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Routinely and aggressively pursuing money-laundering investigations: the verdict on the UK’s AML regime
Nicola Finnerty
"one of the great lawyers of her generation"
Legal 500, 2018
Nicola is a leading criminal defence expert in both business and general crime.
She has experience of fraud, corruption (including the Bribery Act) and cartel matters, financial compliance, money laundering, asset seizure and confiscation cases, through to sexual offence cases, drugs, murder and offensive weapon crimes. She also advises on matters relating to mutual legal assistance, extradition and European Arrest Warrants as well as representing individuals and families in public inquiries and inquests. She also has experience of internal investigations
Nicola has acted for many high profile individuals who have needed advice on criminal matters. She has also represented corporate clients, financial institutions and professional firms in investigations and proceedings brought by the SFO, CPS, FCA, HMRC and other prosecuting bodies. She is routinely instructed in judicial review and appeal cases.
Nicola was previously a partner at Corker Binning for 13+ years (2000-2014) and started her career at Peters & Peters (1992-2000). In 2014 she took a career break during which time she was appointed by the Secretary of State for Justice to the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Pentonvile and by the Lord Chancellor as a Magistrate.
Notable cases
Nicola has been instructed by many high profile clients in well publicised cases. In recent years she has:
- acted in a number of FCA prosecutions for insider dealing (including Operation Tabernula – the FCA’s largest insider dealing case to date);
- acted in the first case prosecuted by the SFO under the Bribery Act 2010;
- advised a participant in the Leveson Inquiry;
- advised a number of corporates (including credit unions) and individuals in respect of FCA investigations;
- advised a number of suspects in Operations Weeting and Elveden (the police investigation into journalists for hacking and corruption);
- acted for a director of Madoff Securities International Ltd;
- acted for various clients in SFO investigations/prosecutions including Achilleas Kallakis, the high profile SFO prosecution in respect of Allied Irish Bank and HBOS;
- acted for suspects in a number of overseas corruption investigations;
- acted for a peer in the parliamentary expenses scandal;
- advised in relation to the LIBOR investigation in the UK and US;
- acted for a number of professionals accused of fraud for criminal wrong doing including a barrister cleared of VAT fraud and a London solicitor acquitted of a multi-million pound mortgage fraud;
- acted for a defendant acquitted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs;
- advised families or other interested parties in inquest proceedings;
- acted for Anne Darwin, in the 'missing canoeist' fraud case.
what clients and directories have said
International Who’s who of Business Crime Defence Lawyers, the Guide to the World’s White Collar Crime Lawyers and the Guide to the World’s Leading Woman in Business Law 2013. In the 2013 inaugural UK edition of Super Lawyers, Nicola is featured as a leading lawyer for fraud and is in the London Top 50 Women.
Nicola Finnerty is “Well established” and noted for being able to quickly pick up a case and “achieve results” without getting intimidated.”
Chambers UK
“Sources admire Nicola Finnerty for her “excellent client management skills,” “great understanding of the issues and ability to identify weak spots in the prosecution’s case.”
Chambers UK
Nicola Finnerty is applauded for the strong rapport that she builds with clients. Sources are impressed by her commitment, noting “her efforts to secure the right result were exceptional.”
Chamber UK
Nicola Finnerty garnered votes for her “sound commercial judgement “ and “client friendly manner”.
Who’s who legal, Business Crime Defence Lawyers
Nicola Finnerty is strongly acclaimed for her “fabulous tactical sense, and extremely good client skills.” She advised a high-profile peer in relation to the fallout from the UK parliamentary expenses investigation, and is also involved in major SFO prosecutions.”
Chambers UK
Nicola Finnerty’s “work rate is phenomenal” and she is “unflappable”.
Legal 500
…(Nicola) has arrived in a major way: the quality of her work is superb and she is very bright, with exceptional people and organisational skills.”
Chambers UK
…a practitioner with a wealth of experience; who leaves no stone unturned; her preparation and understanding is impeccable.”
Chambers UK
Honours and awards
- Ranked in Band 1 for Crime: London, Chambers & Partners 2014
- Ranked in Band 1 for Fraud:Criminal - UK wide, Chambers & Partners 2014
- Listed as one of the world’s leading Women in Business, under the category of White Collar Crime, EuroMoney 2013
- Ranked as a leading individual in Fraud, Legal 500 2013
- Shortlisted for the European Women in Business Law Awards for Best in White Collar Crime, EuroMoney 2013
- Super Lawyers - ranked in London Top 50 Women and a leading lawyer for fraud, Thomson Reuters Mar 2013
- Ranked in Band 2 for Crime: London, Chambers & Partners 2013
- Ranked in Band 1 for Fraud:Criminal - UK wide, Chambers & Partners 2013
- Ranked as a leading individual in the Guide to the World's Leading White Collar Crime Lawyers, 2012
- Recommended for Crime, fraud and licensing, Legal 500 2012
- Ranked in International Who's Who of Business Crime Defence Lawyers, 2012
- Ranked as a leading individual in the Guide to the World's Leading Women in Business Law, 2012
Publications
- Lexis Nexis article: Corporate Crime analysis: What are the main provisions and implications of the new EU Directive on money
laundering?, October 2018 - Investigators eye up unexplained wealth, October 2018, quoted in The Times
- Dirty money: why can't banks clean up their act? September 2018, quoted in The Telegraph
- 4MLD – a year in review, September 2018, Compliance Monitor
- The focus on money laundering is ramping up, Jul 24, 2018, Economia
- Innocent til Proven Guilty, Jun 18, 2013, Hacked Off
- Judges set for fraud crackdown, Jun 10, 2013, The Lawyer
An opinion piece discussing sentencing for the common law offence of conspiracy to defraud. - Innocent Until Proven Guilty, Jun 1, 2013, Criminal Law & Justice Weekly
- Reflecting on Changes to Fraud Sentencing, May 31, 2013 , Lexis Nexis
An interview discussing sentencing for the common law offence of conspiracy to defraud. - In defence of the innocent, May 28, 2013, The Lawyer
An article about ACPO’s proposal to ban the police revealing the identities of arrested individuals - Food safety - where in a supply chain does liability lie?, Jan 24, 2013, Lexis PSL Corporate Crime
- Don't forget food safety management procedures, Feb 17, 2012, Caterer and Hotelkeeper Magazine
An article for Hotel and Caterer magazine about food safety legislation and the risks to companies which don't comply.
excellent client management skills, great understanding of the issues and ability to identify weak spots in the prosecution’s case.”
Chambers UK
immensely experienced” and “excellent.”
Legal 500
applauded for the strong rapport that she builds with clients... her efforts to secure the right result were exceptional.”
Chambers UK
outstanding ability to guide clients through extremely stressful processes of investigation and prosecution... praised for her ability to manage large-scale complex litigation.
Chambers UK
Terrific with the most demanding of clients, incisive and tactically very astute”
Legal 500
…admired for her strong commitment to her client’ s best interest.”
Chambers UK
