Practice Areas
Abbas Lakha KC is a Leading Silk at 9BR Chambers, widely recognised for his technical mastery and strategic insight in financial crime, money laundering regulations, bribery and corruption, and international regulatory defence. He is regularly instructed in high‑stakes, cross‑border investigations, pre‑investigative regulatory proceedings, and litigation arising under the UK’s Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLRs), the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), and related statutory frameworks.
Money Laundering Regulations / AML Compliance
Advising on compliance with MLRs 2017, registration obligations, risk assessments, customer due diligence, beneficial ownership, AML policies, SARs, prevention of money laundering in businesses and financial institutions.
Regulatory Investigations & Enforcement
Defence work and advisory roles in investigations by HMRC, SFO, FCA, and other regulators into breaches of money laundering laws, including enforcement of sanctions, terrorism financing, and asset freezing.
Financial Crime
Insider dealing, missing trader fraud, VAT / MTIC fraud, tax evasion, and complex corporate fraud.
Bribery & Corruption
Prosecutions and defence under the UK Bribery Act and anti‑corruption statutes, including internal investigations.
Asset Recovery, Restraint & Confiscation
Pursuit and defence of restraint orders, civil recovery, confiscation under POCA, and international asset tracing.
International Crime & Cross‑Border Work
Extradition, mutual legal assistance, and cross‑border money laundering cases.
Career
Leading Silk in Financial Crime, International Crime, Money Laundering Regulations, and Bribery & Corruption (Chambers UK & Legal 500).
Described as: “phenomenal advocacy in AML / regulatory hearings”, “meticulous in ML risk evaluation”, “trusted advisor across money laundering & AML law”.
