Crime: general
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Hall of fameBlackfords LLP
Partner, Solicitor-Advocate. Gary has been described both in the National and International media outlets as a formidable and brilliant lawyer, and is recognised worldwide for providing clear, comprehensive and strategic legal advice to both individuals and organisations. Gary’s specialist and almost unique legal portfolio means that he is often instructed to defend both high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals who are subject to both criminal investigations and multi-jurisdictional legal problems.Gary’s work is purely recommendation referrals often from clients, previous clients and other lawyers. Gary’s client base includes individuals , CEOs, solicitors, barristers, accountants together with public figures including royalty, politicians, celebrities and professional sports persons (football, cricket, rugby and boxing). Gary’s strategic judgement when advising on written submissions to prevent or stop investigations on both public interest and evidential grounds pre and post charge is second to none. Gary is acknowledged for his expertise in dealing with reputation issues and crisis management of individuals and companies. Gary’s current instructions include advising an individual (UK) in the highest profile US investigation into trafficking young females worldwide, individuals under investigation for corporate manslaughter and health and safety allegations arising from the police investigation in the Grenfell Inquiry. Gary is instructed in a number of fraud, money laundering, insider trading and bribery and corruption matters.Gary has also been instructed to defend the largest ever cryptocurrency case in Europe. Gary is one of the leading private crime solicitors and his work apart from above also includes investigations of historical sexual allegations ,art and antiquities investigations and firearm related offences.
Hall of fameEgan Meyer
Jim has over 29 years’ experience as a specialist criminal litigator and regulatory enforcement lawyer; he is widely regarded as one of the UK's best criminal lawyers and consistently ranks as a top criminal solicitor in the leading industry directories. Jim has acted in some of the UK’s most high-profile criminal cases, including notorious murders, terrorism, international conspiracies and sex cases, but his practice is now focused on business crime, particularly investigations involving the Environment Agency; the Health and Safety Executive; the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency; and the consumer protection and environmental health protection departments of local authorities. Jim was contracted by the HSE to prosecute its cases in the London region and this, coupled with his criminal litigation experience, has given him an unrivalled expertise in the field of health and safety law enforcement and investigations following fatal accidents at work, particularly corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter.
Hall of fameKingsley Napley LLP
Sandra has extensive experience in criminal and related litigation. Her practice spans the full range of criminal litigation, with a focus on defending allegations of sexual misconduct. This includes discreet representation of high profile individuals including politicians, bankers, sports and media personalities, as well as working with institutional and individual clients in the UK and abroad, following allegations resulting from the #MeToo campaign.Drawing on her advocacy experience, Sandra is particularly accomplished in preparing witnesses to give an account in settings ranging from the police station and court through to internal and external investigations or inquiries. Her passion and aptitude for working with children and young adults has resulted in her being recognised as a leader in the youth justice field. Clients rely on her proactive, no nonsense approach and sound judgement in making difficult decisions. Her willingness to support clients to achieve the right results, justify her enviable track record.Co-author - Police Station Update for Legal Action and “Defending Suspects at the Police Station” (2020).
Rising stars
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Lloyds PR Solicitors
Mohsin is a Solicitor at Lloyds PR Solicitors and is a highly regarded lawyer that works predominantly on serious crime and complex fraud cases. He is Police Station Accredited and also a Court Duty Solicitor.
