Steven Gray

Steven Gray is currently a member of the Attorney General’s A panel of civil counsel and undertakes a range of high-profile public law and common law work for a variety of government departments. In addition, Steven has extensive experience of working on public inquiries. Currently, Steven is acting for the Ministry of Defence in the Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan (concerning alleged unlawful killings by UK Special Forces and their alleged cover up) and for HM Treasury in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Steven has also acted as First Junior Counsel to the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

Since 2009 Steven has acted regularly on behalf of the government in national security-related civil litigation, and in particular in cases involving control orders, terrorism prevention and investigation measures, national security deportations and exclusions, terrorist asset-freezing and claims for damages in connection with alleged torture. Steven has appeared regularly in the Administrative Court and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission and has also appeared in both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in connection with such cases.

Steven also regularly acts for the Ministry of Defence, including in claims for damages and judicial review proceedings arising from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Steven also acts for the Ministry of Justice in relation to prison matters.

Steven also has extensive experience of advising in connection with public law and regulatory issues relating to financial services businesses (in particular anti-money laundering and compliance issues), often with an offshore and international angle.
Public Law
Steven is currently a member of the Attorney General’s A panel of civil counsel and undertakes a range of high-profile public law and common law work for a variety of government departments.

Since 2009 Steven has acted regularly on behalf of the government in national security-related civil litigation, and in particular in cases involving control orders, terrorism prevention and investigation measures, national security deportations and exclusions, terrorist asset-freezing and claims for damages in connection with alleged torture. Steven has held Developed Vetted (DV) security clearance continuously since 2009. Steven has appeared regularly in the Administrative Court and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission and has also appeared in both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in connection with such cases.

Steven has also acted for the Ministry of Defence in both claims for damages and judicial review proceedings arising from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Steven also represents the Ministry of Justice in relation to prison matters and the Home Secretary in immigration cases.

Steven also has extensive experience of advising in connection with public law and regulatory issues relating to financial services businesses (in particular anti-money laundering and compliance issues), often with an offshore and international angle.
Inquests & Inquiries
Steven has extensive experience of working on public inquiries, as a result of which he has a detailed knowledge of both the legal and practical issues involved.

Steven is currently acting for the Ministry of Defence in the Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan (concerning alleged unlawful killings by UK Special Forces in Afghanistan and their alleged cover up). As well as representing the interests of the Department, this role has involved providing legal advice and support to current and former Ministers as well as very senior military figures. In addition, Steven has represented the Ministry of Defence at Inquiry hearings and both advised and drafted submissions regarding complex legal issues.

Steven is also currently acting for HM Treasury in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. As well as representing the interests of the Department, this role has involving providing legal advice and support to George Osborne (former Chancellor of the Exchequer) and, whilst he was Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak MP (Chancellor of the Exchequer during the pandemic).

Steven has also acted as First Junior Counsel to the Undercover Policing Inquiry (appointed in 2016). Steven’s role included advising in connection with the gathering and management of evidence, appearing at hearings on behalf of the Inquiry, questioning witnesses, advising on privacy and data protection issues and acting in judicial review proceedings arising from the conduct of the Inquiry.
Offshore & International Disputes
Steven has been instructed in offshore jurisdictions since 2001. His clients have included offshore financial services institutions as well as offshore government agencies. He has been regularly asked to advise on money laundering and compliance issues in an offshore context. He co-authored the review of Jersey’s new anti-money laundering regime in the Jersey & Guernsey Law Review when it came into force in 2008. He has lectured on the abuse of offshore financial structures in Jersey, Switzerland, Jamaica and South Africa.

Between 2001 and 2015, Steven was instructed by the Attorney General of Jersey on a number of major investigations into suspected international fraud. Steven has also advised offshore financial services institutions in relation to both fraud and regulatory investigations. Cases have concerned corporate fraud, the collapse of investment funds, allegations of political corruption in Africa, the Middle East and South America, suspected illegal corporate trading in Africa (alleged arms dealing), issues connected with the UN inquiry into alleged corruption relating to the Oil for Food programme in Iraq, export control issues and cross-jurisdictional money laundering involving offshore trust and company structures (in particular as a result of alleged political corruption). As a result, Steven has a detailed understanding of the offshore financial services industry including both traditional and more innovative offshore financial structures and products. Steven has also advised prospective purchasers of offshore financial services businesses on certain compliance and due diligence matters. This has involved analysis of complex financial arrangements.

Steven has significant experience of advising in connection with mutual legal assistance and international co-operation. Steven has advised on draft letters of request and worked closely with overseas authorities, including the District Attorney’s office in New York, from whom he received public thanks for his efforts in connection with a corruption and money laundering investigation. The investigation resulted in a significant financial settlement with a New York bank. In Durant International Corporation v Attorney General for Jersey, Steven successfully advised the Attorney General for Jersey in relation to two judicial review challenges to the exercise of mutual legal assistance powers by the Attorney General [see [2006] JLR 112]. More recently, Steven has advised an international bank regarding issues arising from the registration in an offshore jurisdiction of an external civil asset recovery order.

Regulatory & Professional Discipline
Steven has longstanding experience of advising offshore financial services institutions facing potential regulatory investigation and sanction. He has also worked with the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

Steven has been regularly asked to advise on money laundering and compliance issues in an offshore context. He co-authored the review of Jersey’s new anti-money laundering regime in the Jersey & Guernsey Law Review when it came into force in 2008. He has lectured on the abuse of offshore financial structures in Jersey, Switzerland, Jamaica and South Africa.

Called 2000.

• Administrative Law Bar Association
• Criminal Bar Association
• Financial Services Lawyers Association
• Fraud Lawyers Association

Magdalen College, Oxford.