Financial Crime

Jonathan Laidlaw KC is a top barrister with a wide-ranging practice in financial crime. Having served as First Senior Treasury Counsel at the Old Bailey, he has in recent years been involved in major Serious Fraud Office investigations into alleged corruption and market manipulation offences. He is highly rated for his defence of directors and companies facing fraud charges, and is noted for his adept handling of cases involving private prosecutions.

"Jonathan is very firm and smooth, scrupulously fair, and very effective."

"Jonathan is a go-to barrister for complex financial crime cases. He has unparalleled expertise, marked out by a commanding presence in court along with practical wisdom and assurance to clients."

"Jonathan is an exceptional advocate. He has exceptional cross-examination skills and builds a case well."

Brendan Kelly KC is a very measured advocate who commands considerable respect. He is a popular choice for individuals facing charges of fraud, money laundering and bribery, and is particularly noted for his ability in substantial, long-running cases.

"Juries absolutely love him. He has a very sonorous voice, a very nice personality and is probably one of the best speakers at the bar."

"Brendan is a phenomenal advocate. He is eloquent and judges really like him."

Christopher Coltart KC is the head of the set's business crime and financial services practice group. He is able to call upon valuable prior experience as a corporate solicitor when handling his cases, and is particularly specialised in cases with crossover civil or regulatory aspects. Coltart is adept at dealing with matters with multi-jurisdictional considerations.

"Christopher Coltart KC is exactly the type of highly technical and forward-thinking counsel you want on your side."

"His written work is superlative ‒ he writes beautifully and has a very gentle persuasive style. Focused and sophisticated, he inspires confidence in a calm and analytical way."

"Christopher is technically brilliant and a great advocate."

Christopher Foulkes is a experienced junior who is regularly called upon to prosecute and defend high-level fraud and financial crime, including cases with an international element. His record includes work on corruption, accounting fraud and money laundering matters. He is esteemed for his experience in cases brought by the Serious Fraud Office and HMRC.

"Chris understands really complex accountancy issues and he has a very nice manner with the clients."

Gavin Irwin is esteemed for his work in fraud, bribery and corruption cases, and has handled a number of money laundering cases, as well as trading standards and tax fraud matters.

"Gavin brings great legal skills combined with a practical ability to see through the weeds and make clear decisions in very complex and difficult cases."

"He is very articulate and skilled, with great attention to detail."

"Gavin is a great black letter law lawyer who is very good for complex and detailed cases that require breaking down into a summary for the jury so they can understand."

Jonathan Kinnear KC's focus sits firmly in the regulatory, criminal and confiscation remit. He has handled a number of matters involving allegations of missing trader intra-community fraud, money laundering, and corruption. He is particularly valued for his skill in prosecuting significant financial crime cases.

"Jonathan provides an excellent service. He is quick to respond and always gets to the core issues, while being completely over the full detail. He is very knowledgeable and reassuring."

"He is very dedicated to his case and so an extremely tough and daunting opponent, who is very pragmatic, sensible and charming."

"Jonathan is just brilliant and completely on top of the material. He gains the trust and confidence of clients. He understands how enforcement bodies think and is an invaluable resource."

Vivienne Tanchel has enviable real-world experience to bring to financial crime cases, which comes from her time as a former finance professional. She is a popular choice for defence work involving allegations of market abuse and regulatory breaches, and is a noted expert on bribery and corruption matters. Tanchel is valued for her ability to handle complex fraud cases and related civil proceedings.

"Vivienne is absolutely brilliant. When it comes to any financial services work, she has an incredible understanding and clients really like her."

"Vivienne is incredibly intelligent and her personal attention to detail is first class. She knows the case inside out and back to front and is on top of all the details."

"Vivienne is a confident advocate who provides clear and robust advice. She is a joy to work with."

Angus Bunyan is regularly instructed by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Serious Fraud Office to prosecute complex fraud cases. He offers significant expertise in money laundering, bribery and corruption. He also has experience in private prosecutions.

"Angus can see the wider picture and what needs careful attention. He is also brilliant in front of a jury and can read a room expertly."

"Angus is a very experienced prosecutor who is very calm, unflappable, and very strong on the law."

"He is a very good, meticulous and detailed prosecutor."

Leon Kazakos KC wins plaudits for his fraud defence practice, which includes both criminal matters and related civil cases. He acts for individuals facing high-stakes prosecutions for alleged money laundering, mortgage and investment fraud. Kazakos is also experienced in bribery and corruption cases.

"Leon is so eminently experienced in financial crime."

"He has a very relaxed but authoritative style. Judges warm to him and juries love him. He is a very engaging advocate."

"Leon Kazakos is an excellent advocate, who is very good with clients and has huge intellect as well."

Lewis MacDonald is a junior financial crime barrister with experience acting both led and unled in complex private prosecutions. He regularly prosecutes complex frauds and has previously been instructed to represent HMRC and the Royal Mail, among other prosecutors.

"He is a silk in the making and a junior of choice. With substance and quality, he is definitely someone you want in your corner. His written and oral advocacy match each other in excellence."

"A complete star of the junior Bar, Lewis has good experience in private prosecution cases, which are notoriously difficult."

Peter Lownds is a criminal barrister who is commended for his strong defence practice. He has an established track record in fraud and money laundering cases, and is particularly adept at bribery, corruption and tax fraud cases.

"Peter masters the most complex paper-heavy cases quickly. He is great with lay clients and an absolute pleasure to work with."

"Peter is a very skilled and measured advocate in respect of his in-court work. He has a very understanding approach to clients ‒ in particular, vulnerable clients by reason of age or mental health."

David Whittaker KC frequently appears as leading counsel in financial crime cases as part of his well-rounded and broad criminal defence practice. He attracts market attention for his highly fluent and convincing advocacy in court and his calm demeanour. Whittaker has acted for the defence in a number of major Financial Conduct Authority insider trading prosecutions.

"David is a brilliant, intelligent and very persuasive advocate, who is down to earth and succinct in his submissions. He cuts through the detail and is strong on strategy.."

"David Whittaker's attention to detail is exceptional. He takes great care in his written advocacy and considers everything very carefully."

"David has a very calm and authoritative manner both in court and with the client. He has the ability to master the details and simplify them in a way that all can understand and receive."

Martin Hicks KC is a broadly accomplished silk who applies his wide knowledge of criminal legal procedure to financial crime matters. He is rated for his skill in large fraud trials.

"Martin puts the client at ease and gives a masterful performance in court. He's a very calm, laidback character ‒ a very experienced and very nice guy."