Overview
Jas’s practice spans several areas of Chambers’ expertise including Financial Services Enforcement, Crime/Financial Crime & Commercial Litigation.
As a former City Litigation Solicitor & FCA In-House Counsel, Jas has over 14 years’ experience of advising and acting for UK/international corporates, individuals or public bodies on matters of English law and complex High Court litigation with an international element.
He is also qualified for Direct Public Access work and can accept instructions directly from the public (individuals or businesses) in suitable cases for legal advice, representation in Court and the conduct of litigation.
Jas is currently on secondment at the FCA assisting on a complex POCA confiscation case. Other recent instructions have included advising an incoming EEA e-money firm on financial services passporting issues/post-Brexit planning and assisting on an offshore money laundering compliance review.
Professional Background & Experience
Before being called to the Bar in 2014, Jas was a Solicitor Advocate with over 10 years’ litigation experience. He joined 7BR after 8 years as senior litigation lawyer and in-house counsel at the Financial Conduct Authority where he developed specialist expertise in Financial Services Enforcement.
Whilst at the FCA, Jas worked on various Regulatory cases, Civil litigation and Criminal investigations. He advised across the FCA’s remit from authorisation applications to retail/wholesale finance matters. His role included presenting cases to the FCA Regulatory Decisions Committee and defending the FCA in the Upper Tribunal, with a focus on integrity issues. He has also advised on money laundering cases.
Jas investigated/brought High Court claims for breaches of FSMA’s ‘general prohibition’ and ‘false and misleading statements’ by unauthorised businesses. His work included investigating Solicitors involved in such cases and seeking/enforcing freezing injunctions.
Jas previously worked at several top-flight law firms acting on multi-£million commercial cases across a range of sectors including International Media Events and Public-Private Sector Disputes. He trained at Allen and Overy with secondments to Liberty (Human Rights Law) and the High Court.
Jas was educated at the University of Nottingham and acts as a mentor for aspiring law students through the Social Mobility Foundation. His personal interests include music, drama and art.
Memberships
- London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association
- Financial Services Lawyers Association
- The Fraud Lawyers Association
- Criminal Bar Association
- South Eastern Circuit
Regulatory & Professional Discipline
Regulatory & Professional Discipline
Financial Services & Solicitors
Jas has particular expertise in Financial Services Enforcement matters. Recent financial services sector instructions have included assisting on an offshore money laundering compliance matter, advising on EEA passporting issues/post-Brexit planning and assisting an IFA in defence of professional negligence claims. He is also currently on secondment at the FCA assisting on a complex POCA confiscation case.
Jas previously spent almost 8 years from 2009-2017 as a senior investigation/litigation lawyer and in-house counsel at the Financial Conduct Authority. During his time at the FCA, Jas worked on various regulatory cases, civil litigation and criminal investigations. He advised across the whole spectrum of the FCA’s remit from authorisations refusals to retail/wholesale matters.
His work at the FCA included presenting cases to the Regulatory Decisions Committee and defending the FCA in the Upper Tribunal, with a particular focus on enforcement claims for lack of integrity. He also advised on several highly confidential money laundering cases.
Jas has also investigated and brought High Court proceedings for breaches of the ‘general prohibition’ and ‘false and misleading statements’ made by unauthorised businesses. He has developed specific expertise in investigations into Solicitors (complemented by over ten years’ experience of practising as a Solicitor himself).
Prior to joining the FCA, and during his time as a Solicitor at a leading law firm, Jas also advised innocent investors caught up in multi-million pound unauthorised investment schemes (including schemes being prosecuted at the time by the then Financial Services Authority).
Financial Services & Solicitors – Cases
Recent instructions have included:
- R v Gopee (2019): advising and assisting the FCA (on secondment) in complex POCA restraint/confiscation proceedings arising from the Defendant’s conviction for operating an illegal/unauthorised money lending business.
- Advising an incoming EEA e-money firm (2018) on payment services passporting issues, post-Brexit planning and UK FCA authorisation requirements.
- Offshore Financial Services AML/CFT Compliance (2018): assisting on a confidential, complex and high-value offshore financial services Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing compliance review. Reporting on compliance and record-keeping effectiveness across a wide range of client files and assisting on a review of Corporate Governance issues.
- Advising an Independent Financial Advisor (2018) on the pre-action defence of potential professional negligence claims over pensions investment advice.
Whilst at the FCA, Jas acted on numerous cases for the regulator including:
Direct Public Access
Jas is qualified for Direct Public Access work and, in suitable cases, can accept instructions directly from the public (individuals or businesses) for legal advice, representation in Court and the conduct of litigation.
Financial Crime
Financial Crime
Jas has expertise in Financial Crime & Fraud and is currently on secondment at the FCA assisting on a complex POCA confiscation case.
