Department profile
5 St Andrew's Hill

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits

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5 St Andrew's Hill

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture - All Circuits

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

A set well versed in all POCA issues which garners particular praise for representing clients facing confiscation orders and AFOs. Its barristers often act on multi-jurisdictional matters and are instructed by a broad range of enforcement receivers, defendants and prosecuting authorities. They have an additional specialism in matters with combined family/matrimonial proceedings. Interviewees say that 5 St Andrew's Hill has "a superb spread of POCA specialists from the junior ranks through to KC level." Recently, members of the set have been involved in confiscation proceedings in respect of property obtained as a result of an international bribery scheme to a value of £22 million.

Dave Scothern is the Chambers Director.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerking is excellent. Dean Cook is super-responsive. I call it a WhatsApp service. Nothing could improve.

    POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

  • 5 St Andrew's Hill are a friendly bunch. Dave Scothern and Senior Clerk Dean Cook are very good and always available to speak on the phone.

    POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Andrew Bird
    Andrew Bird

    Andrew Bird

    Andrew Bird KC is an exceptional practitioner in the fields of asset recovery and police powers, and is an expert on search warrants and production orders. He is experienced in civil recovery cases, including connected judicial reviews, and is highly sought after by government bodies. Bird additionally represents defendants in complex matters.

    • Andrew Bird is great. He's really good on his feet and very strategic.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

    • Andrew Bird is a measured and realistic barrister, who is very well respected in his field. He's very good on his feet and he holds the attention of the court well.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
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  • Barnaby Hone
    Barnaby Hone

    Barnaby Hone

    Barnaby Hone is an experienced POCA practitioner who garners market recognition for his longstanding expertise in this area, advising both prosecutors and defendants. He was the first barrister to appear in a case concerning an account forfeiture order and has additional experience in restraint orders and confiscation proceedings.

    • An expert in both criminal and civil recovery, and someone who can pull rabbits out of hats. He has a friendly disposition in court and is a real team player who appreciates constructive feedback.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

    • An absolute wizard on all matters financial.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
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  • Gary Pons
    Gary Pons

    Gary Pons

    Gary Pons handles serious confiscation cases and is an expert on cash forfeiture. He represents both defendants as well as prosecuting authorities, and is well-versed in handling asset recovery matters both in the UK and internationally.

    • Gary Pons was excellent. He was able to get on top of the complexity in the case and also productively worked with other expert counsel.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

    • Gary is a POCA technician. His breadth of knowledge and his skill in its application are of the highest standard.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

    • Gary Pons is very straight talking. There's no fudging with him in terms of his dealings with lawyers or clients. He's a very bright barrister, who knows what he's doing.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
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  • James Fletcher
    James Fletcher

    James Fletcher

    James Fletcher assists the CPS and NCA with asset forfeiture and restraint cases. He regularly advises HMRC and specialist defence bodies on freezing and confiscation orders and acts in cases concerning enforcement, money laundering and search warrants. Fletcher also has experience in handling appeal cases.

    • James Fletcher does top-quality work. He's considered and measured in his advice, and always willing to fight for his client.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

    • James Fletcher is super-bright and very engaging.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
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  • Sarah Wood
    Sarah Wood

    Sarah Wood

    Sarah Wood garners convincing market feedback due to her presence in notable POCA cases. In line with her expertise in family financial disputes, she displays particular knowledge when it comes to contemporaneous confiscation and family ancillary relief proceedings. Wood is instructed in confiscation proceedings both by prosecuting authorities and by individual defendants.

    • Sarah Wood is fabulous with clients and very down to earth, despite her seniority. She's better than many silks I've instructed.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

    • Sarah is one of the top POCA specialist junior counsel available today.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

    • Sarah Wood is just absolutely brilliant. She's a polymath in terms of her impressive abilities in a variety of fields. She really is a genuine expert in her field on POCA - she knows it inside-out.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
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  • John McNamara
    John McNamara

    John McNamara

    John McNamara is an accomplished junior with a strong POCA practice who represents prosecuting enforcement agencies and defendants in matters involving money laundering, confiscation and asset forfeiture.

    • He is very focused and a strong advocate in terms of looking at what the client wants to achieve and translating this into his strategy.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

    • His paperwork is good, he's really well prepared and he comes across well in court.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar

    • John McNamara operates at a level far beyond his call. Very analytical and someone quick to grasp the strengths of the case, he's a really good negotiator who gives honest, realistic advice.

      POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at 5 St Andrew's Hill (6)

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