• "Her talent is phenomenal. She is extremely hard-working and has good instincts and sound judgement. One to watch." Chambers UK 2024

  • 'She is great - bright, creative and very responsive.' Chambers UK 2023

  • ‘Noted for her capacity for forensic dissection of complex evidence.’  Legal 500 2020
  • ‘Polly has a truly unbelievable work ethic and an incredibly impressive ability to deal with numerous complicated tasks all at once.’ Chambers UK 2020
  • ‘She is a machine when it comes to processing work, marshalling arguments and presenting them.’ Legal 500 2018
 

Polly Dyer

Called to the Bar:2010

  • Overview

    A bright, astute and articulate junior, who is in high demand.

    Polly is an advocate and advisor equally accomplished in the arenas of business crime and general crime. Her practice encompasses defending and prosecuting cases of serious financial crime (including bribery and corruption, complex fraud, money laundering and tax evasion) and cases of serious general crime (including murder, serious violence, drugs conspiracies, police misfeasance, human trafficking and sexual offences). She appears as leading junior, junior alone and led junior.

    Polly frequently represents professionals before criminal courts as well as in regulatory proceedings and in inquests. In inquests, she frequently acts for interested persons including corporates, government departments and NGOs, as well as families. She can provide advice on the inter-relationship between criminal, civil and coronial proceedings within the UK, and also has particular experience advising on and appearing in cross-jurisdictional criminal matters.

    Corporate & Financial Crime

    Polly Dyer acts for individuals and corporates subject to investigation and criminal proceedings in relation to allegations across the full spectrum of financial crime. Polly has particular experience in the field of bribery and corruption, defending and prosecuting alike. She advises both corporates and individuals. Her work often includes a multijurisdictional aspect. Recent work includes: advising a multinational in respect of alleged bribery at director level; representing the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Seychelles in the largest prosecution every brought in the jurisdiction; and advising a foreign-based multinational in relation to fraud and copyright offences.

    She is instructed by magic circle, boutique and high street law firms alike. Since the outset of her career, she has prosecuted as well as defended in matters of serious financial crime, acting frequently for the Financial Conduct Authority, Serious Fraud Office, Insolvency Service, HMRC, and Crown Prosecution Service specialist serious economic, organised crime and international directorate. She is currently instructed by the SFO to prosecute four individuals concerning conduct resulting to Patisserie Holdings PLC (Operation Venom).  She also both defends and prosecutes private prosecutions.

    Polly has acted and provided advice in financial regulatory matters, for both the FCA and regulated individuals. She has also acted in Companies House cases.

    Polly has a wealth of expertise in proceedings brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act; conducting confiscation and restraint hearings, as well as hearings relating to the freezing of accounts and cash forfeiture. She has written extensively and given seminars in this field.

    Crime

    Polly is an accomplished criminal advocate. She appears in highly complex, paper-heavy and multi- handed cases, bringing in-depth legal knowledge and the exercise of sound and reasoned judgement. She both prosecutes and defends, being frequently instructed on behalf of professionals charged with criminal offences, and by the Crown Prosecution Service special crime and counter terrorism division. 

    Regulatory

    Polly advises in relation to, and appears in, a broad spectrum of regulatory proceedings. She has been instructed by both the FCA and individuals in relation to financial regulatory matters. This has included in relation to proceedings before the Regulatory Decisions Committee of the FCA and other governing bodies. She has also represented medical and healthcare professionals before disciplinary tribunals in the medical sphere and advised accountants subject to scrutiny. Polly is able to use all the knowledge obtained from the different forums in which she appears to assist and advise clients.

    Public Law

    Polly Dyer has an abundance of knowledge and experience in the field. She has acted for numerous interested persons in inquests, including: companies, organisations, professionals and families. She has written and gives seminars on the topic of inquests. She also has experience in public inquiries.