Prior to joining Chambers, he spent almost 8 years from 2009-2017 as a senior investigation/litigation lawyer and in-house counsel at the FCA, where he assisted on a number of Civil and Criminal fraud/misleading statements cases.
Financial Crime Cases
- R v Gopee (2019): advising and assisting the FCA (on secondment) in complex POCA restraint/confiscation proceedings arising from the Defendant’s conviction for operating an illegal/unauthorised money lending business.
- Offshore Financial Services AML/CFT Compliance (2018): assisting on a confidential, complex and high-value offshore financial services Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing compliance review. Reporting on compliance and record-keeping effectiveness across a wide range of client files and assisting on a review of Corporate Governance issues.
Whilst at the FCA, prior to joining Chambers, Jas acted on numerous cases for the regulator including:
- Assisting on the investigation which culminated in the FCA’s Operation Cotton Prosecution in 2015. Investors had lost over £4m in an unauthorised Collective Investment Scheme and the case resulted in eight convictions.
- Jas also assisted on the initial FCA investigation in the case of R v Meeson & Ors (2013) (prosecution of a £5m tax fraud perpetrated by a former Tax Association President and others – investigated by the FCA, HMRC and TPR)
He also acted on numerous cases as a Commercial Litigation Solicitor, including:
- Advising a UK prison operator in a civil claim for £200k+ embezzled by an internal payroll manager.
- Advising on various ‘boiler room’ cases and other fraud matters.
Direct Public Access
Jas is qualified for Direct Public Access work and, in suitable cases, can accept instructions directly from the public (individuals or businesses) for legal advice, representation in Court and the conduct of litigation.
Crime
Crime
Jas accepts instructions in general Crime both for the Crown Prosecution Service and for the Defence.
Since joining Chambers he has appeared in the Crown & Magistrates Courts on mentions, bail applications, sentencing and other hearings in relation to various offences and matters, including:
- Assault / ABH / GBH
- Drugs Offences
- Dangerous Driving
- Firearms Offences
- Fraud Offences
- Harassment, Alarm & Distress
- Money Laundering
- POCA Confiscations
- Private Prosecutions
- Racial / Religious Aggravation
- Restraining Order Breaches
- Robbery / Burglary
- Sexual Offences
- Tax / Customs Evasion
- Trafficking / Exploitation
Jas has undertaken the intensive Criminal Trial Advanced Advocacy course at Keble College, Oxford (run by the South East Circuit) and the required advocacy training for Vulnerable Witnesses in Criminal Cases.
Direct Public Access
Jas is qualified for Direct Public Access work and, in suitable cases, can accept instructions directly from the public (individuals or businesses) for legal advice, representation in Court and the conduct of litigation.
Public Law
Public Law
Jas is able to advise on Public Law issues (including Judicial Review matters) which may arise in connection with his other practice areas. He has experience of advising both Claimants and Defendants in cases involving public authorities.
He previously worked as in-house counsel in the Enforcement Division of the Financial Conduct Authority from 2009 to 2017 where his day-to-day work included advising on Public Law issues such as use of statutory powers (e.g. in the conduct of investigations/proceedings) in numerous matters, including:
Prior to joining the Financial Conduct Authority in 2009, Jas worked at several law firms where he also advised/assisted on a wide range of matters including Public-Private Sector disputes such as:
As a Trainee Solicitor at a Magic Circle law firm, Jas was seconded to Liberty (National Council for Civil Liberties) where he assisted on various Human Rights matters including:
Direct Public Access
Jas is qualified for Direct Public Access work and, in suitable cases, can accept instructions directly from the public (individuals or businesses) for legal advice, representation in Court and the conduct of litigation.
Commercial
Commercial
Jas has experience of advising on complex High Court cases with an international element, representing clients on County Court matters and in Alternative Dispute Resolution or Mediation. He is therefore well-placed to assist on business/commercial advisory issues and disputes.
Recent Cases
Recent instructions since joining Chambers have included:
- Successfully defending a Director (2019) and his Construction Company (both victims of ‘identity fraud’) in a contractual loan guarantee claim brought against him inappropriately by a Business Loan Finance Company.
- Advising an International Global Technology Company (2018) on potential legal risks of a commercial relationship with a high profile third party.
Jas previously advised on High Court litigation both as In-House Counsel at the FCA and as a Commercial Litigation Solicitor at several top-flight law firms. He has acted on a wide range of matters, including:
Financial Services
- FCA v Capital Alternatives & Others [2018]: Jas had day-to-day conduct of this complex litigation from 2012-17 whilst working at the FCA. The case culminated in a successful Trial in Summer 2017 following which the High Court ordered £16.9m to be paid back to investors. His work on this case involved applying for and policing several freezing injunctions/undertakings as well as dealing with international law issues and numerous litigants in person/represented parties, including a Solicitor Defendant. Jas led successful pre-trial settlement negotiations with two of the 16 Defendants following a Preliminary Trial and a successfully defended appeal to the Court of Appeal on which he also advised.
