Call 1999 | Silk 2020
“Brilliant”; “an exceptional advocate”; “phenomenally bright and decisive".
Chambers & Partners / Legal 500
Sian Huckett
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0)20 7842 3764
Click here to email
Chris Kent
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3771
Click here to email
Robin Barclay KC specializes in advocacy and advice in commercial, regulatory and public law disputes in court, in arbitration, and in regulatory tribunals, in cases with UK, offshore and multiple jurisdiction elements.
As well as the English Bar, Robin appears in other jurisdictions on an ad hoc basis including, most recently, the Bar of Antigua & Barbuda.
Robin is ranked by the legal directories as a Leading Silk in numerous practice areas. This reflects the breadth of his expertise in areas which often intersect: UK capital markets listing, market abuse and financial services regulation and litigation, including s90 and s90A FSMA claims; UK banking and company disputes and investigations, including directors’ duties; international fraud, financial crime, and financial and trade sanctions; international trusts and trustees’ duties; constitutional, administrative and public law; and professional misconduct and discipline.
Robin is the leading barrister on the duties and liabilities of issuers and directors in the UK’s reformed capital markets regulatory ecosystem, having launched a landmark opinion piece in August 2024 on the reforms to the UK Listing Rules. Read the piece here.
Robin usually acts as the leader of a team of barristers in complex and high-value cases. He is an expert in all kinds of trials and appeals, as well as interlocutory applications and disputes (including worldwide freezing and anti-suit relief).
He is well-known for his skillful cross-examination of witnesses, for dealing with high-profile cases, and for working closely with solicitors, foreign lawyers, in-house counsel, UHNWIs, HNWIs and international private wealth advisors, family offices, trustees, directors and senior managers.
He is commended in the market for being “extremely collaborative”, “commercial”, “a pleasure to work with”, “hands-on”, “user-friendly”, and “all over the detail”.
The Alfa Nero Antiguan Controversy [2023-2025]
International Russian sanctions case concerning Antigua’s decision to pass legislation to expropriate a US$120 million US, UK and EU sanctioned superyacht moored in its waters. The vessel was seized, unblocked by OFAC and sold by auction by the Antiguan authorities, who retained the net sale proceeds to settle part of the national debt. Substantive and interlocutory proceedings in the Antigua and Barbuda High Court, and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. Sanctions. Trusts. Ships. Human Rights. Constitutional and judicial review claims.
Solicitors: Pallas Partners / Hill & Hill Associates, Antigua / Conyers, BVI / Babbé, Guernsey
The P&O Ferries Seafarers Dismissal Controversy [2023-2025]
High-profile UK Insolvency Service Companies Act investigation concerning the shipping company’s decision to dismiss 786 seafarers for business viability reasons without consulting trade unions, and the fierce consequential criticism of the company, its directors and its Dubai parent by the UK government, trade unions and media. Company law, ESV and insolvency. Directors’ duties. Trade unions.
Solicitors: Latham & Watkins / Mishcon de Reya
FCA v Metro Bank plc [2024]
High-profile FCA enforcement investigation into breaches of the FCA Principles for Businesses relating to AML ATM systems and controls. £50bn of retail and commercial transactions unmonitored. Settled pre-RDC. £17mn financial penalty.
Solicitors: Eversheds Sutherland
The Odey Asset Management Financial Times Sexual Harassment Controversy [2023-2024]
Allegations of non-financial misconduct and corporate governance failures by one of London’s most well-known hedge fund managers and the LLP that he founded. FCA enforcement investigation and other proceedings. High-profile Financial Times investigation and reporting. VREQ. Limited liability partnerships, members’ agreements, executive committee powers and duties. Removals. Wind down.
Solicitors: Charles Russell Speechlys
Re: X LLP [2023-2024]
£multi-million ESG IPO securities investment fraud, conflicts of interest, abuse of position, and systems and controls circumvention complaints by investment advisers and analysts of an AIF. Allegations levelled against the firm’s CIO and investment committee. Internal investigation.
