Cloth Fair Chambers is 'the crème de la crème of business crime sets'. The team has 'talent in abundance', and is very highly regarded for handling the full spectrum of complex corporate criminal matters. John Kelsey-Fry KC 'combines authority, empathy, and knowledge with hard work and a strong sense of the practical', and Tom Allen KC is 'strategic and brave in his advice'. Alison Pople KC is 'tactically astute and incredibly hard working', with an excellent reputation for acting in SFO and FCA investigations. At the junior end of chambers, Rachel Kapila's workload includes cases involving bribery, corruption and money laundering offences. Stuart Biggs KC was elevated to silk in March 2025.
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Profile
Position
Tom Allen focuses on commercial and business crime alongside financial regulation. He represents corporate entities and individuals, in respect of both domestic and international matters involving allegations of fraud, bribery, corruption, and money laundering.
Career
Bribery and Corruption
Recent instructions include multiple SFO investigations into cross-jurisdictional bribery and corruption offences.
- Currently acting in SFO vs Cook - listed as one of The Lawyer's Top 20 Cases of 2023
- Represented David Lufkin, global head of sales at Petrofac, in connection with bribery allegations relating to the obtaining of contracts worth $8bn and the payment of bribes of over $80m across three jurisdictions.
- Defended English QC in Trinidad, charged with entering a corrupt agreement with a former Attorney General.
- Successfully defended the CEO of Guralp Systems Ltd in respect of bribery allegations relating to business in South Korea.
- Advising directors about allegations of corruption in connection with numerous SFO investigations, including Rolls Royce PLC.
Fraud
- Successfully defended trader alleged to have defrauded Otkritie Bank of $150m.
- Successfully defended the CEO of an international mining company in SFO proceedings relating to s.2 powers.
- Advising directors in connection with fraud allegations by SFO relating to Serco, Barclays and G4S.
Tax
- Advising Premier League football club in connection with an ongoing HMRC investigation into payment of VAT.
- Instructed to defend in film financing fraud.
Regulatory Matters
- Recently instructed in Guernsey FSC hearings into a series of collapsed cross-border investment funds.
- Acted in multiple FRC cases, including acting against PwC (auditors for JP Morgan) for failure to notice the non-segregation of up to $23bn of client funds over a period of seven years.
Disciplinary and Sports
- Instructed in proceedings brought by British Rowing (Olympic selection) and British Fencing (allegations of racism).
- Acted in disciplinary proceedings relating to barristers, accountants, solicitors, architects, and surveyors.
Memberships
Called to the Bar - 1994
QC - 2015 | KC - 2022
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Dean Brown is an excellent addition to Cloth Fair. He is calm and authoritative.'
- 'Dean Brown brings a wealth of experience and a friendly, hands-on manner to the clerks' room.'
- 'Dean Brown runs the show with real style and gravitas.'
- 'Priya Greig is very helpful, responsive and thoughtful.'
- 'Cloth Fair is a highly respected set in the world of corporate white-collar crime.'
- 'Cloth Fair offers great depth because of the large number of well recognised white-collar crime specialists.'
- 'Tremendous strength in depth. You're in good hands with any members.'
- 'One of the best in the business with excellent counsel.'