Department profile
Red Lion Chambers

Financial Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Red Lion Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Financial Crime - London (Bar)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Red Lion Chambers has an excellent reputation for financial crime work and houses a strong bench of senior and junior barristers who have experience of acting in complex and high-profile cases. Members act for both the prosecution and the defence and are regularly instructed in international investigations. Cases involving serious allegations of bribery, fraud and corruption are a key area of strength for the set. Additionally, practitioners at the set are adept at handling private prosecutions. Recent work has included defence of a solicitor in a Magic Circle firm, against FCA allegations of insider trading and fraud.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are swift, reliable and responsive.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Practice director Mark Bennett is brilliant and always makes himself available.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are very good, switched on and commercial in terms of fees. Nick Parkinson is very responsive.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Gillian Jones
    Band 1Gillian Jones

    Gillian Jones

    Gillian Jones KC is an assiduous, quick-thinking and formidable silk whose cases involve allegations of insider dealing, rate rigging and investment fraud. She is experienced in significant bribery and corruption cases, representing individuals and corporates, and is also noted for her significant expertise in private prosecutions.

    • She is phenomenal. She is an extremely talented prosecutor.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is unflappable and extremely good at what she does.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is an absolute star and approaches cases with really positive energy.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Faras Baloch
    Band 1Faras Baloch

    Faras Baloch

    Faras Baloch is well regarded for his handling of complex financial crime cases involving allegations of investment fraud, money laundering and market manipulation. He is also noted for his expertise in international corruption cases.

    • A real star.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is extremely bright and top of law at every opportunity. Judges trust him when he is making legal arguments.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Faras Baloch is extremely good, focused and works in a logical way.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Jonathan Fisher
    Band 1Jonathan Fisher

    Jonathan Fisher

    Jonathan Fisher KC is user-friendly, easy to work with, and a great team player. He wins plaudits for his technical knowledge and persistence when tackling high-value accounting fraud and bribery cases. Fisher appears both on the defence and prosecution sides in high-profile matters, winning instructions from corporate clients as well as prosecutors in multiple jurisdictions. He is also valued for his expertise in related POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) matters.

    • Jonathan is excellent.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • A star of the white collar Bar, with the deepest understanding of tax matters.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan Fisher KC is approachable, easy to work with, client-friendly and readily available to discuss matters with.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Jane Bewsey
    Band 2Jane Bewsey

    Jane Bewsey

    Jane Bewsey KC is an experienced prosecutor valued for her ability to handle significant cases. She is well versed in money laundering cases and all manner of frauds, particularly those relating to tax. Bewsey is recognised for her calm and fair prosecution style.

    • Jane Bewsey KC is one of the most effective opponents. She is unflappable, fair, on top of her brief and wonderfully jury-friendly. She is first class.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jane Bewsey KC is highly reliable in all respects.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Max Baines
    Band 2Max Baines

    Max Baines

    Max Baines is a criminal junior with an established financial crime practice. He regularly prosecutes and defends significant fraud cases and has experience in the private prosecution space as well.

    • Max is extremely good and very pleasant to deal with. He certainly knows his stuff.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Max is very smart.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Michael Goodwin
    Band 2Michael Goodwin

    Michael Goodwin

    Michael Goodwin KC is a well-respected barrister with notable expertise in prosecuting and defending high-value financial crime cases. He has experience in bribery, corruption and tax fraud matters.

    • Michael is really detailed. Clients turn to Michael to handle the most difficult and complex cases. He provides unrivalled advocacy and judgement.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Michael is experienced, clever and committed.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Tom Forster
    Band 2Tom Forster

    Tom Forster

    Tom Forster KC is a barrister who is lauded for going above and beyond the call of duty to secure great results in financial criminal cases. He acts both for the defence and prosecuting authorities, and has experience defending insider dealing cases brought by the Financial Conduct Authority and tax fraud matters brought by HMRC. Forster is also adept at related confiscation proceedings.

    • Tom is impressive. He is a very smart guy.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Tom is an excellent barrister.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Tom is fantastic. He is a really good lawyer. His cross-examination is absolutely outstanding. He is so impressive and a great team leader.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Cameron Brown
    Band 3Cameron Brown

    Cameron Brown

    Cameron Brown KC is a highly regarded financial crime barrister with experience acting for the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service in complex serious fraud and corruption cases. He also lends his expertise to financial crime cases involving insolvencies and is routinely instructed by the Insolvency Service.

    • Cameron Brown KC is really good with juries. He has a way of smoothing everything over and making points understandable.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a wonderful barrister, he is very attentive.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a bright young silk.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3David Walbank
    Band 3David Walbank

    David Walbank

    David Walbank KC is an experienced prosecutor and former Standing Counsel to the Revenue, who now focuses on defence work. He is highly proficient in complex tax fraud and money laundering cases.

    • David is excellent. He is very direct, clients are very impressed with him and he is equally as tough acting for defence as well as prosecution.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is fantastic in court. He is very approachable and very clever.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • David has always been very impressive.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Trevor Archer
    Band 3Trevor Archer

    Trevor Archer

    Trevor Archer is a well-regarded financial crime barrister who is noted for his expert handling of complex cases involving allegations of bribery, fraud and corruption. He has experience of acting for the Serious Fraud Office and fields considerable expertise in cases involving an international element. He is also called upon to advise private organisations facing investigations from the prosecuting authorities.

    • Trevor is easy to approach in conference and produces thorough drafting which is delivered promptly. He outclasses opponents with clear arguments and an unflappable approach.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4David Claxton
    Band 4David Claxton

    David Claxton

    David Claxton has a broad and diverse regulatory and criminal skill set with an active practice in financial crime. He is particularly adept at representing prosecution and defence in investigations by the Serious Fraud Office. He also has expertise on money laundering and bribery and corruption cases.

  • Band 4David Etherington
    Band 4David Etherington

    David Etherington

    David Etherington KC is well known for his astute and effective counsel across a variety of criminal matters and regularly defends in high-value fraud cases. Interviewees praise him for his attractive advocacy style and diligent case preparation. He is valued for his experience in HMRC cases.

    • David Etherington KC's flexibility, amenability and massive experience is valued. He is a legend. He is a great strategist.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Hannah Willcocks KC
    Band 4Hannah Willcocks KC

    Hannah Willcocks KC

    Hannah Willcocks KC is a level-headed and reliable barrister with proven advocacy and case management skills. She is sought out by regulatory and prosecuting authorities, including the Crown Prosecution Service, for such matters as suspected insider trading, tax fraud, money laundering and corruption cases. She has a great deal of experience conducting long-running investigations.

  • Band 4Jack Talbot
    Band 4Jack Talbot

    Jack Talbot

    Jack Talbot is a leading junior with deep experience in financial crime. He has prosecuted a range of frauds, and defends at a high level too.

    • Jack is brilliant. He has a very easy manner, is very approachable and down to earth.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jack is a highly rated counsel.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jack is very good, polished and knows his briefs.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Tom Payne
    Band 4Tom Payne

    Tom Payne

    Tom Payne KC is a seasoned prosecution counsel who complements his serious general crime practice with a specialism in financial crime-related matters such as money laundering. He also prosecutes tax fraud and acts in a number of cases with a significant international aspect. He is experienced in cases involving the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service.

    • Tom Payne KC is top class.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is hard-working and persistent.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is incredibly clever and hardworking. He is really fabulous.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Red Lion Chambers (18)

London (Bar)

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