Financial Crime: Corporates

Clare Montgomery KC is a widely acclaimed, top-drawer silk whose talents are in considerable demand both at home and abroad. She acts for individuals and corporations, and is an elite practitioner whose advocacy skills are employed to great effect in appellate cases. Her practice has an international range and she has particular expertise in handling Hong Kong's most high-profile financial crime matters. She is routinely called upon for her ability to handle the most complex fraud cases.

"Clare is excellent and one of the very best advocates in this space. Her reputation and abilities are stellar."

"Clare is a star and a class act. She has exceptionally good judgement and is very balanced, which means judges trust her. She is very tenacious and has a very clear delivery and clear mind."

"Clare's work ethic and judgement are second to none."

Adrian Waterman KC is a criminal silk with an established focus on financial crime cases. He is acknowledged for his expertise in all manner of business-related crimes, including bribery and fraud cases.

"Adrian has a very clever legal brain, with striking ingenuity, energy and industry."

"Adrian is an excellent advocate in front of the jury and excellent in dealing with judges. Absolutely fearless, he is the sort of silk you want in a very difficult case."

Alex Bailin KC is a popular choice of adviser for financial market-related matters, who is no stranger to finance, having had a career in derivatives trading before coming to the Bar. He is applauded for being quick to grasp the facts at hand as well as for his winning interpersonal skills with solicitors and lay clients. He has considerable experience of representing blue-chip clients in rate manipulation and corruption matters.

"Alex is first-rate. He is very good technically and brings really great insight."

"He's really good with clients and really good on strategy."

Nichola Higgins has an impressive corporate client base and a strong record of acting in high-stakes corruption matters. She is also experienced in significant bribery matters. Higgins is capable of handling government and internal investigations alike, including those with a multi-jurisdictional reach.

"Nichola has great energy and commitment, resulting in excellent outcomes."

"Nichola Higgins is extremely bright and very reliable."

"Nichola is an excellent junior ‒ very hard-working, thorough and methodical."

Tim Owen KC has an impressively broad practice ‒ of which financial crime is just one strand. He is particularly good at advising listed companies on potential bribery charges and is also valued for his AML expertise. His practice has a notable global reach, as evidenced by his experience in fraud and extradition matters in jurisdictions including Hong Kong and the Turks & Caicos Islands.

"He is well prepared and the most relaxed, engaging and natural advocate. Tim is very bright and wears it lightly."

"He is forward-thinking with innovative solutions and just very user-friendly, easy to get on with and responsive."

"Tim Owen KC is a big hitter in the Supreme Court and appellate courts and I would highly recommend him."

Richard Whittam KC is a distinguished former First Senior Treasury Counsel with extensive experience in criminal cases. He is noted for his expertise in defending and prosecuting fraud, bribery and corruption cases. He is also a popular choice for private prosecutions.

"Richard brings years of experience and knowledge but remains highly approachable. He knows the law inside and out and delivers client-friendly, detailed advice."

"Richard is a man of few words when on his feet, but each word is worth its weight in gold."

"He is an extremely impressive character and a charming but effective advocate."

Vedrana Pehar is recognised for her expertise in significant financial crime cases and has a strong track record in fraud, money laundering and corruption cases. She offers particular experience in cases with sanction issues and multi-jurisdictional matters.

"She is amazingly adaptable with clients and can rapidly gain rapport with them. Her judgement, intelligence and diligence make her the go-to leading junior for complex matters."

"Vedrana Pehar is unflappable under pressure and emanates measured control."

"She is a tremendously hard worker and the work she produces is very impressive."

"Vedrana is devastating in cross-examination."

Jamas Hodivala KC is recognised in the market for his wealth of experience acting in large financial crime investigations and prosecutions. He is well placed to handle matters involving allegations of fraud, bribery, corruption, and money laundering.

"Jamas is very personable and has deep expertise in financial crime. He is one step ahead, thinking of what is coming down the line in terms of regulation and enforcement."