Solicitors: Farrer & Co
Robin’s administrative law and public law work takes place in the Administrative Court and, on an ad hoc basic, overseas. It includes judicial review of decisions made by regulatory agencies in high profile global and domestic investigations, international mutual legal assistance cases, search warrant challenges, sanctions designations, constitutional claims and human rights.
Gurieva-Motlokhov v The Port Manager of The Port Authority of Antigua and Barbuda et al, Claim No. ANUHCVAP2023/0028 [2023-2025]
International Russian sanctions case concerning Antigua’s decision to pass legislation to expropriate a US$120 million US, UK and EU sanctioned superyacht moored in its waters. The vessel was seized, unblocked by OFAC and sold by auction by the Antiguan authorities, who retained the net sale proceeds to settle part of the national debt. Substantive and interlocutory proceedings in the Antigua and Barbuda High Court, and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. Sanctions. Trusts. Ships. Human Rights. Constitutional and judicial review claims.
Re X [2023-202]
Advising UHNW Russian individual on challenging their designation by UK FCDO under the UK Russia sanctions regulations.
R (on the application of Terra Services Limited) v NCA [2021] 1 WLR 1
Judicial review of UKLA’s direction to NCA to seek a search warrant under UK/US MLAT and decision to issue warrant in connection with the high-profile US Mueller Investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US Presidential Election and a fraud, money laundering, tax and US sanctions probe involving oligarchs and US political lobbyists.
R (on the application of Terra Services Limited) v NCA [2020] 1 WLR 1149
Pre-permission judicial review application for special advocate in closed material procedure.
R (on the application of Terra Services Limited) v NCA [2019] EWHC 3165 (Admin)
Pre-permission judicial review PII and confidentiality applications hearing. Closed material procedure.
R (on the application of Terra Services Limited) v NCA [2019] EWHC 1933 (Admin)
Pre-permission judicial review CMC concerning cross applications for disclosure and non-disclosure on the grounds of PII and confidentiality.
R (on the application of Newcastle United Football Club Limited) v HMRC [2017] EWHC 2402 (Admin)
Judicial review of search warrant issued to HMRC in connection with a high-profile UK tax and money laundering investigation into football clubs, players and agents.
R (on the application of Unaenergy Group Holding Pte Limited) v SFO [2017] EWHC 600 (Admin)
Judicial review of decisions of Serious Fraud Office to request mutual legal assistance, compel the production of information and documents and to deny access to material seized in Monaco under an international search warrant.
Robin’s banking and finance work takes place in the Commercial Court, as well as in financial services regulatory tribunals such as the FCA, and overseas. It includes credit institutions and other payment service providers, clearing banks, investment companies and partnerships; contractual and tortious claims; de-banking; AML and POCA reports; VREQs; account freezes; and regulatory enforcement investigations concerning breaches of UK MAR, FSMA and the FCA Handbook Rules.
FCA v Metro Bank plc [2024]
High-profile FCA enforcement investigation into breaches of the FCA Principles for Businesses relating to AML ATM systems and controls. £50bn of retail and commercial transactions unmonitored. Settled pre-RDC. £17mn financial penalty.
The Odey Asset Management Financial Times Sexual Harassment Controversy [2023-2024]
Allegations of non-financial misconduct and corporate governance failures by one of London’s most well-known hedge fund managers and the LLP that he founded. FCA enforcement investigation and other proceedings. High profile Financial Times investigation and reporting. VREQ. Limited liability partnerships, members’ agreements, executive committee powers and duties. Removals. Wind down.
Re: X LLP [2023-2024]
£multi-million ESG IPO securities investment fraud, conflicts of interest, abuse of position, and systems and controls circumvention complaints by investment advisers and analysts of an AIFM. Allegations levelled against the firm’s CIO and investment committee. Internal investigation.
