Outer Temple Chambers handles a range of specialist financial services work – from non-contentious guidance through to appearing before the RDC, Upper Tribunal, and other financial regulators, as well as the courts. 2025 silk Oliver Powell KC is routinely called upon to advise banks and financial institutions on complex and discrete points of law concerning AML and sanctions.
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Profile
Work Department
Business Crime, Regulation and Sanctions, Commercial Litigation, Financial Services, Health, Safety and Environment, Marine and Fisheries, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Position
Barrister specialising in Business Crime, Regulation and Sanctions, Commercial Litigation, Financial Services, Health, Safety and Environment, Marine and Fisheries, and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Career
Oliver undertakes instructions that involve the regulation of business activity and commerce. He is often instructed in matters with an international element and usually cases involving allegations of dishonesty, sharp practice or breach of regulations. His practice encompasses: asset forfeiture & civil recovery; business crime; civil fraud; corporate investigations; financial services; health, safety & environment; maritime regulatory law; and sanctions & export controls.
He acts for companies, company officers, and high-net-worth individuals, and is routinely instructed by US and City law firms. His strong interpersonal skills, candid advice and robust advocacy allow him to forge solid working relationships, making him a popular choice with solicitors and clients alike.
Recent or extant work includes:
- AS PNB Banka & Others v Republic of Latvia, ICSID Case No. ARB/17/47 – award pending.
- Overseas legal expert in a $125m arbitration in Russia.
- Retained in a £55m dishonest assistance claim in the Commercial Court.
- Retained in a £28m professional negligence claim in the Admiralty Court.
- Retained to advise on various sanctions issues pertaining to a £800m bankruptcy.
- Retained to advise a UK regulator in a multi-jurisdictional fraud.
- Retained to advise and act for Skyjack (UK) Ltd at an inquest.
- Acted for WSP UK Ltd in respect of a matter brought by CFRA.
- Acted for Bombardier Transportation UK Limited in relation to the 2016 Croydon tram derailment.
He is a Barrister of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI), a member of the New York State Bar Association, and in recent years has undertaken work in, amongst others, USA and UAE, as well as several UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
Oliver is an editor of Millington and Sutherland Williams on the Proceeds of Crime and a contributor to Lissack and Horlick on Bribery, the seminal texts on POCA and Bribery & Corruption respectively.
Memberships
- Admiralty Bar Group
- Appointed Vice Chairman of British Marine IFLS (2017 to 2021)
- Bar None Mentor
- Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association
- Financial Services Lawyers Association
- Fraud Advisory Panel
- Health & Safety Lawyers’ Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Proceeds of Crime Lawyers’ Association
- Pupil Supervisor (2013 to present)
- Revenue Bar Association
- Social Mobility Foundation Mentor (2010 to present)
- The Fraud Lawyers Association
- Western Circuit
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks really are excellent. Nicholas Levett and Dave Lovitt have been particularly helpful, dealing with matters promptly.'