Defence in Money Laundering Prosecutions

Allegations of money laundering can be serious and often complex. The ramifications upon conviction can be considerable, with the potential for substantial prison sentences, confiscation proceedings, and reputational damage.

If you facing a money laundering investigation or charge, you may require representation from a barrister with considerable experience and expertise in complex financial crime cases.
Quentin Hunt has over 25 years of experience in financial crime, with particular expertise in cases involving alleged breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the main legislation which governs money laundering offences in the UK.

Quentin has considerable experience dealing with cases involving allegations under:

  • Section 327 POCA, concealing, disguising, converting, or transferring criminal property
  • Section 328 POCA, entering into or becoming concerned in arrangements to facilitate the acquisition, retention, or use of criminal property
  • Section 329 POCA, the acquisition, use, or possession of criminal property

Quentin’s experience includes defending clients in cases involving alleged laundering of funds from fraud, drug trafficking, tax evasion, and organised crime, often involving complex finciancil trails with cross-border transactions and offshore accounts.

Before specialising in defence work, Quentin was a prosecutor on the Attorney General’s A List for HM Revenue and Customs, where he gained first-hand insight into how complex money laundering cases are investigated and prosecuted. That insight now forms a powerful part of his defence armoury and enables his to anticipate the prosecution’s approach, challenging the application of legislation, the admissibility of evidence, and developing a bespoke tactical approach for his clients.

Quentin also has a significant advisory practice and will often advise individuals and financial institutions on their compliance with anti-money laundering legislation, such issues can involve:

  • Suspicious activity reports (SARs)
  • Banking and transaction records
  • Corporate structures and nominee arrangements
  • Unexplained wealth and lifestyle evidence
  • Links to confiscation and asset recovery proceedings

Much can depend upon interpretation in money laundering allegations and Quentin often works closely with expert financial analysts and forensic accountants to challenge the prosecution’s interpretation of financial data and build a strong defence. 

Representation at all stages of Proceedings

Quentin also works on ancillary issues such as Restraint Orders, Asset Freezing Orders, and potential confiscation proceedings under POCA.

Whether you are being interviewed under caution, are subject to a restraint order, or are already facing charges in the Magistrates’ or Crown Court, Quentin can provide you with experienced, strategic representation at every stage.

There is no stage that is too early or too late to seek legal advice if you consider yourself to be in trouble. In fact, the earlier you get an experienced legal representative on board the more likely you are to avoid mistakes at the beginning of proceedings that can come back to haunt you later if the matter proceeds to litigation.

One of Quentin’s mottos is that ‘the best way to win a trial is not to have a trial at all’ and he is known for the drafting of effective pre-charge representations and the launching of powerful pre-trial legal arguments. His tactical and skilful drafting and presentation of arguments such as disclosure, abuse of process and dismissal applications can often defeat a prosecution case before it even gets to trial.

Quentin is also adept at accepting instructions at a late stage and is often approached to ‘rescue’ cases from ineffective publicly funded representatives.

Quentin is passionate about committing the necessary time and attention to detail to his cases and purposefully does not take on a huge client base. He is therefore does not accept instruction in Legal Aid or publicly funded cases.

If you have been accused of a criminal offence you have the right to seek justice by employing the best barrister to present your case. You can instruct leading criminal barrister Quentin Hunt to handle your criminal case directly – rather than having to go through a third-party solicitor. You can contact Quentin for a free, no obligation conversation about your case, he will talk you through the process personally.