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Financial Crime | UK Bar

London (Bar)

Our London coverage of Financial Crime is split into three tables: Financial Crime; Financial Crime: Corporates; and Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions. In addition to post-charge representation at trial, these tables also cover pre-charge advice. Financial Crime encompasses criminal investigations and prosecutions brought by public agencies, such as the SFO, the FCA, and the Specialist Fraud Division of the CPS, against individuals and financial institutions. Charges relate to a range of offences, including (but not limited to) fraud, the manipulation of interest rates such as Libor and Euribor, bribery, tax evasion, insider trading, money laundering, sanctions breaches, cartel conduct, forgery, embezzlement, cybercrime and material misstatement. Our Corporates table recognises barristers who act against or on behalf of corporate entities, providing advice and representation on DPAs as well as investigations into matters such as anti-money laundering failures and breaches of the Anti-Bribery Act. It does not include representation for directors or other officers. The Private Prosecutions table covers internal investigations, disciplinary proceedings and private prosecutions brought by corporations and financial institutions against current and former employees, as well as prosecutions brought by organisations with delegated prosecution powers, such as Companies House.
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In-depth overview
FINANCIAL CRIME: An Introduction
JURISDICTION
This year has witnessed several developments in the financial crime landscape: some heralded, other...
Cloth Fair Chambers
Authored by Cloth Fair Chambers, Mark Mulholland, Robert Dacre

Rankings overview for Sets

Star Individuals

  1. Adrian Darbishire KC
    Adrian Darbishire KC QEB Hollis Whiteman20 Years Ranked
  2. Alison Pople KC
    Alison Pople KC Cloth Fair Chambers24 Years Ranked
  3. Clare Sibson KC
    Clare Sibson KC Fountain Court Chambers18 Years Ranked
  4. Hugo Keith KC
    Hugo Keith KC 3 Raymond Buildings21 Years Ranked
  5. Ian Winter KC
    Ian Winter KC Cloth Fair Chambers29 Years Ranked
  6. Jim Sturman KC
    Jim Sturman KC 2BR29 Years Ranked
  7. John Kelsey-Fry KC
    John Kelsey-Fry KC Cloth Fair Chambers29 Years Ranked
  8. Jonathan Laidlaw KC
    Jonathan Laidlaw KC 2 Hare Court29 Years Ranked
  9. Nicholas Purnell KC Cloth Fair Chambers29 Years Ranked
  10. Patrick Gibbs KC
    Patrick Gibbs KC 3 Raymond Buildings28 Years Ranked
  11. Richard Lissack KC
    Richard Lissack KC Fountain Court Chambers29 Years Ranked
  12. Clare Montgomery KCMatrix Chambers
  13. David Perry KC6KBW College Hill
  14. Duncan Penny KC6KBW College Hill
  15. Neil Hawes KCCrucible Law
1

Band 1

  1. Alex Bailin KC
    Alex Bailin KC Matrix Chambers18 Years Ranked
  2. Alexandra Healy KC
    Alexandra Healy KC Foundry Chambers22 Years Ranked
  3. Amanda Pinto KC
    Amanda Pinto KC 3 Raymond Buildings16 Years Ranked
  4. Andrew Mitchell KC 33 Chancery Lane29 Years Ranked
  5. Christopher Coltart KC
    Christopher Coltart KC 2 Hare Court18 Years Ranked
  6. Gideon Cammerman KC 187 Chambers11 Years Ranked
  7. Gillian Jones KC
    Gillian Jones KC Red Lion Chambers18 Years Ranked
  8. James Hines KC
    James Hines KC 3 Raymond Buildings19 Years Ranked
  9. John McGuinness KC
    John McGuinness KC Foundry Chambers13 Years Ranked
  10. Jonathan Fisher KC
    Jonathan Fisher KC Red Lion Chambers16 Years Ranked
  11. Jonathan S Kinnear KC
    Jonathan S Kinnear KC 2 Hare Court11 Years Ranked
  12. Mark A. Heywood KC
    Mark A. Heywood KC 5 King's Bench Walk14 Years Ranked
  13. Mukul Chawla KC
    Mukul Chawla KC Foundry Chambers24 Years Ranked
  14. Sean Larkin KC QEB Hollis Whiteman15 Years Ranked
  15. Tom Allen KC
    Tom Allen KC Cloth Fair Chambers16 Years Ranked
  16. Adrian Waterman KCMatrix Chambers
  17. Brendan Kelly KC2 Hare Court
  18. Charles Bott KCMountford Chambers
  19. George Carter-Stephenson KC25 Bedford Row
  20. Helen Malcolm KC3 Raymond Buildings
  21. James Lewis KC3 Raymond Buildings
  22. Julian Christopher KC5 Paper Buildings
  23. Mark Ellison KCQEB Hollis Whiteman
  24. Mark Fenhalls KC23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)
  25. Nicola Howard KC25 Bedford Row
  26. Tim Owen KCMatrix Chambers
  27. William Boyce KCQEB Hollis Whiteman
2