Re X v Coutts, AMEX and LSEG/World Check [2024]
UHNWI de-banking and de-risking dispute following media articles concerning associations with various Russian Banks and President Putin, financial crime and political party donations. Advice on contractual and tortious rights and remedies; the firm’s Consumer Duty under the FCA Rules; data protection rights and remedies; judicial review.
Clearing Bank X [2022-2024]
Various corporate customer disputes, FCA and NCA investigations, AFOs, POCA and OFSI disclosures made by the Bank and regulated business customers in connection with it freezing £multi-million funds for suspected money laundering and sanctions violations.
Re X v Citibank N.A. [2023]
De-banking and asset freezing breach of contract and negligence claim by a global telecommunications group and 28 UK subsidiaries in connection with the termination of Citi’s services affecting approx. 10 million UK, EU and US customers, suppliers and staff. Commercial Court claim and urgent application for injunctive relief.
Re X v Renaissance Securities (Cyprus) Limited [2023]
Interim anti-suit injunction, and anti-anti-suit injunction by investment services company against Cypriot and Russian investment companies owned or controlled by Russian persons designated by US, UK and EU sanctions concerning actions in alleged breach of an LCIA arbitration agreement. Commercial Court. ASI.
FCA v Al Rayan Bank plc, Final Notice [2023]
AML risk management systems and control failings concerning the Bank’s 90,000 personal, business and premier customers, including customers from member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and UHNW Gulf customers of the Bank’s Knightsbridge branch. Settled. £4 million financial penalty.
FCA v ADM Investor Services International Limited, Final Notice [2023]
AML risk management systems and control failings across the global investment brokerage’s UK HNW and corporate customer base. Contentious RDC proceedings. £6 million financial penalty.
FCA v Sigma Broking Limited and Matthew Kent, Final Notice [2022]
EU MAR and financial crime FCA enforcement case concerning corporate governance and directors’ and senior managers’ collective responsibility for systems and controls. Settled. £500,000 corporate financial penalty. £80,000 individual financial penalty. Prohibition orders and fines imposed on co-directors.
FCA v Cenkos Securities plc, Final Notice [2016]
FCA enforcement case concerning the listing of Quindell plc on the Main Market, and breaches of the Listing Rules by its corporate sponsor. Settled. £500,000 financial penalty.
Robin’s civil fraud work takes place in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division and embraces high-value claims that focus on cross-border disputes; claims for declarations, sums due and damages; and applications for interim relief and remedies including freezing injunctions, search orders and Norwich Pharmacal relief.
He acted in England’s longest and most complex £3.3 billion civil fraud case, HP Autonomy v Lynch and Hussain [2022] EWHC 1178 (Ch) and has acted and advised in connection with numerous multi-handed fraud claims, including breach of fiduciary duty, deceit, bribery, dishonest assistance, conspiracy and knowing receipt in a range of sectors.
Re: X plc [2024]
Listing, DTR, UK MAR and s90A/Sch 10A FSMA advice to a PE firm and subsidiaries concerning subjective, unfair and unbalanced Market Disclosures by a dual-listed issuer relating to fraudulent M&A misrepresentations, inflated corporate valuations, multi-million-dollar losses and arbitral proceedings.
HP Autonomy v Lynch and Hussain
US$5 billion takeover accounting fraud, company law and breach of directors’ duties, deceit, misrepresentation and s90A FSMA dispute. Parallel SFO criminal and FRC disciplinary probes. Chancery Division.
Banque International de Commerce v A, B and C
Multi-million-dollar multi-handed misrepresentation claim. Shipping. Pre-trial application to stay pending conclusion of SFO prosecution. Commercial Court. Settled.
S Ltda
Multi-million-dollar multi-handed international conspiracy, deceit, inducing breach of contract and dishonest assistance claim. Four freezing injunctions. Six Norwich Pharmacal orders. Commercial Court. Settled.
F Ltd
Multi-million-dollar multi-handed breach of fiduciary duty, constructive trust and dishonest assistance claim. Freezing injunction. Norwich Pharmacal order. Guernsey Royal Court. Settled.
