“An impressive senior junior well versed in large scale litigation”. Oliver Powell is ranked in both Chambers & Partners (UK) and The Legal 500 (in five practice areas). One solicitor observed: “He is superb to work with. He works night and day for his clients and always gets great results”. He is praised as “an extremely confident and charming advocate”.
He undertakes instructions that involve the regulation of business activity and commerce. His practice encompasses: asset forfeiture & civil recovery; business crime; civil fraud; corporate investigations; financial services; health, safety and environment; indirect tax and maritime regulatory law.
Recent or extant work includes:
Oliver is routinely instructed in matters with an international element and usually cases involving allegations of dishonesty, sharp practice or breach of trust. He is a Barrister of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI), a member of the New York State Bar Association, and in recent years has undertaken work in inter alia: USA, UAE, Greece, Falkland Islands and UK offshore jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man.
Oliver acts for multinationals, SMEs and private individuals, and is routinely instructed by City law firms. His strong interpersonal skills, candid advice and robust advocacy allow him to forge solid working relationships, making him a popular choice with solicitors and clients alike.
Oliver is ranked in:
He is a contributor to both Millington and Sutherland Williams on the Proceeds of Crime and Lissack and Horlick on Bribery, the seminal texts on POCA and Bribery & Corruption respectively.
Oliver acts for companies and company officers in relation to matters that involve allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption, insider dealing, tax evasion, cartels and/or money laundering. He is routinely instructed in matters with an international element and usually cases involving allegations of dishonesty, sharp practice or breach of trust. As well as conducting contentious work which has its genesis in investigations undertaken by the SFO, FCA, CMA and NCA, he has considerable experience in cross-border investigations, corporate and internal investigations. In addition, he maintains a busy advisory practice, providing opinions on ABC, AML, export controls and economic sanctions.
Oliver’s practice has always had a strong emphasis on Asset Forfeiture and the Proceeds of Crime, appearing for the Crown, defence, third parties and receivers. He has advised and acted for a variety of enforcement agencies (CPS, HMRC, UKBA, SFO & NCA), local councils, receivers and liquidators, both in the Crown Court and different divisions of the High Court. His experience has included undertaking work under all three confiscation regimes (DTA 1994, CJA 1988 & POCA 2002).
Oliver has a particular expertise in acting for receivers, third parties, companies, liquidators, administrators and those applying for compensation and release of monies from restraint, receivership and confiscation orders and those caught up with civil recovery of the proceeds of crime (Kitallides, Bark & Co v Khan, SFO v Bates (‘Operation Anderson’).
Oliver is regularly invited to speak at ABC, AML and asset recovery conferences. Amongst others, these have included: YFLA 2019 Summer Seminar; AMLP 7th Annual Anti-Bribery and Corruption Forum; Magistrates’ and Prosecutors Conference, Antigua; and Eastern Caribbean Financial Investigation Advisory Team, Barbados.
R (Abraham Schimmel) v Jason Wells (ongoing)
Instructed to defend a former director in a private prosecution brought by a former business partner. Listed for trial at Southwark Crown Court in Summer 2023.
Company Z (ongoing)
Advising a very large organisation in respect of a number of ABC and AML related matters.
Company Y (ongoing)
Advising a FTSE listed company on its money laundering procedures and reporting obligations under POCA 2002.
Operation Braid (ongoing)
Largest ever financial investigation conducted in the Isle of Man. Retained in relation to an inquiry into multi-jurisdictional tax fraud, money laundering and other related financial crime.
FCA v Individual A (Operation Raunds) (ongoing)
Advising a broker.
FCA v Individual B (ongoing)
Advising a very well-known fund manager.
FCA v Individual C (ongoing)
Advising a broker.
FCA v Qpay Europe Limited (POCA 2002) (2021)
Advised QPay in relation to a number of Account Freezing Orders made pursuant to Part 5 POCA 2002 to which it was the subject.
OFSI v Company X (2019)
Advising a large international corporate in respect of an investigation by OFSI.
London Capital & Finance Plc (2019)
Advising in relation to an SFO & FCA investigation.
British Solar Renewables Ltd (2018)
Providing pre-charge advice to a former Director in relation to a bribery & corruption investigation.
