News & Events
News & Events
Oliver Powell and Alexandra Sidossis have joined with Neill Blundell and Max Hobbs of Macfarlanes to examine how the use of Account Freezing Orders (AFOs) is developing and, in particular, to examine how the first few applications for AFOs have been received by the English courts. Click here to read the latest article ‘Everybody, freeze! Account freezing orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act’. Background Oliver Powell, together with Michael Bowes QC, was consulted on the Criminal Finances Bill, by Transparency International during the Bill’s passage through the two Houses. Their analysis and commentary on the Bill was used by MPs in preparing for debates in the House of Commons. Oliver’s experience in this area means that he can speak…
News 25 Apr, 2019
Oliver Powell, led by Michael-Patchett-Joyce, was instructed by Madhu Chempakasari of Imran Khan & Partners to appear in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) on behalf of Behzad Fuels (UK) Ltd (‘Behzad’), the Respondent. The appeal had its genesis in a decision by the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (‘HMRC’) not to restore commercial vehicles seized from Behzad in 2013 (‘the Restoration Decision’), and HMRC’s further decision to revoke the approval of Behzad as a Registered Dealer in Controlled Oil (‘RDCO’) (‘the Revocation Decision’). The Appeal was concerned with two grounds of appeal: HMRC’s first ground, which applied only to the Revocation Decision, was that the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) (‘UT’) erred in law in directing that…
News 12 Mar, 2019
On Wednesday 16 January 2019, members of Outer Temple Chambers (Outer Temple) were invited to speak at a round table event hosted by Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP in New York. The event was opened by Judge Michael Garcia, Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, and jointly chaired by Andrew Spink QC, Chair of the Commercial Bar Association and joint Head of Outer Temple, London, UK, and Stephen Younger, Past President of the New York State Bar Association and Partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP. Andrew Spink QC and Oliver Powell spoke on freezing injunctions and comparative issues in disclosure of evidence, such e-disclosure. Sarah Crowther QC discussed legal fees, cost awards and litigation funding, as well as…
News 21 Jan, 2019
On Friday 18 January 2019, members of Outer Temple Chambers spoke at the 2019 New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting in New York. As part of the schedule, the panel spoke on ‘International Litigation – Introduction and Overview of the English Legal System’. The lively discussion involved an examination of the similarities and differences between the Bar of England and Wales, and the New York State Bar. Amongst other things, the panel considered: the English dual system, the hierarchy of the courts, advocacy in international arbitrations and commercial litigation, global investigations, and international travel law. Michael Bowes QC, Sarah Crowther QC, Teresa Rosen Peacocke, Oliver Powell and Alex Haines of Outer Temple Chambers were also delighted to be joined by…
News 21 Jan, 2019
Michael Bowes QC and Oliver Powell, instructed by Dechert LLP, appeared at Southwark Crown Court in Phase 3 of the SFO’s investigation into the French transport company Alstom. Michael Bowes QC (trial at first instance and retrial) and Oliver Powell (trial at first instance) appeared on behalf of Terence Watson, Alstom Network UK’s former Senior Vice President for Europe and Central Asia. It was the SFO’s case that: Terence Watson; Michael Anderson, a former Business Development Manager at Alstom Transport in Paris; and Jean-Daniel Lainé, Alstom Network UK’s former Senior Vice President for Ethics and Compliance, conspired with Alstom Network UK to make corrupt payments to public officials in Hungary in order to secure contracts for the Budapest Metro System.…
News 21 Dec, 2018
Oliver Powell and Saaman Pourghadiri have joined with Andrew Thornton-Dibb of McGuireWoods London LLP to examine how the use of legal professional privilege has developed during 2018 and, in particular, how the law impacts on the practice of conducting international investigations. Click here to read the article. Oliver is ranked in both Chambers and Partners (UK) and The Legal 500. He undertakes instructions that involve the regulation of business activity and commerce. His practice encompasses: asset forfeiture and civil recovery; bribery and corruption; commercial fraud; corporate investigations; financial wrongdoing; and sanctions. He 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…
News 23 Nov, 2018
