Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals

QEB Hollis Whiteman is highly regarded for handling financial crime matters involving high net worth individuals. Its members handle some of the most complex, often international fraud and corruption cases, and it has a very strong bench of silks and senior juniors able to lead on high-profile cases.

"The clerking at QEB Hollis Whiteman is really good: they get back to me quickly, and the clerking team knows what they are talking about."

"There are very strong leaders and juniors at this set, capable of dealing with highly complex matters."

"QEB Hollis Whiteman offers a significant breadth of leading and junior counsel. You can be assured that the excellent clerks will appoint suitable counsel in the event of a return or clash of dates."

Adrian Darbishire KC is particularly recognised for handling large and complex Serious Fraud Office cases. His caseload includes a significant volume of serious fraud and corruption cases, and he is widely seen as one of the foremost advocates at the Bar on cases of this type. "Adrian Darbishire is involved in heavyweight serious fraud prosecution cases." "Adrian is fantastic as he has an incredible legal brain and does some of my favourite drafting; he makes them sound very simple." "He is very easy to work with; he is a decent and grounded person, extremely detail-oriented. He likes to read through everything - he is really on it, a lateral thinker." "He's among the very best. He is incredibly bright and his advocacy is really brilliant, his style is of his own and makes you sit up and listen: he creates a ripple around the courtroom."

Rachna Gokani is a highly respected junior who has a solid reputation for handling financial crime matters, and is particularly known for private prosecution work. Gokani frequently acts unled on high-profile cases, as well as appearing alongside silks. "Rachna's very incisive in her legal analysis and able to cut to the chase very rapidly and insightfully, but she also has a lovely manner with clients so they immediately warm to her and trust her." "Rachna is the best junior at the Bar: she has a phenomenal legal brain, really cares about her clients and puts her all into her work. An incredible work ethic, and you get fantastic output from her." "For me, Rachna is by far the best junior at the Bar for financial crime. She is incredibly hardworking, diligent and has huge experience having worked on various SFO cases. She's absolutely fantastic."

Jason Mansell has vast experience in criminal and regulatory matters. Mansell regularly represents affluent individuals facing SFO and FCA investigations. "Jason's knowledge of the FCA handbook is second to none, and he's always good at thinking of strategies that are novel and unusual but will also ultimately exceed expectation." "Jason's true specialism is financial conduct cases and civil regulatory proceedings. He is the most well-regarded barrister, junior or silk in this work. Unsurpassed in his knowledge of FCA matters." "Jason Mansell is very robust and very good on his feet. He gets immersed in the detail."

Sean Larkin KC is recognised in the financial crime practice for representing high net worth individuals and businesses in complex SFO investigations. As well as acting on major corporate fraud investigations, Larkin also handles asset freezing and confiscation cases. "Sean remains one of the leading KCs in the UK for complex fraud and white-collar matters." "Sean Larkin is very able, very softly spoken and clients love him: I could listen to his voice all day, and he is very reassuring and very bright. I run out of superlatives to describe him."

Ben FitzGerald KC is experienced in representing high net worth individuals in high-profile financial crime cases. FitzGerald, who took silk in 2023, has a very strong track record in handling major fraud investigations cases. "I have found Ben FitzGerald to be an exceptional barrister who is responsive, personable, adaptable and highly attuned to recent developments." "Ben's excellent with clients and knows business very well, and is able to tailor his advice and work to suit." "Ben FitzGerald is a deep thinker and very steady, reliable, with great judgement. No weaknesses."

Karen Robinson is experienced in representing high-profile individuals facing fraud allegations. Robinson has strong experience acting for prosecution and defence on complex fraud, asset freezing and confiscation, and private prosecution cases.

Mark Ellison KC acts in financial crime investigations relating to fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption. "Mark Ellison is a former prosecutor and someone who everybody trusts. Absolutely impeccable."

Tom Doble is well regarded for his work on big financial crime cases. "Tom Doble is really clever and an excellent advocate. A very good lawyer with an excellent mastery of the brief." "Tom Doble is very good - I think he is going places and will do very well going forward."

Jocelyn Ledward KC acts for high net worth individuals in matters related to fraud, bribery and corruption, and money laundering. Ledward is Senior Treasury Counsel and has strong experience both in defence and prosecution work. "Jocelyn Ledward KC is extremely knowledgeable about handling big-stakes criminal cases."