Penelope Small
Call
Call
1992
Expertise
POCA & Asset Recovery
Corporate Crime
Criminal Fraud
A senior junior counsel with decades of experience in cases related to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, financial wrongdoing, money laundering and asset forfeiture.
Instructed by all the leading prosecuting authorities in the UK in addition to advising and/or representing Claimants, Defendants, and Third Parties [Both Corporates and Individuals] in restraint, trials [including criminal] and/or hearings related to the protection and/or realisation of assets and/or proprietary interests; including in a criminal context both before and after conviction.
Specialist in account/cash seizure and/or forfeiture proceedings; restraint and receivership hearings, confiscation hearings, third party intervention in matrimonial proceedings, Disclosure Orders, Warrants and the SAR regime. Regularly instructed in mutual legal assistance matters and in cases where assets are located outside the UK jurisdiction.
Regularly advises Corporates and LLP Solicitor firms who find themselves caught up in civil or criminal investigations. Has an additional expertise navigating proceedings involving marital and or co-habiting partners whose assets are intertwined with an alleged wrongdoer. Was instructed in one of the earliest Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 restraint proceedings involving digital assets [Bitcoin].
Ms Small is a contributing editor of Confiscation and the Proceeds of Crime (Sweet and Maxwell 3rd Edition). Ms Small is a regular lecturer who has recently delivered training on Money Laundering/Confiscation and Extradition proceedings to law officers and stakeholders in the Virgin Islands.
Other Language(s)
Other Language(s)
"Penelope Small is the complete package - she has the knowledge and acumen. She really cuts through and gets the result for the client."
"She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related."
"Penelope Small is really ahead of the game in asset forfeiture. She's a great tactician who is fantastic to work with."
"Tenacious, formidable and someone who displays tremendous attention to detail. She is very fluent when in front of the Court of Appeal - her advocacy is incredible."
"Penelope is an absolute star and the font of all knowledge when it comes to POCA work. She very quickly understands the key issues and presents all angles to clients in a clear, unambiguous and commercially sensitive way."
"Straight-talking, thoughtful, diligent: a dependable team player and an absolute pleasure to deal with."
"She is a truly dynamic barrister. She quickly gets to the nub of the issue and always seeks a pragmatic and commercially sound resolution. She has a no-nonsense approach. Her written submissions are exceptional. She is the queen of POCA."
"Outstanding, particularly in terms of her written work, she goes into tremendous detail and leaves no stone unturned."
"Penny Small is very efficient. She provides thorough and useful advice and is very knowledgeable."
"Penelope Small is the complete package - she has the knowledge and acumen. She really cuts through and gets the result for the client."
"She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related."
"Penelope Small is really ahead of the game in asset forfeiture. She's a great tactician who is fantastic to work with."
"Tenacious, formidable and someone who displays tremendous attention to detail. She is very fluent when in front of the Court of Appeal - her advocacy is incredible."
"Penelope is an absolute star and the font of all knowledge when it comes to POCA work. She very quickly understands the key issues and presents all angles to clients in a clear, unambiguous and commercially sensitive way."
"Straight-talking, thoughtful, diligent: a dependable team player and an absolute pleasure to deal with."
"She is a truly dynamic barrister. She quickly gets to the nub of the issue and always seeks a pragmatic and commercially sound resolution. She has a no-nonsense approach. Her written submissions are exceptional. She is the queen of POCA."
"Outstanding, particularly in terms of her written work, she goes into tremendous detail and leaves no stone unturned."
"Penny Small is very efficient. She provides thorough and useful advice and is very knowledgeable."
"Penelope Small is the complete package - she has the knowledge and acumen. She really cuts through and gets the result for the client."
"She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related."
"Penelope Small is really ahead of the game in asset forfeiture. She's a great tactician who is fantastic to work with."
"Tenacious, formidable and someone who displays tremendous attention to detail. She is very fluent when in front of the Court of Appeal - her advocacy is incredible."
"Penelope is an absolute star and the font of all knowledge when it comes to POCA work. She very quickly understands the key issues and presents all angles to clients in a clear, unambiguous and commercially sensitive way."
"Straight-talking, thoughtful, diligent: a dependable team player and an absolute pleasure to deal with."
