Sam Healey

Sam Healey is a distinguished specialist solicitor working with the Complex and Serious Crime, Business Crime and Regulatory teams. Recognised as a leading Partner, he represents individuals, professionals, corporates and businesses in the most serious and complex fraud and financial crime, regulatory and general criminal matters. He works nationally in high-stakes cases and specialises in the following areas:

Fraud and Financial Crime

Corporate Crime and Investigations

Trading Standards

Organised and Serious Crime

Regulatory Investigations and Offences

Asset Recovery, Restraint and Confiscation

Tax Investigations and Prosecutions

Serious Motoring Offences (where death or significant injury is caused)

Sam is independently recognised as a Leading Partner and due to his reputation and specialist work, he is highly regarded for his robust and pragmatic approach in representing and protecting his clients. He is also regularly instructed before any proceedings have commenced to look at the resolution of sensitive legal issues, reputational management and matters that have arisen during the investigation stage. He is particularly known for acting in high-value, high-risk investigations and proceedings involving allegations of fraud, financial crime, money laundering, bribery and corruption, tax offences and regulatory issues.

As a formidable opponent, clients always want him by their side, given his calm and reassuring support. He navigates and advises on complex legal and factual issues with ease and has a meticulous eye for detail. Due to the size and complexity of the matters that Sam is instructed on, he regularly leads a team of lawyers and experts.

His practice frequently involves early strategic engagement with investigating authorities, including the police, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the National Crime Agency (NCA), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and professional regulators. He is routinely instructed in matters involving complex asset forfeiture issues under the Proceeds of Crime Act, including Account Freezing Orders, Restraint Orders, Crypto Assets and emerging financial technologies. As such, he is an expert in both civil and regulatory matters where financial wrongdoing is alleged and represents clients in matters where both civil and criminal enforcement action is taken.

Sam is regularly asked to provide his own thought leadership pieces, commenting on legal developments, while also providing guidance notes and key insights.

Fraud and Financial Crime / Corporate Crime and Investigations

Sam is regularly instructed to represent corporates, businesses, individuals and professionals and is involved and has acted in some of the biggest fraud and financial crime cases that have been prosecuted. He ensures that he is always available for his clients to achieve the best possible outcome.

Notable Cases

• SFO prosecution in relation to an alleged conspiracy to give corrupt payments, international bribery and corruption to secure contracts worth in total in excess of £1 billion.

• International investment fraud allegations involving complex corporate structures with entities established in the British Virgin Islands and other jurisdictions.

• Representing a business owner in relation to allegations of running an unregistered money service business, the supply of prescription medication and money laundering. Allegations related to the transfer of funds from Iran to the UK using the Hawala Informal Value Transfer System and the distribution of controlled drugs across the UK.

• Conspiracy to defraud a financial institution and finance fraud allegations with a conservative loss estimated at £250 million.

• Representing a property developer and investment group following international arbitration proceedings. Allegations of investment fraud and fraud by false representation.

• Representing the registered manager in conspiracy to defraud proceedings brought against a care home. Allegations related to three decades of alleged financial abuse resulting in a financial benefit exceeding £30 million.

• Conspiracy to cheat the public revenue by importing tobacco under cover loads, thus avoiding the requirement to pay excise duty. Loss to HMRC estimated in the region of £12 million.

• Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. Alleged large-scale fraud, money laundering and blackmail over a number of years. Multiple companies and individuals were alleged to have been falsely presenting themselves as debt collection agencies.

• Prosecution in relation to allegations of fraudulent trading and offences under the Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986.

Regulatory Investigations and Prosecutions

Sam is regularly instructed to represent businesses and individuals who can face parallel criminal and regulatory allegations, achieving excellent results. This includes professional regulation in matters before the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).

Having completed a Master of Laws, where he considered the proposals to change the regulation of financial institutions and individuals from the FSA to the FCA and PRA. This places Sam in an unrivalled position to assist businesses, corporates and individuals whilst providing expert advice and assistance in regulatory investigations and proceedings.

Sam also advises businesses, corporations and individuals in relation to the following:

• Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (and related regulations)

• Corporate Manslaughter and Gross Negligence Manslaughter

• National Trading Standards and Local Council Investigations and Prosecutions

• Fraudulent Trading, Unfair Commercial Practice and Consumer Law issues

• Investigations brought by the Competition and Markets Authority

• Prosecutions brought by the Environment Agency

Notable Cases

• Representing the CFO of a financial institution, alleged to have failed to comply with individual and senior manager conduct rules.

• Representing the company, director and manager in relation to allegations of fraudulent trading and unfair trading regulation breaches, where it was suggested that consumer rights were not upheld alongside issues with consumer contracts and terms of business.

• Representing a company director in relation to allegations of conspiracy to defraud and consumer protection from unfair trading regulations – misleading and aggressive commercial practices.

• Representing an international construction and investment company and a director in relation to an investigation and prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive. Allegations related to the failure to comply with duties and prevent risks and exposure to employees and stakeholders.

• Alleged offences of money lending without a licence (Financial Services and Markets Act) and money laundering. Unlicensed money lending over 8 years, resulting in a financial benefit of in excess of £1 million.

• Representing the company directors and manager in relation to allegations of conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent trading, breaches of trademarks and related restraint order proceedings.

• Representing a director in relation to alleged fraud by false representation and offences under the Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986.

• Representing a waste management company and a director in relation to allegations of permit breaches and offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Private Client

As part of Sam’s elite legal representation, he is the primary contact for referrers, clients and other family members who require discreet, confidential advice and representation on what can be general criminal matters to those of the most serious and complex.

Given Sam’s robust but tactful approach to prosecutions brought by different enforcement bodies and his ability to navigate and address legally complex and factual issues in cases, he is regularly contacted by high-net-worth individuals and high-profile clients for advice and representation. He provides dedicated support and assistance to clients who face an investigation or prosecution that will have considerable reputational ramifications if dealt with incorrectly or a substantial impact on their lives, subject to the outcome.

Serious Motoring Offences

Sam is an expert lawyer in representing clients who face the most serious of driving offences, which include careless and dangerous driving where death or serious injury has been caused. He works nationally for his clients and has an excellent reputation for his robust and dedicated representation.

He works closely with his clients, ensuring they receive the highest calibre of representation in what are complex, sensitive and emotional allegations. With a track record of success and achieving results which clients did not believe were possible, he takes pride in ensuring the best possible advice and representation is provided. Sam ensures clients are protected at every stage, from the initial investigation to criminal proceedings and then inquest proceedings.

Notable Cases

• Allegation of causing death by careless driving, where it was suggested that driving was impaired due to a medical condition. Sam was instructed to replace the proposed insurance panel solicitor.

• Allegation of causing death by careless driving, where a motorbike overtook multiple vehicles

• Allegation of causing death by dangerous driving whilst under the influence

• Allegation of causing serious injury by dangerous driving whilst driving in excess of 100 mph.

• Allegation of causing serious injury by dangerous driving when the vehicle lost control whilst overtaking in wet terrain