As a former senior specialist prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Headquarters, Michael brings extensive experience and a unique understanding of international law enforcement to complex, high profile and politically sensitive matters. There, he was a key member of a small specialist unit responsible for the prosecution of serious and high-profile fraud, terrorist, state-security and special interest criminal matters, including the Stansted Airport Afghan airline hijacking and the prosecution of Paul Burrell (Princess Diana’s butler).

Since joining Peters & Peters, Michael regularly advises and acts for companies, senior executives and high-net-worth individuals in significant high-profile and complex national and international business crime cases. He has particular expertise in international corruption, criminal cartels, financial sanctions, INTERPOL, extradition and private prosecutions.

Michael is particularly recognised for acting in some of the UK’s first and most significant legal challenges and prosecutions under the evolving sanctions regime. His experience includes acting for Eugene Shvidler in the first de-designation court challenge to the UK’s Russia sanctions, acting for Igor Makarov in his successful removal from the UK sanctions list, and representing Dmitrii Ovsyannikov in the UK’s first criminal prosecution of alleged sanctions breaches under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.

Alongside his sanctions practice, Michael has acted in some of the UK’s most high-profile business crime investigations and prosecutions. His experience includes representing Richard Boath, a former Barclays executive, in the Serious Fraud Office’s landmark prosecution concerning the bank’s 2008 capital raisings, which resulted in his unanimous acquittal by a jury.

Michael is top ranked in the Chambers UK 2027 Guide, notably for his Band 1 ranking for Sanctions and his prominent recognition for Financial Crime: Individuals. The Guide praises him for being “outstanding” and “a true expert with impeccable judgment”. Commentators note that he is a “fantastic lawyer” who is “brilliant at strategic direction and how best to deal with sanctions authorities”. Michael is also recognised for his “excellent client skills, takes an effective approach to his representations, and has credibility with enforcement agencies.”

He is also recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2027, where he is ranked in its Hall of Fame for both Fraud: White-Collar Crime (advice to individuals) and Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime (advice to corporates). He is commended for being “a star individual, brilliant, and charismatic” and as “one of the best lawyers in London.” He is also a Recommended Lawyer for both Financial Services: Contentious and Private Prosecutions.

Michael’s contribution to the profession has also been recognised through his inclusion in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 and recognition in the Financial Times as one of the UK’s most innovative lawyers.

Michael is a recognised thought leader, regularly commenting in the media on significant developments in international sanctions and business crime. Michael is the author of The Law of Criminal Cartels – Practice and Procedure, published by Oxford University Press.