Neil Mercer boasts a diverse skill set, with over 30 years of experience. He is currently the Joint Head of Chambers at 33 Bedford Row, a leading set outstanding legal advice and advocacy in Civil, Criminal, Family, Immigration and Regulatory law at all levels. 

Here Neil defines and explains the function of Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs). He outlines relevant legislation and sanctions, and how UWOs might be implemented in various circumstances. He emphasises the importance of seeking specialist advice immediately when faced with such orders. 

Key words/topics

Unexplained Wealth Orders

Criminal Finances Act 2017 (amends POCA 2002) 

Serious Crime Act 2007.

Interim Freezing Order

Civil Recovery Order

“Reasonable cause to believe”

“Reasonable grounds”

Discretion

Trusts and Corporate Entities

“Politically Exposed Persons”

Compliance

More about Neil Mercer

Neil Mercer has a diverse practice encompassing civil litigation; including personal injury, clinical negligence, family, health and safety, environment law, inquests and crime.

In personal injury he acts for both sides, often in cases involving catastrophic injuries. He is happy to settle pre-action documents, pleadings, and joint settlement conferences. He has been involved in serious head injury cases involving children. He is happy to accept CFA’s in the right cases.

Neil often acts in clinical negligence claims, frequently involving serious injuries as a result of negligence and is noted for the detail with which he approaches the medical records. He also sits a LQC at the MPTS and as a LA at the GDC, and so is familiar with the workings of the medical and dental professions.

In general civil litigation he is happy to act in a broad range of disputes and including contractual claims, civil fraud, and defamation.

He has defended companies in fatal and serious accidents again the HSE.

In family law he acts in both public law cases involving children, often in NAI and FII cases, including fatalities. He acts both for parents and local authorities.

He has appeared international cases both involving inward and outbound claims in respect of abducted children.

He is also happy to advise in financial remedies, including cases involving substantial assets.

He appears at inquests for a range of interested parties, including families, local authorities, employers, and statutory bodies.

He both defends and prosecutes serious criminal cases, usually for local authorities and is happy to give pre-charge advice. He is a grade 4 CPS prosecutor in serious crime and fraud.

Neil is an advocacy and ethics Tutor in Lincoln’s Inn, where he is a Master of the Bench.

 (see https://www.33bedfordrow.co.uk/people/mercer-neil#content/introduction)