreme Court.
He regularly lectures on POCA related topics both in the UK and abroad. He has been a contributing editor of ‘Archbold’ for many years with responsibility for the chapters on confiscation and money laundering.
View Cases
Director of Public Prosecutions v Surin [2025] EWHC 10 (KB)
Acting for DPP where summary judgment was granted on a claim for a civil recovery order in respect of Bitcoin held in an overseas crypto exchange by a UK national living in Dubai.
Wieromiejzyk v DPP [2024] EWCA Crim 1486; [2025] 1 W.L.R. 1111
Instructed in an appeal against the grant of a restraint order over Bitcoin which considered for the first time the provisions of art.656(5) and art.689(2) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Treaty Series No.8) 2021. The Court of Appeal gave guidance on the required approach with regard to external requests for provisional measures from Member States of the European Union.
R v Haden & others
Instructed in ten conjoined appeals by CPS against refusals to extend postponement beyond the two-year permitted by s.14, PoCA.
Ahmet v Tatum
Instructed in an appeal considering whether civil proceedings in respect of property subject to a criminal restraint order were an abuse of the process.
CPS v Aquila Advisory Ltd
Acted for company resisting enforcement of confiscation orders made following convictions of two directors for cheating the revenue where they had made secret profits in breach of fiduciary duty.
Gopee v Southwark Crown Court [2023] EWCA Civ 881
Dismissing G’s appeal against a decision to make a general civil restraint order [GCRO] and the refusal to set it aside.
R v Wood (Niki) [2023] 1 WLR 156
Application for reconsideration of available amount under section 22 of PoCA 2002.
R v Briedis [2023] 1 Cr App R 18
Disclosure orders under s.357, PoCA 2002; alternative means of service under CPR r.9.6.
Chief Constable of Merseyside v Bennett [2023] 1 Cr App R 10
Forfeiture of seized cash below statutory minimum.
NCA v Petrosaudi Oil Services (Venezuela) Ltd [2022] EWHC 920 (Admin)
Prohibition order in respect of funds held in escrow following US mutual assistance request.
R (River East Supplies Ltd) v Crown Court at Nottingham [2017]
Privilege against self-incrimination and independent material.
R v Harvey [2017] AC 105
VAT and proportionality in confiscation orders.
R (Rahman) v Local Government Election Court [2017]
Election Court and ECHR art.6(2).
A v DPP [2017] 1 WLR 713
Overseas restraint order challenge.
Barnes v Eastenders [2015] UKSC 26
Receiver remuneration and unjust enrichment.
R v Shabir [2008] EWCA Crim 1809
Confiscation order quashed as oppressive and abuse of process.
Ahmet v Tatum [2024] EWCA Civ 255; [2024] 1 W.L.R. 3630
Proceedings begun in the High Court Chancery Division by a third party claiming a beneficial interest in a property subject to a confiscation order were struck out as abuse of process.
R. v Haden (Mark) [2024] EWCA Crim 344; [2024] 1 W.L.R. 4777
Consolidated confiscation appeals re exceptional circumstances to extend confiscation proceedings.
DPP v Qian and Wen
Acting in a civil recovery claim in respect of a Bitcoin and other crypto assets alleged to be the proceeds of a huge ‘Ponzi’ fraud committed in China.
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Private Prosecutions
Martin has considerable experience of private prosecution work in respect of allegations of fraud and money laundering.
View Cases
R v W(G) [2018] 4 WLR 129
Rule of speciality in extradition context.
R (on the application of A, B & C) v Southwark Crown Court [2019] EWHC 3742
Challenge to notices under s357 of POCA dismissed.
PDVSA Servicios SA v Clyde & Co LLP [2020] EWHC 2322 (Ch)
Joinder application concerning prohibition order under Part 4A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External Requests and Orders) Order 2005.
R v Reynolds (Nicholas) [2020] 1 Cr App R 20
Guidance on summing-up in long and complex trial.
Martin is frequently instructed in cases involving the freezing and recovery of crypto assets.
View Cases
Director of Public Prosecutions v Surin [2025] EWHC 10 (KB)
Acting for DPP where summary judgment was granted on a claim for a civil recovery order in respect of Bitcoin held in an overseas crypto exchange by a UK national living in Dubai.
Wieromiejzyk v DPP [2024] EWCA Crim 1486; [2025] 1 W.L.R. 1111
Instructed in an appeal against the grant of a restraint order over Bitcoin which considered for the first time the provisions of art.656(5) and art.689(2) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Treaty Series No.8) 2021. The Court of Appeal gave guidance on the required approach with regard to external requests for provisional measures from Member States of the European Union.
DPP v Qian and Wen
Acting in a civil recovery claim in respect of a Bitcoin and other crypto assets alleged to be the proceeds of a huge ‘Ponzi’ fraud committed in China.
Currently acting in a number of sensitive investigations including Covid related fraud and billion pound illegal gambling.
Previous notable cases include: Operation Weeting (News of the World phone hacking); cash for honours; the Berlusconi investigation; the Madoff investigation; recovery by the Egyptian government of Mubarak looted funds; and corruption investigation into former Law Society president.
View Cases
R v W(G) [2018] 4 WLR 129
Rule of speciality in extradition context.
Andrewes (SC)
Proportionality in requiring a defendant to pay the recoverable amount in confiscation proceedings.
Crown Prosecution Service v Aquila Advisory Ltd (SC)
Company’s proprietary claim against directors in priority over CPS confiscation order against the directors
R (on the application of A, B & C) v Southwark Crown Court [2019] EWHC 3742
Challenge to notices under s357 of POCA dismissed.
News from this Barrister
News from this Barrister
News from this Barrister
The Worlds Largest Seizure of cryptocurrency
Corporate Crime
£90.5m Confiscation Order in case of R v P— one of the largest in UK History
POCA & Asset Recovery
Martin Evans KC successful in Civil Recovery.
Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets
Devon and Cornwall Police V Andrew Tate & Tristan Tate
POCA & Asset Recovery
Articles from This Barrister
Articles from This Barrister
Is crypto property? A simple question with a complex answer.
Is crypto property? A simple question with a complex answer.
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
People / Barristers
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For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
People / Barristers
Address
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
People / Barristers
Address