Oliver undertakes instructions that involve the regulation of business activity and commerce. He is often instructed in matters with an international element and usually cases involving allegations of dishonesty, sharp practice or breach of regulations. His practice encompasses: asset forfeiture & civil recovery; business crime; civil fraud; corporate investigations; financial services; health, safety & environment; maritime regulatory law; and sanctions & export controls.
He acts for companies, company officers, and high-net-worth individuals, and is routinely instructed by US and 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.
Recent or extant work includes:
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, amongst others, USA and UAE, as well as several UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
Oliver is an editor of Millington and Sutherland Williams on the Proceeds of Crime and a contributor to Lissack and Horlick on Bribery, the seminal texts on POCA and Bribery & Corruption respectively.
Oliver acts for companies, company officers and high-net-worth individuals in relation to matters that involve allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption, insider dealing, tax evasion, breach of sanctions and export controls, cartels and/or money laundering.
As well as conducting contentious work which has its genesis in investigations undertaken by the CMA, FCA, HMRC, NCA, OFSI and SFO, 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, economic sanctions and export controls.
Oliver’s practice has always had a strong emphasis on Asset Forfeiture and Civil Recovery. He has a particular expertise in acting for third parties, companies, administrators, liquidators, receivers 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.
Oliver is an editor of Millington and Sutherland Williams on the Proceeds of Crime and a contributor of Lissack and Horlick on Bribery, the seminal texts on POCA and Bribery & Corruption respectively.
An investigation into Company A (ongoing)
Retained to advise a UK regulator in respect of a multinational fraud.
An investigation into two former employees (ongoing)
Retained to advise a NYSE listed company.
HMRC v Company B and C (POCA 2002) (ongoing)
Retained to advise two limited companies and two private individuals in respect of 5 AFOs amounting to £3.5m.
FCA v An Individual (Operation Raunds) (2020-2024)
Retained to advise a broker.
Operation Braid (2018 to 2023)
The 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.
Company Y (2020 to 2022)
Advising a very large organisation in respect of several ABC and AML related matters.
Company X (2020 to 2021)
Advising a FTSE listed company on its money laundering procedures and reporting obligations under POCA 2002.
OFSI v Company Z (2019)
Advising a very large international corporate in respect of an investigation by OFSI.
London Capital & Finance Plc (2019)
UAE v Matthew Hedges (2018)
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 4742 (QB)
NCA v Amir Azam [2014] EWHC 2722 (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:
In 2022, he was nominated for the Legal 500 Corporate Crime Junior of the Year.
Oliver has a strong pedigree in economic sanctions and export controls. He has advised a number of banks, companies and individuals in respect of, inter alia: SAMLA 2018; Russian Regulations 2019; prospective commercial transactional risks; sanctions contract clauses; approaches to regulators (e.g. reporting and licensing); and sanctions investigations.
Oliver recently edited a chapter on economic sanctions for an OUP book published in Spring 2023. Oliver was also a co-author on an article for the New York State Bar Association titled: ‘Sanctions: Foreign Policy, Economic Warfare, or Both?’
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 is a member of the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists.
Company A
Advised a company on UK sanctions (SAMLA 2018 and the Russian Regulations 2019) 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
Advised a company on ownership and control, as well as exemptions and licensing under SAMLA 2018.
Company D
Advised a very large international corporate in relation to an investigation by OFSI (matter concluded without enforcement action being taken).
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
Instructed as an overseas expert on the Russia Regulations 2019 in a $125m arbitration in Russia.
Company G
Advised a payment services provider on sanctions risks, in particular its civil and criminal exposure to regulatory enforcement action.
Company H
Retained by a limited company in relation to an export controls challenge.
Company I
Retained by a limited company in relation to a large scale export control investigation conducted by UKBF and NCA.
Individual A
Retained to advise a private individual on various matters pertaining to a family member becoming a designated person in accordance with SAMLA 2018.
Oliver accepts instructions in the following areas:
The staple of Oliver’s commercial practice concerns interpretation of contracts, breach of contract, civil fraud, interim injunctions and sanctions. In addition, he has undertaken many cases concerning indirect tax (VAT, excise duty and customs duty) and appeals to the FTT (Tax Chamber).
Oliver has advised on and appeared in appeals before the FTT, UTT and Court of Appeal 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.
Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (‘Steam Barge II’) (ongoing)
Retained by RTE, the electricity transmission system operator of France, in a £28m professional negligence claim in the Admiralty Court.
Company A (ongoing)
Retained by Claimant Company in a £55m claim for breach of fiduciary duty and dishonest assistance.
Company B v HMRC (2024)
Advising a multinational transportation and freight forwarding services company on the UK-Canada Trade and Continuity Agreement.
Company C v UKBF (2024)
Advising a large haulage company on the merits of bringing a judicial review claim to challenge the penalty regime under Part II of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
UKBF v Individual A (2023)
Acted for an HNW individual in relation to a seizure by UKBF. Matter compromised in favour of the individual.
UKBF v Company D (2020-21)
Acted for the appellant company in relation to a commercial seizure by UKBF. Matter compromised in favour of the appellant company.
UKBF v Rapid Infusion Limited (2019)
Acted for the appellant company in relation to a commercial seizure by UKBF. Appeal successful and appellant awarded full costs.
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 several commercial vehicles and to revoke Behzad’s status as a RDCO.
Parkin v Ryan & Others (2016)
Parkin v Ryan & Others (2016)
Xhosa Office Rentals Ltd v H (2015)
Acted for the Claimant in a breach of contract claim.
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 several commercial vehicles and to revoke Behzad’s status as a RDCO.
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)
Option NCT Ltd v HMRC [2011] UKFTT 768 (TC)
Fusion Electronics Ltd v HMRC [2011] UKFTT 529 (TC)
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.
A Company
Advised a payment services provider on sanctions risks, in particular its civil and criminal exposure to regulatory enforcement action.
A Bank
Advised a bank 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 A
Advised a company on UK sanctions (SAMLA 2018 and the Russian Regulations 2019) and their impact on a loan agreement which it had with a Russian Bank.
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, and in Chambers and Partners for Health & Safety. He acts for multinational corporations, SMEs 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 several matters which are being investigated 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, unsafe operations, conduct endangering people and vessels, 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; Beko, Bombardier, Clipper Ventures Plc, Equilibrium Healthcare Ltd, Hallmark Care Homes, Fresenius Healthcare Group, IKO-Design Ltd, K Line, Skyjack (UK) Ltd, Tesco, and Waterland Gear Ltd.
Oliver is regularly invited to speak at health & safety seminars and conferences.
Inquest touching the death of Lee Pattison (ongoing)
Retained by Skyjack (UK) Ltd.
CFRS v WSP UK Ltd & Others (listed For Trial in Spring 2025)
Retained to advise a very large company in respect of an investigation by a fire and rescue service.
Inquest touching the death of Sam Richmond (listed for Final Hearing in December 2024)
Retained by Red Birdwing LLP.
MCA v Intrada Ships Management Ltd (‘Scot Carrier’) (listed For Trial in November 2024)
Double fatality. S.100 MSA 1995.
Inquest touching the death of David Bottomley and Clayton Bottomley (listed for Final Hearing in September 2024)
Retained by Adastra Access Limited (In Administration).
MCA v Laura D Fishing Ltd (‘Joanna C’) (2024)
Double fatality. S.100 MSA 1995.
R v RH & Others (Operation Antares) (2024)
Acted for the CEO of Care Home Provider in respect charges of arising from the circumstances in which the 5 people died. Following several applications, the Crown offered no evidence.
MCA v Simon Hughes (2024)
Inquest touching the death of Catherine Forbes (2024)
Acted for Tingdene Marinas Ltd.
Inquest touching the death of Burhan Yildiz (2024)
Acted for ECFRS.
R v Morgan Smith (2023)
Gross negligence manslaughter.
Wismettac Harro Foods Ltd (2023)
Public Inquiry before the Traffic Commissioner.
MCA v Jake Buchanan (2022)
Very serious injury following a collision in the Isles of Scilly.
Inquest touching the death of Claire Morris (2022)
Article 2 inquest. Acted for Equilibrium Healthcare Ltd.
Inquest touching the death of Cory Nicholson (2022)
Acted for Waterland Gear Ltd.
Inquest touching the death of Anthony George (2022)
Acted for Tesco.
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.
Assent Building Control Ltd v CICAIR (on appeal) (2021)
CICAIR v Assent Building Control Ltd (2021)
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)
Trial at the Snaresbrook Crown Court before Thornton J. 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)
Oliver is widely regarded as one of the leading members 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, and Masters.
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.
In relation to fisheries work his instructions relate to: offences under the Common Fisheries Policy 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.
Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (‘Steam Barge II’) (ongoing)
Retained by RTE, the electricity transmission system operator of France, in a £28m professional negligence claim in the Admiralty Court.
Inquest touching the death of Sam Richmond (‘Farfalla’) (ongoing)
Retained by Red Birdwing LLP.
MCA v Farrow and Intrada Ships Management Ltd (‘Scot Carrier’) (2024)
Double fatality. S.100 MSA 1995.
Inquest touching the death of Catherine Forbes (2024)
Acted for Tingdene Marinas Ltd.
MCA v Laura D Fishing Ltd (‘Joanna C’) (2024)
Double fatality. S.100 MSA 1995.
R v Morgan Smith (2023)
RIB collision. Gross negligence manslaughter.
MCA v Jake Buchanan (2022)
Very serious injury following a collision in the Isles of Scilly.
Inquest touching the death of Cory Nicholson (2022)
Acted for Waterland Gear Ltd.
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)
River Thames collision resulting in £1.6m of damage.
MCA v Ravestein, Port of London Authority, PMSL & Goatham (‘Chiefton’) (2019)
Trial at the Snaresbrook Crown Court before Thornton J. Fatality on the River Thames that occurred during a towage operation.
Waterdance Limited v DEFRA (2019)
Claim for judicial review (matter compromised).
HSE v Red Funnel (2019)
Instructed by Red Funnel.
Inquest touching the death of Celso Banas (2019)
Instructed by K Line.
HM Attorney General of Jersey v Michal Dorynek (2018)
Life changing injuries following a collision between a speedboat and a jet ski. Instructed as an overseas 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.
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.
Falklands Islands Government v Sulivan Shipping Services Ltd & 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)
Oliver has a strong pedigree in dispute resolution, appearing as a Mediator, and most recently: representing the Defendant in an expert determination concerning an investment fund; and acting as an overseas legal expert in a $125m arbitration in Russia. He is currently retained in respect of an investor-state arbitration due to start in late June 2023.
Oliver is routinely instructed in matters with an international element and usually cases involving allegations of dishonesty, sharp practice or breach of regulations. 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 Asset Recovery and Bribery & Corruption respectively.
Oliver Powell KC 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.
To find out more, contact Matt Sale on +44 (0)20 7427 4910 or Andy Hunter on +44 (0)20 7427 4905 for a confidential discussion.
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