• Renowned barrister bolsters MKS capabilities
  • Specialises in cases of serious fraud and money laundering

One of the UK’s most highly-regarded serious fraud and white collar crime barristers, Charles Bott KC, is joining world-renowned disputes and asset recovery litigation practice, Martin Kenney & Co (MKS).

Charles will be joining the BVI-based MKS as Head of Advocacy, bolstering its capabilities in fraud, asset recovery and white collar crime.

As a top-ranked Chambers & Partners silk (Band 1) in Financial Crime for more than a decade, Charles has appeared in over 90 serious fraud trials during his career, including some of the leading cases of recent years. 

He was formerly Head of Carmelite Chambers, now known as Mountford Chambers. 

Speaking about his new role, Charles said:

“I’m tremendously excited to be joining MKS and to have the chance to work with Martin and the team on cases of global importance. I’ve been instructed by MKS at the independent bar for many years and I’ve always been impressed by the skill and creativity of their talented team of lawyers and financial investigators.

“Their recent work has been at the cutting edge of their field. Their ability to find new ways to join up legal systems to recover assets for the victims of fraud and corruption is exceptional. I look forward to a long and happy association with them.”

Martin Kenney, MKS founder and Head of Firm, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Charles to the MKS team. His joining is a major achievement for our firm and his international standing is such that I am confident that he will push our team to even greater heights and further enhance our global reputation.

“I know that Charles and MKS will prove a formidable combination, broadening our capabilities into the criminal sphere. I look forward to working with him to develop litigation strategies that I know will be both inventive and groundbreaking.”

Andrew Gilliland, Head of Litigation at MKS, said: 

“MKS has instructed Charles for a number of years and his value to those projects has been significant. He is a brilliant strategic thinker and having him available to clients in-house is yet another factor differentiating MKS from the crowd.”

Shaun Reardon-John, Solicitor Advocate at MKS, added: 

“It’s been a real shot in the arm for MKS to get Charles onboard. I have worked with him very closely recently and his enthusiasm and energy are endless. He will form part of a great team driving MKS forward in the coming years, adding a new level to our in-house advocacy offering, as well as an additional layer to strategic thinking. I look forward to our future projects together.”

Tony McClements, Head of Investigations at MKS, also said:

“I was absolutely delighted to hear that Charles will be joining the MKS team. As one of the top English Silks specialising in fraud work, it is a major coup for the firm to secure his services. Not only is Charles one of the globe's most preeminent lawyers in our field, but he is also a genuine and personable character who always champions a client’s cause.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS 

Charles Bott KC (see bio)

Charles Bott joins MKS as Head of Advocacy, having previously been Head of Mountford Chambers (formerly known as Carmelite Chambers).

Ranked Band 1 in Financial Crime by Chambers & Partners since 2012 and highly-ranked by Legal 500, his past work includes criminal aspects of insider dealing, rate manipulation, cross-jurisdictional asset recovery, market manipulation and anti-competitive trading. 

He has advised banks and other financial institutions and has drafted asset recovery legislation for overseas territories and advised on the implementation of money laundering and mutual assistance regimes.

In criminal law, he also has extensive experience in cases of homicide, terrorism, serious violence and drug trafficking and has appeared in two major public enquiries.

At MKS he will be specialising in commercial dispute resolution and white collar crime.