Richard Saynor > 23ES > London, England > Barrister Profile

Richard Saynor

Position

Richard is a highly regarded and sought after practitioner with a busy advisory and court practice. He practises in both criminal and civil law with an emphasis on asset forfeiture and recovery.

Richard is a compelling and persuasive advocate, combining an astute tactical analysis with clear, succinct submissions. He is known for his calm manner and practical approach, which wins the trust and confidence of all parties concerned.

He both prosecutes and defends, and regularly accepts instructions on behalf of companies, individuals, and Government departments. He is also direct access qualified and can received instructions direct from members of the public.

Much of Richard’s work involves an international element, and he routinely acts for those who operate and / or live in foreign jurisdictions. Richard was responsible for obtaining the UK’s first European Supervision Order, allowing an EU national to be bailed back to their member state pending trial, subject to conditions monitored by the local police force, rather than remain in custody. He continues to specialise in obtaining such orders on a private basis.

Expertise:

Restraint, Asset Forfeiture and Confiscation

Richard has considerable experience of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and asset forfeiture. He has provided advice and represented parties in criminal confiscation cases under part 2 of the Act, High Court civil recovery under part 5 of the Act, and tax tribunals under part 5 of the Act.

Also, Richard is currently instructed by the National Crime Agency as the junior advocate in the civil Court of Appeal case, which concerns the nature of Suspicious Activity Reports under Part 7 of the Act.

Richard has benefited considerably from being a consultant barrister at the National Crime Agency’s Civil Recovery and Tax Department, where he is currently the lead lawyer on all of their high profile criminal confiscation cases, as well as conducting and being exposed to many of their high-value civil recovery and tax tribunal claims.

He regularly lectures on this topic, and has provided training to the CPS, National Crime Agency, and also internationally, including to lawyers in foreign jurisdictions.

Richard is happy to act in restraint, criminal confiscation, civil recovery, enforcement, tax and cash forfeiture proceedings.

Criminal Litigation

Richard, who prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court, has considerable experience of acting in a wide range of serious matters.

Richard works tirelessly for his clients, and in 2015 obtained the EU’s first European Supervision Order in Criminal proceedings, which allowed his Spanish client to be bailed back to Spain pending trial, with the Spanish authorities agreeing to monitor his English bail conditions.

He has defended those charged with a wide range of offences, including conspiracy, armed robbery, serious violence, the production and supply of drugs, sexual offences, and fraud. He is also regularly instructed to defend clients in cases brought by the RSPCA, the Department of Work and Pensions, and HMRC.

Richard advises clients before any charges are brought, to consider whether and how prosecution can be avoided, and whether there are alternative disposals that may be appropriate. He has also helped to advise corporations on their criminal liability.

Concerning prosecution, Richard is a Grade 2 CPS advocate and is routinely instructed to prosecute matters in the London and Thames Valley areas. His experience includes prosecuting serious matters for the CPS Serious Organised Crime Unit such as human trafficking and drugs cases that formed part of Operation Trident. Further, he has acted as prosecution junior in two murder trials.

Richard also has considerable experience acting on behalf of private prosecutors, such as the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, HMRC, and the Health and Safety Executive. Further, Richard has advised the Government of Kazakhstan on the initiation of private prosecutions for a series of offences within England and Wales.

Regulatory and Disciplinary Proceedings

Richard advises clients within the financial services industry, including on criminal and civil liability. His approach to this type of advisory work recognises the importance of considering the commercial and practical implications for his clients.

Career

Called 2009; Middle Temple.

Education

Oxford University (BA (Hons) Modern History); Postgraduate LLB, BPP; Cambridge University (Diploma, Law Faculty; M St, Law Faculty). Oxford University (2005-07 Mansfield College Scholar; Undergraduate Thesis prize); Middle Temple Major Scholarship, Astbury Oxbridge Scholar (2007-09).