    Reviews 

    Chambers UK 2024: Crime - Band 4. Financial Crime - Band 3

    Legal 500 2024: Crime - Tier 4. Fraud: Crime – Tier 4, Business and regulatory Crime - Tier 3

    Chambers UK 2023: Crime - Band 4. Financial Crime - Band 3

    "Her talent is phenomenal. She is extremely hard-working and has good instincts and sound judgement. One to watch." Chambers UK Financial Crime (2024)

    "A very calm and collected individual who is measured in her approach, detailed and diligent in asking questions and never flustered. Her advocacy is unflappable." Chambers UK Financial Crime (2024)

    "She has the ability to absorb vast quantities of evidence, apply legal concepts well and deliver readily understandable advice. She is approachable, clear and concise." Chambers UK Crime (2024)

    "She is diligent beyond belief and has the ability to digest and dissect any case at impressive speed." Chambers UK Crime (2024)

    'Polly has an incredible ability to absorb complex evidence.' 'She is great - bright, creative and very responsive.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2023)

    'A highly persuasive advocate who does a great job in court. She is really flying.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    'She is excellent and provides very concise advice.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2022)

    'A highly cerebral junior. She is a fantastic advocate who works tirelessly and extremely hard.' Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2022)

    'She is very strong both in court and on paper.' 'Polly's ability to get work done quickly and produce high-quality work is amazing.' 'She is exceptionally diligent when dissecting forensically complex fraud matters.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2021)

    'A very confident and skilled advocate. Written submissions are of the highest calibre.' Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2021)

    ‘Very diligent, sympathetic to the client and strong when she needs to be.’ ‘Polly has a truly unbelievable work ethic and an incredibly impressive ability to deal with numerous complicated tasks all at once.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2020)

    ‘Noted for her capacity for forensic dissection of complex evidence.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2020)

    ‘She is a machine when it comes to processing work, marshalling arguments and presenting them.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2018)

    ‘A very good up-and-coming barrister, who is concise, articulate and shows great promise.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2017)

    Education

    1st class BA (Hons) University of Warwick.
    Graduate Diploma in Law
    Bar Vocational Course
    Jules Thorn Scholarship, Middle Temple
    Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple

    Professional Memberships

    Fraud Lawyers Association
    Former Chair of the Female Fraud Forum 
    Private Prosecutions Association
    Criminal Bar Association 

       

    Privacy Notice

    Recent Cases

    News

    • Confiscation success after 5 day hearing

      In a judgment given on the 21st May by HHJ Spragg at Newcastle Crown Court, a confiscation order was made in the amount of only £8907.08. This was in circumstances where the prosecution had been seeking a confiscation order in the amount of almost £2 mill...

      ...
      Read more

    • London Legal Walk 2018

      QEB Hollis Whiteman are walking with the Lord Chief Justice and thousands of lawyers to raise funds for the London Legal Support Trust, the Free Representation Unit and the Bar Pro Bono Unit.

      ...
      Read more

    • Eleanor Laws QC & Polly Dyer successfully defended Professor Lant

      Professor Ariel Lant, represented by Eleanor Laws QC and Polly Dyer, at Southwark Crown Court, was today acquitted of 11 counts of sexual assault upon 10 ex patients. 

      ...
      Read more

    • Polly Dyer acts for FCA to secure Operation Cotton confiscation orders

      Polly Dyer acted as junior counsel for the FCA in the confiscation hearings against the last two defendants convicted as a result of Operation Cotton one of the FCA's largest investigations. Confiscation orders have now been made against all of the eight ...

      ...
      Read more

    • Polly Dyer represents FCA in insider dealing trial

      QEB Hollis Whiteman member Polly Dyer, led by Andrew Marshall of 18 Red Lion Court, represented the Financial Conduct Authority at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of a Logica analyst and his neighbour for insider dealing. On day three of the trial...

      ...
      Read more

    • Prosecution offer no evidence after complainant's evidence discredited in fraud and money laundering trial

      QEB Hollis Whiteman member Ben FitzGerald represented a former Chief Operating Officer and fellow member Polly Dyer represented her partner, who were charged with fraud and money laundering respectively. The case concerned the payment of recruitment fees ...

      ...
      Read more

    • Inquest of Capt. Thomas Clarke - Linda Strudwick and Polly Dyer represent the family of Lynx pilot

      Coroner Darren Salter delivered his narrative verdict today at the inquest into the deaths of five servicemen who were killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Linda Strudwick and Polly Dyer from QEB Hollis Whiteman represented the family of the pilot...