Band 2

  1. Graham Brodie KC 33 Chancery Lane18 Years Ranked
  2. James Waddington KC
    James Waddington KC Foundry Chambers3 Years Ranked
  3. Jonathan Barnard KC
    Jonathan Barnard KC Cloth Fair Chambers16 Years Ranked
  4. Jonathan Caplan KC
    Jonathan Caplan KC 5 Paper Buildings29 Years Ranked
  5. Leon Kazakos KC
    Leon Kazakos KC 2 Hare Court9 Years Ranked
  6. Michael Goodwin KC
    Michael Goodwin KC Red Lion Chambers5 Years Ranked
  7. Narita Bahra KC 33 Chancery Lane6 Years Ranked
  8. Natasha Wong KC
    Natasha Wong KC 5 King's Bench Walk12 Years Ranked
  9. Simon Csoka KC
    Simon Csoka KC Libertas Chambers5 Years Ranked
  10. Allison Clare KCRed Lion Chambers
  11. Andrew Wheeler KC7BR
  12. Cairns Nelson KC23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)
  13. Colin Aylott KCMountford Chambers
  14. Collingwood Thompson KC7BR
  15. Crispin Aylett KCQEB Hollis Whiteman
  16. Henry Blaxland KCGarden Court Chambers
  17. Jane Bewsey KCRed Lion Chambers
  18. Jennifer Carter-Manning KC7BR
  19. Michael Brompton KC5 Paper Buildings
  20. Peter Carter KCDoughty Street Chambers
  21. Richard Whittam KCMatrix Chambers
  22. Simon Farrell KC3 Raymond Buildings
  23. Tom Forster KCRed Lion Chambers
  24. Tom Price KCMillennium Chambers
3

Band 3

  1. Adam Kane KC
    Adam Kane KC Libertas Chambers15 Years Ranked
  2. Andrew Trollope KC 187 Chambers29 Years Ranked
  3. Ben Douglas-Jones KC
    Ben Douglas-Jones KC 5 Paper Buildings14 Years Ranked
  4. David Etherington KC
    David Etherington KC Red Lion Chambers28 Years Ranked
  5. David Walbank KC
    David Walbank KC Red Lion Chambers12 Years Ranked
  6. David Whittaker KC
    David Whittaker KC 2 Hare Court21 Years Ranked
  7. Giles Cockings KC
    Giles Cockings KC Furnival Chambers15 Years Ranked
  8. Jonathan Ashley-Norman KC
    Jonathan Ashley-Norman KC 3 Raymond Buildings25 Years Ranked
  9. Mark Rainsford KC 33 Chancery Lane11 Years Ranked
  10. Paul Raudnitz KC QEB Hollis Whiteman13 Years Ranked
  11. Selva Ramasamy KC QEB Hollis Whiteman20 Years Ranked
  12. Simon Baker KC 2BR12 Years Ranked
  13. Stan Reiz KC
    Stan Reiz KC 2BR8 Years Ranked
  14. Tom Little KC
    Tom Little KC Deka Chambers15 Years Ranked
  15. Cameron Brown KCRed Lion Chambers
  16. David Durose KC5 Paper Buildings
  17. David Spens KCQEB Hollis Whiteman
  18. Gareth Patterson KC6KBW College Hill
  19. Jamas Hodivala KCMatrix Chambers
  20. Nigel Sangster KC25 Bedford Row
  21. Richard Fisher KCDoughty Street Chambers
  22. Richard Wormald KC3 Raymond Buildings
  23. Sarah Clarke KCSerjeants' Inn Chambers
  24. Simon Pentol KC25 Bedford Row
  25. Trevor Burke KC3 Raymond Buildings
4

