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Fergus Harrington

Consultant Solicitor

LLB (hons)

“They are extremely competent in their legal and strategic advice, their files are very well prepared and they have some of the hardest-working and most dedicated solicitors that I have ever worked with”

Chambers & Partners

“They are able solicitors, who are hardworking and understand what is necessary tactically in preparation to advance a case”

Chambers & Partners

“The solicitors are approachable and care about the clients”

Chambers & Partners

Recommended in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, Fergus has developed a wealth of experience in all aspects of criminal litigation, professional discipline and regulatory proceedings. He advises in respect of allegations of white-collar crime, business crime, money laundering, contraventions of the Financial Services and Markets Act and investigations concerning bribery and corruption.

Fergus’ practice also involves advising clients accused of being involved in serious organised crime, importing drugs, the supply of firearms and homicide

Fergus has a detailed understanding of complex financial and regulatory investigations, including allegations of multi-million-pound fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.  Fergus deals with prosecutions brought by the FCA, HMRC and Trading Standards. Fergus is a specialist in defending international money laundering schemes often involving cryptocurrency. He recently secured an acquittal for a client in Operation Larkshot, the largest UK money laundering investigation. £266million in cash was banked with NatWest who received the largest fine in history UK (£266million) for breaching anti money laundering regulations.

In addition, Fergus is regularly instructed to advise in respect of civil applications for asset forfeiture and cash seizures. Fergus recently secured the disposal of a world-wide freezing order for a client who had their assets frozen during the course of an investigation into a Mexican pharmaceuticals company.

Fergus is currently advising the director of a multimillion-pound company who has been charged with fraudulent trading in connection with the mis-selling of solar panel systems. This investigation is being conducted by Trading Standards. Fergus is also advising a sales representative of a large national company who is being prosecuted by Trading Standards for mis-selling double glazing.

Fergus has extensive experience of preparing lengthy and highly complex Crown Court trials, often involving the mis-selling of diamonds, alternative investments and precious metals. Fergus has developed particular expertise in advising individuals involved in boiler room frauds and VAT frauds. He advised defendants in the first three land banking prosecutions in the UK, including Operation Cotton.

Fergus is sought after by individuals being investigated by their own professional bodies for misconduct, such as the GMC, GDC and NMC. Fergus is currently advising a GP in ongoing proceedings brought by the GMC before the Medical Practitioner’s Tribunal, which will result in a fitness to practice hearing. Fergus regularly represent clients prosecuted by the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). He currently represents corporate client prosecuted by HSE in relation to a serious accident which took place at a waste disposal plant in Hampshire.

Fergus is regularly instructed by high-net-worth individuals, corporate clients and professional clients as a result of the clear advice he is renowned for providing and the discreet and professional service he offers. Fergus is currently advising a commercial lawyer, a doctor and several company directors in relation to an array of serious criminal allegations.

With links to the sports industry, Fergus is regularly called upon to advise professional football players, boxers and other sports figures. Fergus has advised two international football players regarding match fixing in Australia’s A-League. Fergus also recently secured the acquittal of a Championship football player charged with assaulting a fan during a pitch invasion, following the Championship play off final. Fergus has a proven track record of securing results for high profile clients, in situations where convictions can be career ending. This is a testament to Fergus’ drive and ability to achieve results even in the most complex scenarios.

Fergus has significant expertise in preparing cases concerning the supply and importation of drugs on a commercial scale. These types of cases often involve the importation of tonnes of class A drugs. Fergus is currently preparing for a trial involving the importation of over 2 tonnes of cannabis from Ghana to the UK. Fergus previously secured the acquittal of a company director who was charged with importing in excess of 2 tonnes of class A drugs into the UK from Malaysia and 1 tonne of cannabis from Kenya.

Fergus is particularly sought after in cases involving EncroChat evidence arising from Operation Venetic / Operation Emma. He is renowned for his ability to analyse and comprehend vast amounts of complex telecommunications data.

Since the EncroChat server was hacked in 2020, Fergus has worked with a number of the country’s leading telephone experts and computer experts to assist with EncroChat cases. He has also instructed French Law experts to provide commentary on the involvement of the French authorities. Fergus recently secured an acquittal at Croydon Crown Court in an Encro case involving the importation of 500kgs of cocaine. He has also persuaded the NCA to take no further action against three clients in separate Encro investigations after submitting written representations challenging the evidence. Fergus also represented a defendant in Operation Talalgia, which involved the exportation of 450kgs of MDMA to Australia (where it was worth £44million) concealed in a digger, which was sold in a rigged auction. The case recently featured on the Channel 4 documentary “Operation Dark phone: Murder by text”.

Fergus is also adept at handling matters involving gang violence, homicide, firearms and serious organised crime. He has successfully represented defendants at the Old Bailey charged with murder. Fergus recently secured an acquittal for a client accused of murdering the guardian of a cannabis factory.

Fergus has developed a niche following of clients charged with committing criminal offences while in prison. Fergus is currently advising a client charged with importing firearms into the UK while in prison. He also represents a client charged with smuggling drugs into prison.

Fergus is regularly instructed in cross border investigations and recently travelled to Dubai to carry out financial investigations on behalf of a client. Fergus is currently advising an individual charged with the trafficking of Albanian nationals into the UK using private aircrafts. This is a multi-jurisdictional investigation which will require Fergus to travel overseas to conduct investigations and interview witnesses.

Fergus has the ability to handle matters when the stakes are at the absolute highest. This is illustrated by the wide array of criminal litigation and regulatory matters Fergus is entrusted to handle by his clients. Whether it is a client’s career, reputation or liberty which is on the line Fergus prepares each case with great skill and care.