Call: 2016 (previously admitted as a solicitor 2013)

Raoul Colvile

  • the barrister you want on your team when the stakes are high and the hours long

    White Collar Defence Solicitor
  • technically brilliant, brings clarity to complex issues....just great to work with

    White Collar Defence Solicitor
  • As my junior, I know that I can always rely on him…highly intelligent, always exceptionally well prepared

    Leading Counsel
  • Written advocacy of a very high standard

    SFO Case Controller
  • He is a hard worker, and he is very smart. He understands the economic crime landscape

    SFO Case Controller
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Practice Summary

Raoul’s practice focuses on white collar crime and investigations. He also accepts instructions on regulatory and commercial matters, in particular concerning financial regulation. He was called to the bar in 2016 after nearly six years in the London Office of a major US Law Firm, where he qualified as a solicitor advocate.

Raoul has been involved with some of the most significant white collar cases of recent years. These include acting for the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in 2020’s Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with G4S Care & Justice Services (UK) Ltd*, and his work as part of the defence team in the UK’s first DPA (SFO v. ICBC Standard Bank Plc). Raoul is an appointed SFO Panel Counsel and spent a number of years acting for them as junior trial counsel on a major fraud case.

In addition to his white collar work, Raoul also has significant financial regulatory experience. He advised the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in their investigation and early settlement of matters relating to a regulated corporate and trust services provider in 2022. He also acted for them on the prohibitions of a former senior leader in 2023, and a former senior executive in 2024. Additionally, since 2019 he has assisted the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with a number of cases.

Raoul’s commercial work has included contractual disputes, matters arising from fraud, and the implementation of international asset recovery strategies. He has experience of ADR (including detailed commercial settlements) and has advised companies and individuals on a broad spectrum of issues, often with multi-jurisdictional elements.

Raoul has appeared - both as sole and led counsel - in a variety of forums including the High Court, Crown Court, County Court and before various Regulatory and Disciplinary Tribunals (particularly concerning professional misconduct).

Raoul is an excellent addition to any legal or investigative team. Clients and leading counsel have consistently commended his ability to rapidly absorb detail and assist with the effective progression of complex litigation.

Raoul has significant white collar crime and investigatory experience arising from a number of high profile, complex and often document heavy cases. He has conducted internal investigations for corporates, defended corporates and individuals against criminal prosecution in the UK and internationally, and been instructed in the prosecution of corporates and individuals on behalf of the SFO.

Notably, Raoul has been involved in both the defence and prosecution of a corporate in the context of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (in the ICBC Standard Bank Plc and G4S Care & Justice Services (UK) Ltd* cases, respectively).

Raoul’s breadth of experience includes matters of fraud and bribery. He is an approved Panel Counsel for the Serious Fraud Office and in 2016 undertook a nine-month secondment there.

Case highlights:

  • Instructed as junior trial counsel by the SFO and acted for a number of years on a major fraud case (2017 onwards).

  • SFO v. G4S Care & Justice (UK) Limited – Deferred Prosecution Agreement.

    Instructed by the SFO and led by Crispin Aylett KC and Hannah Willcocks KC. G4S C&J accepted responsibility for three offences of fraud and agreed to payment of a financial penalty of £38.5m as well as the SFO’s full costs of £5.9m. Additionally, the terms of the DPA bound them into wide-ranging compliance obligations and improvements. Full details here: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2020/07/17/sfo-receives-final-approval-for-dpa-with-g4s-care-justice-services-uk-ltd/ (2020) *Note: The DPA only relates to the potential criminal liability of G4S C&J and does not address whether liability of any sort attaches to any employee, agent, former employee or former agent of G4S C&J.

  • Instructed by the SFO as sole legal privilege counsel on a high profile fraud case (2016-2017)

  • SFO v. ICBC Standard Bank Plc – Deferred Prosecution Agreement. Part of the defence team for a major international bank over a near three-year period concerning their potential liability under s.7 of the UK Bribery Act. The case featured an international internal investigation, self-report to the SFO, negotiations with the DoJ (who ultimately declined to continue their investigation given the UK resolution) SEC and Tanzanian authorities, and ultimately the successful negotiation of the UK’s first ever DPA as approved by Leveson LJ. (Serious Fraud Office v. ICBC Standard Bank Plc Case No: U20150854) (2015).

  • Advised a major international corporation on their potential liability under the UK Bribery Act in respect of a proposed corporate event involving foreign dignitaries.

  • Assisted a high profile solicitor in respect of a police investigation and linked ongoing criminal proceedings. The investigation focused on potential conspiracy, and offences including money laundering.

  • Assisted two high-net-worth individuals in respect of a police investigation into money laundering.

  • Advised a purchaser as to their potential liabilities and risk in respect of certain ABC, AML, KYC and Regulatory and Compliance issues within a target group.

Raoul is a leading member of Chambers’ Investigations and Resolutions team. He has extensive experience of high profile, complex and often document heavy matters and has acted in a number of cases brought by prosecutors or regulators against corporates or individuals. In particular, Raoul has considerable experience of white collar crime and financial regulatory investigations having acted for or advised the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in recent years.