Operation Schweppes (2018)
SFO v Alstom International Ltd (Operation Ruthenium) (2017)
R v McCormick (POCA 2002) (Operation Venus) (2016)
R v Michael Stannard [2015] EWHC 1199 (Admin)
SFO v Daniel Gooding & Others (POCA 2002) (Operation Steamroller) (2014)
Nasa Khan (CJA 1988) (2014)
NCA v Amir Azam [2014] EWHC 2722 (QB)
NCA v Amir Azam [2014] EWHC 4742 (QB)
Operation S (2014)
Operation Walrus (2012)
Darren Richard Leitch t/a London Mobile Communications v HMRC [2012] UKFTT 229 (TC)
Option NCT Ltd v HMRC [2011] UKFTT 768 (TC)
Fusion Electronics v HMRC [2011] UKFTT (TC)
SFO v Andrew Rybak (POCA 2002) (Operation Navigator) (2011)
SFO v Bates (Operation Anderson) (2009)
Oliver is ranked in:
He is a contributor to both Millington and Sutherland Williams on the Proceeds of Crime and Lissack and Horlick on Bribery, the seminal texts on POCA and Bribery & Corruption respectively.
Oliver has a strong pedigree in economic sanctions and export controls. He has advised various clients on all aspects of sanctions law across UN, EU, US and UK regimes. He has advised a number of companies and individuals in respect of, inter alia: the Sanctions and AML Act 2018; prospective commercial transactional risks; the EU Blocking Regulation; sanctions contract clauses; and investigations. Most frequently, Oliver advises on EU and UN sanctions regimes, and their relationship with US and UK sanctions frameworks.
Oliver recently edited a chapter on economic sanctions for an OUP book due to be published in Spring 2022. Oliver was also a co-author on an article for the New York State Bar Association titled: ‘Sanctions: Foreign Policy, Economic Warfare, or Both?’
Oliver is a member of the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists.
Company A
Advised a company on UK sanctions and their impact on a loan agreement which it had with a Russian Bank.
Company B
Advised a company in relation to the jurisdictional scope of the UK sanctions legislation and the extent to which UK sanctions apply to separately incorporated overseas subsidiaries of UK companies.
Company C
Advising a company on ownership and control, as well as exemptions and licensing under SAMLA.
Company D
Advised a very large international corporate in relation to an investigation by OFSI.
Company E
Retained by a large organisation in relation to a large scale export control investigation conducted by UKBF and NCA (matter concluded within civil or criminal enforcement action being taken).
Company F
Retained by a limited company in relation to an export controls challenge.
Company G
Retained by a limited company in relation to a large scale export control investigation conducted by UKBF and NCA.
Individual A
Advised a private individual on the affect of a family member becoming a designated person in accordance with SAMLA.
Oliver accepts instructions in the following areas:
The staple of Oliver’s commercial practice concerns interpretation of contracts, breach of contract, civil fraud and interim injunctions. However in the first four years of his practice, Oliver was regularly instructed in the area of MTIC / carousel fraud and appeals to the FTT (Tax Chamber) in relation to withheld VAT. He carved out a niche as one of the leading juniors in this area and appeared as junior counsel in second largest MTIC appeal ever litigated (Darren Richard Leitch t/a London Mobile Communications v HMRC [2012] UKFTT 229 (TC)). In 2010, Oliver was instructed as junior counsel in what was, at the time, one of HMRC’s largest ever indirect tax frauds (MAK Corporation Ltd v HMRC).
In addition to VAT matters, Oliver has advised on and appeared in appeals before the Tribunal in cases involving the seizure of goods for alleged non-payment of Excise Duty, breaches of prohibitions and regulations on importation and associated non-restoration appeals. He also has extensive experience in condemnation proceedings involving the liability of goods to forfeiture under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.
UKBF v Rapid Infusion Limited (2019)
Acted for the appellant company in relation to a commercial seizure by UKBF.
HMRC v Behzad Fuels (UK) Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 319
Acted for the appellant company in the Court of Appeal.
