James Fletcher, instructed by Jacqui Callan and Megan Delaney from Richard Nelson LLP, successfully opposed applications for £555,000 of Account Freezing Orders sought by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
James’ client had transferred the proceeds of sale of a factory from Iran to the UK via the Informal Value Transfer System.
Although the court found that the funds received by the client were the proceeds of money laundering, the Court agreed with the submissions made by James and his team, that it would be disproportionate to forfeit the money because the original sale was entirely legal, the client was blameless, and he had not profited in any way with any forfeiture leading to a considerable loss in his standard of living.
James practises in both civil and criminal law. He is a specialist in Asset Recovery money laundering and Proceeds of Crime work. He has significant expertise in dealing with Account Freezing, Listed Assets and Forfeiture applications in the Magistrates Court and Civil Recovery in the High Court. He is instructed on behalf of businesses, by individual members of the public and by Government departments, such as the NCA, HMRC, FCA and DPP.
He has been featured in Chambers and Partners in the field of Proceeds of Crime and Asset Forfeiture work (all circuits) since 2014 and has been “Top Ranked” since 2016. James is ranked as a Tier 1 leading individual in The Legal 500 for POCA and Asset Forfeiture (London Bar).