R Plc
Multi-million-pound multi-handed bribery and fraud claim. Chancery Division. Settled.
N Ltd v F Spa
Multi-million-pound misrepresentation claim. Freezing injunction. Search order. Technology & Construction Court. Settled.
ENRC v Dechert, Gerrard and Serious Fraud Office
Breach of contract and fiduciary duty, and inducing breach of contract and/or fiduciary duty, dispute between ENRC, its former solicitor and the SFO in relation to an internal cross-border fraud and bribery probe. Ancillary legal privilege, privacy and CPR r31.16 disclosure proceedings.
Robin’s corporate crime practice focuses on cross-border fraud, bribery and money laundering investigations, prosecutions and DPAs.
He is regularly instructed to advise and represent FTSE100 and FTSE250 companies and their Boards of directors on their potential rights, duties and liabilities at the outset of internal and external investigations, holistic case strategies and negotiations and on disclosing or otherwise reporting problems to the SFO, FCA, international law enforcement agencies and/or to the securities markets. He is considered an expert on Confiscation.
Terra Services Limited v NCA and Secretary of State for Home Department [2019-2024]
Long-running challenge to the NCA’s seizure of confidential documentation belonging to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and companies associated with him (including EN+ plc and Rusal) said to be relevant to the US Mueller Investigation and high profile US financial crime and US sanctions investigations.
Q plc and overseas subsidiaries
Multi-million-pound internal bribery investigation into sales contracts in Brazil, India, Indonesia, China, South Korea, USA, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Nigeria, Jordan, Malaysia. Self-reports to SFO and DOJ.
SFO v Barclays plc and Barclays Bank plc
Multi-billion-pound fraud and financial assistance prosecution in connection with the bank’s capital raising schemes at the height of the 2008 financial crisis.
Punjab National Bank, India
Multi-billion-dollar bank fraud investigation, extradition and prosecution of high profile Indian jeweller.
Afren plc
Multi-million-pound fraud prosecution of company directors and senior managers.
R (Newcastle United Football Club Limited) v HMRC
Multi-million-pound tax and money laundering investigation into football clubs, players and their agents.
SFO v ENRC
Multi-million-pound cross-border fraud and corruption investigation of ENRC’s activities in Africa and the CIS.
R (Unaoil Ltd) v SFO
Multi-million-pound cross-border corruption investigation. Application for judicial review.
SFO v Alstom Power Ltd
Multi-million-pound corruption prosecution and plea agreement. £17 million financial penalties.
1MDB
Multi-billion-dollar global money laundering and asset freezing probe.
As well as acting for companies in criminal investigations and prosecutions, Robin acts for company directors, officers and other HNW individuals under investigation by the SFO, police, FCA, HMRC and other law enforcement agencies.
Robin has many years’ experience of preparing and conducting a range of heavy jury trials and all types of interlocutory dispute.
Re X
Advising trader in internal insider trading disciplinary investigation concerning $400 million corporate losses.
Re X
Advising CEO in internal bribery and corruption investigation concerning $10 million corporate sales contracts in Iraq.
FCA v Anderson & Ors (Operation Tabernula)
FCA’s largest insider trading investigation and prosecution. £multi-million trades. Southwark Crown Court. Acquittal.
FCA v Shah (Operation Saturn)
FCA multi-handed insider trading investigation and prosecution. £multi-million trades. Southwark Crown Court. Acquittal.
FCA v Sidhu
FCA insider trading investigation and prosecution. Southwark Crown Court. Convictions and confiscation.
SFO v Kallakis
Billion-dollar cross-border banking fraud and money laundering investigation and prosecution. Southwark Crown Court. Conviction, confiscation and receivership orders.
Robin’s company law work involves litigation, advice and investigations conducted by the Insolvency Service under the Companies Act, audit and accountancy work under the Companies Act, and the Takeover Code. It includes directors’ duties, boardroom disputes, public interest investigations and winding up petitions, directors’ disqualification proceedings and criminal liability, and foreign companies.
