Overview
Gary is a talented and dedicated barrister who specialises in POCA and Asset Forfeiture. His approach to cases is distinguished by careful preparation and measured execution.
Gary is ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for his work in POCA and asset forfeiture. He is also ranked in Chambers and Partners as a leader in the field of criminal law (London Bar).
Chambers and Partners 2018 says Gary: "handles serious confiscation cases and is an expert on cash forfeiture. He is praised for his fluency in Spanish, which comes in useful when he is handling multi-jurisdictional cases involving Spanish-speaking countries."
"In court there is no doubt the judge understands what his position is - he is very good on his feet." "A very approachable person who has the capacity to analyse complicated facts and simplify them."
Chambers and Partners 2019.
"He's very detail-oriented and his level of commitment is great."
Chambers and Partners 2018.
He was junior counsel in the case of Moss [2019] EWCA Crim 50 concerning the recognition and enforcement of a confiscation order abroad.
He represented the prosecution in the appeal of Benos| [2019] EWCA Crim 1093. A case concerning a deed of variation to a will and the legal effect of conditions precedent contained within the deed. The Court of Appeal described his written submission as “powerful”.
He represented the prosecution in the appeal of Gbadebo [2018] EWCA Crim 2508. A case concerning out of time appeals and fresh evidence. He has been instructed since 2015 in a large asset recovery case in Costa Rica, which is currently focused on the private prosecution of a Costa Rican trustee for misappropriation of the trust assets.
‘Very direct, which helps focus clients’ minds in multi-handed cases.’
Legal 500 2019.
He is highly proficient in cases involving asset forfeiture and confiscation and represented the interests of Sarah Tighe (the wife of Tom Hayes: convicted of manipulating LIBOR rates) in confiscation proceedings.
"Gary is technically excellent and has a great feel for both tactics and the mood of the court. He also provides excellent client care. I would not hesitate to instruct him again."
"Mr. Pons was an outstanding selection to represent our case. He was professional, sympathetic to our cause, quickly grasped the critical facts of our case, and clearly explained to us our legal strategy."
Gary has experience in international criminal cases having acted in a high profile case at the Tribunal of the First Judicial Circuit, South, in Costa Rica. He was part of an international defence team who successfully represented Ann Patton in relation to an allegation that she murdered her husband, the successful Wall Street trader John Bender. Gary is fluent in Spanish which enabled him to play an active part in the preparation as well as assisting the legal teams with interpreting legal documentation that formed the basis of the case. Click here to read the Daily Mail news article.
His experience in complex financial crime and asset forfeiture has allowed Gary to develop his practice over the years. He acted for the Claimant in the trial of the enforcement of a $2 million US Judgment in the High Court.
He has advised on multi-jurisdictional asset recovery cases involving off-shore trusts.
His practice includes areas such as business crime, asset recovery and civil fraud, insolvency, and licensing.
Professional panel appointments
- Gary is a Grade 3 Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutor.
- Gary is on the approved CPS list of Rape advocates.
- Gary is on the approved CPS List of Proceeds of Crime and Fraud advocates.
- Sits as Legal Advisor to Royal Borough of Greenwich Licensing Sub-Committee.
- Band C (10 years' call and above) appointed advocate for the General Dental Council (GDC).
Additional Information
Lectures and seminars
Gary regularly provides lectures and seminars on a variety of subjects. He has recently covered the following subjects:
- Criminal Aspects of Corporate Insolvency.
- Making and Enforcing Confiscation Orders.
- Recent Developments in Cash Forfeiture.
- Money Laundering Prosecutions.
- Licensing Law.
- SEV and Gambling Law
Languages
-
Fluent in Spanish.
Education
- Inns of Court Law School, Bar Vocational Course.
- University of Kent at Canterbury: English and Spanish Law.
- Year at Complutense University in Madrid: Diploma in Spanish Law.
Professional Memberships
- Grays Inn.
- Criminal Bar Association.
- South Eastern Circuit.
- Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association.
- Fraud Lawyers Association.
Asset Recovery, Civil Fraud & Confiscation + View All Specialist Areas
Gary is a specialist in the field of asset forfeiture and confiscation. He has particular expertise in relation to both confiscation and enforcement concerning matrimonial property and he has lectured on this subject.
He is on the approved CPS list of Proceeds of Crime Act advocates. Gary regularly appears on behalf of the applicant in cash forfeiture proceedings under POCA.
Gary often acts for the Receiver in enforcement hearings in the High Court.
He represented the Claimant, Superior Composite Structures in a contested three-day High Court hearing to enforce a $2 million US Judgment.
Cases of Note
ASSET RECOVERY, CIVIL FRAUD AND CONFISCATION
Superior Composite Structures LLC v Parrish [2015] EWHC 3688 (QB)
Acted for the Claimant, a US company in a trial of a claim for enforcement of a judgment worth over US$2m obtained in South Dakota. This case involved issues of fraud, principles of natural justice, public policy and Article 6 of the ECHR.
R v Tom Hayes (convicted of LIBOR manipulation)
Represented Sarah Tighe in her application to become a party in contested confiscation proceedings following on from Libor convictions.
BUSINESS CRIME
R v Chavda
Prosecution Counsel in a complex pharmaceutical drug case involving significant money laundering and complex confiscation proceedings.
R v Hargreaves and Others
Represented one of the main defendant in a substantial trademark fraud
EXTRADITION AND INTERNATIONAL
Costa Rican Public Prosecutor v Ann Maxine Patton
Part of the Defence team successfully acting for the Defendant who was facing a charge of murder. The proceedings took place in Costa Rican and were conducted entirely in Spanish.
Rozanski v Regional Court 3 Penal Department Poland [2012] UKSC 20; (2012) 162 N.L.J. 749
Junior Counsel for the Third Appellant in a case involving consideration of the nature of the time limits in relation to extradition appeals.
CRIME
R v Scott
Junior Counsel for the defendant charged with unlawful act manslaughter by trapping the deceased in a loft.
R v Smith
Defending an allegation of attempted murder by husband on his wife.
REGULATORY
RBG v Ozbourme and Ozbourme
Acted for Local Authority in a successful prosecution in respect of Licensing Offences.
RBG v Units 1- 4,10 & 14 Lyndean Industrial Estate
Acted for RBG in successful application for extension of Closure Order in respect of Industrial Units being used as churches.
