Cameron Brown QC comments for the New Statesman on Russian Sanctions

Read the commentary piece here New Statesman link

Cameron Brown QC prosecutes bounce back loan fraud

Cameron Brown QC secures first convictions on behalf of CPS Organised Crime Division and the National Crime Agency Red Lion Link

Cameron Brown QC ranked in Chambers UK

see full article here - red lion link

Cameron Brown QC profiled in Legal 500

‘Cameron is an effective advocate with a natural gift for tapping into what a jury is thinking. He has excellent pragmatic judgement.'

Read more…

https://redlionchambers.co.uk/rlc-once-again-recognised-as-tier-1-in-crime-in-latest-legal-500-2022-rankings/

Cameron Brown QC acts for SFO in £103m DPA

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has entered into its third largest ever Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with Amec Foster Wheeler Limited (AFWEL) relating to the use of corrupt agents in the oil and gas sector. The DPA was approved on 1 July 2021, by Lord Justice Edis, sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Under the terms of the DPA, AFWEL will pay a financial penalty and costs amounting to £103m in the UK, which forms part of the US$177 million global settlement with UK, US and Brazilian authorities. The amounts to be paid by AFWEL in the UK include payment of the SFO’s costs of £3.4 million and payment of compensation to the people of Nigeria of £210,610.
In entering into the DPA, AFWEL has taken responsibility for ten offences of corruption relating to the use of corrupt agents in the oil and gas sector by the legacy Foster Wheeler business. The offences spanned from 1996 to 2014 and took place across the world, in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, India and Brazil.
Lord Justice Edis ruled that the total sum reflects the gravity of the conduct, the full co-operation of AFWEL and Wood in the SFO’s investigation, and the extensive remediation and compliance programme that has been put in place by Wood and which applies to the legacy Foster Wheeler entities.
The DPA brings to a close the SFO’s almost four-year investigation into suspected bribery and corruption within the legacy Foster Wheeler and Amec Foster Wheeler businesses as far as the corporate entities are concerned. The investigation into the conduct of individual suspects continues.
Counsel for the SFO alongside Cameron Brown QC included Sasha Wass QC and Kabir Sondhi.

Read more here: [Serious Fraud Office]

(Upon determining the issue of approval of the DPA, the Court did not make findings of fact. No process took place by which the culpability of individual people was determined or assessed. The Court observed that companies act through individuals, and it was necessary to consider some individual conduct for that reason, but the Court did not hear from any individuals or call upon them for their side of the story. The judgment in the DPA solely dealt with the culpability of the company Amec Foster Wheeler Energy Limited and not that of any individual person. No findings of any kind were made against any individual.)

Cameron Brown QC writes for Law 360 about abuse by Fraudsters of UK’s Pandemic Relief

Cameron Brown QC co-authored an article exploring 'How Fraudsters have abused the UK's pandemic relief efforts'.

With Kabir Sondhi ( 9 Bedford Row) he considered various types of fraud, frauds exploiting Coronavirus Assistance Measures such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Bounce Back Loan:

"Ultimately, while the need to get public funds quickly to those legitimately and desperately in need of them at the height of the coronavirus pandemic was entirely understandable, the price of doing so may be one that is never fully met."

Read full piece here: [Law 360]

Cameron Brown QC comments on European Super League for The Lawyer Magazine

Cameron Brown QC commented on the potential motive of the European Super League Football Club owners in a live blog for The Lawyer Magazine. This comes as all major clubs withdrew 48 hours after their announcement of joining and the Super League now faces collapse in its entirety. Commenting as the matter was unfolding, Cameron Brown QC said:

"Described by some as a battle between the US closed league profit model and the European model, which encourages promotion through sporting merit, the new European football super league promises a legal battle of super dimensions. On the one hand, FIFA, UEFA and the national associations have come out swinging, indicating that players who take part may lose their right to take part in the world cup and clubs involved may lose access to lucrative domestic competitions. On the other, the group behind the new league has warned that it will take legal action against such restrictions, presumably arguing that such conduct amounts to a restraint of trade. Recent rulings from the European Commission would appear to favour the rights of players in such circumstances. When the shock of the announcement eventually wears off, the parties will need to look at what they can actually do within the terms of their existing contractual arrangements and the regulations"

Read more here: [The Lawyer Magazine]

Cameron Brown QC featured by GRC World Forums

Cameron Brown QC was selected to appear in the FinCrime Job Focus for GRC World Forums where he spoke about his journey to the Bar, what a typical day looks like and the daily challenges he faces.

He also predicted a growing rise in electronic crime and increasingly sophisticated fraud commenting:

"..we will see greater levels of cyber/electronic crime as we develop more and more electronic automation in our daily lives. That electronic automation presents real opportunities for fraudsters."

Read full interview here: [GRC World Forums]

Cameron Brown QC writes for Law.com

Cameron Brown QC along with co-author Kabir Sondhi ( 9 Bedford Row) have written an opinion piece entitled 'Corporate Criminal Liability - Is it time for an overhaul?' for law.com.
They investigate whether corporate criminal liability law in its current guise is still fit for purpose.

