Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals

Cloth Fair Chambers is an elite set with an excellent reputation in the market as one of the go-to chambers for high net worth individuals facing financial crime investigations.

"It is solicitor-friendly as a chambers. Correspondence is always answered quickly and counsel are willing to meet with clients in person or on a video call."

"All members of Cloth Fair are first-rate and at the absolute top of their game. They couldn't be better in strength and breadth."

"Perhaps the pre-eminent set of barristers in business crime, regulation and general crime. Silks and juniors are all high-calibre and much admired among their peers with a clerking team to match."

Nicholas Purnell KC is a well-regarded figure at the financial crime Bar. Purnell regularly represents high net worth defendants in complex, often international investigations. "An absolute legend at the Bar. Nick has been involved in all the most high-profile cases over the last 30 years. He remains a fantastic barrister with an incredible capacity for work." "Nick Purnell is superb. He is calm and authoritative. His advocacy style is excellent: his cross-examinations appear understated but are devastating." "Undoubtedly one of the very best advocates and strategists at the Bar."

John Kelsey-Fry KC is widely revered for his expertise and experience in representing high net worth individuals in high-profile fraud and corruption matters. Kelsey-Fry's recent cases include some of the most significant complex fraud investigations of recent years. "John Kelsey-Fry is a superb trial advocate. Charismatic and clever, with great commercial nous." "We use John where there is potential for criminal matters. He's regarded as the best in the country for these type of matters and it's justified." "John Kelsey-Fry is one of the most sought-after silks for financial crime."

Alison Pople KC frequently advises high net worth clients in complex financial crime investigations. Pople's work is often international in scope and encompasses bribery, fraud and corruption investigations, money laundering offences and related matters. "Alison Pople is extremely bright, sensible, collaborative, a team player but able to lead and make difficult decisions. She also has a very good courtroom manner, endearing to jury and judges alike." "Alison Pople is extremely impressive both with clients and on paper. She commands respect and achieves results with a intelligence, warmth and humour that truly make her stand out." "Alison Pople has great experience of dealing with individuals and corporates. She is very robust and straightforward with her advice."

Ian Winter KC is an experienced and well-regarded figure at the financial crime Bar. Winter often represents high net worth defendants in major investigations. "Our team were awed at the amount of work Ian undertook to prepare for trial and review the voluminous prosecution materials. As a result, Ian's cross-examination of key witnesses was a masterclass." "Ian Winter is a first-class barrister - hard-working, pragmatic and wonderful with clients." "I really like working with Ian. He is the one you would want to go to if you had a difficult case, because he's a critical thinker. Clients like him too, and he's supportive to clients. No weaknesses."

Jonathan Barnard KC frequently handles financial crime matters for high net worth individuals. Barnard's track record of appearing in significant business crime cases is notable, and he receives strong praise for his work in these matters. "Jonathan Barnard is utterly dependable, charming and clever. An absolute pleasure to work with." "Jonathan is a consummate professional with great strategic awareness, no matter the complexities of the case. In court, he is a compelling advocate." "He rolls his sleeves up and gets into the detail, but also has a keen eye for long-term strategy. He has infallible judgement, and manages to maintain his good humour even in the most difficult cases."

Rachel Kapila regularly handles white-collar investigation matters involving the SFO, the DOJ and the FCA. Kapila advises on fraud, bribery and corruption cases, and she regularly represents clients in high-profile matters. "Rachel Kapila is a highly talented junior barrister. A very clever, courageous and creative thinker." "Rachel is real star of the future. A junior to keep a close eye on, and destined to go on to great things. She works unbelievably hard, and really delivers even in the most difficult of cases." "Rachel is a terrific team player. Her industry is boundless and she is laser-focused on the details that actually matter."

Rhys Meggy has in-depth experience in representing high net worth individuals on complex financial crime matters. Meggy joined Cloth Fair in 2023 from another leading financial crime set. "Rhys has provided excellent advice, gone above and beyond in terms of working to tight deadlines and the client trusts him implicitly. He has made some brilliant judgement calls and been proven right." "Rhys Meggy is a very clever lawyer with superb advocacy skills – creative, innovative, hard-working and admired." "Rhys Meggy has great court presence: assured and confident. He's a good judge of strategy from the outset and picked up the facts on a complex matter quickly."

Stuart Biggs has significant experience handling financial investigations brought by the SFO, the FCA and HMRC. Biggs also assists corporate clients with internal investigations matters. "Stuart Biggs is very client-friendly. He is skilled with emerging technologies and their impact on criminal investigations." "Stuart Biggs is an exceptional barrister with a remarkable intelligence. He gets to the point immediately and focuses on the nub of the case. His sense of overall strategy is top-dollar." "I have been impressed with Stuart's knowledge and attention to detail. He is also very approachable and clients comment that they feel he cares, which is important to clients in delicate situations."

Tom Allen KC regularly represents millionaire and billionaire clients in cross-border financial crime matters. Allen receives strong praise for his advocacy and his strategic awareness in these cases. "Tom Allen is first-class - supremely effective but in a quiet, understated way, which I consider much more interesting and effective than the alternative." "Despite having a busy and challenging practice, Tom is always available to assist with urgent matters and is a pleasure to work with. His client care is second to none." "Tom is somebody you can trust to deal with complex financial crime matters: extremely supportive and knows how to take control when dealing with difficult scenarios. He has a measured approach."