Re: X Limited, Y LP and Z LLP [2024-2025]
Company law and financial services regulatory advice concerning corporate ownership re-structuring arrangements in the world’s most prestigious retail venue. £1billion portfolio. Corporate governance, directors’ powers and duties. Trusts, trustees’ powers and duties. Investment partnerships. Conflicts of interest. FSMA. PERG. UCITS. AIFs. AIFMR/AIFMD. CISs. RAO. Non-Promotion. Retail clients.
The P&O Ferries Seafarers Dismissal Controversy [2023-2025]
High profile UK Insolvency Service Companies Act investigation concerning the shipping company’s decision to dismiss 786 seafarers for business viability reasons without consulting trades unions, and the fierce consequential criticism of the company, its directors and its Dubai parent by the UK government, trades unions and media. Company law, ESV and insolvency. Directors’ duties. Trades unions.
The Collapse of Carillion plc [2022-2023]
Acting for one of Carillion’s accountants in the well-publicised director disqualification proceedings, as well as the FRC and FCA disciplinary misconduct proceedings concerning the £7 billion collapse of Carillion plc.
HP Autonomy v Lynch and Hussain
US$5 billion takeover accounting fraud, company law and breach of directors’ duties, deceit, misrepresentation and s90A FSMA dispute. Parallel SFO criminal and FRC disciplinary probes. Chancery Division.
Stobart Group v Tinkler [2018]
Acting for the Defendant in the high profile dispute between the Board members of the Stobart Group.
Robin’s financial services law work involves litigation, advice and regulatory and disciplinary enforcement investigations and proceedings under the jurisdiction of the PRA, FCA, FRC, Takeover Panel, LSE, AIM, LME, ICE Futures Europe and overseas regulators, courts and tribunals on an ad hoc basis. It includes issuers, sponsors, Nomads, global insurers, credit institutions and other payment service providers, clearing banks, investment companies and partnerships, inter-dealer brokers and other brokers, CISs, AIFMs, and non-regulated investment arrangements; de-banking and de-risking; Listing, Market Disclosures and EU and UK MAR; VREQs; AML and POCA; and significant regulatory enforcement investigations.
Robin is the leading barrister on the duties and liabilities of issuers and directors in the UK’s reformed capital markets regulatory ecosystem, having launched a landmark opinion piece in August 2024 on the reforms to the UK Listing Rules. Read the piece here.
The feedback from clients to the Chambers Guide is: “Robin is a go-to silk for complex financial services contentious work.”
Re: X Limited, Y LP and Z LLP [2024-2025]
Company law and financial services regulatory advice concerning corporate ownership re-structuring arrangements in the world’s most prestigious retail venue. £1billion portfolio. Corporate governance, directors’ powers and duties. Trusts, trustees’ powers and duties. Investment partnerships. Conflicts of interest. FSMA. PERG. UCITS. AIFs. AIFMR/AIFMD. CISs. RAO. Non-Promotion. Retail clients.
Re: X plc [2024]
Listing, DTR, UK MAR and s90A/Sch 10A FSMA advice to a PE firm and subsidiaries concerning subjective, unfair and unbalanced Market Disclosures by a dual-listed issuer relating to fraudulent M&A misrepresentations, inflated corporate valuations, multi-million-dollar losses and arbitral proceedings.
Re: X plc [2024]
Listing, DTR, Market Disclosure and UK MAR advice to a corporate Trustee concerning a proposed re-structuring of significant shareholdings in a member of the FTSE100.
FCA v Metro Bank plc [2024]
High-profile FCA enforcement investigation into breaches of the FCA Principles for Businesses relating to AML ATM systems and controls. £50bn of retail and commercial transactions unmonitored. Settled pre-RDC. £17mn financial penalty.