Read more: [Law.com]

Cameron Brown QC featured in The Times

Cameron Brown QC has appeared in The Times talking about the recent change in law that will see sports coaches in a 'position of trust'. He says:

"While questions may be asked over why it has taken so long for the law to change, the new legislation will have a significant impact for sports regulators.
By closing the legal loophole, allegations in the first instance will be referred to the police, with their greater resources and investigative expertise, thereby lessening the burden on regulators."

Read full piece here: [The Times]

Tax & Insolvency

Tax Red Lion Chambers barristers regularly act for both the taxpayer and HMRC. We combine specialist tax knowledge from experience of cases in civil and criminal courts with a background of advocacy in criminal courts which brings advantages in any type of hearing. These cases …

‘Caught in the Net’….Cameron Brown QC writes for Counsel Magazine

Cameron Brown QC has written an opinion piece examining how Sports coaches who commit sexual offences will be caught by a change in the law that addresses the disparity in treatment for 16- to 17-year-olds. He says:

"There is, in the sports arena, the possibility of a real imbalance in power between coach and student and thus increased vulnerability. Senior coaches may be held in high esteem. Students, particularly in the high-performance arena, may be seeking selection for a particular team or financial award, which may make them particularly vulnerable to an inappropriate approach by a coach. The wholesale use of social media, including Snapchat, has led to greater opportunities for abuse and only emphasised the need for a reform of the law."

Read full piece here: [Counsel Magazine]

Cameron Brown QC is a Legally Qualified Chair for the Lawn Tennis Association.
Additional Research by Pupil Barrister Joshua Ellis

Cameron Brown QC appointed ICP Chair for the HCPC

Congratulations to Cameron Brown QC, who is to be appointed as a Legally Qualified Chair (LQC) of the Investigating Committee Panel (ICP) for The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The Health and Care Professions Council protects the public by regulating 15 health and care professions. The Investigating Committee Panel's role is to consider the evidence put before them and determine whether there is a case to answer in respect of any allegations laid against a regulated professional.
Each panel is made up of three members including a Legally Qualified Chair, a senior professional from the relevant profession and a lay person.

Cameron's role begins with immediate effect, to last for an initial period of 2 years.

More info here: [HCPC]

Cameron Brown QC prosecutes Anabolic Steroid Importation, Underground Manufacture and Distribution Network.

Cameron Brown QC, leading Ben Holt, was instructed by the Organised Crime Division of the CPS and the NCA in the prosecution of a global anabolic importation, manufacture and distribution case, which saw its final member jailed in December 2020.

Sentences totalling in excess of 20 years were imposed. Confiscation proceedings are now ongoing.

Following an initial seizure in Belfast in 2014, an extensive unlicensed importation operation was uncovered. Tons of unlicensed steroids, worth millions of pounds, had and were being brought into the UK from India, via Singapore and Europe.

Further investigation led to the discovery of a fully equipped and operational, underground steroids laboratory near Heathrow. Packaging for £45m pounds worth of steroids had been acquired for the laboratory.

The investigation was led by the National Crime Agency, supported by the MHRA and other agencies. The NCA described it the criminal enterprise as “the most prolific of its kind ever uncovered” and the crime group behind it “a global player”.

News links:

[NCA]

[Daily Mail]

[BBC]

Red Lion launches Mentoring Programme with East London Business Alliance

Chambers launched the 2020-2021 Mentoring programme in partnership with ELBA on 2nd December.

The soft launch saw presentations from both Chambers and ELBA. A competitive sifting process meant students participating were all at different stages in their studies.

16 mentors, 6 of whom were Queen's Counsel, were placed with 16 mentees and sent to virtual breakout rooms to meet, share knowledge and exchange ideas.

RLC members taking part included Gillian Jones QC, Riel Karmy-Jones QC, Jenni Dempster QC, Michelle Nelson QC, Michael Goodwin QC, Cameron Brown QC, Hannah Willcocks, Sailesh Mehta, Alistair Fell, Lucy Ginsberg, Sam Roake, Genevieve Reed, Nicholas Hall, Caroline Baker, Georgia Lassoff and Zoe Chapman.

Michelle Nelson QC, RLC Mentoring Lead said:

"Chambers put a lot of thought and work into the ELBA Mentoring programme and how we can best aid those looking for a career at the Bar. We now have a more structured programme with an online library of materials and resources available to our mentees. We will hold a number of mentoring sessions throughout the next few months and hope the programme will culminate in a mock trial."

For more information please see: [RLC Social Responsibility] and [Shift25] for our other partnered initiative with [ELBA].

Red Lion Lectures 2019

Last year the set launched a lecture series which is described as ‘unprecedented’ by clients: ‘These events are invaluable to the solicitors’ profession in terms of continued professional development and are very much highly regarded.’ The Red Lion Lectures 2019 In association with The Dickson …

RLC ranked Tier 1 in Crime and POCA as The Legal 500 release 2021 edition

Red Lion Chambers is pleased to announce that it has been ranked in Tier 1 in the practice areas of Crime (General and Fraud), POCA and Asset Forfeiture in 2021 rankings just released.