Bindmans LLP
Solicitor, Crime, Fraud and Regulatory team. Anna has a breadth of experience in the field of criminal defence, representing individuals at all stages of proceedings, from the police station through to courtroom advocacy, in addition to complex criminal litigation. Anna is routinely instructed by professionals such as pilots, teachers, medical professionals, and high-profile individuals from the world of business and the arts. She appreciates the importance of discretion and making strong representations from the outset to minimise the risk of litigation. Anna has extensive experience representing those being interviewed by the police whether detained or invited to attend a voluntary interview, and those accused of very serious offences. She is able to quickly understand the evidence and issues in a case, offering accurate and pragmatic advice. She also has experience representing young clients accused of very serious offences, as well as professionals, with a strong understanding of a client’s short- and long-term needs. Anna is a keen advocate, with experience conducting trials and legal arguments at the Magistrates’ Court, including those regarding sexual offences and drugs offences, as well as dishonesty offences, violent offences, and fraud offences. Anna has also litigated a wide range of criminal cases at the Crown Court, including numerous complex cases regarding allegations of murder, historic sexual offences, sexual offences, dishonesty offences, sensitive child assault offences, firearms offences, and violent offences. She also has a strong background in cases that involve telephone analysis. Anna is quickly able to identify where expert evidence is required and assist in the defence. She has strong tactical ability in pre-trial preparation, praised by peers for her strong instincts. Anna also has experience in representing vulnerable defendants. This includes those with mental health difficulties, those on the autistic spectrum and those with learning difficulties. She is very much alive as to whether any special measures could assist her clients, and has experience in making such applications where required.
BCL Solicitors LLP
David Hardstaff is a partner in BCL’s serious and general crime department, specialising in criminal litigation, professional discipline, controlled drug licensing, and proceeds of crime. He has particular experience in representing individuals accused of sexual offences, drugs offences and offences involving violence. He is an experienced police station representative and advocate, representing clients in a wide range of proceedings at the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and Court of Appeal. Regularly acting for professionals and high-profile individuals, he has a reassuring appreciation of the pressures and strains that clients face when subject to investigation. He also advises witnesses, corporates and broadcasters involved in criminal proceedings on matters such as reputation management and public relations. In addition to his busy criminal practice, David advises companies and institutions in the cannabis industry. He is experienced in the Home Office controlled drug licensing system and in advising businesses (from start-ups to multinationals) in relation to proceeds of crime considerations.
Bindmans LLP
Associate, Criminal Defence and Extradition. Jude has a strong reputation for outstanding work in a case range including: murder, firearms, drugs supply and importation, money-laundering and large-scale confiscation, fraud, white-collar/ business crime, perverting course of justice, immigration offences, large-scale protest/public disorder and serious youth crime. Jude is particularly regarded for her tactical skills and her skill and experience in dealing with controversial and difficult clients and cases involving young people. She inspires huge client confidence and is known as an assertive, dedicated and fearless lawyer, with very considerable ability to negotiate the complexities of criminal litigation and practice. She works on both legally-aided and privately-funded cases. Jude has also been involved in a number of media-related projects arising from the disturbances of August 2011 and regularly assists TV researchers on criminal justice matters. She has also carried out consultancy work for Kids Company and is involved in research relating to the position of young people in other criminal jurisdictions. Jude qualified as a solicitor after a career in community-based work. For a number of years, she worked with the young people on the North London Broadwater Farm Estate who were charged after the 1985 riot. She subsequently established and ran a community project in Islington for former prisoners. Jude has maintained her connections with the North London communities where she previously worked and is involved on a voluntary basis with a number of organisations. She has also presented training courses in youth justice, has run sessions with young people in schools and exclusion projects and provided legal advice to drugs organisations.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Kingsley Napley LLP
Recognised for his work in pre-charge investigations, Matt has particular experience acting for the accused in high-profile cases. Matt also has significant experience in acting in cross-practice area investigations which include allegations of a criminal behaviour, including sexual misconduct in the workplace.
Kingsley Napley LLP
Rebecca is one of the UK’s leading extradition practitioners and heads the firm’s extradition team. She has successfully defended a large number of persons requested for extradition by other states, both inside and outside the EU. Her practice also encompasses other matters with an international component, including sanctions cases and Mutual Legal Assistance requests.Rebecca also advises on a wide range of white collar crime investigations including serious fraud, money laundering, cartel and corruption specialising in cases involving multi-jurisdictional elements. She has many years of experience of dealing with domestic criminal matters, from sexual offences to offences involving violence or drugs.Rebecca is a co-founder of the Defence Extradition Lawyers’ Forum, co-author of Extradition Law: A Practitioners Guide and author of the chapter on Extradition in Abuse of Process by Colin Wells.
