Penelope Small

Call

2002

A senior junior counsel with decades of experience in cases related to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, financial wrongdoing, money laundering and asset forfeiture.

Instructed by all the leading prosecuting authorities in the UK in addition to advising and/or representing Claimants, Defendants, and Third Parties [Both Corporates and Individuals] in restraint, trials [including criminal] and/or hearings related to the protection and/or realisation of assets and/or proprietary interests; including in a criminal context both before and after conviction.

Specialist in account/cash seizure and/or forfeiture proceedings; restraint and receivership hearings, confiscation hearings, third party intervention in matrimonial proceedings, Disclosure Orders, Warrants and the SAR regime. Regularly instructed in mutual legal assistance matters and in cases where assets are located outside the UK jurisdiction.

Regularly advises Corporates and LLP Solicitor firms who find themselves caught up in civil or criminal investigations. Has an additional expertise navigating proceedings involving marital and or co-habiting partners whose assets are intertwined with an alleged wrongdoer. Was instructed in one of the earliest Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 restraint proceedings involving digital assets [Bitcoin].

Ms Small is a contributing editor of Confiscation and the Proceeds of Crime (Sweet and Maxwell 3rd Edition). Ms Small is a regular lecturer who has recently delivered training on Money Laundering/Confiscation and Extradition proceedings to law officers and stakeholders in the Virgin Islands.

Penelope Small's Expertises

All

POCA & Asset Recovery

View cases

White Collar, Crime & Investigations

POCA & Asset Recovery

Penelope’s substantial experience in matters relating to Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, financial wrongdoing, money laundering and asset forfeiture.

Legal 500, 2025

“Her drafting is clear, robust and unambiguous as is her advice to clients.”

Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1

“Penelope Small is really ahead of the game in asset forfeiture. She’s a great tactician who is fantastic to work with.”

“She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related.”

“Penelope is a tenacious advocate who fights her client’s corner well. Her written work is concise and well thought through - she presents all the relevant issues admirably.”

‘Her drafting is clear, robust and unambiguous as is her advice to clients.’

“She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related.”

“She’s an absolute joy to work with. She knows POCA inside out. She always provides very practical advice; it’s always a way to navigate through very complex proceedings. There’s a confidence in her advocacy. She turns work around very quickly and her submissions are first class.”

White Collar, Crime & Investigations

POCA & Asset Recovery

Penelope’s substantial experience in matters relating to Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, financial wrongdoing, money laundering and asset forfeiture.

Legal 500, 2025

“Her drafting is clear, robust and unambiguous as is her advice to clients.”

Chambers and Partners, 2025 – Band 1

“Penelope Small is really ahead of the game in asset forfeiture. She’s a great tactician who is fantastic to work with.”

“She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related.”

“Penelope is a tenacious advocate who fights her client’s corner well. Her written work is concise and well thought through - she presents all the relevant issues admirably.”

‘Her drafting is clear, robust and unambiguous as is her advice to clients.’

“She has a huge amount of knowledge and a very good handle on all things POCA-related.”

“She’s an absolute joy to work with. She knows POCA inside out. She always provides very practical advice; it’s always a way to navigate through very complex proceedings. There’s a confidence in her advocacy. She turns work around very quickly and her submissions are first class.”

For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.

For enquiries please contact our clerks

“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”

  • Chambers & Partners

“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”

  • Legal 500

For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.

For enquiries please contact our clerks

“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”

  • Chambers & Partners

“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”

  • Legal 500

For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.

For enquiries please contact our clerks

“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”

  • Chambers & Partners

“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”

  • Legal 500