5 St Andrews Hill

James practises in crime and business crime, asset recovery, civil fraud & confiscation, immigration and judicial review & public law.

James practises in both civil and criminal law. He is a specialist in Asset Recovery money laundering and Proceeds of Crime work. He has significant expertise in dealing with Account Freezing, Listed Assets and Forfeiture applications in the Magistrates Court and Civil Recovery in the High Court. He is instructed on behalf of businesses, by individual members of the public and by Government departments, such as the NCA, HMRC, FCA and DPP.

James also has extensive expertise in applications and judicial reviews relating to law enforcement investigations such as search warrants, restraint, disclosure orders, receiverships and moratorium extensions.

In his capacity as a “A panelist” on the Attorney General’s list of Civil Counsel, he deals with immigration, inquest and inquiry work and challenges to government policy.

James is also a standing counsel to Santander bank.

He has been featured in Chambers and Partners in the field of Proceeds of Crime and Asset Forfeiture work (all circuits) since 2014 and has been “Top Ranked” since 2016. James is ranked as a Tier 1 leading individual in The Legal 500 for POCA and Asset Forfeiture (London Bar).

James Fletcher has been nominated as Financial Crime junior of the year (2022), at the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2022.

Feedback on James Fletcher from the Legal Directories:

‘ James is unfailingly polite and a pleasure to work with. He is extremely bright and very capable. ’

The Legal 500 2022.

‘His knowledge of and familiarity with how POCA powers are deployed across the range of enforcement authorities is invaluable.’

The Legal 500 2021.

"He's very good and very practical."

Chambers and Partners 2020.

‘ A very persuasive advocate in court. ’

The Legal 500 2020.

James is ranked as a tier 2 leading individual in the Legal 500 for POCA and asset forfeiture (London Bar). He is also ranked in Who's Who at the UK Bar (2017 & 2018 Edition) in the field of criminal fraud work.

James is qualified to receive instructions directly from members of the public.  He is qualified to conduct litigation. Recent cases include:

Advising on Restraint Proceedings.

Advising on third party intervention at confiscation.

 

James was called to the Bar in 2000. Attorney General's Panel of Counsel: A Panel. Grade 3 Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). CPS specialist list for Proceeds of Crime: Grade 3. CPS specialist list for Fraud and Serious Crime: Grade 4.

Asset Recovery, Civil Fraud & Confiscation

James has specialist knowledge of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Asset Forfeiture. Government bodies, defendants, third parties and victims all approach James to act in Account Freezing, Restraint, Receivership, Confiscation and Enforcement cases in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and High Court.

He undertakes Civil Recovery cases and Cash Forfeiture cases under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. James can help defendants and third parties, providing solutions where they face problematic confiscation issues or have been prevented from dealing with their assets. He can assist businesses and individuals recover missing or stolen assets.

Business Crime & Financial Regulation

James is a barrister who acts across the whole spectrum of regulatory cases. He deals with all types of search warrant, production order and disclosure applications and associated judicial reviews.

James acts for parties in contempt of court applications in the civil and criminal courts.

Criminal Defence & Criminal Prosecutions - Private & Public

James’ practice in crime focusses on fraud and money laundering cases where there are significant quantities of material.

James accepts Private Prosecution Instructions.

Immigration

James accepts immigration instructions and regularly appears in the Upper Tribunal and other Courts in relation to Judicial Review.

Judicial Review & Public Law & Inquests & Inquiries

James accepts immigration instructions and regularly appears in the Upper Tribunal and other Courts in relation to Judicial Review.

James accepts instructions in relation to Public Inquiries and Inquests.

Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association. Fraud Lawyers Association. International Bar Association. Cybercrime Lawyers Association.