Financial Crime

Joint head of chambers Hugo Keith KC is an in-demand silk who regularly acts for corporate clients, including financial institutions. He is praised for his clear and sharp mind as well as his smooth advocacy style. He continues to win defence mandates in high-profile Serious Fraud Office investigations into alleged bribery and corruption in a number of jurisdictions. Keith is also recognised for his enviable expertise in extradition matters.

"He deals with extremely complex matters with such ease. His understanding of law and its application is first rate and can explain those complex concepts in a readily understandable way to clients."

"He is the consummate barristers' barrister: bright, measured and instinctive."

"Hugo Keith KC is one of the top people at the financial crime Bar."

Neil Saunders is a senior junior who both prosecutes and has a strong defence practice representing individuals. He is an experienced adviser in relation to high-level investigations into insider dealing, company fraud and bribery. Saunders is widely regarded as a go-to leader in high-profile cases and has been instructed by the Financial Conduct Authority in a number of major criminal prosecutions. He is valued for his ability to advise at the pre-charge stage of investigations.

"Neil is brilliant and very well regarded by clients and judges like him. He is top-drawer."

"Neil is a very good jury advocate: juries like and trust him. He is thorough, well prepared and knows his stuff."

Patrick Gibbs KC is a highly intelligent and persuasive barrister who acts on behalf of corporations, as well as individuals, facing potential criminal sanctions. Gibbs has acted for the defence in a number of highly significant recent Serious Fraud Office prosecutions, including international corruption matters and multi-jurisdictional market manipulation cases. He is widely acclaimed by peers, with his advocacy skills receiving particular praise, and is further noted for his ability in substantial bribery and tax fraud cases.

"Patrick is a quintessential jury advocate, very smooth and a complete charmer."

"He has fantastic judgement and is extremely bright. Juries really like him and he has the ear of the court and judiciary. He has a natural flair in terms of advocacy."

"Patrick Gibbs is absolutely brilliant. He is a magician in terms of his communication to a jury and in sentencing situations with a judge. His advocacy is outstanding."

Amanda Pinto KC acts for the prosecution and the defence in serious financial crime cases, including those involving misstatement of financial accounts, investment frauds, and money laundering. Interviewees reserve special mention for her easy-going manner and clear commitment to obtaining the best result for her clients. She is valued for her advice to corporates on financial crime matters and she also has experience dealing with private prosecutions.

"Amanda is a great lawyer, great to work with, and pragmatic with a razor sharp mind."

"She is loved by the court and very well liked by the judiciary. Amanda is a superb advocate who is very well connected, with great judgement."

Helen Malcolm KC is a renowned expert in crime, fraud and extradition cases. She is regularly called upon to advise on the defence of individuals accused of corruption. Malcolm attracts a number of instructions in cases with an international reach, including those relating to high-value tax fraud. She is also noted for her experience prosecuting high-profile fraud cases on behalf of the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service.

"Helen Malcolm is an outstanding silk with real court presence."

James Hines KC's practice includes both prosecution and defence briefs across fraud, bribery and corruption. He was instructed in the high-profile LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) trials and has since continued to be instructed by the Serious Fraud Office as well as by individuals accused of a range of financial crimes. He is also called to the Bar in Northern Ireland.

"James is a master strategist. He has a real skill for explaining to juries what the key points are."

"James has great experience. He's got great intellect, he's very versatile and he gets respect in the courtroom."

Joint head of chambers James Lewis KC is relied upon by an impressive client base, including the Serious Fraud Office. He has experience advising on potentially criminal conduct such as rate manipulation. Lewis also attracts briefs relating to bribery and corruption, and has a record of defending private prosecutions. Recognised for his great knowledge of both civil and criminal fraud, he offers significant experience in multi-jurisdictional cases.

"James is extremely experienced and his advice is always absolutely spot-on. He's second to none when it comes to telling you the things you need to know as a litigation solicitor."

Nicholas Yeo specialises in fraud and has noted expertise in money laundering, an area he regularly writes about in various texts. As well as acting in high-profile criminal prosecutions by the Financial Conduct Authority, his recent instructions have included multi-jurisdictional corruption matters and a wide variety of fraud defences. He is a popular choice for both individual clients and large corporations seeking advice on financial crime matters.

"Nicholas is one of the best junior barristers in terms of attention to detail, his mastery of Excel spreadsheets and anything to do with technology."

Rachel Scott counts extradition and financial crime cases as cornerstones of her practice. She is an experienced junior counsel for the prosecution, and her enviable client list includes the Serious Fraud Office. She has noted experience handling private prosecution cases and is adept at dealing with matters with cross-border considerations.

"Rachel is extremely knowledgeable on difficult international situations and cross border matters."

"She is brilliant ‒ a careful, thoughtful advocate who can handle big cases."

"Rachel Scott is devastating legally, very clear-thinking and cogent. She has such a good junior practice."

Rachel Barnes KC is an accomplished barrister whose international crime and fraud practice is complemented by her expertise in extradition and confiscation proceedings. Although she often advises individuals, she is also increasingly sought out by companies that are dealing with internal investigations or are accused of potential sanctions breaches and illegal manipulation of benchmark rates. She is highly regarded for her expertise in cases involving money laundering and complex fraud. Her dual qualification in US law makes her a go-to counsel on matters with a transatlantic element.

"Rachel looks at the big picture and understands what is the most important thing to deal with."

"Rachel is a really good advocate; she can take a very complicated set of facts and understand how they are relevant to a particular case and work through how best to present them to the jury."

Simon Farrell KC has proven skill in financial crime and POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) cases, and acts for the prosecution as well as the defence. He is a well-practised appellate advocate, having argued before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in key precedent-setting matters.

"Simon is very responsive and thoughtful."

Jonathan Ashley-Norman KC is a respected criminal silk whose practice is heavy on cases concerning internal disciplinary matters and allegations of cross-border fraud. He is acknowledged for his wide-ranging expertise in financial crime cases and has worked on a number of private prosecutions, acting both for the prosecution and the defence. He has a particular skill in revenue-related cases.

"He's a very tactical barrister and great with clients."

"Jonathan is very charming, with really good attention to detail, and his written work it is to a very high standard."

"Jonathan is a very good advocate. He can immediately identify the issues and cut away the peripheral problems. He gets you where he wants you without being too pushy."

Luke Ponte is an experienced junior criminal barrister who is well versed in complex cases involving allegations of corruption, money laundering and bribery. He acts for both the defence and the prosecution, and is on the A Panel of the Serious Fraud Office Prosecution Counsel and the Crown Prosecution Service specialist panel for the prosecution of fraud.

"Luke is a brilliant orator, who is capable of having a jury or tribunal hang on his every word."

"Luke builds rapport really well and is a thoughtful presenter and negotiator."

Richard Wormald KC is a serious crime practitioner who is able to turn his hand to cases of corruption, fraud and market abuse. He attracts a number of briefs from clients in the financial services industry and is further reputed for his expertise in money laundering cases. Wormald has significant experience defending prosecutions brought by the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority.

"Richard makes the whole job look so easy. He is an incredibly talented advocate who can win round a jury no matter how much the odds seem to be stacked against his client."

"Richard is a force of nature. His submissions are pragmatic and embedded in practical realities. Judges like the clarity of his thought and submissions."

"He has a lovely manner and a lovely style that comes across well to judges, juries and clients."

Robert Morris is a talented barrister who is regularly instructed to defend companies and individuals alike in a wide range of financial crime cases. He is well versed in matters involving allegations of corruption, insider dealing and tax evasion, and experienced in dealing with bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority.

"Robert is a highly intelligent leading junior and has a superb grasp of the law. He is a real pleasure to work with and develops excellent relationships with clients."

"Robert is an excellent barrister. He is very clever, good with the law and on top of the details."

"Rob is astute, legally superb and completely confident. He is reassuring on his feet and commercially aware."

Trevor Burke KC is popular both domestically and in jurisdictions outside the UK such as the Cayman Islands. He advises on a broad range of financial crime cases, including those relating to theft, tax evasion, and bribery. His long experience makes him a go-to advocate for the defence of senior professionals involved in high-stakes matters.

"A tremendously versatile silk with a personable manner, Trevor has impeccable judgement and exudes an air of calm and assurance in court."

"Trevor is hard-working and strategic with a wonderful sense of humour. Clients and juries love him."

Michael Borrelli KC is effective in banking and mortgage frauds, as well as complex money laundering cases. He has significant experience of defending investigations brought by the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority.

"Michael is very good and quickly gets on top of matters."

Saba Naqshbandi KC is highly regarded for her expertise in fraud, bribery and money laundering cases. She is acknowledged for her skill in cases with international elements and has experience representing individuals in high-profile cases.

"Saba is very clever and a confident advocate."