Department profile
33 Chambers

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits


33 Chambers

Rankings

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POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture - All Circuits

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

A set praised as "the leading players in this area," 33 Chancery Lane has experience across the full spectrum of POCA matters and is especially noted for its expertise in money laundering investigations. Described by solicitors as "the go-to set for the biggest POCA jobs," members act for defendants and prosecutors alike in cases which are often high-profile and international in nature. They also frequently represent receivers and third parties with regard to issues ranging from civil recovery and restraint proceedings to regulatory advice. Members have recently acted in a claim for summary judgment in a civil recovery case involving cryptocurrency held in an overseas wallet by a UK

citizen living in the UAE.

Martin Adams is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • One of the best clerking teams in the country. They operate like a proper business and Martin Adams is exceptional at dealing with professional and lay clients. He goes above and beyond to assist us.

    POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are brilliant and very responsive.

    POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are superb - Sam Carter, Martin Adams, Chris Chiles. They make life very, very easy.

    POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Martin, the senior clerk, is excellent. He's happy to ask you what you want and amenable to change.

    POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • They have responsive and engaging clerks. It feels like a partnership when you instruct them on cases.

    POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsAndrew Mitchell
    Star IndividualsAndrew Mitchell

    Andrew Mitchell

    Andrew Mitchell KC is a famed individual who is extensively experienced in POCA work, whose practice covers a wide array of cases including those concerning money laundering, asset recovery, bribery and corruption. Frequently instructed in high-profile and complex matters, he is considered to be a master litigator who represents clients at the top level including in the Court of Appeal. The matters he undertakes regularly include international elements.

    • Andrew Mitchell is, and has been for some time, at the top of the field. He has been described as a king of POCA and I agree with that sentiment. He gives clear and concise advice.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsIan Smith
    Star IndividualsIan Smith

    Ian Smith

    Ian Smith is a commercial litigator and criminal lawyer who has a specialist knowledge of POCA. He is known for handling more general complex commercial cases with a fraud element. Smith is experienced in civil recovery restraint orders and enforcement proceedings, both domestically and internationally. He also covers advisory work on anti-money laundering regulation.

    • Ian Smith is a real scholar and co-editor of the textbook. He's tactically very astute.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • He knows what he's talking about. He's written a book on POCA.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Smith is phenomenal in understanding the Criminal and Civil Bar. Most don't get both. He's willing to make decisions in the POCA world. He's a go-to for POCA.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsKennedy Talbot
    Star IndividualsKennedy Talbot

    Kennedy Talbot

    Kennedy Talbot KC is a highly regarded silk who frequently handles civil recovery, restraint, receivership and confiscation cases. Clients include private individuals and financial institutions. His practice covers advice on money laundering obligations, compliance and novel regulatory developments.

    • Kennedy knows the law brilliantly and that engenders confidence - he looks at all the points of a case to find the solution. He's also very available and very easy to work with.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Kennedy is amazing, particularly on complex stuff - he's commercial and straight to the point. He gives the client great comfort and explains complex stuff very clearly.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • He makes other excellent barristers look pedestrian and is a real titan in the world of proceeds of crime.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Kennedy Talbot is recognised as the leading authority in proceeds of crime. He's always direct in his advice.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Kennedy Talbot is probably the leading practitioner in the area. He's very bright and gets to the nub of the issue before anyone else.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsMartin Evans
    Star IndividualsMartin Evans

    Martin Evans

    Martin Evans KC boasts expertise in both POCA and criminal fraud matters, and is particularly adept at restraint, confiscation and civil recovery cases. He represents defendants, receivers, companies and prosecuting agencies, among others. Evans has been instructed in numerous cases in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

    • Martin Evans is excellent at handling the most complex and highest-value POCA matters.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Martin Evans is a real POCA specialist. He knows everything about the area.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Barry Stancombe
    Band 1Barry Stancombe

    Barry Stancombe

    Barry Stancombe is a POCA and asset forfeiture specialist with noteworthy experience in civil recovery and receivership. He acts for prosecuting agencies such as the SFO and FCA, as well as receivers, defendants and companies. His work includes fraud-related restraint and receivership matters. Instructed in high-profile cases, often with international components, Stancombe has had involvement in a number of matters that have helped to develop the law relating to asset recovery.

