SFO v Barclays & Barclays Bank (2018)

Ben FitzGerald secured the dismissal of the charges against Barclays and Barclays Bank in the SFO’s prosecution concerning the 2008 capital raising from Qatar.

In May 2018, acting for the corporate defendants together with Richard Lissack QC and Crispin Aylett QC, Ben FitzGerald successfully applied before Mr Justice Jay to dismiss the charges. 

In October 2018, the SFO applied before Lord Justice Davis for a Voluntary Bill of Indictment to reinstate the charges against the companies. The same counsel team opposed the application. Lord Justice Davis announced his decision, refusing the application, on Friday 26 October. It is a landmark case that has profound significance for the law and practice around corporate criminal liability.

For more information, please see the Financial Times

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