 

Raoul’s work is complemented by his background in commercial litigation and civil fraud (which regularly involved work on detailed settlement agreements). His cases often relate to fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering or various forms of professional misconduct.

 

Raoul understands how to effectively advise investigations with a view to their potential culmination in either a negotiated resolution or before courts or tribunals. He has particular experience of Deferred Prosecution Agreements, having acted for the SFO in their 2020 agreement with G4S Care & Justice (UK) Limited*, and been part of the defence team in 2015’s agreement with ICBC Standard Bank Plc.

Raoul prides himself on his collegiality and adaptability. He is consistently praised on his work for and within fast moving teams.  

 

Case highlights:

  • Acted for the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in obtaining a full prohibition against a former senior executive of a regulated entity. The Authority had cause to assess the fitness and propriety of the individual as a result of wider failings identified within the regulated entity at which the individual performed their role. Instructed to assist in the investigation and early settlement of this matter (2024).

  • Acted for the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in obtaining a full prohibition against a former senior leader of a regulated entity. The Authority had cause to assess the fitness and propriety of the individual as a result of wider failings identified within the regulated entity at which the individual performed their role. Instructed to assist in the investigation and early settlement of this matter (2023).

  • Assisted the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in the investigation and early settlement of matters relating to Trident Trust Company (I.O.M) Limited & R&M Management (I.O.M.) Limited (2022).

  • SFO v. G4S Care & Justice (UK) Limited – Deferred Prosecution Agreement.

    Instructed by the SFO and led by Crispin Aylett KC and Hannah Willcocks KC. G4S C&J accepted responsibility for three offences of fraud and agreed to payment of a financial penalty of £38.5m as well as the SFO’s full costs of £5.9m. Additionally, the terms of the DPA bound them into wide-ranging compliance obligations and improvements. Full details here: https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2020/07/17/sfo-receives-final-approval-for-dpa-with-g4s-care-justice-services-uk-ltd/ (2020) *Note: The DPA only relates to the potential criminal liability of G4S C&J and does not address whether liability of any sort attaches to any employee, agent, former employee or former agent of G4S C&J.

  • Assisted the enforcement division of the Financial Conduct Authority on three confidential financial regulatory matters between 2019 and 2020, and two further confidential matters from 2023 onwards.

  • Instructed as junior trial counsel by the SFO and acted for a number of years (including pre-charge) on a major fraud case (2017 onwards).

  • Part of the team which advised the joint administrators of British Homes Stores after its collapse following its administration by the Arcadia Group (Sir Philip Green) and then Retail Acquisitions Limited (Dominic Chappell) (2016).

  • SFO v. ICBC Standard Bank Plc – Deferred Prosecution Agreement. Part of the defence team for a major international bank over a near three-year period concerning their potential liability under s.7 of the UK Bribery Act. The case featured an international internal investigation, self-report to the SFO, negotiations with the DoJ (who ultimately declined to continue their investigation given the UK resolution) SEC and Tanzanian authorities, and ultimately the successful negotiation of the UK’s first ever DPA as approved by Leveson LJ. (Serious Fraud Office v. ICBC Standard Bank Plc Case No: U20150854) (2015).

  • Assisted a prestigious Liechtenstein-based arts and antiquities trust and its high-profile beneficiary over a number of years on a global recovery strategy including settlement agreements, foreign proceedings (including criminal proceedings) and a Commercial Court action which led to a Summary Judgment in favour of the client, a worldwide freezing order and an order for contempt of court against the Defendant. (Khalili Familenstiftung v. Dowlatshahi [2013] EWHC 220 (Comm), and Familienstiftung v. Dowlatshahi [2013] EWHC 1247 (Comm).

  • Advised on and undertook a confidential internal investigation at a major global retailer concerning allegations of impropriety including audit obstruction and kickbacks at a key subsidiary following a whistle-blower report.

Raoul has experience of commercial litigation of significant breadth. He has worked on matters ranging from contractual disputes to complex civil fraud and asset recovery (often with a multi-jurisdictional element). He has experience of alternative dispute resolution and has drafted a number of complex settlement agreements. He has appeared in both the High Court and the County Court as sole counsel.

Raoul has worked on a number of purely commercial instructions since joining the bar. Clients also consistently remark on the positive impact his commercial and business understanding has on his white collar and financial regulatory cases. In particular, as well as his knowledge of a number of business sectors, Raoul’s civil fraud work (which commonly featured elements like worldwide or domestic freezing orders or concurrent criminal proceedings) has often proved invaluable.

Case highlights:

  • Instructed in the High Court on behalf of a high-profile professional - successfully resisted an application for indemnity costs where proceedings had been discontinued.

  • Instructed in various trials and interim hearings in the County Courts including relating to contractual disputes and tortious claims.