      ...
      Read more

    • Polly Dyer appointed chair of Female Fraud Forum

      QEB Hollis Whiteman member Polly Dyer has been appointed chair of the Female Fraud Forum, an association aimed at solicitors, barristers and accountants who work in financial regulation and the criminal and civil fraud sector. Its purpose is to foster, en...

      ...
      Read more

    • Paul Wakerley and Polly Dyer act for appellant as Court of Appeal quash dishonesty convictions

      Paul Wakerley and Polly Dyer successfully appeal convictions, based upon allegations of theft of investors' funds, to the full court. Paul was instructed post-conviction and sentence to review the case and seek to find any arguable grounds. The central...

      ...
      Read more

    • Paul Wakerley and Polly Dyer act for appellant as Court of Appeal quash dishonesty convictions

      Paul Wakerley and Polly Dyer successfully appeal convictions, based upon allegations of theft of investors' funds, to the full court. Paul was instructed post-conviction and sentence to review the case and seek to find any arguable grounds. The central...

      ...
      Read more

    • Polly Dyer represents care worker charged with fraud

      Polly Dyer represented a care worker charged with 13 counts of fraud. She was accused of making a variety of fraudulent transactions using the bank cards of one of the individuals for whom she cared. The case was document heavy and involved exploring the ...

      ...
      Read more

    • Operation Cotton: Case Concludes - Sean Larkin QC, Paul Raudnitz and Polly Dyer act for Financial Conduct Authority

      One of the largest criminal prosecutions undertaken by the FCA concluded with convictions of all eight defendants.

      ...
      Read more

    • Tom Coke-Smyth and Polly Dyer provide Case Management training to members of the LBLA

      Tom & Polly today lead a half day seminar ‘Foundations for Successful Case Management; building a strong case’ for members of the London Boroughs Legal Alliance (LBLA). The LBLA is a collaborative partnership of London local authority legal...

      ...
      Read more

    • Tom Kark QC and Polly Dyer speak at Leigh Day Solicitors on Coroners and Inquests

      Tom Kark QC and Polly Dyer gave a talk entitled ‘Coroners & Inquests – developments and practicalities’ to lawyers at personal injury solicitors Leigh Day.   Tom and Polly illustrated the talk with examples from the recent inquest into t...

      ...
      Read more

    • Tom Kark QC and Polly Dyer represent family at Inquest into the death of a Red Arrows pilot

      Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham who died after being ejected from his plane whilst it was still on the ground the inquest has heard.

      ...
      Read more

    Articles

  • Corporate and Financial Crime

    Polly Dyer is a skilled and confident advocate who demonstrates knowledge, judgement, expertise and advocacy beyond her years.

    Overview

    Polly Dyer acts for individuals and corporates subject to investigation and criminal proceedings in relation to allegations of financial crime.

    Polly Dyer acts for individuals and corporates subject to investigation and criminal proceedings in relation to allegations of financial crime. Polly has particular experience in the field of bribery and corruption, defending and prosecuting alike. She advises both corporates and individuals. Her work often includes a multijurisdictional aspect. Recent work includes: advising a multinational in respect of alleged bribery at director level; advising a foreign based multinational in relation to fraud and copyright offences; and representing the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Seychelles in a corruption case, the largest prosecution every brought in the jurisdiction. This case concerned the former economic advisor to the then president and the obtaining of the jurisdiction’s first world wide restraint order. It involved Polly being called to the Bar in the Seychelles and appearing before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court in the Seychelles. Polly has significant experience in relation to the obtaining of material from other jurisdictions, and matters relating to asset restrictions.

    She is instructed by magic circle, boutique and high street law firms alike. Since the outset of her career, she has prosecuted in matters of serious financial crime, acting frequently for the Financial Conduct Authority, Serious Fraud Office, Insolvency Service, HMRC, and Crown Prosecution Service specialist serious economic, organised crime and international directorate. She is currently instructed by the SFO to prosecute four individuals concerning conduct resulting to Patisserie Holdings PLC (Operation Venom).  She also has experience in private prosecutions.

