Andrew Bird KC

Practice Areas

An expert in fraud, asset forfeiture and confiscation, private prosecutions, Judicial Review, and cases involving the overlap between civil and criminal jurisdictions.

Career

Andrew read law at Cambridge and was called in 1987. A tenant at 5SAH since 1989. He took silk in 2021.

Recent notable cases include:

Merida Oil v CLP (cash forfeiture)

R v Montila and R v Allpress (money laundering)

NCA v Javadov (Account Forfeiture)

R v Powell

FCA v Parker (confiscation)

The Encrochat JR and the SFO investigations into Rolls-Royce and Petrofac.

In silk he continues to be instructed by the FCA, DPP, NCA, HMRC, IOPC, Home Office, and other central and local government and Police authorities.

He has acted (both Prosecution and Defence) in a number of private prosecutions, both at trial and on JR/Appeal, including D Ltd v A, Wollenberg, and De Mercur as well as defending in current prosecutions for fraud, bribery and money-laundering. He has also defended in a recent 6-handed gang murder.

He is also skilled at advising at the pre-charge stage.

He has particular expertise in cases (for both sides) involving challenges to search warrants and production orders under PACE and POCA, and applications under s.59 CJPA.

Reported cases include:

Faisaltex

Panesar

Chatwani

NUFC

Hart

Ashbolt

Javadov

As a junior he was Standing Counsel to RCPO (2005), and on the SFO A Panel (2012-2017), Treasury Civil A Panel (2012-2021) and a Grade 4 CPS specialist prosecutor.

Professional Memberships

FLA, POCLA, PPA, CBA, SE Circuit.

Publications

Smith, Owen and Bodnar on Asset Recovery.