Robin Barclay QC

Robin Barclay KC

Call 1999 | Silk 2020

"He's excellent at dealing with complex dynamics in a case, he's very good on high-level strategy and tactics."


Chambers & Partners

For enquiries please contact

Mark O’Neill
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3777
Click here to email

Fraser Linning

Fraser Linning
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3708
Click here to email

Expertise

Notable Administrative & Public Law Cases


Gurieva-Motlokhov v The Port Manager of The Port Authority of Antigua and Bar-buda et al, Claim No. ANUHCVAP2023/0028, ECSC Court of Appeal 22 November 2023

Constitutional and judicial review claim concerning seizure and sale of M/Y Alpha Nero by Antiguan authorities to ex-Google CEO, Eric Schmidt. Substantive and interlocutory proceedings in the Antigua and Barbuda High Court, and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.


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 under an international search warrant.


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 tax and money laundering investigation into football clubs, players and agents.


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 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 [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 [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 sanctions probe involving oligarchs and US political lobbyists.

Notable Banking & Finance Cases


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 Tory 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.


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 due to AML concerns and affecting approx. 10 million UK, EU and US customers, suppliers and staff. Commercial Court claim and urgent application for injunctive relief. Settled.


Re X v Renaissance Securities (Cyprus) Limited [2023]

Interim anti-suit injunction, and anti-anti-suit injunction by investment services company against various Cypriot and Russian companies affected by sanctions concerning actions in alleged breach of an LCIA arbitration agreement. Commercial Court claim and ASI granted. Settled.


Bank X [2022-2023]

Various corporate customer disputes, FCA and NCA investigations, and POCA and OFSI disclosures made by the Bank and its regulated business customers, in connection with the freezing of £multi-million funds for suspected money laundering and sanctions violations.


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.


FCA v Sigma Broking Limited and Matthew Kent, Final Notice [2022]

Market abuse 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 Quindell plc and breaches of the Listing Rules by corporate sponsor. Settled. £500,000 financial penalty.

Robin’s civil fraud work takes place in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division of the English High Court 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.

Notable Civil Fraud Cases


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.


A Investments Ltd

Multi-million-pound libor / swaps misrepresentation claim. CPR r5 disclosure application. Commercial Court. Settled.


HP Autonomy v Lynch and Hussain

US$5 billion takeover accounting fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, deceit, misrepresentation and s90A FSMA dispute. Parallel SFO criminal and FRC disciplinary probes. Chancery Division.

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.

Notable Commercial Crime - Corporates Cases


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 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.

Notable Commercial Crime - Individuals Cases


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.

Notable Company, Restructuring & Insolvency Cases


The P&O Ferries Dismissal Controversy [2023-2024]

High profile UK Companies Act civil investigation concerning the shipping company’s decision to dismiss 800 seafarers for business viability reasons, and the fierce consequential criticism of the company and its directors, and its Dubai parent, by the UK government, trades unions and media. Companies 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.


Stobart Group v Tinkler [2018]

Acting for the Defendant in the high profile dispute between the Board members of the Stobart Group.

Robin routinely acts in FCA, FRC, Takeover Panel and other financial services regulatory investigations and proceedings.

Notable Financial Services Cases


Re X [2023-2024]

Internal ESG IPO securities investment fraud, conflicts of interest and abuse of position and systems and controls circumvention complaints by investment advisers and analysts of a full-scope AIFM. Allegations levelled against the firm’s senior managers, the CIO and investment committee. Internal investigation.


GFSC v Artemis Trustees Limited, Domaille and Others [2021-2024]

Guernsey professional disciplinary proceedings concerning AML risk management systems and controls, corporate governance, and trust services across the business of a prominent international trust and fiduciary company. UHNWI PEPs, oligarchs, entrepreneurs. GFSC, Royal Court and Guernsey Court of Appeal proceedings. Trusts. AML. Sanctions.


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 and Matthew Kent, Final Notice [2022]

Market abuse 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.


Re X Plc

FCA probe into breaches of the Listing Rules and MAR.


Re X Plc

Advising UK corporate convertible bond holder seeking to exercise conversion rights in Euro stock re MAR.


Re X Plc

Advising UK corporate secured debt holder seeking to exercise conversion rights in Dutch stock re MAR.


Re X

Advising CEO concerning whistle blower report to FCA and market abuse.


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.

Notable Privilege, Confidentiality & Conflicts of Interest Cases


Re X [2023-2024]

Internal ESG IPO securities investment fraud, conflicts of interest and abuse of position and systems and controls circumvention complaints by investment advisers and analysts of a full-scope AIFM. Allegations levelled against the firm’s senior managers, the 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.


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.

Notable Professional Discipline Cases


GFSC v Artemis Trustees Limited, Domaille and Others [2021-2024]

Guernsey professional disciplinary proceedings concerning AML risk management systems and controls, corporate governance, and trust services across the business of a prominent international trust and fiduciary company. UHNWI PEPs, oligarchs, entrepreneurs. GFSC, Royal Court and Guernsey Court of Appeal proceedings. Trusts. AML. Sanctions.


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 and Matthew Kent, Final Notice [2022]

Market abuse 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.


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 [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.

Notable Sanctions Cases


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.


