Sanctions

“A highly esteemed set instructed in the most serious cases.”

Chambers UK 2024

“A set with considerable experience of the full range of business crime cases, particularly bribery and corruption, sanctions, and corporate fraud.”

Legal 500 2023

“A very strong set, with a high intellectual calibre.”

Legal 500 2023

“A cut above the rest.”

Legal 500 2020

“Recognised leader in the field of financial crime with great strength in depth and excellent counsel.”

Legal 500 2020

Three Raymond Buildings is a leading financial crime chambers with experience in complex multi-jurisdictional cases. We have a well-established practice acting for financial institutions, insurance firms, law firms and other commercial organisations, as well as individuals, in financial sanctions and export controls cases.  In particular, a significant number of members of chambers are currently engaged in financial, travel and trade sanctions cases arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the application of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/855.

We understand the interplay between legal requirements, public policy and commercial considerations, to ensure that businesses can continue to operate effectively within the framework of international sanctions laws and export controls. Our position at the forefront of white collar and financial services crime and extradition means we are particularly well placed to act where there is the threat of enforcement action against individuals or corporates. Much of our work is confidential and we are proud of our successes in helping clients avoid such action or negotiate appropriate settlements.

Members of Chambers provide advice and representation at all stages of sanctions and export controls cases, including:

  • the sanctions/export control implications of potential transactions
  • in dynamic commercial situations with evolving sanctions and export controls
  • commercial disputes
  • effectively responding to suspected non-compliance: lawfulness of current or historic transactions; internal investigations; reporting to regulators; dealing with counterparties
  • strategic liaison with domestic and overseas regulators, including HMRC, OFSI and OFAC
  • interviews under caution for sanctions and export control related offences and witness interviews under compulsory powers
  • challenging designated status under sanctions regimes
  • advocacy at trial and on appeal
  • expert evidence on the jurisdictional reach of national laws in commercial disputes

Our barristers have experience in advising on UN, US, EU and UK sanctions regimes and on restrictions relating to Russia, Crimea, Syria, Iran, Somalia and other states. We have senior and junior barristers who are jointly qualified in other jurisdictions, including the US, in EU member states and commonwealth countries. Chambers has particular expertise in the application of US sanctions and US sanctions-related extradition requests and in advising on the Russian and Iranian sanctions regimes, including the successful negotiation of appropriate outcomes following breaches of Iranian export controls. Members have successfully represented a number of clients in UN Security Council sanctions delisting petitions before the UN Ombudsperson.

We are currently working with various civil society organisations on the use of sanctions as tools of human rights accountability.

Members of chambers are experienced in providing sanctions and export controls lectures and training to both the private and public sector, domestically and abroad. This has included advising global law firms, international banks, the Department for International Trade, and teaching a university course on international economic sanctions. We also write about developments in sanctions law and are proud to be part of the editorial team of Practitioners’ Guide to Sanctions (GIR 2020 and 2021 editions) and authors of the chapter on UK sanctions enforcement.

Find the right barrister

To find the right sanctions barrister, and to discuss any possible instructions, please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7400 6400 or email clerks@3rblaw.com.

Areas of expertise

“A highly respected chambers with enviable expertise across the full spectrum of financial crime work.”  Chambers UK 2020

“A centre for top-quality excellence.”  Chambers UK 2020

“Recognised leader in the field of financial crime, with ‘great strength in depth’ and ‘excellent counsel’.”  Legal 500 2020

“A cut above the rest”  Legal 500 2020

“The best set for business crime”  Legal 500 2020

Sanctions barristers

King's Counsel

James Lewis KC

Call: 1987 / Silk: 2002

Barrister - James Lewis KC

Hugo Keith KC

Call: 1989 / Silk: 2009

Barrister - Hugo Keith KC

Simon Farrell KC

Call: 1983 / Silk: 2003

Barrister - Simon Farrell KC

Helen Malcolm KC

Call: 1986 / Silk: 2006

Barrister - Helen Malcolm KC

Jonathan Ashley-Norman KC

Call: 1989 / Silk: 2016

Barrister - Jonathan Ashley-Norman KC

Ben Watson KC

Call: 2002 / Silk: 2021

Barrister - Ben Watson KC

Rachel Barnes KC

Call: 2004 / Silk: 2022

Barrister - Rachel Barnes KC

Saba Naqshbandi KC

Call: 1996

Barrister - Saba Naqshbandi KC
Junior Barristers

Ben Summers

Call: 1994

Barrister - Ben Summers

Nicholas Yeo

Call: 1999

Barrister - Nicholas Yeo

Rachel Scott

Call: 2004

Barrister - Rachel Scott

Robert Morris

Call: 2008

Barrister - Robert Morris

Patrick Hill

Call: 2010

Barrister - Patrick Hill

Eva Niculiu

Call: 2013

Barrister - Eva Niculiu

Reka Hollos

Call: 2014

Barrister - Reka Hollos

Rebecca Hadgett

Call: 2015

Barrister - Rebecca Hadgett

Genevieve Woods

Call: 2016

Barrister - Genevieve Woods

Ciju Puthuppally

Call: 2017

Barrister - Ciju Puthuppally

Ryan Dowding

Call: 2017

Barrister - Ryan Dowding

Charles McCombe

Call: 2017

Barrister - Charles McCombe

Jessica Hocking

Call: 2013

Barrister - Jessica Hocking

Ella Crine

Call: 2020

Barrister - Ella Crine

Rosa Bennathan

Call: 2021

Barrister - Rosa Bennathan

Stephen Bailey

Call: 2022

Barrister - Stephen Bailey

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