Hodge Jones & Allen
Laura is a Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen and prominent member of HJA’s Protest Team and Youth Team. Laura has a particular interest in representing young people and those who have mental disorders, neurological disorders and neurological impairments. Laura also has an interest in criminal cases which engage public law issues and challenges to police powers. Through her time at Hodge Jones & Allen has developed specialist experience in protest law and is a leader in this niche area. Laura regularly represents Extinction Rebellion, Animal Rebellion, Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain protestors as advocate and litigator in the Magistrates Court, Crown Court, Court of Appeal and High Court in criminal charges, contempt of Court and appeals. Laura has been involved in a number of appeals that have shaped protest law. Laura represented two of the four defendants acquitted of criminal damage after the toppling of the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest. Laura acted in the Court of Appeal following the referral of this case by the Attorney General. Laura represented one of the two defendants charged with causing a public nuisance after being suspended from the QEII Bridge for two days as part of a Just Stop Oil protest. This included in the Crown Court trial, in parallel contempt of Court proceedings in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal. Laura acts for individuals facing the most serious allegations from sexual offences, drug supply, terrorism and murder. Laura has acted for a number of young people accused of murder and terrorist offences and young people who have been victims of criminal Laura is a keen trial advocate in the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court. Laura gives legal training and writes on the law on a regular basis. Notable cases: Criminal damage – R v G & S – representing two of the four people charged with criminal damage to the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol Encouraging terrorism – R v P – representing a man charged with encouraging terrorism Murder – R v R – representing a young person charged with the murder of a taxi driver Murder – R v S – representing a man charged with the murder and arson following the death of his estranged wife. Child abduction – R v P – represented woman acquitted of child abduction after taking someone else’s child to another country without permission of her lawful guardian. Murder – R v D – represented a young adult who was first on a multi-handed indictment for murder and possession of a bladed article. Attempted murder – R v I – represented man charged with attempted murder in relation to a stabbing that left the young complainant with a knife lodged in his eye-socket. Conspiracy to rob – R v A – representing a youth facing a charge of conspiracy to rob in a multi-handed case in the Crown Court. Exposure – R v D – acted as Crown Court advocate for a man suffering complex psychological problems including obsessive compulsive disorder. He was found not fit to plead and following a trial of issue was found not to have done the ‘act’ alleged. This required a careful application of the law surrounding what comprised the ‘actus reus’ and what the prosecution had to prove. Sexual assault – R v H – represented a captain facing Court martial in relation to an alleged sexual assault on a fellow officer. Conspiracy to supply – R v H – represented the only defendant to be acquitted following a lengthy trial lasting a number of months. GBH – R v D – acted as Crown Court advocate for a man charged with stabbing a long-time friend. Arson reckless as to whether life would be endangered – R v B – represented a young vulnerable woman accused of setting a fire at a halls of residence. Rape – R v R – man acquitted of raping his girlfriend following targeted disclosure requests that supported the client’s defence and undermined the account given by his girlfriend. Successfully defended the same client in the Magistrates Court accused of breaching a non-molestation order after careful cross-examination of the complainant in relation to her phone records. Client feedback: “Laura was absolutely amazing and instrumental to our defence and us getting acquitted!” “Laura has been absolutely amazing, we cannot thank her enough, she always made time to answer our questions and kept us updated throughout the whole experience. Very professional. Would highly recommend.” “I could not have found a better company and solicitor than Ms O’Brien at HJA! From the outset, communications and advice were clear and precise. The support, both moral and during trial was much appreciated over a very difficult period. Despite the shortcomings of the court, Ms O’Brien was extremely professional and a fantastic advocate. I would have no hesitation in recommending this company and solicitor.” “Laura O’Brien is amazing. Extremely passionate, knowledgeable and professional. Laura was incredibly supportive and treated me with kindness and care as well as expert legal representation. Laura O’Brien defended me against false allegations of assault on an emergency worker. I was found not guilty on both counts.”