RLC has also maintained several top tier rankings in this year’s Legal 500 and is highly recommended across 11 practice areas which include Crime, POCA and Asset Forfeiture, Fraud including Civil Fraud, International Crime and Extradition, Financial Services Regulation, Tax, Environment, Health and Safety, Professional disciplinary and regulatory law and Sport.

New Silks of 2020 include Allison Clare QC for her 'incisive mind and authoritative approach to cases' and Cameron Brown QC ‘A superb advocate who is calm, strategic and a formidable opponent'. New entry, Valerie Charbit was ranked in Health and Safety for 'a long and successful track record in this field'.

The 2021 guide stated that RLC was 'a first port of call for heavyweight criminal and fraud cases... a formidable reputation as a leading set in criminal and regulatory law with members acting for both the defence and prosecution'.

Former members were highlighted for occupying high profile positions following their time at the Bar, including both High and Crown Court judges, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief Coroner of England and Wales, the Recorder of London, Director of the SFO and General Counsel to the SFO.

Special mention was also given to RLConsulting-a new initiative led by Dame Linda Dobbs, providing consulting
services including judicial and legal training.

Gillian Jones QC & Tony Shaw QC – Joint Heads of Chambers said:

“We are delighted to have been ranked in Tier 1 for our exceptional work in Crime and POCA. We also want to congratulate the fantastic individual rankings of our members who have been recognised across numerous practice areas. Members constantly strive to provide clients with the highest quality service and Chambers are delighted to appear in this years’ Legal 500 and recognised, yet again, as one of the Leading Sets at the Bar.”

To read 2021 rankings please see: [Legal500]

Cameron Brown QC appears in a landmark decision

Cameron Brown QC appears in the landmark decision of R v Jon Andrewes, 2020 EWCA Crim 1055, which examined whether it was proportionate to make a confiscation order against Mr Andrewes, who had earned a salary for a number of years despite making false representations to obtain his employment ('CV fraud').

The Court of Appeal found for Mr Andrewes but has certified the case for the Supreme court, although permission to appeal has not been granted.

Read more here: [Lexology]

Cameron Brown QC talks to podcast ‘The World’s Greatest Lawyer’ about his journey as a Lawyer.

Cameron Brown QC joins Ben Wilson for podcast 'The World's Greatest Lawyer' where he recalls his journey as a US qualified lawyer and barrister. He recounts his reasons for coming to the Bar, difficulties in obtaining pupillage, the challenges of working at the Bar, including mental health, and the experience of becoming a new silk earlier this year.

In his early 20s, Cameron spent a year in the States working in the US Criminal Justice System , working in Louisiana and Texas and fighting appeal cases for those on 'Death Row'. Working on multiple murder cases, often involving children, was a life defining moment. On one occasion he recalls:

""I had to take a statement from the wife of a drug dealer involved in a drive by shooting. Her husband came home early and chased me down the street with a baseball bat. He destroyed my rental car with the same bat and I had to change addresses various times that night as I was frankly terrified of what would happen if he got hold of me!'

On becoming a new silk earlier this year, Cameron recalls in the podcast the surreal moment of experiencing Silk's Day - which was one of the last public ceremonies to happen as London began went into Lockdown.

"We were one of the last public ceremonies to happen. The waiter was ushering us along in the restaurant after the ceremony as he wanted to close the place down. It felt like the whole world was shutting down! ....I am very much looking forward to appearing as a QC in person in Court"

To hear the interview in full please click here:[SPOTIFY PODCAST]

LONDON LEGAL WALK

RLC members joined the legal community walking and 'stepping' from a multitude of city and country locations in London's 'Virtual' Legal Walk of 2020

In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, fundraising for free legal advice services is more critical than ever if agencies are to continue doing their jobs in preventing homelessness, resolving debt problems, gaining care for the elderly, and fighting discrimination and exploitation.

In response, RLC members took on the '10,000 steps for Justice' challenge to raise funds in support of these free specialist legal advice services.

The Red Lion 'Steppers' included: Antony Shaw QC, Jeremy Benson QC, Allison Clare QC, Tom Forster QC, Jane Bewsey QC, Riel Karmy-Jones Q.C., Cameron Brown QC, Professor Laura Hoyano, Laura Jane Miller, Janine Sheff, Sam Smart, Mark Bennett, Nick Parkinson, Lee Young, Rachel Shepherd, Nicholas Hall and Zoe Chapman.

Locations included: Hilperton near west Wiltshire, the old Surrey Canal, Stratford St.Mary (Suffolk) via Flatford Mill and the River Stour, the Wandle Trail, South Downs National Park, East Hertfordshire farmlands, Kent, Worth Park Lake in Crawley, Oxleas Wood in Greenwich as well as the streets of Bermondsey, Walworth and Peckham in London. Four legged furry friends also joined in to assist: Alfie, Annie and Rocco and Cameron Brown QC 'served up an ace' completing his 10,000 steps sweating it out on the tennis court! (Pictures below)

Chambers will support the Free Representation Unit and Advocate with the funds raised. For more info see here : [Red Lion Chambers Walkers 2020]