    Polly has acted, and provided advice, in financial regulatory matters for both the FCA and regulated individuals. She has also acted in Companies House cases.

    Polly has a wealth of expertise in proceedings brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act; conducting confiscation and restraint hearings, as well as hearings relating to the freezing of accounts and cash forfeiture. She has written extensively and given seminars on such topics.

    Polly is a former chair of the Female Fraud Forum.

    Experience

    Recent and current instructions include:​

    • R v Marsh and others: Polly is currently instructed by the Serious Fraud Office prosecuting individuals for conduct relating to Patisserie Holdings PLC (Operation Venom).
    • Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles v Mukesh Valabhji: Polly was instructed as junior counsel for the ACCS, in the largest prosecution brought in the Seychelles. The former economic advisor to the then president and the president’s wife are charged with offences including corruption and money laundering. The case has involved the ACCS obtaining the Seychelles’ first worldwide restraint order, the use of multiple requests for mutual legal assistance, and the introduction of the use of digital forensic evidence to the Seychelles’ courts. Polly appeared in the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal in the Seychelles.
    • R v Marcus Reedman: Polly represented Marcus Reedman, led by Eleanor Laws KC, a retired army colonel, who is charged with fraud by failing to disclose information in relation to school fees claimed. The conduct complained of related to a time period when he was a serving officer. The defendant was the deputy director of the Government’s covid-19 task force. This is the first case of its kind to be heard in a criminal court, as opposed to before the courts martial.
    • Advice provided to a multinational in relation to alleged bribery at director level.
    • Advising an individual in relation to the discharge of a restraint application made by UK authorities on behalf of US authorities.
    • Advice in relation to the enforcement of a foreign confiscation order.
    • Advice to a multinational based abroad in relation to fraud and copyright offences.
    • Currently instructed to prosecute a conspiracy to defraud, relating to breaches of copyright.
    • Currently instructed to prosecute a multi-defendant money-laundering prosecution.
    • Successful account forfeiture application instructed by HMRC in relation to an individual operating an unregistered money-service business.
    • DAS v Asplin & others: : Polly acts for the second defendant in this private prosecution, brought by the defendant’s employer.
    • R v Park: instructed by the CPS in a case of cheating the public revenue and money laundering arising from an HMRC investigation.
    • Instructed by the insolvency service to prosecute a company director and undischarged bankrupt.
    • Instructed to advise a number of companies, and their director, subject to information requests originating from a prosecuting authority.
    • Successful applications to discharge account freezing orders.
    • Instructed by both the FCA and individuals in relation to financial regulatory matters. This has included in relation to proceedings before the Regulatory Decisions Committee of the FCA and bodies governing financial professionals.

    Previous cases include:

    • R v K & others: instructed on behalf of a barrister charged with fraud.
    • Operation Alfreton, R v Moore & others: instructed by the FCA in this case which involved a number of FSMA offences arising from the promotion and sale of shares. Subsequently Polly was instructed in the confiscation proceedings.
    • Operation Holt, R v Mohal & others: instructed by the FCA in this case, which involved insider dealing.
    • Operation Cotton, R v Crawley & others: instructed by the FCA in this case which concerned land banking and one of their largest ever prosecution cases. It concluded in convictions for all eight defendants. Subsequently Polly was instructed in the confiscation proceedings.
    • Instructed in relation to a Libor case being heard in the US concerning a request for mutual legal assistance.
    • Polly was asked to assist the FCA, leading a team of barristers in a complaints team investigation and assisted for a period of time within the Criminal Prosecutions Team.
    • Polly assisted a bank with a regulatory project in relation to anti-money laundering.
    • R v Koort & Others: junior prosecution counsel in a multi-handed money laundering prosecution arising from a NCA investigation.
    • R v P & Another: represented an individual who was charged with money laundering. After the complainant's evidence, the prosecution offered no evidence. I subsequently acted for the defendants in seeking an order to use disclosed material in civil proceedings against the complainant.