Behzad Fuels (UK) Limited v HMRC [2017] UKUT 0321 (TCC)
Acted for the appellant company in the UT (Tax and Chancery Chamber).
Behzad Fuels (UK) Limited v HMRC [2016] UKFTT 214 (TC)
Acted for the appellant company in relation to HMRC’s decision not to restore a number of commercial vehicles and to revoke Behzad’s status as a RDCO.
Parkin v Ryan & Others (2016)
Acted for the Claimant in a Part 8 claim re. interpretation of a shareholder agreement.
Xhosa Office Rentals Ltd v H (2015)
Successfully obtained a Worldwide Freezing Order on behalf of the applicant.
Mursaloglu v Samut (2015)
Acted for the Claimant in a breach of contract claim.
Iran Investment Company Limited v Kittalides (2015)
Acted for the Claimant company in an unlawful means conspiracy (matter settled).
Euro Wines (Cash & Carry) Limited v HMRC [2015] UKFTT 331 (TC)
Kevin Hellard v Ronald Wyatt (2014)
Acted for the Defendant in a matter concerning allegations of fraudulent trading, wrongful trading, misfeasance and breach of director’s duties (matter settled).
Abbey Forwarding Ltd (In Liquidation) v HMRC [2014] UKFTT 998 (TC)
Behzad Fuels (UK) Limited v HMRC [2014] UKFTT 850 (TC)
Acted for the appellant company in relation to HMRC’s decision not to restore a number of commercial vehicles and to revoke Behzad’s status as a RDCO.
Home Office v Altion Ltd [2014] UKFTT 574 (TC)
Reddrock Limited v HMRC [2014] All ER (D) 142
Pi Consulting (Trustee Services) Ltd v Pensions Regulator [2013] Pens LR 433
Status of pensions liberation vehicles as occupational pension schemes under the PSA 1993.
London Pilsner Limited v HMRC [2013] UKFTT 285 (TC)
Darren Richard Leitch t/a London Mobile Communications v HMRC [2012] UKFTT 229 (TC)
SC VRG Roby Trans SRL v UKBA [2012] UKFTT 161 (TC)
Option NCT Ltd v HMRC [2011] UKFTT 768 (TC)
Fusion Electronics Ltd v HMRC [2011] UKFTT 529 (TC)
Ven Hugh Glaisyer v UKBA TC/2011/03984
Murray Harper European Removals v HMRC TC/2009/12569
Pan Euro Ventures v HMRC [2009] Lexis Citation 507
Sebastian Truminski v HMRC LON/2008/8128
Oliver is ranked in the Legal 500 for Financial Services Regulation. His FS practice focuses on banking disputes and financial crime. This predominantly includes: regulatory enforcement action taken by the FCA and Lloyd’s; internal investigations conducted by banks and financial institutions; and prosecutions brought by the FCA and SFO. Many of his cases have an international element, and usually involve allegations of dishonesty or breach of trust. As well as conducting contentious work, which sees him appear in the Commercial Court, Crown Court and regulatory tribunals, Oliver maintains a busy advisory practice, providing opinions on FCA and PRA regulatory issues; AML and economic sanctions.
FCA v An Individual (Operation Raunds)
Retained to advise a broker in relation to an extant FCA investigation.
FCA v An Individual
Retained to advise a very well-known fund manager in relation to an extant FCA investigation.
Lloyd’s of London v Gregory White
Advised and negotiated a settlement in proceedings before the Lloyd’s Enforcement Board.
A Company
Advised a UK-based third-party litigation fund in relation to a group of investors who were seeking funding to bring a group action against two life insurance companies.
An Individual v Lloyds of London
Advised in an appeal by the CEO of an insurer against a regulatory finding barring him from physical presence in the market for a lengthy period.
London Capital & Finance Plc
Advised an individual in relation to a linked SFO & FCA investigation.
Eurobank Ergasias SA v KMT
Acting for the bank in a €4,000,000 claim in the Commercial Court.
HSBC Private Bank (UK) Ltd v JPB and MMD
Acting for property developer in a £1.5 million claim in the Chancery Division.
DAS UK Holdings Ltd v Paul Asplin (& Others)
Advising and representing Barclays Bank Plc at an Application Hearing in relation to a witness summons seeking confidential information concerning bank customers.
