Alistair is regularly instructed by companies and individuals across a range of industries and is ranked in the 2027 edition of Chambers & Partners for his “deep expertise” in UK sanctions and export controls. He is recommended by the Legal 500 for his “positive and realistic advice to sophisticated clients” and is listed as an expert by WorldECR, the leading publisher for sanctions and export controls.

He is often instructed in relation to investigations and enforcement proceedings brought by OFSI and OTSI and represents companies in relation to alleged breaches of export controls and goods seizures. He has repeatedly obtained confirmation that the relevant authority will take no further action. He acts for clients of all types, including universities, publicy listed companies, sole traders, advisory firms and companies operating in the defence sector. 

He has made numerous successful requests for the removal of individuals’ names from the sanctions lists of the UK, EU, Canada and Australia. He has make several successful revocation requests under the UK’s Russia sanctions regime, including one of the first challenges, resulting in the client being removed from the UK sanctions list, without the need for a court challenge. He has also successfully acted for individuals designated under the UK’s Syria sanctions regime, securing de-designations both in the period before and the period since the fall of the Syrian regime. He has co-ordinated sanctions challenges resulting in some of the first de-listings in Canada and Australia. He was instructed with Anna Bradshaw in the successful challenge to an EU sanctions designation in Abdelkader Sabra v Council of the European Union (Case T-249/20).

Alistair’s areas of expertise include advising and representing clients affected by financial crime compliance including bank account closures, the exercise of data protection rights and related litigation. He has successfully conducted high profile litigation under the UK GDPR against risk data providers and also secured the deletion of numerous risk profiles without the need for litigation.

Alistair’s financial crime practice spans contentious and non-contentious advice and representation and he is experienced in defending criminal and civil asset recovery proceedings. He publishes academically on economic crime topics and is quoted as an authority in trade publications.

Alistair is sought after for his sanctions training and co-authored the chapter 'Impact of UK Sanctions on the Provision of Legal Services' in The Guide to Sanctions, published by the Global Investigations Review (currently in its seventh edition).

In his role at a previous top litigation firm Alistair worked on a number of cases which went to the Supreme Court. For six months, he was seconded to Parliament, where he acted as the legal advisor to the Shadow Attorney General. He achieved the highest mark in the year for commercial law and has a first-class degree from Cambridge University.

Client feedback in Chambers 2027:

"He is responsive, quick to turn things around and couldn't be more helpful."

"Alistair thinks of arguments others miss."

"Alistair is a really creative thinker with deep expertise in sanctions."