    Notable Cases

    ACCS v Valabjhi & another

    Polly was instructed as junior counsel for the ACCS, in the largest prosecution brought in the Seychelles. The former economic advisor to the then president and the president’s wife are charged with offences including corruption and money laundering. The case has involved the ACCS obtaining the Seychelles’ first worldwide restraint order, the use of multiple requests for mutual legal assistance, and the introduction of the use of digital forensic evidence to the Seychelles’ courts. Polly appeared in the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal in the Seychelles.

    R v Marcus Reedman

    Eleanor Laws KC and Polly Dyer secured an acquittal in the case of Marcus Reedman, a retired colonel who had been accused of fraudulently claiming £43,470 to fund his children's private education

    R v Park
    Polly Dyer prosecuted the company Berkshire Education Travel Ltd, and the company's director, David Park, with both defendants being convicted by a jury of cheating the public revenue and money laundering.

    DAS v Aplin
    Polly Dyer represented the second defendant in a private prosecution. Her client was charged with two conspiracies to defraud. He was acquitted of one, and convicted of the other.

    R v Moore & others
    Polly Dyer was instructed by the FCA as part of the prosecution team which secured the conviction of four defendants in charges arising from a fraudulent investment scheme in which over 300 investors lost over £1.4m.

    R v MR
    The judgment followed a contested confiscation hearing, where evidence was called over the course of 5 days on the issue of benefit from general criminal conduct.

    Operation Cotton (2015)
    Acted as junior counsel in Operation Cotton, one of the largest criminal prosecutions ever undertaken by the FCA, which concluded with the convictions of all eight defendants.

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2024: Financial Crime - Band 3

    Legal 500 2024: Fraud: Crime – Tier 4, Business and regulatory Crime - Tier 3

    Chambers UK 2023: Financial Crime – Band 3

    Legal 500 2022: Fraud: Crime – Tier 4

    'Polly has an incredible ability to absorb complex evidence.' 'She is great - bright, creative and very responsive.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2023)

    'She is excellent and provides very concise advice.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2022)

    'A highly cerebral junior. She is a fantastic advocate who works tirelessly and extremely hard.' Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2022)

    'She is very strong both in court and on paper.' 'Polly's ability to get work done quickly and produce high-quality work is amazing.' 'She is exceptionally diligent when dissecting forensically complex fraud matters.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2021)

    'A very confident and skilled advocate. Written submissions are of the highest calibre.' Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2021)

    ‘Very diligent, sympathetic to the client and strong when she needs to be.’ ‘Polly has a truly unbelievable work ethic and an incredibly impressive ability to deal with numerous complicated tasks all at once.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2020)

    ‘Noted for her capacity for forensic dissection of complex evidence.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2020)

    ‘She is a machine when it comes to processing work, marshalling arguments and presenting them.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2019)

    ‘A very good up-and-coming barrister, who is concise, articulate and shows great promise.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2017)

    Recent Cases

    • Polly Dyer appears in Seychelles legal first

      Polly Dyer appeared before the Supreme Court of the Seychelles in respect of an application to discharge the court’s first ever worldwide restraint order. The Order was imposed in the course of the Seychelles Anti-Corruption Commission’s prose...

      Read more

    • Successful prosecution in case of cheating the public revenue

      Rex v  Berkshire Education Travel Ltd and David ParkPolly Dyer prosecuted the company Berkshire Education Travel Ltd, and the company's director, David Park, with both defendants being convicted by a jury of cheating the public revenue and money launderin...

      Read more

    • R v MR (21.05.20)

      In a judgment given on the 21st May by HHJ Spragg at Newcastle Crown Court, a confiscation order was made in the amount of only £8907.08. This was in circumstances where the prosecution had been seeking a confiscation order in the amount of almost £2 mill...

      Read more

    • DAS v Asplin and others [2018-19]

      Polly Dyer represented the second defendant in a private prosecution at Southwark Crown Court. As such, she has familiarity with the issues that arise in private prosecutions. Her client was charged with two conspiracies to defraud. He was acquitted of on...

      Read more

    • R v Moore and others (2017)

      Polly Dyer was instructed by the FCA as part of the prosecution team which secured the conviction of four defendants in charges arising from a fraudulent investment scheme in which over 300 investors lost over £1.4m. The scheme involved the sale of shares...

      Read more

    • R v Bhandari and Others [2017]

      Polly Dyer was instructed by the Financial Conduct Authority as second junior and disclosure counsel in this matter, which involved a number of FSMA offences arising from the promotion and sale of shares. Over 300 investors lost approximately £1.4m. Four ...

      Read more

    • Prosecution offer no evidence after complainant's evidence discredited in fraud and money laundering trial (2016)

      QEB Hollis Whiteman member Ben FitzGerald represented a former Chief Operating Officer and fellow member Polly Dyer represented her partner, who were charged with fraud and money laundering respectively. The case concerned the payment of recruitment fees ...

      Read more

    • R v Koort & Others (2016)

      Tom Baker led Polly Dyer in a £30m money-laundering prosecution at the Central Criminal Court. Three defendants were convicted. Sentences imposed ranged from 11 years' imprisonment to 4 years' imprisonment. The investigation was a joint NCA and COLP opera...

      Read more

    News

    • Confiscation success after 5 day hearing

      In a judgment given on the 21st May by HHJ Spragg at Newcastle Crown Court, a confiscation order was made in the amount of only £8907.08. This was in circumstances where the prosecution had been seeking a confiscation order in the amount of almost £2 mill...

      Read more

    • Polly Dyer acts for FCA to secure Operation Cotton confiscation orders

      Polly Dyer acted as junior counsel for the FCA in the confiscation hearings against the last two defendants convicted as a result of Operation Cotton one of the FCA's largest investigations. Confiscation orders have now been made against all of the eight ...

      Read more

    • Polly Dyer represents FCA in insider dealing trial

      QEB Hollis Whiteman member Polly Dyer, led by Andrew Marshall of 18 Red Lion Court, represented the Financial Conduct Authority at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of a Logica analyst and his neighbour for insider dealing. On day three of the trial...

      Read more

    • Prosecution offer no evidence after complainant's evidence discredited in fraud and money laundering trial

      QEB Hollis Whiteman member Ben FitzGerald represented a former Chief Operating Officer and fellow member Polly Dyer represented her partner, who were charged with fraud and money laundering respectively. The case concerned the payment of recruitment fees ...

      Read more

    • Polly Dyer appointed chair of Female Fraud Forum

      QEB Hollis Whiteman member Polly Dyer has been appointed chair of the Female Fraud Forum, an association aimed at solicitors, barristers and accountants who work in financial regulation and the criminal and civil fraud sector. Its purpose is to foster, en...

      Read more

    • Operation Cotton: Case Concludes - Sean Larkin QC, Paul Raudnitz and Polly Dyer act for Financial Conduct Authority

      One of the largest criminal prosecutions undertaken by the FCA concluded with convictions of all eight defendants.

      Read more

    Articles

  • Crime

    An empathetic, articulate and persuasive advocate, Polly Dyer impresses all who instruct her.

    Overview

    Polly is an accomplished criminal advocate. She appears in highly complex, paper-heavy and multi- handed cases, bringing in-depth legal knowledge and the exercise of sound and reasoned judgement. She both prosecutes and defends, being frequently instructed on behalf of professionals charged with criminal offences, and by the Crown Prosecution Service special crime and counter terrorism division. Recent cases in which Polly has been instructed include cases of: murder, GBH, drug conspiracies, human trafficking, robbery, perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office, and sexual offences. Given Polly’s experience in coronial proceedings, and the ensuing engagement with the issue of causation, Polly will act in in cases concerning alleged breaches of health and safety. Polly also has experience in trading standards prosecutions.

    Experience

    She is a grade 4 prosecutor, with substantial experience of appearing for the Crown. She is also on the specialist CPS panels for: organised crime, fraud and POCA.

    Current & recent cases include:

    • defending a medical professional charged with a sexual offence.
    • defending an individual charged with historic sex offences
    • defending an officer charged with assault.
    • prosecuting a case of misconduct in public office.
    • opposing an application pursuant to s. 49 of RIPA.
    • prosecuting a four-handed murder case before the Central Criminal Court and a murder case before Croydon Crown Court.
    • R v Al Safee & Lopez: junior prosecution counsel in case concerning the importation of c. 430kg of cocaine. Polly is instructed in relation to the ongoing confiscation proceedings.
    • R v Mushtaq & others: prosecution counsel in a multi-handed drug importation case.  

    Previous cases include:

    • R v Lant: junior defence counsel in a case concerning historic indecent assault allegations. The defendant was acquitted of all 11 counts, which concerned 10 complainants.
    • R v Le & others: junior prosecution counsel in this multi-handed murder case heard before Mr Justice Saini QC. It concerned a shooting, which took place in the middle of the day in Birmingham City Centre. It was a legally complicated case, involving the application of the principles in Gnango [2011] UKSC 59.
    • R v Tsang & others: junior counsel in a human trafficking prosecution.
    • R v Vasileva & Others: junior prosecution counsel in a three handed case concerning conspiracy to commit human trafficking and controlling prostitution.
    • R v Vyte & Others: junior prosecution counsel in a four handed case concerning a series of robberies.
    • R v Grant: defending in historic case of indecent assault.
    • Crown Court case in which teacher acquitted of sexual assault.

    Notable Cases

    R v Longmate
    Polly prosecuted a police officer for misconduct in public office who had sexual contact with a highly intoxicated woman in his patrol vehicle.

    R v Lant
    Professor Ariel Lant, represented by Eleanor Laws QC and Polly Dyer, at Southwark Crown Court, was acquitted of 11 counts of sexual assault upon 10 ex patients. 

    R v M (2022)
    Three defendants were found guilty on 31 March 2022 of offences relating to the importation of cocaine and cannabis  from Jamaica in a consignment of sweet potatoes.

    R v Tsang & Pan
    Successfully appealed convictions, based upon allegations of theft of investors' funds, to the full court at the Court of Appeal.

    R v Vasileva 
    Nicholas Corsellis KC and Polly Dyer prosecuted Eleonora Vasileva, Iliya Mihaylov, and Marian Vasilev for modern slavery offences.

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2024: Crime - Band 4

    Legal 500 2024: Crime - Tier 4. 

    Chambers UK 2023: Crime - Band 4

    'A highly persuasive advocate who does a great job in court. She is really flying.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    Recent Cases

    News

    • Confiscation success after 5 day hearing

      In a judgment given on the 21st May by HHJ Spragg at Newcastle Crown Court, a confiscation order was made in the amount of only £8907.08. This was in circumstances where the prosecution had been seeking a confiscation order in the amount of almost £2 mill...

      Read more

    • Eleanor Laws QC & Polly Dyer successfully defended Professor Lant

      Professor Ariel Lant, represented by Eleanor Laws QC and Polly Dyer, at Southwark Crown Court, was today acquitted of 11 counts of sexual assault upon 10 ex patients. 

      Read more

    Articles

    • Benefits & Brothels by Polly Dyer & HHJ Hopmeier

      Polly Dyer co-authored an article with HHJ Hopmeier titled Benefit and Brothels. It can be found on pages 4-6 of Archbold Review issue 8. 

      View article

    • Confiscation During Covid

      Polly Dyer co-authored an article, now featured by the Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association.The article provides a review of confiscation judgments from the first six months of 2020. It can be read here.

      View article

    • Confiscation: An Update (Part 1- Benefit, Realisable Amount and Proportionality) - Archbold Review

      Polly Dyer, with HHJ Hopmeir, considers recent case Law on confiscation.

      View Article

       

      View article

  • Regulatory

    A wealth of experience in the professional disciplinary forum, Polly Dyer's measured approach, shrewd judgement and articulate manner place her well in this field. 

    Overview

    Polly has experience advising in relation to, and appearing in, regulatory proceedings. She has been instructed by both the FCA and individuals in relation to financial regulatory matters. This has included in relation to proceedings before the Regulatory Decisions Committee of the FCA and bodies governing financial professionals. She has represented clients before disciplinary tribunals in the medical sphere. Polly is able to use all the knowledge obtained from the different forums in which she appears to assist and advise clients.