Band 4

  1. Abbas Lakha KC
    Abbas Lakha KC 9BR Chambers19 Years Ranked
  2. Alexandra Felix KC QEB Hollis Whiteman6 Years Ranked
  3. Andrew Bird KC
    Andrew Bird KC 5 St Andrew's Hill14 Years Ranked
  4. Ben FitzGerald KC
    Ben FitzGerald KC QEB Hollis Whiteman13 Years Ranked
  5. Benjamin Newton KC
    Benjamin Newton KC Doughty Street Chambers11 Years Ranked
  6. Edmund Burge KC
    Edmund Burge KC 5 St Andrew's Hill8 Years Ranked
  7. Jane Osborne KC 2 Harcourt Buildings4 Years Ranked
  8. Jason Sugarman KC
    Jason Sugarman KC Foundry Chambers3 Years Ranked
  9. Jonathan Lennon KC
    Jonathan Lennon KC Doughty Street Chambers14 Years Ranked
  10. Mark Cotter KC
    Mark Cotter KC 5 St Andrew's Hill13 Years Ranked
  11. Michael Borrelli KC
    Michael Borrelli KC 3 Raymond Buildings29 Years Ranked
  12. Philip Evans KC QEB Hollis Whiteman13 Years Ranked
  13. Richard Christie KC 187 Chambers18 Years Ranked
  14. Robin Barclay KC
    Robin Barclay KC Fountain Court Chambers16 Years Ranked
  15. Rupert Bowers KC
    Rupert Bowers KC Doughty Street Chambers10 Years Ranked
  16. Hannah Willcocks KCRed Lion Chambers
  17. Mark Harries KCSerjeants' Inn Chambers
  18. Martin Hicks KC2 Hare Court
  19. Miranda Hill KC6KBW College Hill
  20. Miranda Moore KC5 Paper Buildings
  21. Paul Bogan KC23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)
  22. Pavlos Panayi KC7BR
  23. Peter Finnigan KCQEB Hollis Whiteman
  24. Rachel Barnes KC3 Raymond Buildings
  25. Sasha Wass KC6KBW College Hill

New Silks

  1. James Thacker KC
    James Thacker KC Deka Chambers10 Years Ranked
  2. Jocelyn Ledward KC QEB Hollis Whiteman14 Years Ranked
  3. Martin McCarthy KC
    Martin McCarthy KC Farringdon Chambers6 Years Ranked
  4. Rebecca Chalkley KC
    Rebecca Chalkley KC Red Lion Chambers6 Years Ranked
  5. Saba Naqshbandi KC
    Saba Naqshbandi KC 3 Raymond Buildings21 Years Ranked
  6. Tom Payne KC
    Tom Payne KC Red Lion Chambers14 Years Ranked
  7. Dermot Keating KC25 Bedford Row

Star Individuals

  1. Katherine Hardcastle
    Katherine Hardcastle Fountain Court Chambers7 Years Ranked
  2. Rachna Gokani QEB Hollis Whiteman11 Years Ranked
  3. Tom Doble QEB Hollis Whiteman8 Years Ranked
  4. Neil Saunders3 Raymond Buildings
1

Band 1

  1. Christopher Convey 33 Chancery Lane12 Years Ranked
  2. Christopher Foulkes
    Christopher Foulkes 2 Hare Court8 Years Ranked
  3. Faisal Osman 33 Chancery Lane8 Years Ranked
  4. Gavin Irwin
    Gavin Irwin 2 Hare Court16 Years Ranked
  5. Rachel Kapila
    Rachel Kapila Cloth Fair Chambers12 Years Ranked
  6. Rachel Scott
    Rachel Scott 3 Raymond Buildings10 Years Ranked
  7. Rhys Meggy
    Rhys Meggy Cloth Fair Chambers7 Years Ranked
  8. Stuart Biggs
    Stuart Biggs Cloth Fair Chambers6 Years Ranked
  9. Ben Summers25 Bedford Row
  10. Esther Schutzer-Weissmann6KBW College Hill
  11. Nichola HigginsMatrix Chambers
  12. Nicholas Yeo3 Raymond Buildings
  13. Richard FurlongMountford Chambers
  14. Simon Ray6KBW College Hill
  15. Vivienne Tanchel2 Hare Court
2

