William Glover

I act for individuals, groups of individuals, and corporates.  I am a qualified barrister and regularly draw on my previous professional experience as a trial and appellate advocate in advising clients on litigation and investigation matters.  Some highlights of my recent instructions are set out below.

Fraud and Asset Recovery

• Acting with GEN Law firm for thousands of Chinese nationals in the so-called Blue Sky Fraud seeking recovery of their interest in 61,000 Bitcoin (worth £3-4 billion) in proceedings before the English High Court which were for a time the largest value crypto-asset dispute in the world.
• Obtaining disclosure orders and obtaining successful recovery for a Spanish corporate who was the victim of a push payment fraud.
• Obtaining disclosure orders and engaging investigators on behalf of a US life sciences corporate.
• Advising international investors on the availability of investment treaty arbitration as a route to asset recovery.
• Advising a payments services provider for a cryptocurrency platform on responding to a disclosure order.

Financial Crime and Proceeds of Crime Matters

• Representing two Chinese nationals in a 'Civil Recovery Investigation' brought by HMRC pursuant to Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) alleging inter alia breaches of FSMA.
• Obtaining a successful order for recovery of £100,000s pursuant to a new provision of POCA in what is believed to be the first order of its kind for an overseas corporate victim of crime.
• Advising thousands of foreign nationals on asset recovery in a case involving the largest Property Freezing Order ever made under Part 5 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (current value £4-5billion).
• Advising an individual on the lawfulness of an ongoing POCA restraint order in the UK.
• Advising a Romanian national on challenging a POCA restraint order against a UK company obtained by a foreign enforcement body relying on MLAT processes.
• Advising individuals and companies on criminal and related issues, such as asset recovery, related to the use of cryptocurrencies.
• Representing individuals in enforcement matters involving fraud and money laundering offences in the £millions.
• Advising an international corporate while under investigation on adequate procedures pursuant to s.7 of the Bribery Act 2010.
• Advising an individual in respect of possible criminality related to a 'Banksy'.
• Advising in respect of possible data offences contrary to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and Data Protection Act 2018.
• Advising a multinational life sciences corporation in respect of a number of ongoing requests for assistance from various enforcement bodies.

International Law

• Representing two clients pursuing a claim involving US law against an international corporate hospitality brand in relation to the mishandling of a sensitive incident in the Middle East.  This matter attracted widespread media attention.
• Acting for Chagossians born on Diego Garcia in a public international law challenge to the British Government's decision to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.  This matter appeared in major publications on the issue.
• Advising on Conflict of Laws in a matter involving tension between English and Chinese law together with Professor Adrian Briggs KC – author of Briggs on Conflict of Laws.  This case featured in major international media including a BBC podcast.
• Advising a litigation funder on possible costs consequences for a Judicial Review in England on behalf of a French organisation.

Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance

• Discrete matters advising various High Net Worth individuals facing extradition proceedings including advising on challenging Interpol Notices.
• Assisting clients to obtain less coercive measures as an alternative to extradition.
• Drafting grounds and pursuing Judicial Review challenging extradition decisions.
• Advising a Romanian national on challenging a POCA restraint order against a UK company obtained by a foreign enforcement body relying on MLAT processes.
• Advising clients on the lawfulness of material obtained or requests made pursuant to the Crime (International Co-Operation) Act 2003 and the European Convention on Mutual Assistance 1959.

Sports Law

• Advising a group of European sports professionals on limitation issues in a cross-border group action.
• Successfully representing an English football player facing disciplinary proceedings before FIFA.

Arbitration

• Advising a Swiss entity on an LCIA commercial arbitration dispute at the pre-action stage.
• Advising an English client on bringing arbitral proceedings pursuant to the AAA rules.

I am a contributor for the Lexis PSL professional support product.

I was the Co-Chair of the London Irish Lawyers Association for four years until January 2025 and am a former President of the Middle Temple Young Barristers’ Association. 

Owing to my background and longing for home across the sea, I also typically support charities with a Hibernian focus. In that context I am a committee member and Trustee of Hope For Youth Northern Ireland and a "100 Club" contributor to the Ireland Funds (Great Britain).