Blog
COVID-19 Fraud: HMRC ramps up its investigations activity
Nicola Finnerty
Will is a barrister in the criminal litigation team and represents individuals and corporate clients in a range of criminal cases.
He was called to the Bar in 2013 and completed pupillage at a leading criminal set, during which he appeared in the magistrates’ court, youth court and crown court for trials, sentencing and other hearings on a daily basis.
Criminal defence and police investigations
Will has represented clients in cases covering the full spectrum of criminal defence and police investigations, from road traffic, public order and drug offences, to allegations of serious violence, sexual misconduct and dishonesty. Although he predominately represents suspects and defendants, Will has also acted for complainants in ‘sextortion’ and blackmail cases.
International crime and extradition
Will has a strong interest in cases with an international dimension and represents clients defending extradition requests and challenging Interpol red notices, with a particular focus on cases emanating from India.
White collar crime
His financial and white-collar crime experience includes investigations and prosecutions brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and HMRC, in which he has acted for suspects, defendants and witnesses, and internal investigations into suspected criminality at large organisations.
Will has extensive experience of all stages of a criminal case, both in court and outside of court, from interviews under caution at the commencement of a criminal investigation right through to matters before the Court of Appeal.
Will has a particular interest in legal professional privilege (LPP) and has developed a comprehensive understanding of the law and its practical application. Prior to joining Kingsley Napley, he was instructed as independent counsel by the SFO to carry out an LPP review in connection with a bribery investigation. Since then he has written extensively on the topic and is often called upon to advise on cases involving complex LPP issues.
Recent cases
International crime and extradition
- Acted for a client whose extradition was sought by the US in respect of alleged violations of US sanctions against Iran and associated fraud offences.
- Successfully persuaded Interpol to delete a red notice which had been published at the request of India in respect of alleged terrorism offences. The red notice had been in place for 14 years before it was removed.
Criminal defence and police investigations
- Represented a client charged with assisting an offender and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, whose alleged co-conspirators (who were additionally charged with murder) were tried alongside him. The client was acquitted following a five-week trial.
- Represented a client who received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to making in excess of 82,000 indecent images of children, and subsequently assisted him with a successful appeal against the length and terms of his sexual harm prevention order.
- Worked as part of the defence team for Rebekah and Charlie Brooks in the phone-hacking trial.
White collar crime
- Represented a broker prosecuted by the SFO for conspiring to manipulate LIBOR, who was found not guilty at the conclusion of his trial.
PUBLICATIONS, PRESS HIGHLIGHTS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- COVID-19 Fraud: New TaxPayer Protection Force - This was also re-published by International Law Office in their Corporate Tax Newsletter, March 2021
- COVID-19 Fraud: An Emerging Risk for Companies - Wrote for PLC Magazine, January 2021
- International Insights in Criminal Law: Episode 1, Interpol and Red Notices - August 2020
- Cross-examination in sexual offences, Law Society Gazette – June 2019
- Rape victims will be allowed to give evidence in advance - Quoted in The Times, June 2019
- Co-authoring an article in GIR’s July 2018 half-year update to Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations (‘English courts wrestle with privilege questions over corporate investigation documents after ENRC decision’).
- Co-author of LexisPSL Practice Notes: Legal professional privilege in criminal proceedings, Privilege in criminal investigations - checklist, Maintaining privilege during criminal investigations and Privilege against self-incrimination
- Assisted Louise Hodges and Caroline Day with their chapter in Global Investigation Review’s (GIR) Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations (Chapter 7 - ‘Witness Interviews in Internal Investigations: The UK Perspective’).
PROFESSIONAL memberships and societies
- Criminal Bar Association (CBA)
- Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum (DELF)
- London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association (LCCSA)
- Young Fraud Lawyers Association (YFLA)