In view of the potential new financial risks posed by the Corona Virus pandemic, Cameron Brown QC and Sam Smart (Pupil Barrister) review the work of the FCA.

In view of the potential new financial risks posed by the Corona Virus pandemic, Cameron Brown QC and Sam Smart (Pupil Barrister) review the work of the FCA in tackling financial crime and the new challenges it may face.

See article here: FCA Article

The article also appeared in the following publications:

Lexology

GBRR

Cameron Brown QC, along with Hugh Davies QC, presented the first ever Webinar for the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL).

The webinar was in relation to Police disciplinary proceedings and considered the recently introduced Police Conduct Regulations 2020. The new Regulations reflect a drive to ensure that Police disciplinary investigations are conducted effectively and quickly, that cases are only brought to a misconduct hearing when appropriate and proportionate to do so, that cases are actively case managed and that there are further options for Panels to consider in relation to outcome. A copy of the presentation is available here: ARDL Presentation

Congratulations to members Allison Clare and Cameron Brown who have been appointed Queen’s Counsel

Allison Clare and Cameron Brown have been appointed Queen's Counsel in today's announcements made by the Lord Chancellor.

Allison Clare specialises in complex fraud and corruption work, both acting in criminal cases and advising major corporate clients with Cameron Brown principally instructed in serious fraud and corruption cases regularly acting as leading Counsel in such cases.

Co-Heads of Chambers Gillian Jones QC and Tony Shaw QC said:

"It is with great pleasure and pride that we celebrate the appointment of two new Queen’s Counsel and congratulate Allison Clare and Cameron Brown.

Such success comes after years of hard work on the part of each successful candidate, and is a testament to the talent and potential of Red Lion Chambers. We pride ourselves in recruiting only the best.

It also reveals the excellent support and dedication shown by our exceptionally strong practice direction team. Under the leadership of Mark Bennett (Practice Director) and Nick Parkinson (Deputy Practice Director), our staff bring out the best in leaders and juniors alike. Achieving the distinction of silk requires a team effort between barrister and staff in every case. The success of Red Lion Chambers throughout 2019 demonstrates our strength and depth."

Today's appointments sees Red Lion Chambers achieve a total of 15 appointments to silk in the last 4 years with one of the highest number of female silks across the Bar.

Cameron Brown has successfully led the prosecution, at the Central Criminal Court, of a major gang involved in the importation and distribution of unlicensed anabolic steroids…

Cameron Brown has successfully led the prosecution, at the Central Criminal Court, of a major gang involved in the importation and distribution of unlicensed anabolic steroids (AAS) from India and Singapore. The gang imported more than 40 tonnes of illicit anabolic steroids and is said to be ‘the most prolific of its kind ever uncovered'.

One member of that gang was also linked to another gang involved in the production and distribution of steroids from an underground AAS factory in the United Kingdom.

Five Defendants were convicted following two six week trials.

Sentencing is due on 15th July 2019.

[PRESS LINKS [TELEGRAPH][INDEPENDANT]]

Cameron Brown, secures conviction for CPS; Fake £1m NHS boss Jon Andrewes jailed for two years

[bbc news link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39183882]

A bogus NHS boss who lied about his qualifications and raked in more than £1m has been jailed for two years.

Jon Andrewes, 63, from Totnes, misled a Somerset hospice where he was chief executive from 2004 and Torbay Care Trust when he became chairman in 2007.

He also misled Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust where he became chairman in 2015.

Exeter Crown Court Judge Geoffrey Mercer told Andrewes that for 10 years “your outwardly prestigious life was based on a staggering series of lies”.

More on the NHS fraudster, plus more Devon and Cornwall news

Andrewes admitted obtaining money by deception when he secured a job at the St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset, and two counts of fraud.

These related to making misleading statements before he was appointed as chairman of the Torbay Care Trust and of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT).

His total earnings from the health bodies between 2005-16 was £1,072,076.

Among the fake claims he called himself “Dr”, despite him not having a PHD.

Andrewes also falsely claimed degrees from Edinburgh, Plymouth and Bristol universities, although he did have a Higher Education Certificate in Social Work.

He had actually spent most of his career as a probation officer, customs officer or youth worker.

Chairman of St Margaret’s Hospice, Michael Clark, who appointed Andrewes, said the hospice made “significant progress” under his leadership and he had “no doubts about his ability to do the job”.

But he would not have employed Andrewes if he had known about the fake qualifications.

Cameron Brown, prosecuting, told the court that Andrewes’ employment was a mixed bag with a range of performance, and he was “not actively doing damage”.

But he said the grounds for prosecution were “not his performance but the fact he was there”.

Cameron Brown secures 11 convictions relating to untaxed counterfeit cigarette distribution network

Cameron Brown as leading junior successfully lead an HMRC investigation into this cigarette distribution network. In total 11 Defendants were convicted at Nottingham Crown Court. Sentencing and confiscation hearing to take place in August 2018