Band 2

  1. Dominic Lewis 5 Paper Buildings6 Years Ranked
  2. Eleanor Davison
    Eleanor Davison Fountain Court Chambers10 Years Ranked
  3. Eleanor Mawrey
    Eleanor Mawrey Deka Chambers12 Years Ranked
  4. Faras Baloch
    Faras Baloch Red Lion Chambers4 Years Ranked
  5. Jason Mansell QEB Hollis Whiteman16 Years Ranked
  6. Jessica Tate
    Jessica Tate Foundry Chambers3 Years Ranked
  7. Nick James 33 Chancery Lane5 Years Ranked
  8. Peter Lownds
    Peter Lownds 2 Hare Court18 Years Ranked
  9. Philippa Eastwood
    Philippa Eastwood Doughty Street Chambers6 Years Ranked
  10. Polly Dyer QEB Hollis Whiteman5 Years Ranked
  11. Ben Isaacs7BR
  12. Duncan Jones25 Bedford Row
  13. Leila GaskinCrucible Law
  14. Max BainesRed Lion Chambers
  15. Sean Hammond2BR
  16. Vedrana PeharMatrix Chambers
3

Band 3

  1. Angus Bunyan
    Angus Bunyan 2 Hare Court11 Years Ranked
  2. Benjamin Waidhofer
    Benjamin Waidhofer Foundry Chambers4 Years Ranked
  3. Catherine Collins 33 Chancery Lane4 Years Ranked
  4. Gerard Hillman
    Gerard Hillman Libertas Chambers13 Years Ranked
  5. Karen Robinson QEB Hollis Whiteman4 Years Ranked
  6. Keith Mitchell
    Keith Mitchell Libertas Chambers27 Years Ranked
  7. Peter Caldwell
    Peter Caldwell Doughty Street Chambers18 Years Ranked
  8. Robert Morris
    Robert Morris 3 Raymond Buildings8 Years Ranked
  9. Stephen Hopper
    Stephen Hopper 5 Paper Buildings11 Years Ranked
  10. Tom Broomfield QEB Hollis Whiteman5 Years Ranked
  11. David Stern5 St Andrew's Hill
  12. Janet Weeks5 Paper Buildings
  13. Jennifer NewcombQEB Hollis Whiteman
  14. Jenny Goldring5 Paper Buildings
  15. Luke Ponte3 Raymond Buildings
  16. Peter Ratliff6KBW College Hill
  17. Philip StottQEB Hollis Whiteman
  18. Sonal Dashani25 Bedford Row
  19. Thomas Daniel2BR
  20. Thomas Godfrey23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)
  21. Timothy Kendal2BR
4

Band 4

  1. Kabir Sondhi
    Kabir Sondhi 9BR Chambers1 Years Ranked
  2. Kathryn Arnot Drummond
    Kathryn Arnot Drummond 5 King's Bench Walk3 Years Ranked
  3. Rupert Kent
    Rupert Kent 5 King's Bench Walk2 Years Ranked
  4. Trevor Archer
    Trevor Archer Red Lion Chambers3 Years Ranked
  5. Alastair Smith2BR
  6. Alexander Upton23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)
  7. Catherine Rabaiotti5 Paper Buildings
  8. Danielle Barden5 St Andrew's Hill
  9. David ClaxtonRed Lion Chambers
  10. David McNeill5 St Andrew's Hill
  11. Dominic Connolly5 St Andrew's Hill
  12. Gareth MundayDeka Chambers
  13. Ini Udom5 St Andrew's Hill
  14. Leila Gaafar6KBW College Hill
  15. Mark AldredQEB Hollis Whiteman
  16. Matthew Radstone25 Bedford Row
  17. Michael Hick5 Paper Buildings
  18. Roderick JamesCrucible Law
  19. Samantha Riggs25 Bedford Row
  20. Senghin KongQEB Hollis Whiteman
  21. Timothy Forte3TG
  22. William EnglandMountford Chambers