Corker Binning
Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh acts for individuals under investigation by all UK enforcement authorities, with particular expertise in serious general crime and extradition. In her general criminal practice, Danielle acts for individuals throughout investigation and prosecution for the whole range of offences. She has significant experience in acting for youths and vulnerable individuals, and high-profile clients under investigation for sexual offences and domestic abuse (particularly controlling or coercive behaviour). Danielle has worked on behalf of individuals in proceedings for fraud, bribery and corruption offences, particularly those with international elements. She regularly defends individuals who are subject to extradition requests from both inside and outside the EU and has experience of applying for the removal of INTERPOL Red Notices on the basis of political persecution or breaches of human rights. Recent contested requests include those from the USA, Russia, UAE, Poland and Ecuador.
Leading individuals
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Bindmans LLP
Partner, Crime, Fraud and Regulatory Law. Tayab’s practice encompasses criminal and civil/public law in both the UK and international jurisdictions. He is routinely retained by high profile, high net worth clients seeking to protect their reputations against false public and criminal allegations. Tayab has acted in some of the most high profile and complex criminal trials over the last two decades. He has represented clients in the Supreme Court, European Court of Human Rights as well as at international political and legal institutions including the United Nations, the International Criminal Court and the African Commission of Human and Peoples’ Rights. He has also made important contributions to public debates on counter-terrorism legislation, the prosecution of international crimes and the use of torture. He has provided evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees on behalf of his clients, and advised a number of UK and foreign members of parliament, ministers, political parties and former governments. He is an internationally recognised and highly respected solicitor.
Bark&co
Giles Bark-Jones has defended clients in many of the largest white-collar crime and fraud cases of recent times. His impressive track record and wide experience includes representing individuals in prosecutions and investigations brought by the SFO, the FCA, HMRC and other bodies. Giles’s track record includes the SFO investigation into Rolls-Royce, acting for a number of key individuals; R v Asil Nadir (an SFO prosecution involving allegations of theft from Polly Peck International); the Adoboli case (involving a US$2.3bn trading loss fraud at UBS); and R v F & ors, described by prosecution counsel as the ‘biggest case ever’ involving carbon trading fraud. Other recent highlights include acting for three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker in relation to criminal charges brought by the Insolvency Service following his bankruptcy, and acting for the Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus in connection with the Polly Peck/Asil Nadir case. On the tax side, Giles has a similarly impressive record including an appeal against a £60m+ conviction for alcohol tax evasion; a complex matter involving payroll companies that allegedly failed to pay tax on behalf of the companies for which they acted; and a £100m multijurisdictional matter described by KPMG and the Daily Telegraph as “one of the biggest direct tax frauds in UK history”. He also assisted a number of clients in National Crime Agency and SKAT investigations into a £1.5bn fraud against the tax authorities in a number of countries, and has defended in large-scale money laundering SFO investigations. Giles is an expert in serious general crime as well as criminal fraud, and his practice includes high-profile murder/manslaughter cases, sexual offences cases, and cases involving offences under anti-terrorism legislation.
Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson
Natalie is a Partner and Head of the Crown Court Department. She was called to the bar in 2006 and qualified as a solicitor in 2008. She is a tenacious advocate representing clients charged with the most serious criminal offences. She has appeared in the Court of Appeal on a number of occasions as well as being led on many cases including murders, complex frauds and large scale drug conspiracies. In recent years she has undertaken work defending those charged in the Military Courts and is familar with their procedures and processes. Natalie has a large client base, representing defendants charged with all manner of offences, ranging from multi handed murders to driving offences. Natalie is often instructed at the pre charge stage and is consistently successful in making representations to avoid charges being brought. Natalie is incredibly hard working and passionate in what she does. She goes above and beyond in terms of her preparation and to ensure everything that can be done, is. This coupled with her friendly but robust approach, means she is committed to secure the right outcome in every case
Hodge Jones & Allen
Raj is the Head of the Criminal Defence, Financial Crime and Regulatory Department. He is one of the country’s leading criminal lawyers with expertise in serious and complex crime, public order and financial crime. He is the winner of the Criminal Lawyer of Year Award in 2012, (LALY), awarded by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group. As a Higher Rights Advocate, he has been shortlisted on 3 occasions as “Advocate of the Year” by the Law Society Excellence Awards, being commended in 2017. He has been shortlisted as “Criminal Lawyer of the Year” by the Society of Asian Lawyers in 2017 and 2018. He has a significant niche expertise in bribery/corruption, having represented several executives and is the author of the Bribery Handbook. He acted in the “Stansted 15” trial which was labelled by the New Statesman magazine as “the most important political trial of our times”. He is one of a handful of specialist human rights specialists who can take on cases with political dimensions, he is s a regular commentator for BBC, Channel 4, Sky News, the Guardian and the Time Newspapers.
Bindmans LLP
Partner, Crime, Fraud and Regulatory. With almost 30 years’ experience as a criminal solicitor, Kate has extensive expertise in defending complex and serious crime and extradition including all aspects of business crime and fraud, money laundering, restraint and confiscation and cross-border investigations. She is particularly well regarded for her skill in dealing with politically sensitive, high profile, and controversial cases and has recently seen success in University Disciplinary proceedings. Kate has a broad extradition practice and has successfully challenged applications for extradition, many of which are politically sensitive, to both Category 1 and Category 2 territories. She advises on Interpol Red Notices and Mutual Legal Assistance Requests and liaises closely with US Attorneys in negotiations with the DOJ and defending related SEC actions where appropriate. Kate is also frequently instructed by those in the public eye whose reputation is everything. She fully understands the additional burden that press intrusion places on both the individual and prosecuting agency and is expert at navigating clients through the media storm. Kate regularly provides advice pre-charge and during investigations brought by a range of prosecuting agencies, with regards to police powers, production orders, search and seizure, securing evidence and publicity. She has provided evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee regarding pre-charge bail and suspect anonymity, and also advises media organisations with regards to reporting restrictions and protection of journalistic material and sources. Kate is a forceful defender of an individual’s rights and regularly draws on the Human Rights Act to ensure those rights are protected. She is widely respected for her sensitivity, tactical skill, attention to detail, her ability to tackle complex forensic issues and her thorough and determined pursuit of disclosure and defence leads.
Hall of famePeters & Peters Solicitors LLP
Senior Partner and Head of the Business Crime Department. He specialises in international sanctions, criminal cartel investigations, corruption, extradition, and serious fraud investigations. Has successfully represented many individual and corporate clients facing investigations in the UK, the US and other jurisdictions. Headline cases include: acting for a main suspect in the Malaysian 1MDB corruption investigations, acting for a CEO in the Petrobras investigation, acting for leading EU company in a significant corruption investigation; successfully leading the largest private prosecution case brought by an individual in the UK; acting for multiple Zimbabwean, Egyptian and Russian entities and individuals in judicial challenges to the EU sanctions regime; acting for a senior executive in the SFO Barclays/Qatar investigation; representing a multinational company in the global car parts cartel; successfully representing two British Airways executives in the CMA price-fixing trial; acting for the first individual to be charged with the UK cartel offence. Previous experience as a senior prosecutor of high profile and complex criminal cases. Consistently highlighted as a leading authority in Business Crime in leading legal directories, Michael was also nominated as Legal Innovator of The Year in The Financial Times Lawyer Awards 2011, is Winner of the GCR Competition Law Article of the Year Award 2012, listed in the global top ten investigative lawyers and leads the firm's sanctions practice that was awarded the 2015 EU Sanctions Law Firm of the Year by World ECR. Michael co-writes a blog on European Sanctions Law at www.europeansanctions.com.
