Jamie Sharma

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Red Lion Chambers is a great set of chambers to work with. They are well respected and have an array of very talented counsel.

Legal 500, 2022
Jamie Sharma

Personal profile

Jamie Sharma is a specialist Business Crime & Fraud barrister with a particular skill and expertise in handling Investigations, Tax & Insolvency, Private Prosecutions and associated Public & Administrative Law matters.

He has been instructed, regularly, by UK government agencies for over a decade. These include instructions from the Attorney General’s Office, SFO, FCA, and HMRC.

His cases frequently involve an International dimension and matters of utmost sensitivity and public interest.

Jamie is presently retained by the SFO on its A Panel of counsel.

Investigations

Jamie has been instructed for over a decade by the UK Serious Fraud Office to provide strategic advice and advocacy in its most significant financial crime investigations. He is instructed from the outset of cases to provide advice on intelligence gathering, investigation strategy and the interrogation of data.

He has recently advised on: obtaining freezing orders; injunctions; search warrants; sanctions and international asset tracing; mutual legal assistance; secrecy jurisdictions; liaised with overseas law enforcement on behalf of the UK Government; worked with the US DOJ and OFAC; worked alongside teams of accountants, experts in financial markets and corporate investigators; conducted video-recorded interviews of witnesses and suspects; and project managed teams of counsel in disclosure and LPP reviews. He is exceptionally experienced at leading multi-disciplinary investigation and inquiry teams to trial.

Featured cases

  • Operation A (2020 – current) – Instructed to advise on LPP and iniquity as part of an international fraud and money laundering investigation.
  • Operation W (2018 – current) – Instructed to advise on a multi-million pound money laundering investigation.
  • Operation Q (2015 – current) – Instructed to advise on a multi-billion dollar bribery and corruption investigation involving a FTSE100 listed corporation.
  • Operation K (2017-2018) – Instructed to advise on a multi-billion dollar bribery and corruption investigation involving a FTSE100 listed corporation.
  • Project U (2016-2017) – Instructed to advise an investment bank on its clients’ exposure to a bribery, corruption and money-laundering investigation.
  • Operation B (2013-2015) – Instructed to advise on a multi-million pound cross-border pensions fraud.

Business Crime & Fraud

Jamie’s work encompasses advice and advocacy prosecuting and defending in Crown Court proceedings. In line with his practice, he specialises in criminal litigation which involves serious financial crime.

Featured cases

  • Operation A (2019 – current) – Instructed to represent the SFO in confiscation proceedings following a multi-million pound international fraud.
  • Operation R (2015-2019) – Instructed as prosecution for fraud and money laundering by CEO and COO at a FTSE250 listed corporation.
  • Re. E (2014-2015) – Instructed to defend proceedings brought by the National Crime Agency in an alleged international fraud.
  • Re. V (2015) – Instructed to represent the Medical and Healthcare Regulatory Agency in a conspiracy to import £1m of unlicensed pharmaceuticals into the UK.
  • Re. J (2014) – Instructed to advise a person subject to confiscation proceedings before the Jersey Royal Court.
  • Re. T (2014) – Instructed to represent a businessman accused of a multi-million pound payroll fraud.
  • Re. L (2014) – Instructed to represent a businessman accused of insurance fraud and money-laundering.
  • Re. G (2013) – Instructed to represent a businessman accused of fraudulent trading and money laundering.
  • Re. O (2013) – Instructed to represent a person in confiscation proceedings following a series of land frauds.
  • Re. E (2012) – Instructed to represent a businessman in enforcement proceedings following confiscation.
  • Re. B (2012) – Instructed to represent an accountant in confiscation proceedings arising out of a mortgage fraud.
  • Re. M (2012) – Instructed to represent a corporate client charged with intellectual property offences.
  • Re. K (2010) – Instructed as disclosure counsel in this prosecution for a terrorist.

Tax & Insolvency

Jamie has advised and represented HMRC in a series of over a hundred cases worth more than a £bn to the UK Treasury. His tax practice involves major civil tax fraud, evasion and avoidance trials and appeals up to the Court of Appeal (Civil Division). In recognition of his expertise, he was granted an exceptional designation by the UK Attorney General to conduct litigation and advocacy on behalf of HMRC.

He has worked with tax investigators, sector experts, accountants and criminal and commercial silks to build cases from the outset of an investigation through to trial and, successfully, on appeal. The ground-breaking litigation in these areas retained a high degree of public interest. Jamie’s cases were the first to span parallel civil and criminal investigations. He has a prodigious practice leading teams of counsel and investigators to present cases for HMRC before the tax tribunals and courts. Particular areas of expertise include:

  • MTIC frauds
  • Contra and cell trading frauds
  • Bondhouse, Kittel and Mobilx litigation
  • VAT and excise litigation
  • International markets in tangible and intangible commodities
  • Avoidance schemes
  • Judicial Review
  • References to the ECJ
  • Insolvency
  • Parallel criminal investigations
  • Disclosure
  • Penalties
  • Costs