All Sets profiles

1

Band 1

  1. 2 Hare Court
    1
    2 Hare Court
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    2 Hare Court offers expertise spanning the full gamut of financial crime matters. Members receive regular instructions both from individual and corporate clients across the financial services sector, and are adept at handling cases involving allegations of insider dealing, money laundering, corruption, bribery and fraud. One interviewee reports that they "can trust each and every advocate at 2 Hare Court to meticulously go through complex evidence in a case from the offset." Another adds that "for business and financial crime, this is the set to instruct." Recently, members represented Andrew Pilley during his prosecution for fraud arising out of the mis-selling of energy businesses.
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  2. 3 Raymond Buildings
    1
    3 Raymond Buildings
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    3 Raymond Buildings is noted by sources as "part of the premier league of criminal sets", with "counsel who are able to handle the most complex matters with impressive skill and excellent client care." It boasts an excellent reputation for its expertise spanning the full range of financial crime matters. Members act for both the prosecution and the defence in complex cases and large-scale investigations brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Financial Conduct Authority, and offer representation both to major corporations and individual directors. Areas of strength for the team include cases involving allegations of fraud, money laundering, insider dealing and corruption, and the set is regularly instructed both in domestic and international disputes. Recent work handled by the tenants includes prosecuting, on behalf of the SFO, allegations of bribery of Saudi royal and senior officials by a UK company and individuals in the defence industry.
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  3. 6KBW College Hill
    1
    6KBW College Hill
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    A "first class, top-tier option for complex corporate crime", 6KBW College Hill is recognised for possessing "strength in depth of counsel that is second to none." Members are regularly instructed to act for both the prosecution and the defence in complex Serious Fraud Office investigations, and count several leading corporations and individual directors among their enviable client base. The set is routinely involved in high-profile matters, and recent work undertaken by its tenants includes defending Marwan Chedid, one of the former Petrofac senior executives charged with bribery concerning USD3 billion's worth of contracts.
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  4. Cloth Fair Chambers
    1
    Cloth Fair Chambers
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    Instructing solicitors describe Cloth Fair Chambers as a set among the "best practicing in complex financial crime." Members are "always able to analyse criminal issues with an eye on even the most complicated, commercial perspectives." It houses a deep bench of experienced barristers who are well versed in the representation of leading corporations and individuals in complex market manipulation, insider dealing and international corruption cases. Members are regularly instructed to represent their clients in high-profile investigations and offer considerable expertise in the handling of international matters. Recent mandates have included representing the former managing director of G4S on charges of fraud brought by the Serious Fraud Office.
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  5. QEB Hollis Whiteman
    1
    QEB Hollis Whiteman
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    QEB Hollis Whiteman retains its reputation as a leading chambers in the financial crime market, housing an impressive bench of leading silks and juniors experienced in both the prosecution and defence of complex and high-value cases. Members are regularly called upon to represent their clients in investigations into allegations of bribery, corruption and fraud, and are noted for their expert handling of cases involving international elements. Private prosecutions continue to be a key area of strength for the team. The members are described by professional clients as "highly experienced barristers with excellent work ethic." Recent instructions undertaken by the set's barristers include acting for former trader Tom Hayes in the CCRC (Criminal Cases Review Commission) review of his fraud convictions for LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) rigging.
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2

