Department profile
Mountford Chambers

Financial Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

Share profile

Mountford Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Financial Crime - London (Bar)

Band 4

What the Team is Known For

Mountford Chambers is well regarded as a "highly skilled set with a diverse practice area" who act on cases involving allegations of tax evasion, fraud and money laundering. Additional areas of strength for the team include insider dealing, corruption, investment fraud and market manipulation cases. Members are regularly instructed to represent their clients in Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and HMRC investigations, and count several bankers, accountants and brokers among their enviable client base. Recently, members acted for the principle defendant in R v Zhang, a multimillion-pound money laundering and modern slavery case.

View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Ben Heaviside is a superstar of this generation of clerking.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Ben, Dean and Jordan are the best clerks in the country. They are a class act.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Mountford Chambers is one of my favourite set of clerks.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Richard Furlong
    Richard Furlong

    Richard Furlong

    Richard Furlong is acclaimed for his cogent case interpretation and affable client manner. His practice covers a variety of property and tax fraud matters. He is experienced in cases prosecuted by HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office and the Financial Conduct Authority. Sources highlight his previous experience as an investment analyst as a useful advantage to have in cases concerning the financial services sector.

    • He is the best junior barrister at the bar. His closing speeches are worthy of a standing ovation.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Richard is very hard-working and his service goes above and beyond. He commands the courtroom in his advocacy skills and is always thinking about potential legal arguments. His brain never stops.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • One of the stars of the financial crime junior bar. He has a razor sharp intellect with a legal knowledge that shines through.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Charles Bott
    Charles Bott

    Charles Bott

    Charles Bott KC is a popular choice of silk for the defence of a variety of financial criminal charges, including those relating to rate manipulation, tax fraud, and corruption. He is known for his superior intellect, careful attention to detail and great communication skills. Bott handles a number of complex fraud matters for clients from the financial services industry.

    • Charles is able to handle long trials at the highest level. He is very knowledgeable and provides invaluable support and advice.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Colin Aylott
    Colin Aylott

    Colin Aylott

    Colin Aylott KC is a dependable barrister who is popular with instructing solicitors for defending complicated fraud cases and particularly noted for his expertise in tax fraud cases. He acts in matters concerning allegations of rate manipulation, money laundering and mortgage fraud. Aylott has experience in handling proceedings against a range of prosecutors, including HMRC and the Serious Fraud Office.

    • Colin has a very calming presence in a case. He is very good at taking the sting out of a difficult situation.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Colin is a very good jury advocate, he has charisma.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Colin is charming and the jury like him.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • William England
    William England

    William England

    William England has particular expertise in the intersection between serious organised crime and fraud. He has experience defending in large money laundering cases arising from multimillion-pound boiler room frauds, as well as trading standards cases and tax frauds. Alongside work in financial crime, he is also adept across criminal law more generally.

    • Will is always on top of the papers, he has excellent judgement and a command of the courtroom.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • William is very smooth and sharp. He understands issues at an early stage and is very thorough with evidence.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Will works tirelessly and under tough circumstances. He has a charming influence and calms clients.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Alexandra Scott
    Alexandra Scott

    Alexandra Scott

    Alexandra Scott is a specialist criminal defence advocate who provides deft representation to clients charged with a range of fraud offences.

    • Alexandra is ferociously bright, very hard-working and very charming.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Alexandra is a strong junior whose star is on the rise.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • She is very professional and has a good eye for detail.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    View profile
  • Edward Henry
    Edward Henry

    Edward Henry

    Edward Henry KC is recognised as a formidable silk who has appeared on significant cases across financial crime and crime. He is skilled in cases concerning money laundering and various frauds.

    • When it comes to advocacy, he is an absolute pleasure to hear. He will fight tooth and nail for his clients and leave no stone unturned.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is very persuasive and articulate, a very well respected advocate.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is superb with clients and all around excellent.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    View profile

Ranked Barristers at Mountford Chambers (6)

London (Bar)

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership