Lauren is a Partner in the Business Crime & Regulation team and is recognised as an expert in confiscation and civil asset recovery proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (PoCA). She is highly sought after to represent those facing allegations of fraud and financial crime related matters particularly where criminal and civil asset recovery powers are utilized. She is noted as a Recommended Lawyer and “genuine POCA expert” and “highly skilled in this area” in the independent legal directories.

Lauren has a busy practice advising companies, their directors and effected third parties in multi-million-pound PoCA related matters on application from law enforcement to seize, restrain, forfeit and confiscate high value items, cash and crypto assets. She has represented clients facing proceedings against, the National Crime Agency (NCA), His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Trading Standards, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Premier League and had a known track record for handling heavy-weight, large-scale confiscation proceedings.

Her work is both national and international, with many cases being of a cross-jurisdictional nature. Her work spans globally, most recently undertaking advisory work for clients in Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Dubai and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Prior to joining JMW, Lauren was Partner at a previous firm and thereafter worked with a Top 100 Law Firm advising global corporations on financial crime compliance programmes, policies and procedures in relation to money laundering, bribery and corruption, tax evasion, the Modern Slavery Act and advised on internal investigations.

Lauren is a Committee member of Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association (POCLA).

Lauren was shortlisted from Crime Rising Star of the Year at the Northern Powerhouse Awards in 2023 and 2024, and Junior Lawyer of the Year at the Law Society Excellence Awards 2020 for her insight, flair, imagination and hard work in POCA and asset recovery. Lauren is a committee member of the Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association.

“I really felt that JMW cared! From the first call, through to closing my case, I was felt listened to and I believe that was a big part of having a positive outcome. I was comfortable throughout all discussions and I felt incredibly safe in their expertise. Lauren Bowkett looked after my case and was clear, knowledgeable and concise in order to help me make decisions around my case. She was warm caring and professional. Without her, and her guidance my situation could have been incredibly different."

"Great experience with Lauren Bowkett - her knowledge and experience were first class, and her calm nature in the midst of a challenging process was very reassuring. I highly recommend Lauren, she is 100% the person you want in your corner.”

“Dealt with Lauren, was very knowledgeable and helpful with everything, would recommend."

"What a truly exceptional service I received from both Lauren and Harry. Both were professional, friendly, thorough and supportive throughout one of the most stressful chapters of my life. I had full confidence in them both, they handled my case with great attention to detail and managed to cut through the legal jargon. I can’t recommend this company enough and won’t be searching for another solicitors ever again."

“Lauren is highly driven. She is passionate about her work and will go the extra mile for her clients. She knows POCA like the back of her hand! She is a true asset to the firm."

“Lauren provides an excellent level of service and has strong commercial awareness.”

“Lauren is brilliant. She is hard-working, diligent and has an exceptional handle on all things POCA."

Confiscation and Civil Asset Recovery

Lauren is instructed to advise on the most high-value and complex investigations. She is a ranked as a Star Associate in Chambers & Partners POCA Work and Asset Forfeiture UK-wide edition.

Her most recent cases of note include:

• Representing a director of two businesses both subject to AFO’s and cash detention orders. Also being criminally investigated by HMRC for facilitating the laundering of millions derived from fraudulent evasion of excise duty.
• Representing both a director and his company in relation to 3 AFO’s, whilst also advising in relation to criminal allegations of fraudulent trading and money laundering. All matters discontinued.
• Representing NCA Most Wanted in multi-million-pound confiscation proceedings, spanning numerous jurisdictions including allegations of hidden assets for conspiracy to supply cocaine, ketamine and money laundering.
• Representing a director in relation to POCA proceedings initially valued at £32 million. A high-profile case, Lauren led a team of lawyers in the highly contentious proceedings reducing the value of the benefit to £7.8 million.
• Representing a director of multiple companies, facing a high value assets and cash detention orders, AFO’s and crypto wallet freezing orders, whilst also advising in a linked criminal investigation into allegations of money laundering.
• Representing a director and a company in a complex AFO with a value $1.1 million suspected to be derived from fraudulent evasion of VAT and money laundering. The company was also being investigated criminally for carrying out unregulated activities in the UK with links to a Ponzi scheme for which Lauren was advising.
• Representing a high net worth individual in relation to a £1.4 million pound AFO and allegations of money laundering.

Lauren has substantial experience in dealing with complex and concurrent civil asset recovery and criminal investigations. She has a body of experience dealing with matters in multiple jurisdictions “she has an exceptional handle on all things POCA. Lauren is also regularly instructed to act on behalf of individuals with third-party interests in both criminal and civil POCA proceedings.

Financial Crime and related Money Laundering

Lauren’s financial crime and related money laundering practice goes hand in hand with her specialist confiscation and civil asset recovery work offering complete harmony to her clients.

She defends in prosecutions being brought by HMRC, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), the Environment Agency, Trading Standards and the CPS and carries out internal corporate investigations some cases of note include:

• A Capital investment company providing advice in relation to allegations of fraud and tax evasion committed by a director.
• A university in relation to allegations of fraud committed by a director.
• A telecommunications company providing advice following discovery of bribery within its business.

She is also considered a thought leader, regularly commenting in national press and specialist publications. As well as sitting on expert panels in the industry and providing training to those working in her field.

Lauren represents clients at the Police Station in relation to financial crime matters and can provide advice in relation to pre-charge engagement. Lauren recently advised a client who found a security flaw in an investment platform and was transferring six figure sums to their own investment portfolio. Due to Lauren’s detailed submissions, it was agreed that the matter could be resolved with a caution.