Oliver Grimwood

Called to the Bar in November 2003 by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.

Pupillage completed in 2004 at 2 Bedford Row, Chambers of William Clegg QC.

LLB (Hons) 2:1 from Queen Mary College, University of London.

Wolfson Scholar of Lincoln’s Inn.

Practice areas:

Oliver has a predominantly Criminal Defence practice, but also takes instruction from the Crown, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and Local Authorities.

Oliver’s practice is divided into two areas. In the first Oliver has built a considerable reputation for his expertise in business crime, fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering and proceeds of crime matters, and asset forfeiture – at trial, in confiscation hearings and on appeal. This has now developed into an international practice, which requires the detailed consideration of the laws of multiple jurisdictions, and an appreciation of how these will interact with each other.

The second covers all levels of serious violent crime (conducting over 15 Section 18 GBH trials last year alone), rape and sexual assault, drug importation and supply, robbery, kidnap, and blackmail.

Oliver is one of the youngest Barristers to ever appear before the Supreme Court. He has been before the Court twice on the now leading confiscation authority of R v Waya [2012] UKSC 51, a case the full 9 man court deemed to be “a matter of great public importance”. This successful appeal provided a wholesale review of the assessment of criminal benefit in confiscation hearings, the effects of re-payment of such benefit prior to final hearing, and whether ‘abuse of process’ principles can apply. A Court now must only make a confiscation order if it is satisfied it is ‘proportionate to the aims of the legislation’ and so compatible with Article 1 of the 1st Protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights. This has given those wishing to challenge confiscation orders significantly greater scope to do so. This landmark judgment has gone a long way to creating a more level playing field for those from whom the State is attempting to take private property.

Oliver is often instructed in confiscation or asset forfeiture matters that involve cross-jurisdictional asset tracing. Oliver has sent solicitors everywhere from Jamaica to Nigeria and all across Europe in attempts to establish the legitimate source of client assets.

As a result of this international element to Oliver’s practice he now regularly advises a law firm in the Cayman Islands on cases involving fraud, money laundering regulations, asset forfeiture, the bribery act, and general compliance with the regulatory obligations imposed upon companies in the Caribbean, and upon those of them that conduct business abroad.

Under the Bribery Act, and other regulations, the law of one jurisdiction can be used to regulate conduct in another. Due to the ‘off shore’ nature of Cayman’s business environment, and its place in a global economy, this can often pose complicated questions as to liability, and ultimately culpability. Oliver has much experience of, and enjoys dealing with, the international nature of such allegations.

Oliver is available for conferences via Skype, at times suitable to the time zone for those that instruct.

Oliver also advises individuals, law firms, and corporate clients in the United Kingdom on their compliance obligations under the bribery act, the money laundering regulations, and the proceeds of crime act: a growing area of legal services in light of the increased use of enforced ‘self-regulation’ by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

He also has significant experience in handling complex expert evidence, ranging from telephone and forensic analysis of computers to ballistic, medical and veterinary experts.