Region Area

Solicitors

Simon Barker

Simon Barker

Work Department

Crime

Position

Partner practicing in all areas of criminal litigation particularly complex fraud, confiscation and money laundering proceedings. In this field Simon has achieved many important and significant results for his clients. He has established a strong reputation for being ‘extremely easy to deal with, very clear, very driven and very supportive’ (Chambers & Partners). Important cases worked upon at a senior level include: R v Wootton (the famous Jubilee Line Extension case in which the acquittal of the client was secured after a 2 year trial ); R v Jain (SFO prosecution of a highly complex billion pound metal trading fraud and ensuing confiscation proceedings in which a discontinuance was obtained for the client); R v Embleton (large scale and complex machinery financing fraud prosecution in which acquittals on all counts were obtained); R v Lewis (prosecution of a broker in a large scale mortgage fraud where a non-custodial sentence was obtained following the client’s acquittal on the large majority of counts and thereafter a confiscation order in the amount of £1 only); R v Harrold (large scale insurance industry fraud prosecution in which pressure from the defence led to the abandonment of the proceedings by the prosecution before trial); R v van Meel (Beijing Olympic ticket fraud prosecution where the case against the client was discharged mid-trial as a result of successful legal argument); R v Lunn (prosecution by HMRC of an accountant acting for thousands of clients); R v Goodman (acquittal secured of ‘Lord Libor’ in the well-publicised LIBOR brokers trial); R v Amin (acquittal of an investor in a film investment scheme in a large-scale, multi-defendant prosecution brought by HMRC).

Career

Trained Janes Solicitors; qualified 2000; partner 2003. After leaving university Simon worked as an examiner in insolvency at the Office of the Official Receiver in London where he obtained experience in insolvency law, the prosecution of Companies Act and Insolvency Act offences and the disqualification of company directors. Since joining Janes Solicitors, Simon has worked primarily on high-profile cases of alleged fraud.

Languages

English.

Memberships

London Criminal Courts Association; Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association.

Education

Newsome High School, Huddersfield; University of Hull (LLB (Hons)); College of Law, London (Legal Practice Certificate (commendation)).

Leisure

Cycling, mountain-biking, football, rugby league, gym, literature.

Mentions

Crime, fraud and licensing • London

Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals)