Rory practises across Business Crime, Regulation & Sanctions, Commercial Litigation, FinTech & Digital Assets, Health, Safety & Environment, and Disciplinary & Regulatory Services. His broad expertise makes him sought after at the intersection where legal, regulatory and commercial considerations overlap. He acts for individuals, companies and government agencies in commercial, civil, criminal and regulatory matters, including investigations, disputes and contested proceedings.
His experience of criminal and regulatory litigation gives him particular strength in advocacy and the conduct of contested proceedings, while his wider practice enables him to approach matters with an understanding of their broader context.
Rory has particular expertise in crypto-assets and the tracing and recovery of assets across multiple jurisdictions. His experience in this area provides a practical understanding of digital assets, financial systems and investigative techniques, gained both at and prior to coming to the Bar.
Rory was previously seconded to the National Crime Agency’s Financial Disruptions Litigation team, where he advised on substantial and frequently multi-jurisdictional investigations and civil recovery proceedings.
Before coming to the Bar, Rory worked in the legal and compliance department of the UK’s former leading crypto-currency exchange, investigating fraud and dark-net activity and leading training on crypto assets. In this capacity, he was consulted by HM Treasury and the FCA on the transposition of the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD) into UK law which resulted in the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019.
Rory has particular expertise at the intersection of digital assets, financial wrongdoing and regulation. Before coming to the Bar, he worked within the legal and compliance department of a leading UK cryptocurrency exchange, advising on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters affecting the business. His work included anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance, fraud and dark-web investigations, data protection, international regulatory engagement and registration, and staff training. In that role, he was consulted by HM Treasury and the FCA on the implementation of the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive in the UK.
Rory advises on matters involving cryptoassets, financial wrongdoing and regulatory compliance, including the freezing, tracing, recovery and forfeiture of digital assets. His experience enables him to engage readily with both the legal framework and the underlying technical and operational issues that arise in this field. His practice also encompasses complex asset tracing, including tracing the proceeds of fraud and other criminal conduct across blockchains and conventional financial systems, and advising on the recovery and forfeiture of assets identified.
Alongside this, Rory advises individuals and businesses on wider financial services and banking issues arising from fraud prevention, compliance and financial crime controls.
NCA v SH
Acted for the applicant in proceedings concerning a substantial holding of cryptoassets representing the proceeds of an international fraud, including liaison with US law enforcement agencies, and obtained a Crypto Wallet Forfeiture Order.
Re: P
Advised on the tracing and civil recovery of cryptoassets dissipated following fraud, including the identification of assets across subsequent transactions and potential routes to recovery.
Re: B
Advised an individual in relation to a CIFAS marker which was materially restricting access to UK banking services, including the available avenues for challenge and redress.
Rory regularly acts in confiscation and associated detention and restraint proceedings under Part 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002. Through his surgical approach towards the evidence, he has a track record of securing the best possible outcome for his clients and securing significant reductions when defending.
Rory also has expertise in advising and representing persons in a wide range of civil recovery and forfeiture matters. During his secondment to the Financial Disruptions Litigation team at the National Crime Agency (NCA), he advised on several high-profile multi-million-pound cases, including High Court civil recovery orders, account freezing orders (AFOs), forfeiture orders (FOs) and moratorium extensions. He has developed particular knowledge of crypto-assets and the challenges they pose in civil recovery.
Re: OD
Advised on the variation of restraint orders and parallel civil undertakings, including claims by liquidators.
NCA v BM
Whilst seconded to the NCA, acted as case lawyer in substantial civil recovery proceedings, including overseeing the repatriation of £2.35 million to charitable organisations.
NCA v BWS
Acted and advised for the NCA in moratorium extension proceedings concerning suspected proceeds of crime.
Rory advises on complex cross-border regulatory issues, including the interaction of UK domestic law, international obligations, export controls and financial sanctions. His work includes advising on licensing requirements and compliance frameworks for proposed business activities in sensitive sectors, such as the defence industry, where regulatory approval and adherence to sanctions regimes are critical. His ability to navigate multi-layered legal frameworks enables clients to manage risk effectively and operate with confidence in highly regulated environments.
International defence company
Advising the prospective shareholders of a UK company entering the defence sector on export controls and licensing, trade sanctions, MOD security grading and mandatory notification under the National Security and Investment Act 2021.
Rory advises and represents public bodies, individuals and organisations across a wide range of regulatory, disciplinary and fitness-to-practise proceedings. His experience spans corporate and individual regulation, professional discipline, licensing and compliance.
His regulatory practice is complemented by substantial experience in criminal law, giving him particular insight where regulatory breaches may also give rise to criminal liability or enforcement proceedings.
He has represented professional regulators including the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and General Optical Council (GOC), and is experienced in licensing appeals, particularly those concerning Private Hire Vehicle Licences.
Church in Wales Disciplinary Proceedings
Acted for the respondent before the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Church in Wales in widely reported proceedings concerning charitable governance, safeguarding and data protection.
NMC v B
Charges concerning dishonesty and breaches of the Working Time Directive found proven following substantive hearing.
J v TFL
Successful appeal of a suspension of a black cab driver’s taxi licence.
Rory acts for companies, company officers and individuals in health and safety, planning and environmental proceedings. His experience includes cases concerning alleged failures to comply with regulatory requirements, enforcement and prohibition notices, and offences said to have created risks to public safety.
He has particular experience of fire safety prosecutions, acting for both companies and directors in proceedings involving multiple alleged breaches and significant financial penalties. He also acts in planning enforcement matters and has successfully defended proceedings concerning alleged non-compliance with enforcement notices.
Rory’s substantial criminal advocacy experience complements his regulatory practice, particularly in cases involving contested factual issues, expert evidence, questions of individual and corporate responsibility, and the potential for serious financial or reputational consequences.
R v Y
Defended an individual charged with failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Acquitted following trial, on the basis that the client was genuinely unable to comply owing to her mental state and other extenuating circumstances.
KMFRA v MFW Ltd
Defended a company charged with ten Fire Safety Order offences, securing a total fine of just over £60,000 against a prosecution starting point of £250,000.
ESFRS v YZ
Acted for a director charged with six offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 , securing a modest fine following mitigation.
Rory advises and represents companies, company officers and individuals across the spectrum of financial wrongdoing, including fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption, and sanctions offences. He is instructed both to prosecute and to defend and is increasingly engaged to advise at the pre-charge and investigation stage, where his in-house compliance background allows him to give practical, commercially aware advice on exposure and remediation.
Data privacy and corporate espionage
Instructed to advise a company director following the discovery that a former director had been making covert recordings and engaging in corporate espionage, including the unauthorised gathering of confidential company information.
R V JP
Defended an individual charged in connection with insolvency fraud arising out of spread betting losses.
International money laundering ring
Instructed to act in civil recovery proceedings concerning an alleged international money laundering ring.
R v E
Defended an estate agent charged with fraud by abuse of position. Negotiated an agreed basis of plea which substantially reduced the prosecution case as to loss, resulting in a conditional discharge and a repayment order representing only a small fraction of the sum originally alleged.
Rory is well placed to conduct and support internal investigations for corporates, partnerships, professional services firms and public bodies. He has conducted investigations on behalf of public bodies and, drawing on his experience in financial crime, asset recovery and regulatory law, understands how sensitive issues, including those arising from whistleblowing reports, can quickly escalate into regulatory or criminal proceedings if not managed carefully.
He provides clear and practical guidance on structuring investigations, conducting fact-finding, reviewing decision-making processes and testing compliance frameworks. His approach is measured and risk-aware, giving boards, senior management and public-sector decision-makers confidence in handling matters that may attract external scrutiny.
Rory accepts instructions in commercial matters, particularly those involving allegations of financial wrongdoing. His experience includes assisting with the defence of a shareholder petition and appearing at an interlocutory High Court costs hearing.
He also spent time on secondment to Meaby & Co as document review counsel for the respondent in the Skat litigation, concerning an alleged $2 billion international dividend-arbitrage fraud.
Rory Gordon 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 Andy Hunter on +44 (0)20 7427 4905 for a confidential discussion.
Mandarin – limited working proficiency
