Department profile
5 King's Bench Walk

Financial Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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5 King's Bench Walk

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Financial Crime - London (Bar)

Band 4

What the Team is Known For

5 King's Bench Walk is recognised for the quality of its offering, having "a diverse range of talent and various members who are top tier specialists in their fields." Sources describe the set's members as "standout individuals who provide astute advice, skilful representation and exceptional client care." Representing both prosecution and defence, the set is routinely instructed by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Crown Prosecution Service and the Financial Conduct Authority, as well as on behalf of individuals and corporations facing allegations of financial wrongdoing. Members cover the full range of financial offences from fraudulent trading to tax evasion and bribery and corruption, including large-scale and international mandates. Members of the set recently acted for the SFO in relation to a long running investigation and prosecution of corruption arising from contracts for the supply and maintenance of military equipment to Saudi Arabia.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Their clerk team is the best. Lee Hughes-Gage is straightforward, incredibly trustworthy and very discrete on sensitive matters.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks were extremely responsive and always willing to go that extra step.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Their clerks are very well-connected and know how to get work to solicitors.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Mark A. Heywood
    Mark A. Heywood

    Mark A. Heywood

    Mark Heywood KC is a former First Senior Treasury Counsel and is regularly called upon to handle complex criminal cases. He has considerable experience handling litigation involving the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Services Authority.

    • He is a star performer. When he speaks, judges listen.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Simply the best KC at the bar for fraud cases.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He reads all the papers and really rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. He is incredibly humble and hard-working.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Natasha Wong
    Natasha Wong

    Natasha Wong

    Natasha Wong KC is a highly diligent silk who exhibits clear communication skills and has great sensitivity to client concerns. High-value money laundering, rate rigging and tax fraud matters feature in her caseload. She is noted for her experience handling matters for financial services clients.

    • She is very persuasive in legal arguments.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Natasha has remarkable expertise and charm.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Natasha has a lovely manner. She is very calm, polite and effective.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Kathryn Arnot Drummond
    Kathryn Arnot Drummond

    Kathryn Arnot Drummond

    Kathryn Arnot Drummond is regularly instructed in complex and high-value fraud and money laundering cases. She is noted her expert representation of both individual and corporate clients in investigations brought by the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority and HMRC, and is well versed in cases involving parallel foreign proceedings.

    • Kathryn is diligent, hard-working and detail-oriented, whilst being very personable.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Kathryn is simply brilliant. She is a brilliant lawyer across the whole breadth of crime. She is exceptionally precise and thorough.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Kathryn was a delight to work with. She had every detail at her fingertips and immediately put the clients at ease.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Rupert Kent
    Rupert Kent

    Rupert Kent

    Rupert Kent is a talented advocate for both the defence and prosecution of financial crime, with experience acting in a range of fraud, money laundering, insider trading and asset restraint work. He is also a Grade 4 Crown Prosecution Service Fraud Specialist Advocate Panel member as well as a Serious Fraud Office B Panel member.

    • Rupert is an excellent advocate with a sharp brain.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Rupert is very calm, confident and works incredibly hard.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at 5 King's Bench Walk (4)

London (Bar)

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