Band 2

  1. 25 Bedford Row
    2
    25 Bedford Row
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    25 Bedford Row is a highly regarded set with "specialist legal knowledge and excellence in trial advocacy", noted for its defence of individuals and corporations in a wide range of financial crime cases. Members are routinely instructed in prosecutions brought by the Serious Fraud Office and HMRC, and are experienced in the handling of cases involving allegations of fraud, bribery, money laundering and insider trading. The team is also frequently called upon to advise a range of clients on bribery prevention and AML procedures. Case highlights include acting in R v Chenery Woods and others in connection with an alleged GBP10 million fraud concerning the re-sale of thousands of tickets for gigs and events.
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  2. 2BR
    2
    2BR
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    2BR is a highly regarded set in the financial crime market, noted for its expertise in high-value bribery, corruption and money laundering cases. The set is regularly instructed by leading criminal law firms, as well as the regulating authorities, and is noted for its adroit handling of complex cross-border investigations. Members have experience acting for both major corporations and high net worth individuals based in the UK and further afield. One interviewee describes 2BR as "a chambers that provides the highest-quality service at all levels." Another states that it has "excellent counsel. The barristers are at the top of their game; prepared, organised and they consistently get good results across the board." Recent work for the set has included defending on a large Royal Mail prosecution concerning self-billing fraud.
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  3. 33 Chancery Lane
    2
    33 Chancery Lane
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    The barristers at 33 Chancery Lane offer expertise spanning the full range of financial crime matters. The set is regularly instructed to act both for the prosecution and defence in complex bribery and money laundering cases, and members are also well versed in the handling of HMRC investigations. Asset recovery matters are a key area of strength for the team, owing to the set's recognised prowess in POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) proceedings. The set's enviable client list includes leading corporations and individuals. Instructing solicitors describe counsel at the set as having a "wealth of expertise, a wide range of experience, strong advocacy skills, excellent legal knowledge and a thorough understanding of the law." Recent work for the set has included advising third-party defendants in the Serious Fraud Office's investigation into the collapse of Patisserie Valerie.
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  4. Matrix Chambers
    2
    Matrix Chambers
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Matrix Chambers is well regarded for its handling of complex financial crime cases and is routinely instructed to act on behalf both of major corporations and individual clients, including several bankers, directors, politicians and high net worth individuals. Members are noted for their expertise in international cases and are active across multiple jurisdictions such as Hong Kong and ones in the Middle East and the Caribbean. Areas of significant strength for the team include Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority and Department of Justice investigations, as well as advisory work concerning politically motivated charges and bribery compliance regimes. Clients recognise the set for providing "high-quality advice and representation in financial crime cases" and as a "go-to chambers for dealing with complex and sophisticated matters." Recent work from the set has included the successful defence of Howard Grossman in the first prosecution brought under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 concerning donations to the Conservative Party.
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  5. Red Lion Chambers
    2
    Red Lion Chambers
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Red Lion Chambers has an excellent reputation for financial crime work and houses a strong bench of senior and junior barristers who have experience of acting in complex and high-profile cases. Members act for both the prosecution and the defence and are regularly instructed in international investigations. Cases involving serious allegations of bribery, fraud and corruption are a key area of strength for the set. Additionally, practitioners at the set are adept at handling private prosecutions. Recent work has included the private prosecution of Girish Patel for fraud within the context of a large family-owned company, as well as bribery prosecutions against individuals involved in Nigeria's banking and oil and gas sectors.
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3

Band 3

  1. 23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)
    3
    23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers) is an impressive set, noted for its expertise in both the prosecution and defence of a wide range of financial crime cases. Members are regularly instructed in complex and high-value cases involving allegations of bribery, fraud and corruption, and are well regarded for their representation of clients in Serious Fraud Office and HMRC investigations. A "terrific chambers," 23ES is recognised by peers for producing "excellent and strong advice." The set's members have recently been instructed to defend David MacIntosh, a former MP charged with election donation fraud.
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  2. 5 Paper Buildings
    3
    5 Paper Buildings
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    5 Paper Buildings is a well-regarded criminal set housing a strong bench of barristers who are regularly called upon to prosecute complex financial crime cases. Its bench is described as "advocates of the highest quality and always thoroughly prepared" with "excellent case strategy" by interviewees. Areas of expertise for the team include international bribery and corruption conspiracies, tax avoidance schemes, and matters involving allegations of collusion in the financial sector. The set's members also have experience acting for the defence. Recent work has included representing the Serious Fraud Office in its Unaoil investigation into bribery in the Iraqi oil industry.
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  3. Doughty Street Chambers
    3
    Doughty Street Chambers
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked
    The barristers at Doughty Street Chambers are regularly called upon to defend major corporations and individual clients in cases involving allegations of bribery, insider dealing and money laundering. The set is also noted for its expertise in mortgage frauds, fraudulent trading schemes and cartel cases. The team offers representation to its clients through all stages of investigations, and members are frequently instructed to advise corporate clients on compliance matters. A "brilliant" set, the chambers is noted for having "expertise and experience across the board." Members from the team at Doughty Street recently defended in R v Hazell and others, a multimillion-pound tax fraud case.
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4

