Financial Crime

Ben Summers is a highly competent and well-organised barrister with laudable experience of advising on bribery, fraud and regulatory issues. Corporations and public bodies, as well as individuals, feature highly on his client roster. His practice also draws on complementary Financial Conduct Authority enforcement expertise. He is rated for his advice on data protection compliance in relation to financial crime.

"Ben is superb with clients and meticulous in his preparation and fine detail."

"Ben Summers is an excellent advocate, great to work with and brilliantly clever."

"A real heavy-hitter, Ben is as adept in serious fraud as he is in serious crime. He is the complete counsel."

George Carter-Stephenson KC is a leading silk who impresses interviewees with his passion and persuasiveness when addressing a jury, as well as his meticulous case preparation. He has proven expertise in cases involving alleged tax frauds, corrupt payments and rate manipulation. His clients also include senior professionals charged with offences such as money laundering and the mis-selling of shares. He is noted for his ability to handle large, significant cases.

"George has a charming approach and is very well respected by judges, clients and solicitors. He has a very nice manner and gets people on side."

"George Carter-Stephenson is one of the doyens of the criminal Bar. He does it all."

"He is incredibly hard-working, with marvellous attention to detail."

Nicola Howard KC is a well-organised, highly dependable silk who applies herself effectively and communicates well with both clients and judges. She is experienced in acting for the defence in a range of financial crime cases, including those relating to tax fraud and rate manipulation. Her client base includes company officers and directors, as well as professionals, and she is regularly instructed both for pre-charge advice and for representation at trial. She is noted for her expertise in cases with international elements.

"Nicola Howard is exceptional and fights clients' corners very well."

"Nicola is a really good jury advocate. She's economical in cross-examination and has a good nose for where the case might be won and lost."

"Nicola is excellent with all manner of clients and communicates with all core parts of the case. She gives no-nonsense advice."

Duncan Jones specialises in white-collar crime defence work. He is known for working on high-profile cases, often those involving an international element. He acts for individuals in major Serious Fraud Office investigations.

"Duncan is a silk in the making. He is absolutely superb and a very intelligent person but always available and approachable."

"Duncan is a very hard worker. He is very dedicated to the case, reassuring to the client, and very practical."

Nigel Sangster KC is an experienced defence silk who attracts praise for the calming influence he has on clients facing stressful criminal proceedings. He is known for his expertise in large financial crime cases and regularly defends in tax and investment fraud matters.

"Nigel has a good eye for detail and gets on well with judges."

Simon Pentol KC displays capability across the scope of financial crime and has recently handled a number of high-value tax and investment fraud cases. He wins respect from peers for his client care skills and has a breadth of experience that ranges from sports law to complex cybercrime. Pentol has noted experience in cases involving tax frauds and boiler room frauds.

"Simon has a mind-blowing ability to win over a jury in cases that no other barrister could. He is razor-sharp and eloquent and he cares."

"Simon has a marvellous way with the jury and makes some of the best closing speeches you will ever hear. He is hard-working and always up for a fight."

Sonal Dashani is regularly called upon to handle complex fraud and money laundering cases. She also fields expertise in confiscation proceedings and asset recovery matters, and acts both for the prosecution and the defence. Her broad practice also encompasses appellate work.

"Sonal has such polish and presence. She gives exceptionally grounded advice, never mismanages client expectations and is very reassuring to clients."

"The best thing is how much the clients like her. She forms an immediate connection and the clients are reassured having her involved."

"Sonal is such a delight to work with. There is real substance in her preparation and attention to detail and her advocacy is first rate."

Matthew Radstone has a strong reputation as a leading junior in financial crime. He has particular expertise in complex fraud, insider trading, money laundering, bribery and corruption as well as on internal investigations and corporate self-reporting.

"Matthew is really smart, client-friendly and a strategic genius."

"Matthew is excellent with clients and puts even the most nervous at ease. He is fearless and passionate in court and a pleasure to work with."

Samantha Riggs attracts market acclaim for her skill in cases where environmental law and financial crime overlap. She has handled a number of high-value financial crime cases relating to land banking and carbon credits. Riggs also practises more broadly in matters including tax fraud and money laundering, and also has experience in related POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) matters.

"Samantha looks at every bit of the law and leaves no stone unturned. She has such a nice calming manner with clients."

Dermot Keating KC is an experienced financial crime practitioner with notable experience of handling major cases. He is valued for his skilled defence of clients in fraud cases and is particularly well versed in tax fraud matters.

"Well prepared, organised and structured, Dermot has a very good ability to know how a case is likely to pan out. His legal arguments and written work are great."

"Dermot is always the voice of reason and is able to be diplomatic in trying and complex situations. He fearlessly defends his clients while also looking for compromises."