Andrew Mitchell QC

Year of Call: 1976

According to the most recent edition of Chambers Directory, Andrew Mitchell is “a leading expert on confiscation matters” who has an “excellent knowledge of law” and is “a fine advocate and an impressive performer”. The previous edition stated that “fraud heavyweight” Andrew Mitchell QC combines a “forensic approach” with “tough, robust advocacy” and a “detailed knowledge of confiscation regimes in this and other jurisdictions” and had gone so far as to credit him with “a virtual monopoly on asset confiscation work”.

Andrew is ranked as a leading Silk in both crime and criminal fraud in both Chambers & Partners (2008) and in Legal 500 (2008/2009).

Certainly asset forfeiture and confiscation form a significant part of his practice, and he regularly represents prosecutors, defendants, receivers and third parties in the Crown Court, High Court, Court of Appeal (Civil and Criminal) and House of Lords on matters relating to the restraint, receivership and confiscation of property.

Civil and white collar fraud are other areas of expertise for Andrew, and he has extensive experience of acting for the prosecution (SFO, CPS) and defence in advance fee, mortgage, computer and letter of credit cases among others. Commenting on his work for former United National Congress politician, Carlos John, facing corruption charges in Trinidad and Tobago connected with the controversial Piarco Airport project, The Times described Andrew as “a leading specialist in white collar crime... judges paid tribute to him, noting that his client would be well served” (27 September 2005).

An expert on money laundering, Andrew has advised on practice, procedures and reporting obligations both domestically and internationally, and has appeared in a variety of significant cases. Civil recovery actions, both for the Asset Recovery Agency and respondents, round off his broad practice.

Andrew’s work often takes him overseas. He has advised the governments of Trinidad and Tobago, The Turks and Caicos Islands, The Cayman Islands, Canada, USA, Abu Dhabi, Argentina and China, and appeared in courts across the Caribbean as well as in Gibraltar.

A consultant to the IMF on money laundering and confiscation, Andrew regularly lectures on a range of related issues. He has been The Times “Lawyer of the Week” (29 November 2005) and was recently described by a senior Government lawyer as “simply the best”.