The Odey Asset Management Financial Times Sexual Harassment Controversy [2023-2024]
Allegations of non-financial misconduct and corporate governance failures by one of London’s most well-known hedge fund managers and the LLP that he founded. FCA enforcement investigation and other proceedings. High profile Financial Times investigation and reporting. VREQ. Limited liability partnerships, members’ agreements, executive committee powers and duties. Removals. Wind down.
Re: X LLP [2023-2024]
£multi-million ESG IPO securities investment fraud, conflicts of interest, abuse of position, and systems and controls circumvention complaints by investment advisers and analysts of an AIF. Allegations levelled against the firm’s CIO and investment committee. Internal investigation.
GFSC v Domaille and Others [2021-2024]
Guernsey professional disciplinary proceedings concerning AML risk management systems and controls, corporate governance, and trust services failings across the business of a prominent international trust and fiduciary company. UHNWI PEPs, oligarchs and entrepreneurs. GFSC, Royal Court and Guernsey Court of Appeal proceedings. Trusts. AML. Sanctions. Directors’ duties.
FCA v Al Rayan Bank plc, Final Notice [2023]
AML risk management systems and control failings concerning the Bank’s 90,000 personal, business and premier customers, including customers from member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council and UHNW GCC customers of the Bank’s Knightsbridge branch. Settled. £4 million financial penalty.
FCA v ADM Investor Services International Limited, Final Notice [2023]
AML risk management systems and control failings across the global investment brokerage’s HNW and corporate customer base. Contentious RDC proceedings. £6 million financial penalty.
The Collapse of Carillion plc [2022-2023]
Acting for one of Carillion’s accountants in the well-publicised director disqualification proceedings, as well as the FRC and FCA disciplinary misconduct proceedings concerning the £7 billion collapse of Carillion plc.
Re X (individual) [2022]
Acting in the Takeover Panel’s largest and longest-running enforcement investigation concerning individuals acting in concert to acquire shares, in breach of Rule 9 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers and causing £multi-million losses to investors.
FCA v Sigma Broking Limited, Final Notice [2022]
EU MAR and financial crime FCA enforcement case concerning corporate governance and directors’ and senior managers’ collective responsibility for systems and controls. Settled. £500,000 corporate financial penalty.
FCA v Matthew Kent, Final Notice [2022]
EU MAR and financial crime FCA enforcement case concerning corporate governance and directors’ and senior managers’ collective responsibility for systems and controls. Settled. £80,000 individual financial penalty.
Re X Plc
FCA probe into breaches of the Listing Rules and EU MAR.
Re X
Advising high profile CEO concerning whistle blower report to FCA and EU MAR.
Re X (individual)
Takeover Panel investigation into breaches of Rule 9 of the Takeover Code.
FRC v Sports Direct International Plc
FRC investigation into breaches of audit and accountancy regulations.
FCA v Cenkos Securities plc, Final Notice [2016]
FCA enforcement case concerning Quindell plc and breaches of the Listing Rules by corporate sponsor. Settled. £500,000 financial penalty.
Robin’s practice in these areas spans litigation in the English High Court, representation in regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings, and advice and representation in public interest investigations in the commercial, criminal and regulatory spheres.
Re: X Limited, Y LP and Z LLP [2024-2025]
Company law and financial services regulatory advice concerning corporate ownership re-structuring arrangements in the world’s most prestigious retail venue. £1billion portfolio. Corporate governance, directors’ powers and duties. Trusts, trustees’ powers and duties. Investment partnerships. Conflicts of interest. FSMA. PERG. UCITS. AIFs. AIFMR/AIFMD. CISs. RAO. Non-Promotion. Retail clients.
Re: X LLP [2023-2024]
£multi-million ESG IPO securities investment fraud, conflicts of interest, abuse of position, and systems and controls circumvention complaints by investment advisers and analysts of an AIF. Allegations levelled against the firm’s CIO and investment committee. Internal investigation.
SFO v ENRC
Litigation and legal advice privilege claims concerning solicitors’ working papers and materials for the brief generated during an internal investigation and in contemplation of potential prosecution.
