XXIV Old Buildings welcomes John Carl Townsend to Chambers
XXIV Old Buildings is delighted to announce the arrival of John Carl Townsend as a member of Chambers.
John Carl is recognised as a specialist in financial and reputational disputes where there is the potential for dual civil and criminal liability. He joins Chambers from 33 Chancery Lane.
In the civil courts John Carl appears on behalf of both claimant and defendant companies and individuals in a variety of commercial disputes including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, unlawful means conspiracy and deceit. He has experience of cross-border enforcement and registration under the European Enforcement Order regime and the Brussels-Lugano Convention.
In the Crown Courts his practice is focused on acting for the defence in serious financial investigations relating to allegations of fraud and money laundering. John Carl’s practice in asset forfeiture and seizure includes international freezing orders and applications for Norwich Pharmacal relief in the civil courts and all proceedings connected to the POCA.
He has acted for clients in judicial review proceedings and at appellate level. In addition to his financial practice, he represents companies and individuals accused of regulatory breach and he has acted on behalf of families in inquest proceedings.
He has represented companies that have been subject to goods seizures because of alleged duty evasion and has been instructed on behalf of companies and individuals in tax tribunal proceedings.
Listed in both leading legal directories clients praise John Carl as having “a great work ethic” and as being “an outstandingly clever lawyer” (The Legal 500) as well as being “a really able and creative practitioner with fabulous attention to detail” and “a very accomplished advocate” (Chambers and Partners).
Elspeth Talbot Rice KC, Head of Chambers, comments We are delighted to welcome John Carl as a member of Chambers. His strong expertise in serious financial investigations, confiscation, restraint and asset recovery, complements and strengthens our existing expertise in financial services disputes, civil fraud and asset recovery. We look forward to supporting the continued success of his practice”.
John Carl comments, “I am very pleased to join XXIV Old Buildings as a member of Chambers. XXIV Old Buildings has an outstanding reputation for its commercial chancery work and the excellence of its tenants. I look forward to contributing to the financial services practice within Chambers and offering advice and representation in respect of disputes that give rise to issues civil, regulatory and criminal liability.”
Paul Horsfield, Head of Clerking, comments “We are delighted with John Carl’s arrival because in addition to his skill and expertise across the chancery and commercial space, he brings with him a wealth of business and corporate prosecution disputes experience, an area of growth within many practice disciplines we continue to encounter in the legal industry that has interested us for some time.”
John Carl accepts instructions across the spectrum of civil fraud and business disputes, including civil recovery and asset forfeiture, confiscation and corporate and financial prosecutions. For further details please view his CV below, or contact the practice management team for experience and availability.
