Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture - All Circuits

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

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Andrew Mitchell
Star Individuals

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.

Ian Smith
Star Individuals

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.

He knows what he's talking about. He's written a book on POCA.

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.

Kennedy Talbot
Star Individuals

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.

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.

He makes other excellent barristers look pedestrian and is a real titan in the world of proceeds of crime.

Kennedy Talbot is recognised as the leading authority in proceeds of crime. He's always direct in his advice.

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.

Martin Evans
Star Individuals

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.

Martin Evans is a real POCA specialist. He knows everything about the area.

1
Barry Stancombe
1
Band 1

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.

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.

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.

1
Christopher Convey
1
Band 1

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.

Christopher Convey is one of the brightest barristers in POCA, but he's also great on civil fraud. His skill set is not limited.

1
Fiona Jackson
1
Band 1

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.

1
Penelope Small
1
Band 1

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.

Penelope Small is the complete package - she has the knowledge and acumen. She really cuts through and gets the result for the client.

2
Catherine Collins
2
Band 2

Catherine Collins is experienced in both the prosecution and defence of asset forfeiture issues. She frequently advises and represents third parties in a broad range of POCA and financial crime cases, particularly matters with a civil and criminal law crossover. Collins is appointed to the SFO Proceeds of Crime B Panel and the SFO Prosecution B Panel.

Catherine has a mastery of the material and an ability to win the confidence of the client. She's someone with a real ability to predict what the prosecution is going to do.

Catherine takes meticulousness to a whole new level. She's incredibly bright and good at bigger, more complicated cases where you have to do skeleton arguments. Her drafting skills are superb.

Catherine is a fantastic junior who is exceptionally bright. She's done stuff before you ask her to do it.

2
Faisal Osman
2
Band 2

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.

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.

2
Graham Brodie
2
Band 2

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.

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.

2
Mark Rainsford
2
Band 2

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.

Mark Rainsford was just fantastic to work with. For a silk, he was really responsive and he was very good with the client.

3
Rachel Ferrari
3
Band 3

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.

Rachel is a pleasure to work with and very enthusiastic.

Rachel Ferrari has a scholarly understanding of the area. She's an intellectually strong lawyer.

Ranked Barristers at
33 Chancery Lane

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

All Circuits

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture

Andrew Mitchell KC
Star Individuals
Kennedy Talbot KC
Star Individuals
Martin Evans KC
Star Individuals
2
Graham Brodie KC
2
Band 2
2
Mark Rainsford KC
2
Band 2

Juniors

All Circuits

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture

Ian Smith
Star Individuals
1
Barry Stancombe
1
Band 1
1
Christopher Convey
1
Band 1
1
Fiona Jackson
1
Band 1
1
Penelope Small
1
Band 1
2
Catherine Collins
2
Band 2
2
Faisal Osman
2
Band 2
3
Rachel Ferrari
3
Band 3