Sam is a Partner in the Business Crime and Regulation team and has significant experience and knowledge from successfully representing individuals, corporations and businesses in the most serious and complex financial, regulatory and general criminal matters. He works nationally with many of his cases having an international element and specialises in the following areas:
- Fraud and Financial Crime;
- Corporate Governance (Bribery and Corruption);
- Trading Standards;
- Organised and Serious Crime
- Regulatory offences;
- Criminal Restraint and Confiscation;
- Tax Investigations & Prosecutions
- Serious Motoring Offences (where death or significant injury is caused);
Sam is recognised as a Leading Partner by Legal 500 and Band 1 by Chambers and Partners, and due to his reputation and specialist work, he is highly regarded for his robust and pragmatic approach in representing and protecting his clients. He is regularly instructed before any proceedings have commenced to look at resolution of sensitive legal issues, reputational management and matters that have arisen during the investigation stage.
As a specialist in financial, regulatory and general criminal law, Sam is regularly instructed in the Country’s biggest investigations and prosecutions.
As a formidable opponent, he is the one clients always want by their side given the calm and reassuring support that he provides. He is able to navigate and advise on complex and niche legal and factual issues with a meticulous eye for detail. Due to the size and complexity of the matters that Sam is instructed on, he regularly leads a team of lawyers and is able to ensure that leading King’s Counsel, barristers and experts are available to work with him..
Sam is also a specialist lawyer in representing clients with issues under the Proceeds of Crime Act which includes money-laundering, restraint orders, crypto wallet freezing orders and account freezing orders. As such, he is an expert in both civil and regulatory matters where financial wrongdoing is alleged and represents clients in matters where both civil and criminal actional remedies are taken.
Memberships:
- Fraud Lawyers Association
- Health & Safety Lawyers’ Association (HSLA)
- Private Prosecutors’ Association
- North West Fraud Forum
- Proceeds of Crime Lawyers' Association
Areas of Expertise
Fraud & Financial Crime / Corporate Governance (Bribery & Corruption)
Sam is regularly instructed to represent corporates, businesses, individuals and professionals, and is involved and has acted in some of the biggest financial crime and bribery & corruption cases that have been prosecuted internationally and also in this jurisdiction. As you will note from the cases below, Sam leads teams of lawyers in cases due to their size, complexity (often cross jurisdictional), ensuring that he is always available for his clients to achieve the best possible outcome.
Notable Cases
R v SW – SFO prosecution following the Unaoil investigation. Allegations of conspiracy to give corrupt payments, alleged international bribery and corruption to secure contracts worth in total in excess of £1billion, in post-war Iraq. Conviction quashed following Appeal. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-62255934
R v BB – Conspiracy to defraud a financial institution, finance fraud, ten defendants, conservative loss estimate at £250 million.
R v ET – Representing a property developer and investment group following international arbitration proceedings. Allegations of investment fraud and fraud by false representation.
R v CM – Conspiracy to defraud, representing the Registered Manager in proceedings brought against a care home, alongside eight other defendants. Three decades of alleged financial abuse resulting in a financial benefit in excess of £30 million. Reported as the longest trial in the Court’s history.
R v AS - Conspiracy to cheat the public revenue, along with 15 co-defendants, to import tobacco under cover loads thus avoiding the requirement to pay excise duty. Loss to HMRC of £12 million.
R v DC – Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. Alleged large scale fraud and blackmail over a number of years. Multiple companies and individuals falsely presenting themselves as debt collection agencies.
R v PH – Prosecution brought by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills in relation to allegations of fraudulent trading and defences under the Companies Act & Insolvency Act.
