Associate

Andrew Watson

Andrew is an associate working across both the business crime, and the serious and general crime sectors.

Since joining the firm in 2018, Andrew has been involved in many of BCL’s practice areas including: fraud, bribery, sanctions, money laundering and HMRC investigations and enquiries. Much of his work involves the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the money laundering regulations, with examples ranging from the submission of suspicious activity reports to contesting applications for account freezing and forfeiture orders (AFFOs). He has also worked on cases involving Interpol Red Notices, extradition and applications for committal for contempt of court.

Andrew also has experience in the law governing covert surveillance, specifically the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 and the Data Protection Act 2018, and has assisted with advising clients on their obligations under the relevant legislation. In the past, Andrew has worked on cases involving Cifas, the cross-sector anti-fraud network, and has assisted clients subject to Cifas markers. He has a good working knowledge of the provisions of the GDPR/DPA 2018 and has helped clients in relation to both.

Prior to joining BCL, Andrew was a paralegal at a City law firm where he was involved in a large-scale SFO prosecution concerning Euribor. He also gained experience in general crime cases involving firearms, sexual offences and assault. In the context of professional discipline, he also gained exposure to GMC, HCPC, BSB and police misconduct proceedings.

Andrew graduated with a degree in history from the University of London, before subsequently converting to law, being called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn and completing the LPC. Andrew began his training contract at BCL in September 2021 and later qualified March 2023.

Professional Memberships:

  • The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
  • The Young Fraud Lawyers’ Association
  • The Defence Extradition Lawyers’ Forum

Articles by Andrew Watson