Terra Services Limited v NCA
Litigation and legal advice privilege claims concerning solicitors’ working papers made in contemplation of litigation as well as non-privileged copy documents obtained at the instance of solicitors from third parties as materials for the brief after litigation commenced.
FRC v Jones
Conflicts of interest concerning actuary and client company directors who were also trustees of the employee pension fund. FRC disciplinary proceedings and sanction.
GFSC v X (firm)
Trust and fiduciary firm’s receipt of shares in lieu of outstanding client fees. Shares in UK listed company controlled by client. GFSC disciplinary proceedings and sanction.
Robin’s professional discipline work involves regulatory enforcement investigations and proceedings before tribunals such as the FCA, FRC, Takeover Panel, work in overseas courts and tribunals, and internal disciplinary investigations carried out by employers. It includes firms and individuals working in financial services under the SM&CR, accountants and actuaries under the FRC schemes, and professional misconduct under the applicable disciplinary codes, rules and contracts of employment, and reports and notifications to regulators.
GFSC v Domaille and Others [2021-2024]
Guernsey professional disciplinary proceedings concerning AML risk management systems and controls, corporate governance, and trust services failings across the business of a prominent international trust and fiduciary company. UHNWI PEPs, oligarchs and entrepreneurs. GFSC, Royal Court and Guernsey Court of Appeal proceedings. Trusts. AML. Sanctions. Directors’ duties.
The Collapse of Carillion plc [2022-2023]
Acting for one of Carillion’s accountants in the well-publicised director disqualification proceedings, as well as the FRC and FCA disciplinary misconduct proceedings concerning the £7 billion collapse of Carillion plc.
FCA v Sigma Broking Limited, Final Notice [2022]
EU MAR and financial crime FCA enforcement case concerning corporate governance and directors’ and senior managers’ collective responsibility for systems and controls. Settled. £500,000 corporate financial penalty.
FCA v Matthew Kent, Final Notice [2022]
EU MAR and financial crime FCA enforcement case concerning corporate governance and directors’ and senior managers’ collective responsibility for systems and controls. Settled. £80,000 individual financial penalty.
Re X (individual) [2021]
Acting in the Takeover Panel’s largest and longest-running disciplinary investigation concerning individuals acting in concert to acquire shares, in breach of Rule 9 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers and causing £multi-million losses to investors.
Re X (firm) [2021]
Advising trader in internal insider trading disciplinary investigation concerning $400 million corporate losses.
FCA v Cenkos Securities plc, Final Notice [2016]
FCA enforcement case concerning Quindell plc and breaches of the Listing Rules by corporate sponsor. Settled. £500,000 financial penalty.
FRC v Hussain [2014-2019]
Acting for Autonomy Corp plc’s ex-CFO in FRC disciplinary proceedings concerning the software company’s statutory audits and accounts. Stayed.
FRC v Sports Direct
Acting for the company and various individuals in the FRC disciplinary investigation concerning the sports retailers statutory audits and accounts.
FRC v Jones
Acting for an actuary in FRC disciplinary proceedings concerning conflicts of interest. Settled.
Robin’s sanctions work involves litigation, regulatory enforcement proceedings, and advice and representation in England and internationally. It includes challenging UK and EU sanctions designations, license applications, asset freezes, trust services, trade sanctions, ships, aircraft, professional, business and legal advisory services, investments and divestments, reporting and enforcement.
The feedback from clients to the Chambers Guide is: “Robin Barclay KC has encyclopaedic knowledge of sanctions, extremely good analytical ability, and he is very good with clients. Highly responsive. For any sanctions matter, I would go to him first.”
Re X LP, Y GP, Z LLP and Ors [2024-2025]
Acting as an expert witness on UK and Cayman Islands sanctions in civil fraud and freezing injunction proceedings in Cyprus. Russian oligarch believed to control the claimant company seeking repayment multi-mn loans in a pre-UK designation crypto products and tokens JV. Sanctions. Partnerships. Post-designation divestments.
