Crime & Criminal Fraud

“Although Farrar’s Building is based in London, the set has strong links to Wales. ‘Members are engaged in some of the most high-profile cases’ including serious sexual assault, murders and violent crimes. ”

The Legal 500

Farrar’s Building has long been recognised as a pre-eminent criminal set. The practice of our members encompasses advocacy and advisory work in every aspect of criminal law.

We prosecute and defend at every stage of the criminal process, from pre-charge advice for prosecuting authorities, individuals and companies subject to investigation, to representation at the highest levels of appeal.

Members of chambers are renowned for the exceptional quality of their written and oral advice and advocacy and the meticulous preparation of their cases. We are instructed regularly in complex, high profile and sensitive cases.

We are recognised for our extensive experience in cases in which members are instructed by the Serious Fraud Office, HMRC and CPS Special Casework Division as well as many major cases for each CPS authority in Wales and elsewhere.

Members of chambers also defend at the highest level of serious crime involving fraud and document cases as well as mainstream criminal work such as murder, terrorism, conspiracy, sexual offences, offences involving violence, gang related crime, death by driving and drug offences.

The geographical spread of work is very wide with strong emphasis on London, Wales, Cheshire, the Midlands and East Anglia.

Chambers’ team of criminal barristers comprises three silks and four juniors:

Paul Lewis KC, Gordon Cole KC, Christopher Quinlan KC, Matthew Kerruish-Jones, Frederick Lyon and Joel McMillan.

Criminal Fraud

Farrar’s Building has a long-established reputation as a leading set for all types of financial crime, including fraud, white-collar crime, bribery and corruption, money laundering, tax evasion and anti-competitive conduct. Members of chambers are renowned for the exceptional quality of their written and oral advice and advocacy and the meticulous preparation of their cases. We are instructed regularly in complex, high profile and sensitive cases.

We advise and represent individuals and corporations at all stages of the criminal process. This includes providing critical pre-charge advice, which can often lead to proceedings being avoided altogether. We can advise our clients in any parallel or subsequent proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Our expertise in fraud extends to civil and commercial fraud claims initiated in the UK and abroad, either as stand-alone claims or alongside threatened or ongoing criminal or regulatory proceedings. Please refer to our Civil Fraud page for further information.

We are recognised for our extensive experience in cases in which members are instructed by the Serious Fraud Office, HMRC and CPS Special Casework Division as well as many major cases for each CPS authority in Wales and elsewhere. Members of chambers also defend at the highest level of serious crime involving all aspects of financial crime.

Farrar’s Building has a very strong presence in criminal fraud work. Our silks, Paul Lewis KC, Christopher Quinlan KC are regularly instructed in some of the heaviest cases.

Members of chambers have wide ranging experience of fraud issues arising in the context of civil litigation, predominantly in relation to road traffic litigation (i.e LVI claims, slam-ons, phantom passengers) and personal injury claims (including issues arising from conscious exaggeration of injuries).

In addition to extensive trial experience, members of chambers are able to advise both in relation to evidential and pleading matters, the seeking and obtaining of exemplary damages against fraudulent claimants and the instigation and conduct of civil contempt proceedings.