Jonathan Fisher represents clients in all types of money laundering cases. He also advises clients on all aspects of anti-money laundering compliance, the response to money laundering investigations, and internal investigations where money laundering or failure to comply with AML/CTF systems is suspected.

In 2008 he was awarded an Achievement Award by the MLRO Forum for Practitioner Professionals for his work with the AML / CTF community.

In July 2009 the House of Lords European Union Committee (Home Affairs Sub-Committee F) referred to Jonathan's evidence at paragraph 131 of its report, Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, 19th report 2008-9.

His new book, Money Laundering Law and Practice, will be published by Oxford University Press in January 2012.

Terrorist financing

The anti-money laundering ( AML) compliance regime embraces counter-terrorist financing (CTF). Under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, a money laundering offence is now defined to include the handling of terrorist property.

Financial sanctions

The AML and CTF compliance regimes are inextricably linked with adherence to financial sanctions prohibiting the conduct of business with named individuals on the “blocked persons” list and certain countries against whom international sanctions have been imposed.

Money laundering:

• civil claims where money laundering issues arise
• criminal cases in the Crown Court and Magistrates Court
• tribunal cases where money laundering is alleged
• judicial review and appeal
• obtaining evidence abroad
• extradition

Anti-money laundering compliance:

• customer due diligence
• recognising suspicious criminal activity
• making a financial disclosure
• tipping off
• breach of contract issues
• constructive trustee liability
• instituting and monitoring compliance systems

Response to a money laundering investigation:

• responding to production orders
• voluntary disclosure
• handling interviews
• challenging search warrants
• legally privileged material