    • Barry Stancombe bridges the gap between civil and criminal restraint work extremely well. He's extremely approachable and practical.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Barry Stancombe is a great POCA lawyer, who also understands the insolvency framework. He is just astonishing in his ability to understand the complexities of the law.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Barry's an expert in this area who does an excellent job. He's fairly unique in that he advises prosecutors, but also does defence work. He's very good on receivership law.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Christopher Convey
    Band 1Christopher Convey

    Christopher Convey

    Christopher Convey frequently acts for defendants and third parties in POCA proceedings relating to allegations of business crime and corporate wrongdoing, regularly appearing before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He has particular experience advising offshore trusts on money laundering and compliance issues.

    • Christopher is tactically astute. He is immediately able to identify strengths and weaknesses in the case and the focus for the client.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Christopher Convey is one of the brightest barristers in POCA, but he's also great on civil fraud. His skill set is not limited.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Fiona Jackson
    Band 1Fiona Jackson

    Fiona Jackson

    Fiona Jackson is an experienced criminal counsel who assists defence and prosecution clients with fraud, POCA and asset recovery matters. She is frequently instructed in cases with international elements, including those relating to international mutual legal assistance and international regulatory work. Jackson is experienced at representing clients at all court levels and is a regular in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

    • Fiona Jackson is very good. Her drafting is exceptional and she's both comfortable at handling complex issues and succinct in her advice. She's also very friendly and good with clients.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Penelope Small
    Band 1Penelope Small

    Penelope Small

    Penelope Small is recognised for her specialist expertise in POCA proceedings, asset recovery and restraint orders in both the civil and criminal spheres. She represents prosecuting authorities and defendants, and regularly tackles cases with cross-border aspects to them. Small has particular expertise in third-party representation.

    • Penny Small is very efficient. She provides thorough and useful advice and is very knowledgeable.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Penelope Small is the complete package - she has the knowledge and acumen. She really cuts through and gets the result for the client.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Faisal Osman
    Band 2Faisal Osman

    Faisal Osman

    Faisal Osman is a POCA practitioner specialising in domestic and international civil recovery stemming from commercial wrongdoing. He advises claimants and third parties on asset recovery matters, and also handles confiscation, fraud and regulatory enforcement cases. He is regularly instructed in appeals against confiscations, and his clients include governments and commercial organisations, among others.

    • Faisal provides great advice and gives workshops at conferences in the Cayman Islands. He's very engaging and knows what he's talking about.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Faisal is a meticulous lawyer with an eye for detail when it comes to complex money laundering and civil fraud cases involving multiple jurisdictions and corporate structures.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Graham Brodie
    Band 2Graham Brodie

    Graham Brodie

    Graham Brodie KC acts for claimants and defendants in proceedings relating to allegations of commercial wrongdoing, and is renowned for his involvement in civil fraud and asset forfeiture cases. He handles cases concerning restraint, freezing and confiscation of assets in both the civil and criminal spheres. Brodie is regularly instructed in POCA cases that are multi-jurisdictional in nature.

    • He is a superb strategist and a very good advocate who has a great command of the law.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Graham Brodie is pre-eminent in POCA. He's very impressive with clients and has gravitas. The most valuable thing is that he's not afraid to grasp the nettle and give difficult advice.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Mark Rainsford
    Band 2Mark Rainsford

    Mark Rainsford

    Mark Rainsford KC handles specialised financial crime, proceeds of crime and asset recovery cases, and boasts particular expertise in money laundering matters. His clients include major financial institutions and private individuals. Rainsford is further instructed by prosecution agencies.

    • Mark Rainsford is a very good advocate. He is highly meticulous and a very accomplished lawyer.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Mark Rainsford was just fantastic to work with. For a silk, he was really responsive and he was very good with the client.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Rachel Ferrari
    Band 3Rachel Ferrari

    Rachel Ferrari

    Rachel Ferrari is regularly instructed by government agencies in connection with confiscations and forfeiture under POCA. She is often instructed alone and is someone who also represents individuals in confiscation matters.

    • Highly competent and easy to work with, she's someone who keeps cases moving.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Rachel is a pleasure to work with and very enthusiastic.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
    • Rachel Ferrari has a scholarly understanding of the area. She's an intellectually strong lawyer.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 33 Chambers (12)

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