Ed Smyth

Ed represents individuals and corporates across the full spectrum of criminal and quasi-criminal matters.

His practice encompasses serious crime and white collar matters: investigations (including interviews under caution and compulsory interviews), prosecutions and other litigation conducted by a variety of different agencies concerning criminal defence and police investigations, bribery and corruption, financial crime, money laundering and extradition. His cases often have an international dimension.

Ed also has particular expertise dealing with law enforcement applications that seek to freeze or seize assets, including Account Freezing Orders and other applications made under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). He is a contributing author of one of the leading practitioner texts in this area.

Dealing regularly with high profile and sensitive cases, Ed is attuned to clients’ reputational needs and pragmatic in handling the media and devising strategies to minimise publicity. Clients often praise his calm, empathetic and thorough approach to their cases. He is a Top Recommended criminal lawyer in Spear's 500.

White Collar Crime

Ed has acted in many significant and complex cases brought by the SFO, HMRC, the Information Commissioner, the Electoral Commission and various professional disciplinary bodies. The cross-border nature of many of these matters means Ed is accustomed to dealing with practitioners and officials in foreign jurisdictions.

He is often instructed by senior executives and prominent individuals, in recent years being involved in the investigations into Cambridge Analytica, Leave.EU, fraud by the leadership of a global bank, individuals facing allegations of FX manipulation, individuals and corporates involved in pan-European investigations into cum ex trading, and bribery and corruption in – variously - Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and South America.

Criminal Defence and Police Investigations

Outside white collar and financial crime, Ed deals with clients facing a wide range of criminal allegations (including sexual offences and drug offences) and extradition proceedings.

Ed specialises in advising clients prior to, or at the earliest stages of, an investigation with a view to preventing further action. His cases often engage legal issues beyond criminal law (for example employment, family or dispute resolution), and he works with colleagues from other teams within the firm to provide a comprehensive solution.

At the other end of the criminal process, Ed is regularly instructed to advise on challenges to police cautions, appeals against conviction and sentence and in respect of applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

Ed is also ranked in Chambers and Partners UK and mentioned as a Key Lawyer in Legal 500. 

Private Wealth

Ed is a member of Kingsley Napley’s Private Wealth Group, providing a bespoke offering to HNWs and UNHWs.

recent cases

White Collar Crime and Fraud

• Successfully challenged an Account Freezing Order affecting over £1 million.
• Negotiated a settlement with the NCA in respect of Account Freezing Orders affecting over £100 million, with no finding of criminal wrongdoing.
• Acting for a former senior executive in an on-going SFO investigation into global bribery and corruption in the oil and gas industry.
• Acting for several employees of a global conglomerate under investigation by both the US Department of Justice and the SFO.

Criminal Defence and Police Investigations

• No further action taken against two prominent individuals connected to the “leave” campaign in the EU referendum, alleged to have committed breaches of electoral spending rules.
• No Further Action taken against a medical doctor following allegations of historical sexual offences.
• No Further Action taken against a high profile musician in respect of an allegation of assault.
• No Further Action taken against a financial services professional in a harassment investigation.
• Acquittal after retrial of a former schoolmaster accused of historical sexual offences, where late disclosure led to original convictions being overturned on appeal.
• No further action against a father and IT professional alleged to have possessed indecent images of children.
• Acquittal after trial of a businessman accused of rape. Central to the defence was initially undisclosed Facebook material which undermined the complainant’s allegations.
• Successful application to the CCRC to refer an allegation of rape by a youth for an appeal.

WHAT CLIENTS AND THE DIRECTORIES SAY

He is a very capable criminal defence lawyer."

Chambers UK 2021

"A joy to work with - he is committed, supportive and a very good solicitor."

Chambers UK 2021

He is a master of his cases - thoughtful, pragmatic and very client-focused. I am always very impressed with his legal acumen and application of it to the facts in any case."

Chambers UK 2020

...is a master of his cases; thoughtful, pragmatic and very client focused

Legal 500 UK 2020

A very good advocate who is very attentive to detail."

Chambers and Partners 2019

Quickly gains the trust of clients with his sympathetic yet practical and realistic manner."

Chambers and Partners UK, 2018

“The best advice my civil lawyers ever gave me was to point me in the direction of Ed Smyth”

A Client

Publications, Press highlights and Speaking engagements

• Contributing author in “Millington and Sutherland Williams on The Proceeds of Crime” (OUP, 2023)
• Contributing author in “Kingsley Napley & 6KBW College Hill: Serious Fraud, Investigation & Trial” (LexisNexis, 2023)
• What’s in the second Economic Crime Bill? December 2022
• Attys Say Confiscation Reforms Will Need More Funding, November 2022
• Commission urges reform of 'ineffective' confiscation regime, November 2022
• The Economic Crime and Transparency Bill: a mixed bag, September 2022
• Met Police appetite for Account Freezing Orders undimmed by pandemic, July 2021
• Insights into Account Freezing Orders & Account Forfeiture Orders - Episode 1: Account Freezing Orders - Podcast, February 2021
• Tackling Illicit Finance - Wrote for STEP Journal, October 2020
• Quoted extensively on the UK court's recent decision to dismiss an appeal against the first UWO issued - February 2020
• The collateral consequences of the Criminal Finances Act - Wrote for TheWealthNet, February 2020
• Is the McMafia law working? - Quoted in ICAEW, January 2020
• Appointed as member of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee - November 2019
• High Court grants first unexplained wealth orders - Quoted in Spear's, March 2018

Professional memberships and societies

• Appointed by the Lord Chief Justice as a member of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee
• Committee member of and the media officer for the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association (LCCSA)
• Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association (POCLA)
• Liberty