Hall of fameHickman & Rose
Ben Rose is one of the most respected defence lawyers in the country. For over 30 years he has successfully represented individuals and corporations in the most serious financial, regulatory and general criminal matters. He has established himself a ‘go to’ solicitor for high profile individuals seeking discreet resolution of sensitive legal problems and is an expert on regulatory and civil matters as they impact financial wrongdoing. A specialist in both financial and general criminal law, Ben offers a complete defence service. He has acted for some of the world’s largest companies in corporate criminal matters; and has represented company CEOs, directors and general counsel in some of the most significant White Collar criminal and regulatory cases worldwide. He has also carved a formidable reputation acting for HNW and well-known individuals such politicians, celebrities, entrepreneurs and their families with those sensitive legal concerns which often constitute the biggest crises of their lives. As well as criminal legal matters, Ben provides expert advice in relation to money laundering and proceeds of crime issues such as Unexplained Wealth Orders and Account Freezing Orders. He is often involved in cross-jurisdictional matters and is expert in setting overall legal strategy and coordinating teams of lawyers working across the globe. Ben’s wealth of experience enables him to formulate strategies which are most likely to secure the best outcome. He has achieved great success for his clients during the investigation and before charge and has been ensured that even the most sensational cases remain out of the public domain. Calm, organised and sympathetic, Ben forges powerful working relationships with his clients. He takes care to ensure that he concisely communicates what can often be complex legal strategies in way that that is clearly comprehensible to his clients, who are often extremely time-pressured people.
Howard Kennedy LLP
Ian Ryan is a Partner and Head of the Business Crime and Regulatory team. He is a white-collar crime lawyer specialising in serious fraud and acting in serious and high-profile matters both domestically and internationally. Ian heads the firm's well regarded Business Crime team. Ian has over 25 years' experience dealing with a full range of business crime and serious fraud investigations. This includes investigations by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Competition Markets Authority (CMA), the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). He advises on investigations from the early stages through to and including contested jury trials. His primary focus is acting for clients in SFO investigations. He is representing senior individuals in SFO investigations into Euribor, Patisserie Valerie, Amec Foster Wheeler, and ENRC (Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation). Ian successfully represented Achim Kraemer, the only defendant acquitted in the first Euribor trial in June 2018. He has previously acted on the SFO investigations into Rolls Royce, GSK, Tesco, Harlequin and represented Vincent Tchenguiz on his arrest by the SFO and subsequent search of his business premises. Ian also acts for corporates on production orders, dawn raids, confiscation proceedings, warrants and the extent of legal professional privilege. He has represented both multi-nationals and individuals in numerous internal investigations. Ian has specialist experience in solicitors' disciplinary work and SRA investigations and is skilled at representing General Counsel caught up in SFO investigations. Ian has a niche specialism in money laundering and was previously a member of the Law Society's Money Laundering Taskforce. He is a member of the Law Society's AML directory providing advice to solicitors. Ian continues to represent high-net-worth individuals (celebrities, politicians and sports people) in general criminal matters.
Hodge Jones & Allen
Mike Schwarz is a pre-eminent Criminal Defence, civil liberties, protest, fraud and public inquiries lawyer. Mike has over three decades of experience in defending those facing the most serious and complex criminal offences, including murder, white-collar crime and multi-party proceedings. Mike is well-known for representing high-profile political activists and campaigners fighting for progressive issues such as animal rights, pacifism and racial equality. He is particularly well known for representing, for 3 decades, environmental campaigners on diverse threats to the planet such as climate change, biodiversity, GM crops, incinerators, fishing. He is the co-author of a leading textbook on protest and public order, and is an expert in the protection of citizens’ freedoms of expression and assembly under Articles 10/11 of the ECHR . Mike has been involved in the investigation and exposure of misconduct by the state – by, for example, giving evidence to parliamentary committees on alleged police misconduct and corruption. He currently represents over 100 ‘core participants’ in the ongoing Undercover Policing Inquiry (the Mitting inquiry) and some of the 100s of sub-post masters / mistresses victims of the Horizon IT scandal, who are core participants in the Post Office Inquiry (the Williams inquiry). Mike also regularly acts for professionals in trouble with the criminal law and regulators. For example, he acts for journalists facing serious and diverse allegations, including terrorism and harassment. He acts is key prosecutions under fraud and corruption legislation of accountants and other professionals.
