email: info@sgkllp.com call: 020 7734 9700
Email: r.shaw@sgkllp.com Secure email: r.shaw@sgkllp.com.cjsm.net Office: 020 7734 9700 Direct dial: 020 3167 6470
Raymond's personable manner puts clients and witnesses at ease, allowing him to build trust and get to the root of matters quickly. He has the judgment to identify the key points in a case and the communication skills necessary to explain often complex issues in a way that allows clients to make informed choices.
Raymond has particular experience in advising and defending fraud and related financial offences. This experience extends to investigations and proceedings brought by the SFO, HMRC and CPS specialist fraud units, as well as advising clients facing FCA and CMA investigations. Raymond’s clients frequently face criminal matters complicated by parallel civil proceedings.
Raymond has completed the ACFE Certified Fraud Examiner qualification, bringing to his practice a unique insight and understanding of how investigative and prosecutorial agencies approach their work.
In addition to his financial crime expertise, Raymond has particular experience defending and advising in:
Supplementing his traditional criminal defence practice, Raymond also advises:
Outside his client work, Raymond is a member of the Fraud Lawyers Association and a member and former President of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, in which he represented defence solicitors in negotiations and meetings with Government, the senior Judiciary, the leadership of the CPS and the Bar.
Please see Raymond's reviews on Review Solicitors
"Thank you for all your support… [and] for providing reassurance through the process. I have found your advice and calming style really helpful throughout the long time this has taken"
"It is terrifying to realise how close we can all come to a wrongful conviction. Worst of all, this process has ripped me apart from my family. I am looking forward to … rebuilding my life with my wife and young children. I thank my legal team at Shaw Graham Kersh, in particular Raymond Shaw"
Explore our rankings and lawyer testimonials in the UK's leading legal directories: Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, and The Times
"Raymond Shaw is excellent, hard working, and committed."
Chambers & Partners 2026
"I have worked with him. He is excellent. He has a really sharp mind."
"The depth and breadth of the team is very strong. They have superb partners, including Raymond Shaw, as well as extremely knowledgeable and experienced associates. Raymond Shaw's client service and general level of service, level of sophistication and commercial vision are very strong. He is an excellent lawyer. He provides clients with the service they need and deserve."
"Raymond Shaw is outstanding. He is exceptionally intelligent, a superb tactician, and a master of procedural and evidential strategy. He is at the top of his game."
Legal 500 2026
"Raymond Shaw is an excellent solicitor who supports his clients with sensitive but realistic advice."
"Raymond Shaw is outstanding, thoughtful, compassionate, and creative."
"He is excellent and has a very sharp mind."
"Raymond is an excellent lawyer and provides clients with the service they need and deserve."
"Raymond is such a wise, canny lawyer and a great tactician. He is thorough and has time for all his clients."
"Ray is a really experienced, tactical lawyer. He is a formidable opponent."
"Raymond is extremely experienced, has an excellent tactical brain and is on top of the details."
Chambers and Partners 2025
Cases involving investigation and prosecution by the SFO, HMRC, FCA, CMA, CPS Fraud and Trading Standards. Raymond holds the ACFE Certified Fraud Examiner qualification, bringing a unique understanding of how investigative agencies approach this work.
SFO Investigation - Glencore Energy UK Ltd Advising an individual under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office following the conviction of Glencore Energy UK Ltd for extensive bribery of government officials across its oil operations in West Africa. Glencore's conviction resulted in the largest financial penalty ever imposed by a UK court. This is among the most significant SFO investigations to follow a major corporate conviction in UK legal history.
Trading Standards v B and Others - Southwark Crown Court Represented a company director as one of nine defendants in a 12-week trial for conspiracy to defraud thousands of customers of millions of pounds in connection with a 'Magic Box' device marketed as reducing energy consumption and heating bills. Sustained challenges to the prosecution's disclosure obligations exposed fundamental failures in the Crown's case. The prosecution collapsed entirely and not guilty verdicts were entered for all defendants.
International Freezing Order - Queen's Bench Division Representing the director of a financial services company subject to an international freezing order obtained on the basis of allegations of fraud and the misappropriation of millions of pounds of invested funds. Working alongside specialist civil litigation lawyers, the defence uncovered apparent fraud perpetrated by the very parties who had obtained the Order against the client. The freezing order was subsequently lifted.