Lloyds of London v CL & DL
Acting for two underwriters in relation to enforcement proceedings.
Company X & Y v Barclays
Advised two linked companies in relation to an action against Barclays Bank Plc.
FCA v JD
Advising a trader in respect of potential enforcement action.
FCA v SK
Advising a high-net-worth individual in respect of a potential action by the FCA, including accompanying him at a compelled interview.
FCA v JC
Advising a trader in respect of enforcement action taken by the FCA.
Oliver is ranked in the Legal 500 for Health & Safety (Tier 1) and Environment. He acts for companies and company officers in prosecutions brought by the CPS, HSE, EA and local authorities. He is routinely involved in matters where there have been fatalities or serious injuries in the workplace. He is currently retained in respect of a number of matters which are being investigated or prosecuted for gross negligence or corporate manslaughter and associated offences under HSWA 1974.
Whilst he has a wealth of experience of cases that have their genesis in the construction, manufacturing, healthcare and transport sectors, Oliver is renowned internationally for health, safety and environmental matters emanating from the maritime sector. He is routinely involved in prosecutions brought by the MCA, MMO, PLA and IFCAs. Such work includes fatal and non-fatal accidents at sea, collisions, pollution and fisheries.
Oliver is often retained by companies at the outset of a criminal, civil and/or regulatory investigation. He will advise them on inter alia best practice in relation to the interplay between the different investigations, interviews and privilege. By instructing Oliver during the infancy of an investigation, companies have quickly come to realise how his experience and sound advice have huge benefits to the team involved.
In addition to prosecutions and regulatory investigations, Oliver is frequently instructed in coronial inquests and inquiries, appearing on behalf of companies and company officers. Clients include; A2Dominion Ltd, Beko, Bombardier, Clipper Ventures Plc, Croydon Coaches (UK) Ltd, Hallmark Care Homes, Fresenius Healthcare Group, IKO-Design Ltd, and Waterland Gear Ltd.
Oliver is regularly invited to speak at health & safety seminars and conferences. Recent engagements have included: HSLA; UK Harbour Masters’ Association and Port Skills & Safety.
R v AH, RH & Others (ongoing)
Acting for two directors of the Burlington Care Group. Listed for 9-week trial at Teeside Crown Court in Spring 2023.
MCA v John Goldfinch (ongoing)
Matter listed for trial in October 2022.
Westminster City Council v Strand Palace Hotel & Restaurant Limited (ongoing)
Matter listed for trial in September 2022.
MCA v Simon Hughes (ongoing)
Matter listed for trial in May 2022.
Company A (ongoing)
Retained to advise a very large company in respect of a fatality and associated product recall issues.
Company B (ongoing)
Retained to advise a very large company in respect of an investigation by a fire and rescue service.
R v Gary Robinson (2022)
Trial at the Central Criminal Court before Murray J. Client acquitted at halftime of gross negligence manslaughter and s.37 HSWA 1974.
An investigation by South Yorkshire Police into fatalities on smart motorways (2021 to 2022)
Retained to advise National Highways. Matter concluded without prosecution.
John MacAlister (Oban) Ltd v NEIFCA (2021)
Instructed on appeal. The appeal was allowed, with the Court substituting the original fine of £180,000 with one of £48,000.
Inquest touching the death of Joan Winter (2021)
Acted for A2Dominion Limited.
Inquests arising from the 2016 Croydon tram derailment (2021)
Acted for Bombardier Transportation UK Limited.
R v Marr (‘Vertrouwen’) (Operation Barnet) (2021)
Triple fatality.
Luton Borough Council v Assent Building Control Ltd (2020)
EA v Carr & Bircher (2020)
CCC v TSSCCIC Limited t/a ‘Delta Force Paintball’ (2020)
HSE v H J Bennett Limited & Others (2020)
Fatality on a construction site.
MCA v Sky Mare Navigation Company (2020)
Fatality that occurred during a lifting operation on a vessel.
HSE v MTE (Leicester) Limited & Others (2020)
MCA v London Party Boats Limited (2020)
River Thames collision resulting in £1.6m of damage.