Regulatory Investigations & Prosecutions
Sam is regularly instructed to represent businesses and individuals who can face parallel criminal and regulatory allegations, achieving excellent results. This includes professional regulation in matters before the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
Having completed his Masters-in-Law considering the changes to the regulatory framework of financial institutions, in particular, the banks. This places Sam in an unrivalled position having considered the transition of regulation from the FSA to the FCA and PRA. Whilst at that time he considered the new proposals to regulate financial institutions and individuals, and whether that would be sufficient to prevent a future financial crisis, this perfectly places him to assist businesses, corporates and individuals whilst providing expert advice and assistance in regulatory investigations and proceedings. Sam also advises businesses, corporates and individuals in relation to purported regulatory breaches that can include the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act (and related regulations), corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter, local and national Trading Standards investigations and prosecutions in relation to offences of fraudulent trading, unfair commercial practice, consumer law issues, and prosecutions brought by the Environment Agency.
Notable Cases
PRA v MJ – Representing the CFO of a financial institution alleged to have failed to comply with individual and senior manager conduct rules.
R v Company – Representing the company, director and manager in relation to allegations of fraudulent trading, unfair trading regulation breaches, restraint order where it was suggested that consumer rights were not upheld alongside issues with consumer contracts, terms of business and the approach generally to consumers
R v LS – Company Director. Alleged offences of conspiracy to defraud and consumer protection from unfair trading regulations – misleading and aggressive commercial practice. Financial benefit in excess of £1.5 million.
R v Company – Representing an international construction and investment company and director in relation to an investigation and prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive. Allegations relating to failure to comply with duties imposed under the relevant legislation and prevent risks and exposure to employees and stakeholders.
R v JM – Alleged offences of money lending without a licence (Financial Services and Markets Act) and money laundering. Unlicensed money lending over 8 years resulting in a financial benefit of in excess of £1 million.
R v Company - Representing the company directors and manager in relation to allegations of conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent trading, breaches of trademarks and related restraint order proceedings. Successfully prevented any criminal charges, the restraint order to be discharged with the company solely agreeing to a caution.
R v NA – Represented Director, twelve counts of alleged fraud by false representation and offences under Companies Act and Insolvency Act, over a two year period amounting to in excess of £100,000 obtained from multiple companies. Prosecution brought by Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Suspended sentence, no confiscation proceedings.
R v LB – Representing Waste management Company and Director in relation to allegations of permit breaches (Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Proceedings brought by Environment Agency.
R v H – Local Council prosecution of the company managing agent in respect of properties that required an HMO licence. Alleged breaches of the Housing Act 2006.
Serious Motoring Offences
Sam is an expert lawyer in representing clients who face the most serious of driving allegations which includes careless and dangerous driving where death or serious injury has allegedly been caused. He works nationally for his clients and has an excellent reputation for his robust and dedicated representation of those facing the most serious of allegations. He works closely with his clients ensuring they receive the highest calibre of representation in what are complex, sensitive and emotional allegations. With a track record of success and achieving results which clients did not believe were possible, he takes pride in ensuring the best possible advice and representation is provided.
Sam ensures clients are protected at every stage, from the initial investigation to criminal proceedings and then Inquest proceedings, working with experts and barristers who are also leading experts. Many of his cases attract media attention and Sam recognises the care and tactful approach required, whilst ensuring sensitivities associated with the case are correctly managed.
Notable Cases
R v ML – Allegation of causing death by careless driving. Client insisted that we represented her over the proposed insurance panel Solicitor.
R v WD – Allegation of causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence.
R v DB – Allegation of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Suggested speed in excess of 100 mph.
R v FK – Allegation of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Suggested to have lost control in the rain when overtaking a section of wet road incorporating tram tracks (Sheffield Super-tram network).
R v HC – Allegation of driving without due care and attention, fail to stop and fail to report a road traffic collision. CPS discontinued proceedings (Acquitted). Wasted costs order granted.
R v DG – Allegation of careless driving and driving whilst unfit due to drugs. Complex issues relating to the presence of prescribed medication. Following representations with the support of a forensic toxicologist, the CPS discontinued the proceedings (Acquitted). Defence costs order granted.
What His Clients Say
Testimonials
Press
Sam regularly speaks to media publications on various themes and topics. You can read some of his articles below:
