‘Very knowledgeable about proceeds of crime’ Chambers UK POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture (2025)
'QEB Hollis Whiteman remains one of the go-to sets for financial crime.' Legal 500 2026
'Enormously respected amongst the AML specialists in the City' Legal 500 (2024)
'Technical knowledge of POCA is absolutely first-class' Chambers UK Sanctions (2026)
'A leading chambers in the financial crime market, housing an impressive bench of leading silks and juniors experienced in both the prosecution and defence of complex and high-value cases.' Chambers UK 2025
'For financial crime, the set assures first-class representation.' Chambers UK 2023
'QEB has some fantastic junior counsel making it one of the strongest all round sets for financial crime.' Legal 500 2023
POCA Advisory and Asset Forfeiture
Our dedicated Proceeds of Crime Advisory and Asset Forfeiture Group (PAAF) is led by Allison Clare KC and Anita Clifford. The PAAF group publishes a quarterly newsletter on the latest developments in anti-money laundering including notable cases and guidance. You can access our current newsletter here.
Overview
QEB Hollis Whiteman has a depth of expertise in proceeds of crime advisory matters and adjacent court proceedings.
Members of chambers are well versed in advising organisations and individuals on sensitive matters which engage proceeds of crime considerations. This includes commercial transactional matters, arbitral proceedings, internal investigations and a wide range of other situations in which POCA reporting obligations or issues may arise.
We also advise on anti-money laundering policies and controls.
Our Experience
Members regularly appear in adjacent proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and High Court and provide innovative, strategic advice on the full range of complex proceeds of crime matters.
Notable cases include representing the claimant on the first matter to consider proceeds of crime issues in the context of global supply chains. In 2024, Global Investigations Review named World Uyghur Congress v NCA [2024] EWCA Civ 715 as the “Most Important Development of the Year” globally.
Our work includes:
- Cash, crypto asset and account freezing and forfeiture proceedings
- Internal anti-money laundering investigations
- Acting on behalf of victims seeking to intervene in account forfeiture applications and Part 5 civil recovery proceedings
- Advising on defences against money laundering
- Advising on matters where sanctions and proceeds of crime issues overlap
- Advising on suspicious activity reporting in the context of commercial transactions
- Third party applications under POCA
- Advising on the adequacy of anti-money laundering controls
- Civil recovery proceedings in the High Court
- Assisting in challenging and where appropriate responding to unexplained wealth orders, production orders and disclosure orders
- Defending individuals and companies against money laundering regulatory breaches attracting civil or criminal penalties or professional disciplinary action
- Challenging or applying to vary criminal restraint orders
Reviews
'Very knowledgeable about proceeds of crime' - Chambers UK POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture (2025)
'Enormously respected amongst the AML specialists in the City' - Legal 500 (2024)
'Knowledgeable and reassuring in the delivery of advice' - Chambers UK (2021)
'Technical knowledge of POCA is absolutely first-class' - Chambers UK Sanctions (2026)