Cardiff County Council v Swansea Audio Limited (‘Coyote Ugly’) (2019)
MCA v Ravestein, Port of London Authority, PMSL & Goatham (‘Chiefton’) (2019)
Fatality on the River Thames that occurred during a towage operation.
North Hertfordshire District Council v Charles Wells Limited (2019)
Caerphilly County Borough Council v Hughes Forrest Limited (2019)
HSE v Red Funnel (2019)
HSE v Ashford Timber Limited (2019)
Inquest touching the death of Celso Banas (2019)
Instructed by K Line.
Croydon Coaches (UK) Ltd (2019)
Public Inquiry before the Traffic Commissioner.
HM Attorney General of Jersey v Michal Dorynek (2018)
Instructed as an overseas legal expert.
CQC v Rushcliffe Care Ltd (2018)
HSE v Tubular Erectors Ltd (2018)
MCA v Roger Lennon (2018)
HSE v IKO-Design Ltd (2018)
Fatality in a factory.
Inquest touching the death of Andrew Ashman (2017)
Instructed by Clipper Ventures Plc.
HSE v Leo Building Construction Ltd and Jutla (2017)
HSE v Monoworld Recycling Ltd (2017)
R v Doug Innes and Stormforce Coaching Ltd (‘Cheeki Rafiki’) (2017)
Advised the MCA and latterly the CPS in a two-year investigation involving the death of four British sailors in the Atlantic.
MCA v Nicholas Barrett (2017)
HSE v TE Scudder and Pearson (2017)
MCA v Barton (2017)
Inquest touching the death of John Wilson (2017)
Instructed by Beko.
Port of London Authority v MacGregor (2016)
Port of London Authority v Thames Marine Gateway Ltd and Beasley (2016)
HSE v North Devon Homes Ltd (2016)
Inquest touching the death of Ranyodh Singh (2016)
Instructed by IKO-Design Ltd.
MCA v Serco Ltd (‘Woolwich Free Ferry’) (2015)
MCA v Jones & Morus (‘the Cardiff Bay Collision’) (2014)
MCA v Serco Ltd (‘Barge 1706’) (2014)
Milford Haven Port Authority v Hinders (‘the Matterhorn Spirit’) (2013)
MCA v Hudson & Flushing Ferry Ltd (2013)
Oliver is widely regarded as one of the leading juniors at the Bar for maritime regulatory work, with an authoritative and unrivalled specialism in marine & fisheries law. His marine experience covers all types of vessels. He receives instructions from a variety of different individuals and organisations. These include: charterers, owners, operators, International Transport Workers’ Federation, Masters, P&I Clubs, MCA, PLA and IFCAs.
His work usually involves: breaches of sections 58 and 100 Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (‘MSA 1995’); the application and breaches of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (‘SOLAS’); application and breaches of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (‘MARPOL 73/78’); and the application and compliance of the International Safety Management Code (‘ISM’), including advice on auditing and breaches. Oliver’s experience is given credence by the fact that he is ranked in the Legal 500 for Health & Safety (Tier 1) and Environment.
In relation to fisheries work his instructions relate to: offences under the Common Fisheries Policy (‘CFP’) and attendant domestic legislation; trawler operations; licensing; breaches of the MSA 1995; and confiscation proceedings pursuant to POCA 2002. In addition, he undertakes instructions that concern public law challenges to fisheries legislation.
In addition to his contentious work, Oliver maintains a strong advisory practice in marine and fisheries matter. He advises companies and institutions in respect of marine and fisheries matters. Clients include: Allantone Supplies Ltd; Argos Pereira Ltd; CMA CGM & CMA Ships; Condor Ltd; Fortuna Ltd; Georgia Seafoods Ltd; Golden Touza Ltd; Hanson Heidelberg Cement Group; Höegh Autoliners Shipping Pte Ltd; International Transport Workers’ Federation; Interfish Ltd; Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd; MCA; Odyssey Marine Exploration Incorporation; Picer Marine SA; Princes Ltd; Profesionale Pesquales SA; RBC Chartering Ltd; and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Oliver maintains a keen interest in this area of law not just through his practice but also through writing articles, serving on the British Marine Insurance Financial and Legal Services committee, membership of the Royal Yachting Association and by giving seminars. He is regularly invited to speak at marine conferences and seminars. Recent engagements include: MCA Enforcement Unit (2012 & 2020); LA Marine (2013); Andrew Jackson (2013); Trinity House (2014); HFW (2015 & 2019); MAIFF (2015); DAC Beachcroft (2016); UK Harbour Masters’ Association (2017); British Marine (2018); and Port Skills & Safety (2019).