Kingsley Napley LLP
David has an extensive criminal litigation background. Regularly acting for individuals and companies in high profile cases, he specialises in providing advice at the crucial early stages of an investigation. Astute and practical in his approach, David’s early involvement in the case can make the difference between being charged with an offence or not. This includes representing clients who are arrested and interviewed under caution, challenging search warrants and other investigatory powers and making pre-charge representations to the police and prosecuting authorities. Should matters progress to court he is meticulous in his preparation and has a high acquittal rate. Case highlights include representing Cambridge Analytica’s CEO in the Facebook data breach scandal and other high profile matters.David’s white collar crime practice includes acting for companies and individuals accused of complex financial investigations involving fraud, overseas corruption and Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA). He specialises in defending tax evasion/fraud allegations brought by HMRC and has developed a specialist expertise in advising in cross border tax litigation involving MLA requests between Member States. He is currently representing two separate companies in the on-going “cum ex” trading scandal in Denmark and Germany.
Stokoe Partnership Solicitors
Brian Swan is a Consultant at Stokoe Partnership Solicitors. Brian has a strong track record as a thorough and talented lawyer preparing a wide range of cases within the firm’s criminal litigation department. He has extensive experience dealing with cases involving the most serious of criminal offences, ranging from murder to large scale importation of drugs. Brian’s other areas of expertise include cases involving extradition, regulatory offences and other complex fraud cases and confiscation proceedings. Recent cases of note include; Representing a client who was extradited to the UK from Spain in respect of an allegation of murder. The client had evaded arrest for 8 years before being extradited to stand trial. At trial the defendant was acquitted and his co defendant, who was due to stand trial before our client had been extradited and had blamed him, was convicted. Representing three clients post conviction who had been sentenced to life imprisonment following their convictions for conspiracy to murder. At their Appeal the Court quashed their convictions and a re trial was ordered. At the subsequent retrial, the Crown’s disclosure process was placed under intense scrutiny which resulted in the Crown offering no evidence following legal argument. Representing a client in respect of a Conspiracy to murder. The client escaped from custody whilst on remand and became the first Category A prisoner in 15 years to do so. Following his escape, and return to the UK the client was acquitted. Representing a client alleged to have been involved in a multi kilo conspiracy to import Class A drugs into the UK from South America and South Africa. A successful half time submission of no case to answer was made to the Court that as our client had failed to reach an agreement with his co-defendants he had not conspired with others to commit the offence. Representing two clients alleged to be drug barons who evaded capture for over a decade with estimated turnover of their business of £1 billion. On their arrest Law Enforcement Authorities had seized over £5million in cash which at the time was one of the largest cash seizures in the UK. After lengthy negotiations we were able to settle the case with a combined order of £2 million, instead of the £28 million hidden asset Order the Crown originally sought. Representing a client who was subject to confiscation proceedings following his conviction for the production of a class B drug. We were able to agree to a “full benefit” Order being made against him in the sum of £411,555.98 as opposed to £4million originally sought by the Crown. Representing a client whose extradition was sought by Belgium under an European Arrest Warrant for offences of drug trafficking, money laundering and being part of a criminal organisation. The proceedings lasted in excess of 6 years with no less than 4 separate EAW’s being issued and all of them were successfully opposed and were discharged either by the Magistrates Court or Administrative Court. The client’s extradition was originally sought under an accusation warrant requesting his extradition to Belgium to stand trial. Whilst the EAW was being challenged in the UK Courts the Belgian Prosecutor had proceeded to trial against our client in his absence in Belgium which resulted in convictions in Belgium. The Belgian Authorities then sought his extradition under a new conviction warrant. The Administrative Court condemned the conduct of the Belgian Authorities in convicting a suspect whilst they were exercising their legal right to oppose their extradition and discharged the conviction warrant.