Featured cases

  • HMRC v B (2020 – current) – A complex and sensitive cross-border tax investigation.
  • HMRC v E (2015-2017) – Tax avoidance. Film schemes.
  • HMRC v W, D & M (2008-2017) – Civil fraud. Inter-company trading and loans. Double contra trading.
  • HMRC v G & S (2012-2016) – Civil fraud. Insolvency. Security for costs.
  • HMRC v S, G & G (2010-2016) – Civil fraud. Inter-company trading. Agency.
  • HMRC v M (2010-2016) – Civil fraud. Agency. At first-instance and on appeal.
  • HMRC v R (2013-2016) – Civil fraud. Director’s personal liability. Costs.
  • HMRC v W (2009-2016) – Civil fraud.
  • HMRC v P (2014-2016) – Tax avoidance. Film schemes.
  • HMRC v D (2010-2015) – Civil fraud. MTIC.
  • HMRC v D (2010-2015) – Civil fraud. MTIC.
  • HMRC v E (2009-2015) – Civil fraud. MTIC.
  • HMRC v L (2010-2015) – Civil fraud. MTIC. Double contra-trading.
  • HMRC v M (2008-2015) – Civil fraud. Cell-trading.
  • HMRC v X (2010-2015) – Civil fraud. Application to reinstate.
  • HMRC v G (2013-2014) – Civil fraud. Application to appeal out of time.
  • HMRC v B (2009-2014) – Civil fraud. MTIC.
  • HMRC v B (2009-2014) – Civil fraud. Insolvency. Costs.
  • HMRC v C (2009-2014) – Civil fraud. MTIC. Cell trading.
  • HMRC v C (2010-2014) – Civil fraud. MTIC.
  • HMRC v C (2011-2014) – Civil fraud. MTIC. Cell trading.
  • HMRC v E (2010-2014) – Civil fraud. High-profile directors. At trial and on appeal.
  • HMRC v S (2008-2014) – Civil fraud. MTIC. Connected to major criminal investigation.
  • HMRC v T (2010-2014) – Civil fraud. MTIC.
  • HMRC v C (2011-2012) – Civil fraud. Application to reinstate appeal.
  • HMRC v P (2009-2012) – Civil fraud. MTIC. High-profile company.
  • HMRC v R (2009-2012) – Civil fraud. Acquisition assessment. Director’s personal liability.
  • HMRC v S (2009-2012) – Civil fraud. MTIC.
  • HMRC v A & I (2009-2012) – Civil fraud. MTIC. Double contra-trading.
  • HMRC v A & S (2009-2012) – Civil fraud. MTIC. Double contra-trading.
  • HMRC v B (2009-2012) – Civil fraud. Security for costs. At trial and on appeal.
  • HMRC v A (2008-2012) – Civil fraud. MTIC.
  • HMRC v P (2008-2012) – Civil fraud. MTIC. Connected to major criminal investigation.
  • HMRC v E (2008-2012) – Civil fraud. MTIC. Contra trading.
  • HMRC v E (2008-2012) – Civil fraud. Director’s personal liability.
  • HMRC v G (2008-2012) – Civil fraud. Judicial review. Reference to ECJ.
  • HMRC v L (2008-2012) – Civil fraud. MTIC. Judicial review. At trial and on appeal.
  • HMRC v N (2008-2012) – Civil fraud. Reference to ECJ.

Public & Administrative Law

As an adjunct to Jamie’s practice in investigation and inquiries, he is regularly entrusted to advise the Government on public law issues.

Featured cases

  • Re. E (2017 – current) – Instructed to advise the SFO on public law challenges regarding legal professional privilege.
  • Re. R (2016 – current) – Instructed to advise the SFO on wide-ranging public law challenges to its section 2 powers.
  • Re. F (2017 – current) – Instructed to advise the SFO on public law challenges regarding the application of the iniquity principle.
  • Re. O (2015 – current) – Instructed to advise the SFO on its public law duties to witnesses and suspects in cases of utmost sensitivity.
  • Re. C (2014-2015) – Instructed by the Treasury Solicitor to advise and represent the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in appeals to the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) and Supreme Court on whether drinking alcohol during pregnancy is capable of being a criminal offence.
  • Re. L (2012-2017) – Instructed to advise HMRC in judicial review proceedings relating to closure notices for reasons of alleged tax avoidance.
  • Re. B (2008-2014) – Instructed to advise HMRC in judicial review proceedings relating to denials of input tax repayments for reasons of alleged tax fraud.
  • Re. J (2014) – Instructed by the Treasury Solicitor to advise the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in an appeal to the Supreme Court on the definition of a ‘crime of violence’.

Civil fraud

Jamie advises professionals with a significant exposure to civil litigation and Private Prosecutions.

Featured cases

  • Re. K (2014-2015) – Instructed to advise the claimant businessman in a £10m claim for unlawful means conspiracy, deceit and professional negligence against financial advisors.
  • Re. B (2013-2014) – Instructed to advise the defendant accountant in two £4m claims for unlawful means conspiracy, deceit and professional negligence.

Education

  • Bar Vocational Course, PGDip, Law, Inns of Court School of Law (2004)
  • LLB (Hons) Law, University of Bristol (2002)

Awards

  • Major Scholar of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (2004)

Professional recommendations

  • SFO Prosecution (Panel A) (2017 – current)
  • SFO Proceeds of Crime (Panel A) (2017 – current)
  • CPS HQ Panel Advocate Level 2 (2010-2018)
  • CPS Specialist Panel Advocate (Serious and Organised Crime) (Grade 2) (2010-2018)
  • CPS Specialist Panel Advocate (Fraud) (Grade 2) (2010-2018)
  • Attorney General’s Panel for Tax and Civil Litigation (2008-2018)

Memberships

  • Inner Temple
  • FLA
  • FSLA
  • CBA

Other expertise