Bank X

Various corporate disputes, FCA and NCA investigations, and POCA and OFSI disclosures made by the bank and customers, in connection with the freezing of £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, offshore trusts and trust structures, divestments and seizures, licences, 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.

"A class act with the brain of a commercial silk and the court-craft of a criminal one."


The Legal 500

"Robin is an extremely hands-on and user-friendly Silk. He combines the best of both the criminal and the commercial Bar. Perfect for complex civil fraud claims as well. Overall a very impressive and insightful silk."


The Legal 500

"He is bright, extremely able and commercial, and thinks outside the box to find the solution." "We were very impressed because he was so quick to respond and user-friendly."


Chambers & Partners

"Robin is very impressive on his feet", “fantastic” and “continues to work on high-profile cases."


Chambers & Partners

"Robin has an excellent command of the intersection between criminal and civil practice. He is also able to see the wider picture, grasp the client’s priorities and think outside the box. He offers solutions or alternatives instead of merely identifying problems."


Chambers & Partners

"Robin is focused on strategy and commercial in his approach. He is all over the detail and very committed to clients' results and aims."


Chambers & Partners

"He is a very impressive silk."


Chambers & Partners

"A great command of different overlapping areas that makes him a strategist and a clear thinker."


Chambers & Partners

"He works collaboratively with clients and listens to their instructions, explaining his advice very clearly."


Chambers & Partners

Chambers & Partners
  • Financial Crime
  • Financial Crime: Corporates
  • Financial Services
  • Professional Discipline
The Legal 500
  • Business & Regulatory Crime (including Global Investigations)
  • Financial Services Regulation
  • Proceeds of Crime Act & Asset Forfeiture
  • Professional Disciplinary & Regulatory Law

  • BVC, College of Law (1999)
  • CPE, College of Law (1998)
  • BA, Durham University (1997)

  • Called to the Bar of Antigua & Barbuda

  • COMBAR
  • Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association
  • Financial Services Lawyers Association
  • Middle Temple Gottlieb Prize (1999)
  • Middle Temple Ede & Ravenscroft Prize (1999)
  • Grammy Award (1994)

  • Co-author “The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations – Monitorships” chapter with Nico Leslie, Chris Morvillo, Celeste Koeleveld and Meredith George (Clifford Chance) (2022-2023)
  • Co-author “Bribery – Criminal Sentence & Regulatory Sanctions” chapter with Simon Paul (2020)
  • Impact of Brexit” by Sir Francis Jacobs KC, Timothy Dutton KC, Richard Lissack KC, Bankim Thanki KC, Nicholas Medcroft, Robin Barclay, Tamara Oppenheimer, Eleanor Davison and Philip Ahlquist as published by GIR (July 2016)

For enquiries please contact

Mark O’Neill
Team Leader
+44 (0)20 7842 3777
Click here to email

Fraser Linning

Fraser Linning
Team Leader's Assistant
+44 (0)20 7842 3708
Click here to email

"A class act with the brain of a commercial silk and the court-craft of a criminal one."


The Legal 500

"Robin is an extremely hands-on and user-friendly Silk. He combines the best of both the criminal and the commercial Bar. Perfect for complex civil fraud claims as well. Overall a very impressive and insightful silk."


The Legal 500

"He is bright, extremely able and commercial, and thinks outside the box to find the solution." "We were very impressed because he was so quick to respond and user-friendly."


Chambers & Partners

"Robin is very impressive on his feet", “fantastic” and “continues to work on high-profile cases."


Chambers & Partners

"Robin has an excellent command of the intersection between criminal and civil practice. He is also able to see the wider picture, grasp the client’s priorities and think outside the box. He offers solutions or alternatives instead of merely identifying problems."


Chambers & Partners

"Robin is focused on strategy and commercial in his approach. He is all over the detail and very committed to clients' results and aims."


Chambers & Partners

"He is a very impressive silk."


Chambers & Partners

"A great command of different overlapping areas that makes him a strategist and a clear thinker."


Chambers & Partners

"He works collaboratively with clients and listens to their instructions, explaining his advice very clearly."


Chambers & Partners

Chambers & Partners
  • Financial Crime
  • Financial Crime: Corporates
  • Financial Services
  • Professional Discipline
The Legal 500
  • Business & Regulatory Crime (including Global Investigations)
  • Financial Services Regulation
  • Proceeds of Crime Act & Asset Forfeiture
  • Professional Disciplinary & Regulatory Law

  • BVC, College of Law (1999)
  • CPE, College of Law (1998)
  • BA, Durham University (1997)

  • Called to the Bar of Antigua & Barbuda

  • COMBAR
  • Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association
  • Financial Services Lawyers Association
  • Middle Temple Gottlieb Prize (1999)
  • Middle Temple Ede & Ravenscroft Prize (1999)
  • Grammy Award (1994)

  • Co-author “The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations – Monitorships” chapter with Nico Leslie, Chris Morvillo, Celeste Koeleveld and Meredith George (Clifford Chance) (2022-2023)
  • Co-author “Bribery – Criminal Sentence & Regulatory Sanctions” chapter with Simon Paul (2020)
  • Impact of Brexit” by Sir Francis Jacobs KC, Timothy Dutton KC, Richard Lissack KC, Bankim Thanki KC, Nicholas Medcroft, Robin Barclay, Tamara Oppenheimer, Eleanor Davison and Philip Ahlquist as published by GIR (July 2016)

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