Gurieva-Motlokhov v The Port Manager of The Port Authority of Antigua and Barbuda et al, Claim No. ANUHCVAP2023/0028 [2023-2025]
International Russian sanctions case concerning Antigua’s decision to pass legislation to expropriate a US$120 million US, UK and EU sanctioned superyacht moored in its waters. The vessel was seized, unblocked by OFAC and sold by auction by the Antiguan authorities, who retained the net sale proceeds to settle part of the national debt despite OFAC licensing them to pay the proceeds into a blocked US bank account. Substantive and interlocutory proceedings in the Antigua and Barbuda High Court, and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. Sanctions. Trusts. Ships. Human Rights. Constitutional and judicial review claims.
Re X [2024-2025]
Advising UHNW individual on challenging their designation by UK FCDO under the UK Russia sanctions regulations.
Re X [2023-2025]
Advising HNW individual on challenging their designation by UK FCDO under the UK Russia sanctions regulations.
Re X [2024-2025]
Advising UHNW individual on challenging their designation by UK FCDO under the UK Russia sanctions regulations.
Re X [2024]
Advising a global insurer on various UK, EU and offshore trade sanctions issues in connection with the application of LMA 3100A and LMA 3200, kidnap and ransom cover in sanctions jurisdictions, and the insurer’s due diligence and other sanctions risk management controls, policies and procedures.
Re X v Renaissance Securities (Cyprus) Limited [2023]
Interim anti-suit injunction, and anti-anti-suit injunction by investment services company against Cypriot and Russian investment companies owned or controlled by Russian persons designated by US, UK and EU sanctions concerning actions in alleged breach of an LCIA arbitration agreement. Commercial Court. ASI.
Terra Services v NCA and Secretary of State for Home Department
Civil and criminal proceedings connected to the US Mueller Investigation into fraud and money laundering and Russian interference in the 2016 US Presidential Election, and US sanctions violations. Judicial review, mutual legal assistance, letters of request, confidentiality, public interest immunity, closed material procedures, special advocates, legal privilege, privacy.
Clearing Bank X [2022-2023]
Various corporate customer disputes, FCA and NCA investigations, AFOs, POCA and OFSI disclosures made by the Bank and regulated business customers in connection with it freezing £multi-million funds for suspected money laundering and sanctions violations.
Re X
OFSI licence application and UK/EU sanctions and POCA advice concerning a £bn contract involving the Russian Direct Investment Fund, humanitarian relief and commissions concerning the same.
Re X
OFSI licence application and UK sanctions advice concerning on-going litigation involving two designated persons and entities owned and controlled by them.
Re X
UK/EU sanctions and POCA advice to various City institutions and multi-asset brokerages holding £multi-mn balances belonging to, or trading with, designated persons and entities owned or controlled by them.
Re X
UK/EU sanctions and POCA advice to various FTSE 100 and 250 companies concerning £multi-mn divestments and trading activities in or connected with Russia.
Re X
UK/EU sanctions advice to various UK companies concerning potential £multi-mn corporate acquisitions linked to designated persons and persons connected with Russia.
Re X
UK/EU sanctions advice to designated persons and members of their immediate and wider family concerning designation (effect / challenge), offshore trusts and trust structures, divestments and seizures, licenses, reporting and related matters.
Re X
UK/EU sanctions and POCA advice to various global-facing investment vehicles and private equity firms concerning £multi-mn investments connected with Russia.
Re X
Advising various law firms and counsel on the meaning and application of the UK/EU Russia sanctions framework to their services, General Licences and Specific Licences.
Re X
UK sanctions advice to various high profile clients in a long-running SFO fraud, bribery, sanctions and money laundering investigation concerning Africa.
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Sian Huckett
Deputy Senior Clerk
+44 (0)20 7842 3764
Click here to email
Chris Kent
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3771
Click here to email
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