Media/Events
- Ram Media Ltd v Greek MoC [2008] EWHC 1835 (QB): claim against the Greek Ministry of Culture regarding a TV show and media contract claim arising from the cancellation of the 2006 FIFPro international footballer awards. The case resulted in a €2.7m judgment and third party debt order against the Ministry Of Culture.
International Arbitration
- Synthetic-Gas Plant Dispute: concerning a facility in China. Acting for contractor in a Singapore International Arbitration Centre case and gathering evidence in Holland under the International Bar Association Rules.
International Trade
- Claims concerning time-bar clauses, liability exclusions, inspection clauses & potential recovery from insurers and other third parties.
International Construction
- Wembley National Stadium: adjudication claims brought by the Football Association against Multiplex arising from delays to the £750m+ stadium.
Intellectual Property
- Defending claim against a garden furniture manufacturer for alleged un/registered design right infringements, resolved through mediation.
Public-Private Sector
Direct Public Access
Jas is qualified for Direct Public Access work and, in suitable cases, can accept instructions directly from the public (individuals or businesses) for legal advice, representation in Court and the conduct of litigation.
Offshore & International
Offshore & International
As a former City Litigation Solicitor & FCA In-House Counsel, Jas has 14 years’ experience of advising and acting for UK/international corporates, individuals or public bodies on matters of English law and complex High Court litigation with an international element.
International Financial Services Cases – Regulatory, Civil & Criminal
Recent instructions have included:
- Advising an incoming EEA e-money firm (2018) on payment services passporting issues, post-Brexit planning and UK FCA authorisation requirements.
- Offshore Financial Services AML/CFT Compliance (2018): assisting on a confidential, complex and high-value offshore financial services Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing compliance review. Reporting on compliance and record-keeping effectiveness across a wide range of client files and assisting on a review of Corporate Governance issues.
Jas spent almost 8 years from 2009-2017 as a senior investigation/litigation lawyer and in-house counsel at the Financial Conduct Authority. During his time at the FCA, Jas worked on various regulatory cases, civil litigation and criminal investigations with international issues including:
- International Enforcement & Financial Crime: dealing with issues relating to investments, assets and persons overseas, including liaising with international law enforcement agencies and lawyers based abroad (for instance in the US, Australia, Mauritius and the Seychelles).
- FCA v Capital Alternatives & Others [2018]: Jas had day-to-day conduct of this complex litigation culminating in a successful Trial in Summer 2017 following which the High Court ordered £16.9m to be paid back to investors. The case involved applying for and policing several injunctions/undertakings over assets in the UK and abroad as well as dealing with related international law issues.
- FCA v Capital Alternatives & Others [2015] EWCA Civ 284: Jas was also the lead litigator for the FCA in the Preliminary Trial following which the Court of Appeal confirmed that various South American, African and Australian carbon credits and an African land investment scheme were unauthorised Collective Investment Schemes under ss.19/235 of FSMA 2000.
- FCA ban of Messrs Kelly & Gray (2016): for lack of integrity concerning pension advice (which involved consideration of related international issues).
- Early Interventions, Voluntary & Own Initiative Requirements/Variations of Permission: including advising on sensitive, confidential Money Laundering matters where EU/EEA passporting rights were particularly relevant.
International Commercial Litigation
Jas previously worked as a Commercial Litigation Solicitor at several top-flight, international law firms where he advised on a wide range of Commercial Litigation matters with an international element, including:
- International Media/Events – Ram Media Ltd v Greek MoC [2008] EWHC 1835 (QB): claim against the Greek Ministry of Culture regarding a TV show and media contract claim arising from the cancellation of the 2006 FIFPro international footballer awards. The case resulted in a €2.7m judgment and third party debt order against the Greek Ministry Of Culture.
- International Arbitration – Synthetic-Gas Plant Dispute: acting for a contractor in a Singapore International Arbitration Centre case concerning a facility in China. Work on this matter included gathering evidence in Holland under the International Bar Association Rules.
- International Construction – Wembley National Stadium: adjudication claims brought by the Football Association against Australian contractor Multiplex, arising from delays to the £750m+ stadium.
- International Trade: advising on claims concerning time-bar clauses, liability exclusions, inspection clauses & potential recovery from insurers and other third parties.
Direct Public Access
Jas is qualified for Direct Public Access work and, in suitable cases, can accept instructions directly from the public (individuals or businesses) for legal advice, representation in Court and the conduct of litigation.