Bribery - Southwark Crown Court (Formula 1) Represented one of three defendants charged with bribery in connection with contracts within the Formula 1 motor sport industry. A carefully negotiated guilty plea resulted in a suspended sentence.
FCA Investigation and Conspiracy to Defraud - Norwich Crown Court Represented two independent financial advisors facing parallel FCA regulatory proceedings and criminal prosecution for conspiracy to defraud. The defendants had transferred £16.7 million of client pension funds into their own high-risk, FCA-regulated CFD trading fund. While the prosecution and press focused on the headline £16.7 million figure, Raymond persuaded the Court that actual client losses amounted to £5 million and that not all investors had suffered loss. The defendants received sentences of six and five years respectively.
Fraud - Southwark Crown Court (Russian Employers) Represented the sole defendant charged with defrauding his employers — a prominent Russian business family — of millions of pounds. Parallel civil proceedings had resulted in an order requiring repayment of £12.5 million. Raymond conducted an intensive disclosure battle against the prosecution, resulting in abuse of process applications and repeated adjournments. Shortly before the case was listed for trial for a third time, the Crown offered no evidence. Not guilty verdicts were entered on all 15 counts of the indictment.
Conspiracy to Money Launder - Kingston Crown Court Successfully defended two men - the manager and compliance officer of a money transfer business — accused of conspiring to launder more than £50 million in drug proceeds. Notwithstanding CCTV footage showing the defendants physically transporting large quantities of cash by motorbike through London without the required anti-money laundering records, both were acquitted following trial.
Competition and Markets Authority Investigation Advising a series of former employees of a major City firm under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority for alleged bid rigging and price fixing in the building industry, in breach of the Enterprise Act 2002.
City of London Police Investigation - London Metal Exchange Representing two men under investigation for an alleged fraud involving hundreds of trades on the London Metal Exchange said to have generated a profit of approximately $50 million dishonestly obtained at the expense of a clearing house.
R v H - Birmingham Crown Court (Film Tax Fraud, £125 Million) Represented the lead defendant in a long-running and widely reported £125 million tax fraud prosecution centred on government incentives designed to support the British film industry. The combination of celebrity investors, elaborate tax schemes and high-profile film productions attracted sustained media coverage throughout. Raymond secured the dismissal of the case at the conclusion of the prosecution evidence, a decision subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal. Following a four-week jury deliberation the defendant was convicted, but received a sentence significantly below the applicable guidelines. Raymond then conducted the confiscation proceedings personally, successfully averting any confiscation order by placing the parallel civil debt recovery proceedings before the court.
R v M - Southwark Crown Court; (GP Noble Pension Fraud) The GP Noble prosecution was the first major case to arise from the establishment of the Pensions Regulator and represented the largest pension fraud trial since the collapse of the Maxwell pension funds. The case involved the transfer of over £50 million of private pension funds out of the United Kingdom. The defendant held a distinguished reputation in mergers and acquisitions and was presented throughout related proceedings as the architect of the scheme. Notwithstanding the conviction of co-defendants tried before him, Raymond secured a complete acquittal at a three-month trial.
R v C - Isleworth Crown Court (Sports Sponsorship Fraud) The defendant faced multiple charges of defrauding athletes and sportspeople through a commercial website purporting to connect them with corporate sponsors. Alleged victims in this widely reported case included Olympic athlete Mark Lewis-Francis and other household names. Raymond persuaded the jury to accept that the scheme had not been established dishonestly at the outset, though it had subsequently become so. The defendant was convicted only on that basis, with the sentence significantly reduced to reflect the partial acquittals.
Cases involving prominent individuals, public figures and professionals in whom press reporting, regulatory consequences and reputation are as significant as the criminal proceedings themselves.
2024 — Robbery, Guildford Crown Court Representing one of the security guards charged in connection with the robbery of a member of one of the most written-about families in modern British history — a family whose ownership of a global retail landmark, whose personal losses generated years of international headlines, and whose affairs have attracted the attention of Parliament, the courts and the press for decades. The case attracted immediate and sustained national media coverage.
Blackmail and Harassment — Bournemouth Crown Court A company director was charged with harassment of two fellow directors, the prosecution characterising his conduct as a campaign of intimidation. Raymond persuaded the police that the emails said to constitute harassment were in fact the product of fraud and blackmail orchestrated against the client by those same directors. The investigation was redirected: both co-directors were investigated, charged and subsequently convicted.
Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry and Police Investigation Representing a scientist and former employee of a company central to the Grenfell Tower public inquiry in relation to both the inquiry and the associated police investigation. Work included advising on the client's position, drafting their statement to the Inquiry, and successfully navigating both processes without criminal charges being brought.
Contempt of Court — Court of Appeal (Post Office / Operation Horizon) See Contempt of Court section.
Football — Premier League Club Financial Misconduct Represented the director of a Premier League football club accused of providing materially incorrect information to the Premier League regarding the club's financial position and the extent of its assets. Raymond handled the police investigation while specialist sports law advisors dealt in parallel with the Premier League's own proceedings.
Football — GBH/Common Assault, Youth International Representing a young professional footballer who had represented England youth teams and had been included in the first team squad at his Premier League club. The client was charged with grievous bodily harm against an off-duty police officer. Raymond successfully negotiated a reduction to common assault, and press reporting of the matter was entirely avoided, protecting the client's career.
Coercive and Controlling Behaviour — Metropolitan Police Investigation Advising a prominent celebrity and journalist under investigation for alleged controlling or coercive behaviour under the Serious Crime Act 2015. Following representations, the police took no further action.
Eriksson v SK — High Court, Chancery Division The client was the former financial advisor to Sven-Göran Eriksson, the former England football manager, who alleged losses of approximately £10 million as a result of fraud or negligence. The client denied all allegations. Raymond represented the client in contempt of court proceedings brought for alleged breaches of a court order relating to third-party loans and credit card expenditure. Following detailed submissions, the applicant was persuaded to withdraw the contempt application in exchange for a public apology, and the client avoided a custodial sentence.
R v B — Liverpool Magistrates' Court (BBC Comedian) Represented a well-known BBC comedian arrested and charged with pitch invasion after entering the field of play at a Premier League match in full kit during the pre-match warm-up. The prosecution sought a football banning order, which would have severely curtailed the client's professional performances. Following sustained representations, the CPS discontinued the charge entirely and no banning order was imposed.
Senior Law Firm Partner — Criminal and SRA Proceedings Represented a senior partner at a leading law firm charged following an altercation with a taxi driver, with parallel SRA disciplinary proceedings. A plea to a minor offence was negotiated and no formal SRA reprimand or finding was made.
Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry Representing a scientist and former employee of a company at the heart of the Grenfell Tower public inquiry in connection with both the inquiry process and the associated Metropolitan Police investigation. Raymond advised on the client's overall position, drafted their statement to the Inquiry, and successfully guided the client through both processes without criminal charges being brought.
Major investigations conducted by specialist units including the NCA, Organised Crime Command and law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions.
EncroChat — Metropolitan Police Investigation Advising a client under investigation as part of the large-scale wave of arrests following the infiltration of the EncroChat encrypted communications network by French and Dutch authorities. One of a number of EncroChat-related matters handled by the firm.
R v K — Isleworth Crown Court (Heathrow, Large-Scale Importation) The defendant, a director of a freight forwarding company near Heathrow Airport, was one of eight individuals charged with facilitating the importation of over 100 kilograms of cocaine and heroin, 1.19 tonnes of cannabis and over 36 million cigarettes over a two-year period. The trial commenced in October 2013 and ran for five months before being aborted. Following an abuse of process hearing, the case against the client was stayed. He was the only director not required to face a retrial.
Early intervention at the investigation stage — before charge — is one of the most effective means of protecting a client's position. Raymond is regularly instructed at this stage, particularly in private client matters where discretion and speed are paramount.
Coercive and Controlling Behaviour - Metropolitan Police Pre-charge representations on behalf of a prominent celebrity and journalist under investigation for alleged controlling or coercive behaviour under the Serious Crime Act 2015. The police took no further action.
Blackmail and Harassment - Pre-Charge Intervention Pre-charge intervention resulted in the investigation being redirected from the client to the co-directors, both of whom were subsequently convicted. See High Profile Cases for full details.
Senior Law Firm Partner Pre-charge representation of a senior partner at a leading law firm, resolving the matter through careful negotiation and avoiding both a significant conviction and SRA disciplinary consequences.
Murder Investigation - Brent Representing a young man under investigation for the murder of one person and the attempted murder of another arising from a disturbance at a party in Kilburn, NW6. The police took no further action against the client.
Hackney Local Election Fraud — Crown Court Successfully represented one of five defendants accused of conspiracy to defraud in connection with local council elections in Hackney in which the alleged fraud was said to have determined control of the council. The trial lasted three months and involved detailed analysis of voting registers and voting patterns together with complex evidence concerning relationships within the area's close-knit Muslim and Jewish communities. The majority of defendants were convicted; Raymond's client was not.
