Sam Roake

Fraud

Sam has often been instructed in large and complex multi-jurisdictional financial investigations, both for prosecution and defence. Of particular note is his extensive experience as part of the investigation team in a multibillion-dollar SFO bribery & corruption investigation, encompassing both criminal and civil litigation.

He has also been privately instructed as junior counsel for the defence in an investigation into an alleged international fraud/money laundering conspiracy, and has advised a private prosecution firm at the pre-trial stage in an alleged multi-million-pound conspiracy to defraud. He has been instructed by the SFO’s Proceeds of Crime unit (Operation Steamroller, a £70m boiler room fraud and the largest of its kind ever prosecuted in the UK).

Sam has worked in overseas jurisdictions and has experience of the Mutual Legal Assistance regime, both as a defender and prosecutor. In addition, he has received formal training in civil litigation & procedure.

Featured Cases

• SFO Bribery & Corruption investigation into former FTSE100 company (2015–2019).
• R v M and others (2016–2018) – Led junior in investigation into alleged international money laundering conspiracy.
• R v A and others (2015–2016) – Multi-million pound conspiracy to defraud investigation conducted by a private prosecutor. Instructed at the investigation stage and led the review team.
• Operation Steamroller (2015) – Instructed by SFO Proceeds of Crime Division at confiscation stage concerning the UK’s largest ever ‘boiler room’ fraud.

Inquests & Inquiries

Sam is part of the counsel team assisting Dame Linda Dobbs in considering whether issues relating to HBOS Reading were investigated and appropriately reported to authorities following Lloyds Banking Group’s acquisition of HBOS.

In 2019, Sam was also a member of the Aftermath Team in the Grenfell Public Inquiry.

Featured Cases

• Dame Linda Dobbs Review (ongoing) – Part of the team assisting Dame Linda Dobbs in considering whether issues relating to HBOS Reading were investigated and appropriately reported to authorities following Lloyds Banking Group’s acquisition of HBOS.
• Grenfell Inquiry (2019) – Member of the Aftermath team.
• SFO bribery & corruption investigation into former FTSE100 company (2015–2019)
• R v M and others (2016–2018) – Led junior in investigation into alleged international money laundering conspiracy.
• R v A and others (2015–2016) – Multi-million pound conspiracy to defraud investigation conducted by a private prosecutor. Instructed at the investigation stage and led the review team.
• Operation Steamroller (2015) – Instructed by SFO Proceeds of Crime Division at confiscation stage concerning the UK’s largest ever ‘boiler room’ fraud.

Public & Administrative Law

Sam has acted for private clients accused of driving offences (e.g. drink driving) and quasi-criminal matters (e.g. licensing offences).

Professional Discipline

Sam has been instructed by Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a case presenter in the full range of hearings.

Education

• Bar Vocational Course, College of Law
• Graduate Diploma in Law, London Metropolitan University
• BA (Hons) Modern and Medieval Languages, University of Oxford

Awards

• Lord Justice Holker Award, Gray’s Inn

Memberships

• FLA
• Young Fraud Lawyers Association – Committee Member (2018-2019)
• Bar Council, Young Barristers’ Committee (2016–2018)
• Bar Council, Pro Bono Committee (2016–2018)
• South Eastern Circuit (former member of Access to Justice Working Group)
• CBA
• Young Legal Aid Lawyers

Languages

• French
• Italian

Other expertise

• Business Crime & Fraud
• Inquests & Inquiries