University College London held its’ annual ‘Privacy and Data: Law and Practice’ conference today (12th February 2019) with BCL partners, Julian Hayes and John Binns asked to address the conference about the current laws on business confidentiality and proprietary information protection in relation to money laundering and financial crime.

For the third year, UCL’s IBIL hosts its acclaimed exploration of the current state of play in privacy, business, technology and the law, featuring a world class line up of speakers from the top of their fields.

BCL partners, Julian Hayes and John Binns will be delivering their talk on “Professional” Privacy and Crime, and asking whether we should afford special status to privacy, when we know it can act as a shield behind which control and abuse can take place. Can we simultaneously allow business confidentiality, protection of proprietary information to shield illegal profit?

Attendees from previous years have branded this event as “the best course I have ever attended”.

BCL Partner, Julian Hayes specialises in corporate and financial crime, surveillance and data protection law. He advises individuals and corporates in relation to fraud and corruption investigations by the SFO, enforcement actions by the FCA (insider dealing and market abuse) and offences under the customs and excise legislation prosecuted by HMRC. As well as expertise in relation to computer misuse offences, Julian also specialises in providing advice to Communication Service Providers and others in relation to their obligations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated Codes of Conduct.

John Binns is a partner at BCL specialising in all aspects of business crime, with a particular interest in confiscation, civil recovery and money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“POCA”). He has particular expertise in the myriad legal provisions on anti-money laundering (“AML”) requirements in the regulated sector under the Money Laundering Regulations (“MLR”), civil recovery and confiscation of the proceeds of crime, and criminal offences of money laundering under POCA, as well as related areas such as financial sanctions. He advises businesses (inside and outside the regulated sector) on AML policies and procedures generally, as well as particular risks that may arise under the MLR, POCA, and sanctions laws, including advice on the submission of Suspicious Activity Reports and consent requests. He regularly represents individuals and businesses in connection with confiscation, property freezing and restraint orders, including in relation to applications to defend, discharge or vary such orders.