Stokoe Partnership Solicitors
Maria Theodoulou has been a Partner at Stokoe Partnership since 2004 having joined the Practice as a trainee in 1997. She oversees all branches of Stokoe Partnership Solicitors, ensuring that the Firm’s high standards and ethos are carried through by each member of the Team. She has overseen the rapid expansion of the Practice. Maria has a solid and strong track record as a criminal defence lawyer with a passion for defending her client’s interests. Maria specialises in all types of criminal defence matters, often those attracting media attention. She has considerable expertise in defending serious cases involving allegations of murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to supply large scale Class A drugs. Maria is ranked as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in The Legal 500 UK 2022 Guide where she is described as “an excellent tactician and adviser to clients, always knows the best strategy.’ She is recognised for “her work ethic and dedication. She is a fighter, the sort of person who inspires confidence by simply just being part of the team”, and is praised for her “ability to think around corners”.
Stokoe Partnership Solicitors
Bambos Tsiattalou is the Founding Partner and a highly respected and sought after criminal defence lawyer at Stokoe Partnership Solicitors. Prior to his admission on the roll of solicitors, he was a barrister acting in many high profile cases. Bambos has many years’ experience of investigations and prosecutions relating to serious crime, including murder, fraud, drug trafficking, bribery and corruption cases. He specialises in cases involving money laundering, confiscation, civil recovery and extradition matters. Bambos is highly ranked in leading law directories in recognition of his talent and legal knowledge. He is ranked in Chambers and Partners and is a Leading Individual in The Legal 500 UK Guide for his general crime expertise, and is also highly ranked for his financial crime and fraud practices. The Legal 500 describes him as “a legend amongst criminal solicitors – a workaholic who goes the extra mile for clients”. The Guide also describes him as “a tactical mastermind, he just sees things in a case in an instant that others may never see. Has unrivalled instinct and his preparation is meticulously thorough”.
Bindmans LLP
Partner, Head of Crime, Fraud and Regulatory. Katie has vast experience in many areas of criminal law. She acts for and advises individual clients and organisations about a range of criminal and regulatory law issues, including investigations and prosecutions. Katie advises in connection with investigations and prosecutions for allegations of serious fraud financial and business crime, including conspiracy to defraud, bribery and corruption, insider dealing and money laundering. She also acts for and advises employees, directors trustees and organisations in connection with allegations and investigations and prosecutions of business crime, including corporate manslaughter, gross negligence and unlawful act manslaughter, Health and Safety breaches, theft and assault. She advises in connection with individual liability for allegations of criminal misconduct in the workplace and criminal liability of organisations for the acts of their employees. Katie also has special expertise in private prosecutions. She has established a particularly strong reputation for advising journalists and media organisations, especially in investigations relating to their work, including arrests, searches, production orders, protection of journalist material, whistleblowing and allegations of breaches of the Official Secrets Act, whistle-blowers or undercover operations which have attracted police interest or attention. She regularly advises about the intersection of the criminal law with the work of journalists and acts in respect of investigations and prosecutions for breach of court reporting restrictions. Katie also acts in criminal cases involving allegations of serious general crime including murder and manslaughter. She has special experience in advising in connection with allegations that relate to end of life decisions such as encouraging and assisting suicide and 'mercy killings.' She acts for individuals and organisations who are designated Interested Parties at Inquests in circumstances where a person’s death is unexplained or is believed to have occurred as a result of a criminal act. In addition, Katie acts for landlords in criminal and regulatory cases involving allegations of breaches of regulations relating to properties, including houses of multiple occupations, fire safety, planning and tree preservation.
IBB Law
Eddie Tang has a wide range of experience in criminal defence work. He joined the firm in 2007 as a senior solicitor and was promoted to Partner in 2011. His cases take him the length and breadth of the UK. As well as a high number of cases in West London, he has also represented clients in Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Southampton and Nottingham.
Freemans Solicitors