"She is a truly dynamic barrister. She quickly gets to the nub of the issue and always seeks a pragmatic and commercially sound resolution. She has a no-nonsense approach. Her written submissions are exceptional. She is the queen of POCA."
"Outstanding, particularly in terms of her written work, she goes into tremendous detail and leaves no stone unturned."
"Penny Small is very efficient. She provides thorough and useful advice and is very knowledgeable."
Penelope Small : Experience & Expertise
Penelope’s substantial experience in matters relating to Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, financial wrongdoing, money laundering and asset forfeiture.
View Cases
View Quotes
Metropolitan Police v X [2023]
Instructed by the Respondent in Account Freezing Order proceedings brought in respect of 7 figure sums funds derived from crypto currency trading in a offshore territory then converted to fiat currency and moved to the UK.
R v A [2023]
Advised wife of convicted defendant facing protracted enforcement proceedings brought by a private prosecutor. Identified that the Prosecutor had failed at first instance to recognise a priority charge over a matrimonial asset.
Metropolitan Police v X Ltd [2022]
Representing Corporate and Director of Company in ongoing Civil/Criminal investigation arising from the sale of equipment allegedly required for Cannabis Cultivation.
Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse [2023]
Instructed by professional client representing one of the parties to provide urgent oral and written advice on preservation, dissipation, ownership and disposal of assets by the UK state both before and after final POCA orders.
R v ML [2022] Court of Appeal
Representing the NCA in the first appeal to flow from a contempt conviction for making false statements in PCA 2002 restraint proceedings.
Re L [2021]
Advised General Counsel of leading international law firm on SAR regime interaction with entities listed on sanctions list.
"She’s an absolute joy to work with. She knows POCA inside out. She always provides very practical advice; it’s always a way to navigate through very complex proceedings. There’s a confidence in her advocacy. She turns work around very quickly and her submissions are first class."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"Her drafting is clear, robust and unambiguous as is her advice to clients."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"Penelope is a tenacious advocate who fights her client’s corner well. Her written work is concise and well thought through - she presents all the relevant issues admirably."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"Penelope Small is really ahead of the game in asset forfeiture. She’s a great tactician who is fantastic to work with."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"Her drafting is clear, robust and unambiguous as is her advice to clients."
Legal 500, 2025
Penelope Small : Experience & Expertise
Penelope’s substantial experience in matters relating to Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, financial wrongdoing, money laundering and asset forfeiture.
View Cases
Quotes
Metropolitan Police v X [2023]
Instructed by the Respondent in Account Freezing Order proceedings brought in respect of 7 figure sums funds derived from crypto currency trading in a offshore territory then converted to fiat currency and moved to the UK.
Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse [2023]
Instructed by professional client representing one of the parties to provide urgent oral and written advice on preservation, dissipation, ownership and disposal of assets by the UK state both before and after final POCA orders.
R v A [2023]
Advised wife of convicted defendant facing protracted enforcement proceedings brought by a private prosecutor. Identified that the Prosecutor had failed at first instance to recognise a priority charge over a matrimonial asset.
R v ML [2022] Court of Appeal
Representing the NCA in the first appeal to flow from a contempt conviction for making false statements in PCA 2002 restraint proceedings.
Metropolitan Police v X Ltd [2022]
Representing Corporate and Director of Company in ongoing Civil/Criminal investigation arising from the sale of equipment allegedly required for Cannabis Cultivation.
Re L [2021]
Advised General Counsel of leading international law firm on SAR regime interaction with entities listed on sanctions list.
"She’s an absolute joy to work with. She knows POCA inside out. She always provides very practical advice; it’s always a way to navigate through very complex proceedings. There’s a confidence in her advocacy. She turns work around very quickly and her submissions are first class."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"Her drafting is clear, robust and unambiguous as is her advice to clients."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"Penelope is a tenacious advocate who fights her client’s corner well. Her written work is concise and well thought through - she presents all the relevant issues admirably."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"Penelope Small is really ahead of the game in asset forfeiture. She’s a great tactician who is fantastic to work with."
Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1
"Her drafting is clear, robust and unambiguous as is her advice to clients."
Legal 500, 2025
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
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