Simon Farrell QC has been described in Chambers UK Guide to the Bar 2019 as “a class performer” and “a Rolls Royce practitioner”.
Much of his work is now international concerning bribery, corruption, money laundering and the proceeds of crime.
Simon is an excellent advocate, inspirational team leader and skilled case strategist.
He is experienced in both commercial and criminal litigation and frequently advises banks and corporates during investigations particularly when fraud, bribery, corruption, money laundering, conspiracy, misfeasance, breach of contract and misrepresentation and tax are involved.
Simon is one the UK’s leading money laundering and proceeds of crime QC’s. He has appeared in defining cases in these areas in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Simon deals with commercial/civil and criminal cases arising in High Court, arbitral, Crown Court and Appellate proceedings both at home and abroad. He has recently worked in Dubai, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and the Kingdom of Brunei where he was called to the Bar in February 2019 to represent two High Court Judges accused of corruption and money laundering.
Recent criminal cases include securing the successful acquittals of a commercial property developer accused of fraud and corruption, a City Broker who faced charges of tax cheat arising out of his alleged involvement in a film partnership tax relief scheme, and a solicitor who was alleged to have been dishonestly involved in a £50 million commercial property mortgage fraud.
Simon has extensive experience of VAT, duty and tax cases in the High Court, Crown Court, and the First and Upper Tier Tax Tribunals and frequently advises at an early stage during the course of HMRC civil and criminal tax investigations through to trial. He has appeared in a number of civil and criminal VAT fraud cases in the FTT and the Crown Court in which the tax losses have exceeded £500 million.
Simon has been appointed to sit as a Recorder at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) and as a Deemster (judge) by the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man.
He is the co-author of several books concerning fraud, the Fraud Act 2006, money laundering and confiscation including ‘Money Laundering Law and Regulation: A Practical Guide’ (OUP 2011), ‘Guide to The Fraud Act 2006’ (Blackstone’s 2007) and ‘The Proceeds of Crime Act 2003 (Butterworths 2003)’.