MCA v John Goldfinch (ongoing)
Matter listed for trial in October 2022.
MCA v Simon Hughes (ongoing)
Matter listed for trial in May 2022.
John MacAlister (Oban) Ltd v NEIFCA (2021)
Instructed on appeal. The appeal was allowed, with the Court substituting the original fine of £180,000 with one of £48,000.
R v Marr (‘Vertrouwen’) (Operation Barnet) (2021)
Triple fatality.
MCA v Sky Mare Navigation Company (2020)
Fatality that occurred during a lifting operation on a vessel.
MCA v London Party Boats Limited (2020)
MCA v Ravestein, Port of London Authority, PMSL & Goatham (‘Chiefton’) (2019)
Fatality – 7 week trial before Thornton J.
Waterdance Limited v DEFRA (2019)
Claim for judicial review (matter compromised).
MMO v North Atlantic Fishing Company & Cox (2019)
Advising the company and a Director in relation to a prosecution by the MMO.
K&EIFCA v James Bates (2019)
K&EIFCA v Michael Meddle (2019)
HSE v Red Funnel (2019)
Inquest touching the death of Celso Banas (2019)
Instructed by K Line.
HM Attorney General of Jersey v Michal Dorynek (2018)
Instructed as an overseas legal expert.
D&SIFCA v Laura D Fishing Limited, South West Trawlers Limited & Others (2018)
MMO v Waterdance Ltd & Another (2018)
Falklands Islands Government v Golden Touza Ltd & Another (2018)
MCA v Roger Lennon (2018)
Inquest touching the death of Andrew Ashman (2017)
Instructed by Clipper Ventures Plc.
MCA v Nicholas Barrett (2017)
R v Doug Innes and Stormforce Coaching Ltd (‘Cheeki Rafiki’) (2017)
Advised the MCA and latterly the CPS in a two-year investigation involving the death of four British sailors in the Atlantic.
MCA v Barton (‘FV Nicky Noo’) (2017)
D&SIFCA v DW Fisheries Ltd and Welsh (2016)
Port of London Authority v MacGregor (2016)
Port of London Authority v Thames Marine Gateway Ltd and Beasley (2016)
Falklands Islands Government v Sulivan Shipping Services Ltd & Others (2016)
EIFCA v Lake & Others (2016)
MCA v Woolsgrove (POCA 2002) (2016)
MCA v Serco Ltd (‘Woolwich Free Ferry’) (2015)
MCA v Woolsgrove (2015)
MCA v Serco Ltd (‘Barge 1706’) (2014)
MCA v Knight & Huzzey (‘Raiders of the lost wrecks’) (2014)
MCA v Evergreen Marine UK Ltd (2014)
MCA v Jones & Morus (‘the Cardiff Bay Collision’) (2014)
Welsh Assembly Government v Powell & Others (2014)
Milford Haven Port Authority v Hinders (‘the Matterhorn Spirit’) (2013)
MCA v Hudson & Flushing Ferry Ltd 2013)
MCA v Demeester (‘FV Debhorah’) (2013)
SIFCA v Bardell (2013)
MMO v Summerfield & Summerfield (POCA 2002) (2013)
MMO v Johnston (2013)
MMO v Ormonde Fishing Limited (2013)
MMO v Loveland (2013)
MMO v Sole Bay Fishing Company Ltd (2013)
MMO v T N Trawlers Ltd (2013)
MCA v Alexander (‘the Jolly Fisherman’) (2012)
MCA v Koningstein (‘the Spring Bok’) (2012)
MCA v Dantra (2012)
MMO v T N Trawlers Ltd & Olivia Jean (2012)
Oliver Powell is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.
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