Financial Crime
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 4
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7242 3555Chambers Review
7BR's financial crime bench runs the full gamut of economic criminal offences. Sources highlight the set for its "fantastic range of advocates," who they describe as being "extremely skilled at streamlining dense and complex matters to extract the key issues." Its members routinely act for and against the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Financial Conduct Authority in complex investigations and prosecutions. They are experienced in handling various fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering, insider trading and Deferred Prosecution Agreements, in addition to a growing specialism in matters relating to the theft of cryptocurrency. Adept at working on international mandates, 7BR regularly appears and advises on offshore and cross-border investigations. Recent work includes acting for the SFO in the Court of Appeal responding to an appeal against conviction for involvement in a multi-jurisdictional Caribbean investment fraud, with total losses of around GBP400 million.
Paul Eeles and Steven Wright are the senior clerks.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerking team is very helpful and proactive. Senior clerk Steven Wright, in particular, provides a really excellent service. He's always responsive and brilliant to work with."
"The clerks are excellent to deal with. They always find the right barrister for the job and are extremely pleasant and helpful."
"The clerks are very responsive and provide a high level of service ‒ in particular, Steven Wright."
"The clerking team is very helpful and proactive. Senior clerk Steven Wright, in particular, provides a really excellent service. He's always responsive and brilliant to work with."
"The clerks are excellent to deal with. They always find the right barrister for the job and are extremely pleasant and helpful."
"The clerks are very responsive and provide a high level of service ‒ in particular, Steven Wright."
Notable Practitioners
Jennifer Carter-Manning KC has a broad practice in financial crime that takes in money laundering, corruption and financial regulatory work at home and abroad. She is recognised for her skill in complex bribery investigations. Her work is largely focused on the prosecution side, with her winning instructions from a variety of prosecuting agencies. She is particularly noted for her expertise in Serious Fraud Office investigations.
"Jennifer is pragmatic, practical and a real delight to work with. She's very user-friendly so she translates very well to the client ‒ clients really appreciate her."
"She is incredibly bright, articulate and approachable and has a huge breadth of experience. Clients love her."
"Exceptionally good on her feet and meticulous in her planning, no one gets into the weeds like Jennifer Carter-Manning KC."
Andrew Wheeler KC has a strong defence practice as well as prosecuting for both the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority, with many of his cases involving offshore and international elements. He engenders respect for his great manner in court and is known for his highly effective cross-examination style. He has advised on a broad range of high-value frauds, as well as money laundering matters.
"Andrew Wheeler KC is simply excellent with clients.His attention to detail is second to none and he is an extremely impressive court lawyer.He is also a real team player and a pleasure to work with."
"Andrew is very impressive. He has a very sure touch and judges and juries listen to him."
"Andrew is incredibly articulate and an absolute pleasure to deal with. He encourages an exchange of views but is decisive and pragmatic."
Ben Isaacs is noted for his expert handling of complex money laundering and bribery investigations. He acts both for the prosecution and the defence, and is regularly instructed in multi-jurisdictional matters.
"Ben's style is very calm, methodical and precise. He is good to work with and will bend over backwards to translate alien technical concepts into something meaningful."
"Ben Isaacs is very user-friendly and mucks in as one of the team. He's very collaborative, easy to work with, and makes sensible contributions. He's very good."
"Ben is committed and determined, comfortable in court and at ease on a big case."
Collingwood Thompson KC is a senior silk with the skills and experience to handle high-stakes, document-heavy fraud work. He is sought out to advise high-profile entities at home and abroad, and has previously advised the Attorney General of Jersey. His practice consists of a mix of defence and prosecution work, and includes a number of cases in Hong Kong. Thompson is sought out for his significant expertise in bribery, corruption and fraud matters.
"Collingwood has immense experience. He is very well-rounded and just fantastic on fraud. He is brilliant at leading a large team and really is a master of management."
Pavlos Panayi KC is well regarded as a talented courtroom advocate with particular expertise in complex, multi-jurisdictional bribery and corruption, as well as insider trading offences.
"Pavlos is an excellent jury advocate. Always very tactical and not afraid to tackle difficulties in the case, he is great with judges."
"Pavlos Panayi KC is a very persuasive jury advocate who finds a winning way, which is very impressive."
"Pavlos is an extremely gifted jury advocate. He has the ability to present a case in a straightforward, persuasive and charming manner and he has excellent client management skills."