    Experience

    Financial regulation
    Polly has recently been instructed by the FCA in in relation to proceedings before the Regulatory Decisions Committee of the FCA. She has provided advice to professionals in the financial sphere in disciplinary matters and appeared before professional bodies on their behalf.

    Medical regulation
    Polly has represented health-care professionals in a range of disciplinary forums, including before the GMC and NMC. She has been instructed by the GDC and NMC, appearing in substantive hearings and at the interim order stage. She has also prosecuted criminal cases brought by the GDC. She has a detailed understanding of the healthcare sector in the light of her assistance to the team preparing the report arising from the public inquiry into the failure to regulate the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. 

    Notable Cases

    GDC v Ross (2014)
    Acted for the GDC in a prosecution involving the illegal practice of tooth whitening. The defendant pleaded guilty to an offence of unlawfully holding herself out as being prepared to practise dentistry, and to unlawfully using the title “dental technician”.

    Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry (2013)
    Seconded to the Department of Health for a number of months as a junior member of the Inquiry team to assist in the preparation of the report arising from the Public Inquiry into the failure to regulate the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

    Reviews 

    Legal 500 2024: Business and regulatory Crime - Tier 3

  • Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law

    Substantial experience of the law and procedure relating to inquests, inquiries and issues of potential liability, Polly Dyer's knowledge and approach has made her a favoured junior in the field. 

    Overview

    Polly Dyer has an abundance of knowledge and experience in the field. She has acted for numerous interested persons in inquests, including: companies, organisations, professionals and families. She has written and gives seminars on the topic of inquests. She also has experience in public inquiries.

    Experience

    Recent and current instructions include:

    • Instructed on behalf of an interested person in an inquest, a US based manufacturing company.
    • Instructed on behalf of an interested person in an inquest, namely a quarrying company.
    • Instructed on behalf of an interested person in an inquest, namely the Metropolitan Police.

    Previous cases include:

    • Instructed on behalf of the Gambling Commission when they appeared as an interested person in an inquest.
    • Polly represented the deceased’s family in the inquest into the death of Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, a red arrow pilot.
    • Represented the family in the inquest into the death of Captain Thomas Clarke, a pilot who was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
    • Represented a GP in an inquest concerning a death at a care home.
    • Represented a prison doctor in an article 2 inquest.
    • Represented the family in an inquest where due to inadequacies in the investigation there were questions about the manner of the deceased’s death.
    • Represented the family in an inquest where a woman had been hit by a bus when crossing the road.
    • Represented the family in an inquest of a university student who died when crossing a road.
    • Seconded to the Department of Health as a junior member of the team preparing the report arising from the public inquiry into the failure to regulate the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. 
       

    Notable Cases

    Inquest into the death of Flt Lt Sean Cunningham (2014)
    Represented the deceased’s family, together with Keith Barrett of Irwin Mitchell and Tom Kark QC

    Inquest touching on the death of Capt Thomas Clarke
    Linda Strudwick and Polly Dyer represent the family of Lynx pilot 

    Inquest touching on the death of Huseyin Yaman
    Polly represented the Gambling Commission.

    Inquest into the death of PS (2015)
    Represented the family of a woman who was hit by a bus when crossing Barnet High Street. She was instructed by LeighDay Solicitors.

    Recent Cases

    News

    • Inquest of Capt. Thomas Clarke - Linda Strudwick and Polly Dyer represent the family of Lynx pilot

      Coroner Darren Salter delivered his narrative verdict today at the inquest into the deaths of five servicemen who were killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Linda Strudwick and Polly Dyer from QEB Hollis Whiteman represented the family of the pilot...

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    • Tom Kark QC and Polly Dyer speak at Leigh Day Solicitors on Coroners and Inquests

      Tom Kark QC and Polly Dyer gave a talk entitled ‘Coroners & Inquests – developments and practicalities’ to lawyers at personal injury solicitors Leigh Day.   Tom and Polly illustrated the talk with examples from the recent inquest into t...

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    Articles