Oliver Powell and Jeremy Scott-Joynt were invited by the AMLP Forum, the financial crime and corruption association, to speak at its Annual Anti-Bribery and Corruption Forum in London. Oliver chaired a panel on ‘Investigations – evolving best practice and lessons learnt from latest anti-corruption enforcement cases on both sides of the Atlantic’. Fellow panel members included Gaon Hart, Global Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy, HSBC Group, and Cheryl Scarboro, Partner, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Jeremy spoke on a panel concerning ‘Joint ventures & acquisitions – managing corruption risks in the context of fragility’. Fellow speakers included Jason Hungerford, Partner, Mayer Brown International & Co-Chair of the Tainted Assets Working Group, and Ed Wheatley, Sector Head of Ethics & Compliance, Johnson…
News 22 Nov, 2018
Following an article by Michael Bowes QC and Oliver Powell earlier this year, Oliver and Alexandra Sidossis have joined with Neill Blundell and Max Hobbs of Macfarlanes to examine how the use of Unexplained Wealth Orders has developed during 2018 and, in particular, comment on what can be learned from a recent challenge to the first UWO in the English courts. Click here to read the latest article “McMafia orders revisited”. Click here to read the original article “McMafia orders”. Background Michael Bowes QC and Oliver Powell were consulted on the Criminal Finances Bill, and in particular on UWOs, by Transparency International during the Bill’s passage through the two Houses. Their analysis and commentary on the Bill was used by…
News 15 Nov, 2018
Oliver Powell was invited by British Marine Insurance Financial and Legal Services to speak at the Southampton Boat Show. His seminar was a high level examination of the corporate offences of failure to prevent the criminal facilitation of tax evasion. In addition to a detailed analysis of the offences of failure to prevent facilitation of UK tax evasion (s.45 CFA 2017) and failure to prevent facilitation of foreign tax evasion (s.46 CFA 2017), the seminar developed a practical case study example and discussed the reasonable prevention procedures that a company should have in place in order to avoid the commission of an offence. The seminar was well attended and included, amongst others, representatives from: MS Amlin, A-Plan Insurance, Nash &…
News 26 Sep, 2018
Drone-related news stories range from stories about the use of drones by emergency services, for example helping firefighters tackle the Californian wildfires, to tragic stories, such as that of the attempted assassination of the Venezuelan president through the use of explosive drones. In the wake of the Salisbury nerve agent attack, the Military of Defence has tested a fleet of drones that can detect the presence of chemical weapons. In short, drones come in many shapes and sizes. This short article discusses the regulation of drones used for commercial and recreational purposes only (i.e. not combat drones). Amongst other things, it addresses: the current position in the UK; EU drone regulations; and for comparison purposes, drone regulation in the UAE. “Internationally,…
Legal Blogs 17 Sep, 2018
In proceedings brought before the Lloyd’s Enforcement Board, two senior underwriters at a Lloyd’s Managing Agent have each accepted charges of discreditable conduct relating to improper appropriation by them of confidential information of commercial value to their employer. Background Mr Christopher Larkby and Mr David Larkby both worked as senior underwriters in the High Risk team at ERS Syndicate Management Limited (‘ERS’), underwriting on behalf of syndicate 218 until 2017, when they joined another insurance firm (not regulated by Lloyd’s). As persons who worked for a Lloyd’s managing agent, both individuals were and remain within Lloyd’s enforcement jurisdiction in respect of the acts committed during the relevant period. Over a period of a year prior to their respective departures, Messrs…
News 29 Aug, 2018
Michael Bowes QC and Oliver Powell were invited by Edmonds Marshall McMahon to give a work shop on Unexplained Wealth Orders (‘UWOs’) and Interim Freezing Orders (‘IFOs’). The work shop was designed to be innovative, with participants being encouraged to think creatively about what role a private prosecutor could play in applications for UWOs and IFOs. More generally, the debate expanded as whether there was traction for the Public and Private Sectors to work more collaboratively in the area of economic crime. Background Michael Bowes QC and Oliver Powell were consulted on the Criminal Finances Bill, and in particular on UWOs, by Transparency International during the Bill’s passage through the two Houses. Their analysis and commentary on the Bill was…
News 19 Jul, 2018