Including large-scale importation, supply conspiracies, EncroChat prosecutions and money laundering of drug proceeds.
EncroChat — Metropolitan Police Investigation Advising a client under investigation following the infiltration of the EncroChat encrypted communications platform by French and Dutch authorities. One of a number of such instructions handled by the firm.
Conspiracy to Money Launder Drug Proceeds — Kingston Crown Court Successful defence of the manager and compliance officer of a money transfer business accused of conspiring to launder more than £50 million in drug money. Both acquitted notwithstanding filmed evidence of cash movements through London. See Serious Fraud section for full details.
R v K — Isleworth Crown Court (Large-Scale Importation, Heathrow) Large-scale importation of cocaine, heroin and cannabis through a Heathrow freight forwarding operation. Abuse of process application succeeded; client was the only director not to face retrial. See Serious and Complex Crime section for full details.
2024 - Robbery, Guildford Crown Court Representing one of the security guards charged in connection with the robbery of a member of one of the most written-about families in modern British history — a family whose global retail empire, personal tragedies and decades of public controversy have made them among the most scrutinised in the United Kingdom. The case attracted immediate and sustained national media attention. See also High Profile Cases.
Murder Investigation - Brent Representing a young man investigated for the murder of one person and the attempted murder of another following a disturbance at a party in Kilburn, NW6. The police took no further action against the client.
Murder Appeal -iminished Responsibility See Appeals section.
Representing solicitors, barristers, actuaries, financial advisors and other regulated professionals in proceedings where criminal liability and professional disciplinary consequences overlap.
Actuary - Fraud, Reporting Obligations and Legal Professional Privilege Advising an actuary in connection with suspected fraud by a fellow actuary concerning the analysis of an insurance company's risk profile. The matter required navigating overlapping and at times conflicting obligations: contractual duties, the professional and disciplinary rules of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), and the boundaries of legal professional privilege.
Competition and Markets Authority - Former Employees of City Firm Advising former employees of a leading City firm under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority for alleged bid rigging and price fixing in the construction industry, in breach of the Enterprise Act 2002.
Senior Law Firm Partner - Criminal Charge and SRA Proceedings Represented a senior partner at a major law firm charged following an altercation with a taxi driver, with concurrent SRA disciplinary proceedings. A plea to a minor offence was successfully negotiated, and no formal SRA reprimand or finding resulted.
Possession of Indecent Images - CEO of Listed Company Represented the chief executive of a publicly listed company charged with possession of indecent images. The defendant was convicted but Raymond successfully avoided a custodial sentence.
R v B - Blackfriars Crown Court (Multiple Historic Rape Allegations, Retrial) Successfully represented a businessman at retrial facing multiple allegations of rape brought by his former office and home cleaner.
R v T - Historic Sexual Assault, Catholic Boarding School Represented a teacher at a Catholic boarding school accused of multiple sexual assaults on boys, with the alleged offending said to have taken place some 30 years before charge. Over ten former pupils gave evidence for the prosecution. The defendant had gone on to build a distinguished career as a private educator working exclusively with adults, and attracted extraordinary testimonial references from those he had taught and worked alongside in the intervening decades. The case involved complex issues of historic memory, delay and the assessment of character over time.
A specialised practice area in which Raymond has appeared in proceedings before the Court of Appeal, the High Court and in civil contempt proceedings.
Contempt of Court — Court of Appeal (Post Office / Operation Horizon) Representing a barrister accused of contempt of court in connection with the onward disclosure of a contentious document arising during the landmark Post Office Operation Horizon appeals — one of the most significant miscarriage of justice cases in recent English legal history.
Eriksson v SK — High Court, Chancery Division Contempt proceedings brought against the former financial advisor to Sven-Göran Eriksson for alleged multiple breaches of a court order concerning third-party loans and credit card expenditure. Following detailed submissions, the applicant withdrew the application in exchange for a public apology, and the client avoided a custodial sentence.
Post-conviction representation in the Court of Appeal.
Murder Appeal — Diminished Responsibility Advising and representing on appeal a man convicted of murder in circumstances where the defence contends the correct verdict was manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The appeal turns on a direct challenge to the integrity and professional competence of the prosecution's expert psychiatrist — an unusual and technically demanding line of attack.