Chambers’ pre-eminence in cases involving allegations of financial misconduct has been emphasised by the central involvement of counsel from 33 in the most high-profile cryptocurrency case ever brought before the UK courts.

Counsel from chambers have been instructed in both criminal proceedings and civil proceedings arising out of the seizure of 61,000 Bitcoin (with a current value of £5.3 billion) linked to a Ponzi fraud affecting thousands of victims in China. This is the world’s largest-ever seizure of cryptocurrency.

In the criminal proceedings, Zhimin Qian (also known as Yadi Zhang) and Seng Hok Ling entered guilty pleas at Southwark Crown Court earlier this week in one of the biggest money laundering prosecutions in UK history. Narita Bahra KC represents Ling.

In parallel proceedings before the High Court, the DPP is pursuing civil recovery of the seized cryptocurrency. Martin Evans KC leads the DPP’s counsel team whilst Graham Brodie KC (instructed by William Glover and Stephen Cartwright of Fieldfisher) and Christopher Convey (instructed by Jackson Ng of Duan & Duan UK LLP) lead teams (including Nick James) acting for a large number of victims of the Ponzi fraud who claim a proprietary interest in the seized cryptocurrency.

The central involvement of members of chambers in both sets of proceedings confirms 33’s position at the forefront of cross-over work combining both high-stakes financial crime and civil asset recovery.

The Times (Law): https://lnkd.in/eJKbPw_2

Sky News: https://lnkd.in/eKWm-7jJ

Financial Times: https://lnkd.in/epUvK3_s

The Guardian : https://lnkd.in/eq9JTzek