Band 4

  1. 5 King's Bench Walk
    4
    5 King's Bench Walk
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    5 King's Bench Walk is recognised for the quality of its offering, having "really great barristers and really strong junior juniors" in financial crime. Sources describe the set's members as "specialists, whose diligent preparation is exemplary." Representing both prosecution and defence, the set is routinely instructed by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Crown Prosecution Service and the Financial Conduct Authority, as well as on behalf of individuals and corporations facing allegations of financial wrongdoing. Members cover the full range of financial offences from fraudulent trading to tax evasion and bribery and corruption, including large-scale and international mandates. A recent example of such work includes members acting on behalf of the SFO as lead counsel investigating and prosecuting GPT in relation to corruption arising from military equipment contracts agreed with the National Guard of Saudi Arabia.
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  2. 5 St Andrew's Hill
    4
    5 St Andrew's Hill
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    5 St Andrew's Hill is a set with a "broad spectrum of talented and conscientious members." Acting in a variety of financial crime mandates, the team regularly takes instruction on cases relating to criminal investigations by the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority and other prosecuting agencies, as well as on high-value and complex fraud, money laundering, Deferred Prosecution Agreements and bribery and corruption charges. Recently, as part of Operation Afterburner, barristers at the set have been instructed by HMRC to lead a prosecution relating to the illegal supply of heavy weaponry to several countries around the world.
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  3. 7BR
    4
    7BR
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    7BR's financial crime bench runs the full gamut of economic criminal offences. Sources highlight the set for its "fantastic range of advocates," who they describe as being "extremely skilled at streamlining dense and complex matters to extract the key issues." Its members routinely act for and against the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Financial Conduct Authority in complex investigations and prosecutions. They are experienced in handling various fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering, insider trading and Deferred Prosecution Agreements, in addition to a growing specialism in matters relating to the theft of cryptocurrency. Adept at working on international mandates, 7BR regularly appears and advises on offshore and cross-border investigations. Recent work includes acting for the SFO in the Court of Appeal responding to an appeal against conviction for involvement in a multi-jurisdictional Caribbean investment fraud, with total losses of around GBP400 million.
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  4. Deka Chambers
    4
    Deka Chambers
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Deka Chambers is a set with "invaluable strength in depth" and "exceptionally talented barristers," according to their clients. Acting largely for prosecuting agencies, such as the Serious Fraud Office, the Crown Prosecution Service Specialist Fraud Division and the Financial Conduct Authority, but also for individuals and companies in need of defence, the set's practice regularly sees its members involved in large-scale fraud trials and investigations. An example of recent work undertaken by counsel at Deka includes prosecuting in Operation Volcanic, a GBP50 million-plus benefits fraud trial involving the trafficking of Eastern European nationals into the UK.
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  5. Foundry Chambers
    4
    Foundry Chambers
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 4 | 11 Years Ranked
    The barristers at Foundry Chambers are experienced in the handling of a wide range of financial crime matters. Areas of strength for the team include investigations into allegations of insider trading, corruption and fraud. Members act both for the prosecution and the defence, and maintain busy practices. Instructing solicitors note them for their "impeccable intellectual and technical as well as personal skills" while barrister peers state that "complex cases are always very well prepared and well presented to juries." Recent work handled by the set's members includes prosecuting Glencore Energy UK for bribery.
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  6. Fountain Court Chambers
    4
    Fountain Court Chambers
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Fountain Court Chambers houses a strong bench of barristers who are experienced in the handling of a wide range of financial crime cases. The set is a top choice for both domestic and international banks seeking advice or representation, and its members are also routinely instructed by individual clients and prosecutors such as the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority. It also provides considerable expertise for corporate clients facing investigations and prosecution. Areas of expertise for the team include high-value cases involving allegations of money laundering, bribery and fraud. Professional clients describe them as "incredibly intellectually capable and able to grasp complex and conflicting issues with ease." Another interviewee considers them "experts in their fields." Recent work highlights include representing Jho Low in defence of allegations of money laundering and the misappropriation of hundreds of millions of dollars from 1MDB.
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  7. Libertas Chambers
    4
    Libertas Chambers
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Hailed as a "modern, innovative chambers," Libertas Chambers is regularly called upon to represent major corporates, financial institutions and individual clients in complex cases involving allegations of bribery, corruption, money laundering and investment fraud. Additional areas of expertise for the team include insider trading, pension mis-selling and tax evasion cases. The set's tenants also have considerable experience handling cases with an international element.
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  8. Mountford Chambers
    4
    Mountford Chambers
    Financial Crime
    2025 | Band 4 | 11 Years Ranked
    Mountford Chambers is well regarded for its "vastly knowledgeable, qualified and experienced individuals" who act on cases involving allegations of tax evasion, fraud and money laundering. Additional areas of strength for the team include insider dealing, corruption, investment fraud and market manipulation cases. Members are regularly instructed to represent their clients in Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and HMRC investigations, and count several bankers, accountants and brokers among their enviable client base. Recently, members acted for the defendant in FCA v Peter Currie, a false representation case concerning over GBP16 million worth of collateral on investor loans.
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Related Rankings

Financial Crime: Corporates - London (Bar)
Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions - London (Bar)