  • Fraud and asset recovery work at a major US Law Firm, including:

    • Advised a prestigious Liechtenstein-based arts and antiquities trust and its high-profile beneficiary over a number of years on a global recovery strategy including settlement agreements, foreign proceedings (including criminal proceedings) and a Commercial Court action which led to a Summary Judgment in favour of the client, a worldwide freezing order and an order for contempt of court against the Defendant. Khalili Familenstiftung v. Dowlatshahi [2013] EWHC 220 (Comm), and Familienstiftung v. Dowlatshahi [2013] EWHC 1247 (Comm).

    • Assisted in the obtaining of a UK freezing order for a major middle eastern bank in support of foreign proceedings.

    • Advised a former AIM listed company in respect of a suspected international, multi-million dollar fraud - the action included claims against an international bank and the filing of an overseas criminal complaint.

    • Advised the Claimants in Commercial Court proceedings including coordinating a complex international service process and obtaining Default Judgment against certain Defendants, prior to negotiation of a stay with the extant Defendants (and in addition, advised on strategy in light of concurrent and related criminal proceedings, and their impact on the civil case).

  • Commercial work at a major US Law Firm, including:

    • Assisted on a complex commercial dispute focusing on the validity of various contracts which culminated in a two-week trial in the Chancery Division (Sibir Energy Limited v Slocom Trading Ltd [2012] EWHC 3464 (Ch)).

    • Advised a leading US private equity Firm following their purchase of a UK company on their warranty claims pursuant to an SPA, and specifically failures of disclosure in respect of certain licenses and royalty arrangements.

    • Advised a multinational oil and gas company in respect of an arbitration and settlement concerning alleged breaches of certain FPSO charter and service agreements and unpaid invoices.

    • Advised a major European investment management group, including procuring settlement, on their ability to enforce a multi-million Euro investment option.

    • Advised a leading international automotive group on a number of matters including the setting aside of Default Judgment against a UK subsidiary, securing the withdrawal of a winding up petition in the Chancery Courts, and negotiating and facilitating a confidential settlement in respect of a commercial contract.

    • Advised a high net worth individual in a contentious shareholder dispute in the context of an anticipated IPO.

    • Work on several other matters in various stages of the litigation process, including several specialist disclosure roles on large and complex civil cases including for manufacturing and real estate investment clients.

  • Instructed by the Government Legal Department to assist on (i) a commercial dispute involving alleged violations of the European Convention of Human Rights, and (ii) a judicial review brought by the backto60 campaign (concerning increases in the state pension age for women).

  • Undertook a three month secondment at the Pension Protection Fund (including working on matters related to the Fraud Compensation Fund).

Raoul has material regulatory experience, in particular acting for financial and healthcare regulators. He has experience at every stage, from the opening of investigations to their resolution either through settlement or by advocacy before a tribunal. His recent clients have included the Financial Conduct Authority, the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority, the Nurses and Midwifery Council and the General Dental Council.

Case highlights:

  • Acted for the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in obtaining a full prohibition against a former senior executive of a regulated entity. The Authority had cause to assess the fitness and propriety of the individual as a result of wider failings identified within the regulated entity at which the individual performed their role. Instructed to assist in the investigation and early settlement of this matter (2024).

  • Acted for the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in obtaining a full prohibition against a former senior leader of a regulated entity. The Authority had cause to assess the fitness and propriety of the individual as a result of wider failings identified within the regulated entity at which the individual performed their role. Instructed to assist in the investigation and early settlement of this matter (2023).

  • Appeared before the General Dental Council’s Registration Appeals Committee on a matter held in private (2023).

  • Assisted the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in the investigation and early settlement of matters relating to Trident Trust Company (I.O.M) Limited & R&M Management (I.O.M.) Limited (2022).

  • Assisted the enforcement division of the Financial Conduct Authority on three confidential financial regulatory matters between 2019 and 2020, and two further confidential matters from 2023 onwards.

  • Appeared on behalf of the Nurses and Midwifery Council before a variety of tribunals and on multiple matters at the Interim Order, Substantive Hearing, Substantive Order Review and Restoration Application stages of their Regulatory proceedings. Representations include the substantive hearing of NMC v. P, which involved allegations of physical misconduct by a nurse towards an elderly resident of a care home (2018 onwards).

  • Acted for the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in obtaining a full prohibition against a former senior executive of a regulated entity (2024)

  • Acted for the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in obtaining a full prohibition against a former senior leader of a regulated entity (2023)

  • Advised the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority in the investigation and early settlement of matters relating to Trident Trust Company (I.O.M) Limited & R&M Management (I.O.M.) Limited (2022)

  • Serious Fraud Office v. G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd Case No: U20201392 (2020)

  • Assisted the Financial Conduct Authority on a number of confidential matters (2019 onwards)

  • Instructed as junior trial counsel by the Serious Fraud Office and acted for a number of years on a major fraud case (2017 onwards)

  • Serious Fraud Office v. ICBC Standard Bank Plc Case No: U20150854) (2015)

  • Khalili Familenstiftung v. Dowlatshahi [2013] EWHC 220 (Comm)

  • Familienstiftung v. Dowlatshahi [2013] EWHC 1247 (Comm)

  • Sibir Energy Limited v Slocom Trading Ltd [2012] EWHC 3464 (Ch)

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