Widely regarded as a leading serious fraud barrister, Jim Sturman ranks amongst the UK’s top KCs and fraud silks.
Bribery and corruption
For many years Jim has specialised in allegations of alleged corruption advising in the UK and abroad, and Jim’s involvement in recent large inquiries concerning accusations of bribery and corruption has led to a niche practice in this area of law and to him appearing in the TCI Commission of Inquiry into Corruption in 2008. Jim has also been retained to advise in a number of match fixing or improper betting allegations across a range of sports, and during 2015 and 2016 he has been advising in relation to allegations of corruption/impropriety in relation to tennis, football, cricket and athletics, both in the UK and abroad.
An eminent silk with a broad practice encompassing the full range of financial crime work, including bribery and improper trading cases. He routinely acts on behalf of corporate clients and senior executives, and has a hugely impressive track record in cutting-edge fraud and corruption matters.
Chambers & Partners
Jim Sturman KC is a popular criminal silk with an excellent reputation for handling complex fraud cases. He is increasingly called upon to advise corporate clients in relation to potential criminal liability.
Jim is more than capable of putting his corporate hat on and advising corporates on complex matters.
He has a marvelous ability to cut through complex issues, and speaks to clients in a down-to-earth manner. He’s very easy to talk to, but also a ferocious advocate.
Chambers & Partners
Jim’s acknowledged expertise in bribery and corruption offences is demonstrated by the fact that he has been advising in relation to a number of multi-national bribery investigations, in the oil and gas, construction, defence and insurance sectors in recent years. With the introduction of The Bribery Act Jim has also frequently been consulted as regards appropriate compliance procedures to take into account the potential for new corporate liabilities introduced by Section 7 of the Act where Companies have inadequate procedures in place.
Jim is often instructed as counsel to advise both businesses and individuals in the UK and abroad and appears in International Arbitration where there are corruption/fraud elements involved.
Commercial fraud and business crime
Jim has extensive experience of advising parties involved in matters which centre on allegations of serious fraud, business crime and/or financial impropriety. This includes matters relating to fraudulent trading and other Companies Act offences, as well as so-called “long firm fraud”. Jim has been instructed in cases where restraint orders and search warrants have been successfully challenged in the High Court and Divisional Court, see in particular the case of R. v. W & Others and his experience detailed in the money laundering and restraint section of this site.
Jim is experienced in advising on Data Protection, phone hacking, “blagging” and computer misuse allegations.
“An instantly recognisable face…a highly energetic performer who really gets himself about”
Chambers & Partners“A charming and steely advocate”
Legal 500
Investment scheme fraud
Jim has been retained by numerous city instutions to advise on disclosure issues regarding complex “share ramping” and “insider dealing” frauds, and he provides expert counsel in “Ponzi” and “Pyramid” type fraud cases.
Jim has also acted in cases regarding timeshare and other property development fraud, and is instructed to defend many cases under investigation by the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”).
Financial and tax fraud
Jim’s experience in this area is vast, and includes representing those accused of cheating the public revenue, the fraudulent evasion of excise duty, tax evasion, and false accounting.
Jim is often instructed to act for potential defendants in relation to offers to compound proceedings in order to avoid prosecution, as well as in relation to VAT assessments where persons have been inadvertently caught up in diversion frauds.
Jim acted for Michael Villiers in relation to an alleged diversion fraud. After his conviction was quashed on appeal, the proceedings were subsequently stayed as an abuse of process on the basis of non-disclosure by HM Customs & Excise (as it was then). The case led to The Butterfield Review of and Report on Customs prosecutions.
Money laundering and the proceeds of crime
Jim advises individuals, companies, solicitors and city institutions on money laundering regulations, and is often called upon to advise on the impact of criminal law on parties to civil fraud and civil recovery proceedings.
Sanctions Offences
Jim has advised corporations (domestic and foreign) and individuals in relation to alleged sanctions offences, both before and after charge. Such investigations can be extraordinarily stressful and damaging even where charges do not follow so instructing counsel early can pay huge dividends.
