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Author: George Kampanella

Posts by George Kampanella

Admitted as a solicitor in 1997, George specialises in fraud matters and regularly conducts complex and high profile cases. He has particular expertise in advising clients who find themselves under active investigation by the Serious Fraud Office, Metropolitan Police, HM Revenue and Customs, National Crime Agency and the Police Central e-Crimes Unit. George also acts for individuals facing investigation under Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and health professional regulatory bodies.
May 29 2020
Unexplained Wealth Orders “From A to B & Back Again”

Unexplained Wealth Orders “From A to B & Back Again”

by George Kampanella in

On 8 April 2020, the National Crime Agency (NCA) had an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) overturned by the High Court in London. The order was sought against two family members of the former president of Kazakhstan. The ruling delivers a massive blow to the NCA in its quest to crack-down on unexplained wealth. In our… Read More

Nov 26 2019

Nowhere to Hide… Will You Wear a Wire?

by George Kampanella in

We have seen it in the movies. A suspect who may be facing criminal charges is persuaded to become an informant. He will be sent to mingle within the criminal fraternity, including those targeted under an active live investigation. The informant wears a covert listening device known as a “wire”, a classic movie cliché. We… Read More

Apr 12 2019

The day after tomorrow – Brexit and Sanctions

by George Kampanella in

Introduction While preparing for Brexit, the UK Parliament had to legislate on many things including sanctions. This article examines the current sanctions regime in the UK and explores the two alternatives on how things may develop dependant on a deal or no-deal Brexit. Sources of sanctions For the UK, any sanctions which are imposed emanate… Read More

Feb 19 2019

Trade Sanctions – A Rock and a Hard Place?

by George Kampanella in ,

Trade sanctions are an important political tool in international diplomacy. However, for business they are a potential legal minefield and proper care needs to be taken to avoid the potential consequences of a breach. The law in this area is voluminous and much depends on the sanction and its originating source. This article seeks to… Read More

Jan 17 2019

Diamonds are Forever?

by George Kampanella in

A few months on from our previous discussion of Unexplained Wealth Orders, (UWOs) there has been a further development in the fight against unaccounted wealth. As part of an investigation into his unexplained wealth, authorities have seized a diamond ring worth £1.2m from an Azerbaijani banker, purchased from Harrods. The Cartier ring, bought by banker… Read More

Nov 07 2018

Unexplained Wealth Orders – To Be or Not to Be

by George Kampanella in

The first court ruling on how the UK is going to approach Unexplained Wealth Orders provides invaluable reading. In National Crime Agency v Mrs A [2018] EWHC 2534 (Admin) the High Court made an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) against Mrs. A who was eventually identified as Zamira Hajiyeva. She is the wife of jailed Azerbaijani… Read More