Legal 500 Leading Firm 2026 / The Time Best Law Firms 2026 / 40+ Years of Expert Legal Practice in London
Legal 500 Leading Firm 2026 / The Time Best Law Firms 2026 / 40+ Years of Expert Legal Practice in London
Recognised as a Legal 500 Leading Firm 2026 and included in The Times Best Law Firms 2026, Lewis Nedas Law advises individuals, professionals and businesses facing money laundering investigations, Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) proceedings and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance issues.
If you have been arrested, interviewed under caution, received notice of an investigation, or are facing restraint, confiscation or account freezing proceedings, obtaining specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity is essential. Contact our solicitors on +44 20 7387 2032 or complete our online enquiry form for confidential legal advice.
Call +44 20 7387 2032 Make a Confidential EnquiryMoney laundering allegations can have serious legal, financial and professional consequences. Investigations frequently involve the National Crime Agency (NCA), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and police economic crime units.
Cases often involve complex financial transactions, digital evidence, business records and cross-border enquiries. An investigation may affect your personal liberty, professional standing, business operations and access to assets long before any criminal charges are brought.
Our solicitors represent clients throughout every stage of an investigation, providing clear legal advice, strategic representation and practical support designed to protect their interests.
Lewis Nedas Law is recognised for its work in complex criminal litigation and financial crime. Our credentials include:
Recognised as a Legal 500 Leading Firm 2026
Included in The Times Best Law Firms 2026
Partner-led representation from the outset
Extensive experience in money laundering, serious fraud and POCA proceedings
Representation for individuals, professionals, company directors and businesses
Advice during criminal investigations, restraint proceedings, confiscation proceedings and regulatory investigations
Close collaboration with leading King's Counsel, forensic accountants and financial crime experts
Every case is different. Our advice is based on the facts of your matter, the available evidence and your individual circumstances.
Money laundering is the process of dealing with property that represents the proceeds of criminal conduct. The legislation is designed to prevent criminal property from entering or remaining within the legitimate financial system.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, criminal property is not limited to cash. It can include bank accounts, investments, real estate, company assets, vehicles, cryptocurrency and other property alleged to represent the proceeds of crime.
Individuals and businesses may become the subject of an investigation even where the alleged criminal conduct took place overseas or involved another person or organisation.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 creates several principal money laundering offences, including:
Concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property
Entering into arrangements involving criminal property
Acquiring, using or possessing criminal property
Many investigations focus on whether an individual knew or suspected that property represented the proceeds of criminal conduct. Understanding the evidence and challenging those allegations at an early stage can be critical.
A conviction for money laundering may result in imprisonment, financial penalties and confiscation proceedings.
The Proceeds of Crime Act provides investigators with extensive powers to preserve and recover assets. These powers include:
Restraint Orders
Account Forfeiture Orders
Cash Seizure proceedings
Civil Recovery proceedings
Criminal Confiscation proceedings
These measures can significantly affect both individuals and businesses before any criminal trial has concluded. Our solicitors advise clients on challenging restraint applications, protecting legitimate assets and responding to confiscation proceedings.
Many regulated businesses have legal responsibilities under anti-money laundering legislation. These commonly include financial institutions, solicitors, accountants, estate agents, trust and company service providers, financial advisers and other regulated businesses. Legal obligations may include customer due diligence, ongoing monitoring, record keeping, staff training and the submission of Suspicious Activity Reports where required.
Regulatory investigations by HMRC, the FCA and professional regulators may arise where AML systems or reporting procedures are alleged to be inadequate. Our solicitors advise organisations on both criminal investigations and regulatory compliance.
Businesses operating within the regulated sector may be required to submit a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) where there are reasonable grounds to suspect money laundering. The legal framework governing SARs is highly technical. There are strict rules concerning confidentiality, disclosure and the offence of tipping off.
Obtaining legal advice before responding to concerns about suspicious transactions can help businesses understand their obligations and manage regulatory risk.
Lewis Nedas Law has extensive experience representing clients in complex money laundering investigations, financial crime prosecutions and POCA proceedings. Our work includes advising clients facing National Crime Agency investigations, Serious Fraud Office investigations, HMRC criminal investigations, Financial Conduct Authority investigations, POCA restraint and confiscation proceedings, and asset recovery and account freezing proceedings.
Our financial crime team includes Jeffrey Lewis, Leila Abdul-Rasool, Siobhain Egan, Miles Herman, Tony Meisels and Keith Wood, all of whom have substantial experience advising individuals, professionals and businesses involved in complex financial crime matters. Where appropriate, they work alongside leading King's Counsel, forensic accountants and specialist financial investigators to provide comprehensive legal representation.
If you become aware of a money laundering investigation:
Obtain specialist legal advice as soon as possible
Preserve relevant documents and electronic records
Avoid discussing the investigation with third parties without legal advice
Seek advice before responding to investigators
If assets have been restrained or frozen, obtain immediate legal representation
Early legal advice enables your solicitor to assess the allegations, explain your legal position and develop an appropriate strategy.
If you are contacted by the police, the National Crime Agency (NCA), HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or another investigating authority, seek legal advice before answering questions or providing documents.
Your solicitor will identify the nature of the investigation, whether it concerns money laundering, Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) proceedings, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) or related financial crime allegations.
Retain all relevant records, including bank statements, accounting records, contracts, emails, digital communications and business documents. Do not destroy, alter or conceal material that may be relevant to the investigation.
If you are invited to attend an interview, receive a production order or are asked to provide information, your solicitor will explain your legal obligations and advise on the most appropriate response before any action is taken.
If your assets have been frozen or restrained under POCA, your solicitor will assess the legal basis of the order, advise on its immediate impact and consider whether there are grounds to challenge or vary it.
Money laundering investigations often involve detailed examination of financial transactions, business records and digital evidence. Your legal team may instruct forensic accountants or financial crime experts to review the prosecution's case.
If you are a regulated business or professional, your solicitor will advise on anti-money laundering obligations, reporting requirements and any parallel investigations by regulators or professional bodies.
In suitable cases, your solicitor may submit detailed written representations to investigators or prosecutors, challenging the evidence or explaining why criminal proceedings should not be pursued.
If criminal charges or POCA proceedings are commenced, your legal team will prepare your defence, advise on disclosure, challenge confiscation calculations where appropriate and represent you throughout the proceedings.
Money laundering investigations can affect your finances, business operations, professional standing and personal reputation long before any court hearing. Your solicitor will provide ongoing advice to help protect your legal and commercial interests throughout the investigation and any subsequent proceedings.
It involves dealing with property that represents the proceeds of criminal conduct.
POCA is the primary legislation governing money laundering, confiscation and asset recovery.
Yes. Investigators may apply for Restraint Orders or Account Freezing Orders.
A SAR is a report submitted where money laundering is known or suspected.
We advise individuals, professionals, company directors and businesses across England and Wales.
If you are under investigation for money laundering, facing proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act, or require advice on anti-money laundering compliance, obtaining specialist legal advice at an early stage can make a significant difference.
Lewis Nedas Law is recognised as a Legal 500 Leading Firm 2026 and included in The Times Best Law Firms 2026. Our experienced financial crime solicitors represent individuals, professionals and businesses across London and throughout England and Wales.
Depending on the nature of your case, your matter may be handled by Jeffrey Lewis, Leila Abdul-Rasool, Siobhain Egan, Miles Herman, Tony Meisels or Keith Wood, all of whom have extensive experience in financial crime, fraud and POCA proceedings.
To speak with a member of our specialist team, call +44 20 7387 2032 or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a confidential consultation.
Call +44 20 7387 2032 Arrange a Confidential Consultation