Angus Bunyan is an established leading junior who specialises in corporate and financial crime.
His practice has recently included being instructed by the SFO to secure Deferred Prosecution Agreements with two UK companies for bribery offences and to prosecute individuals suspected of bribery in the construction sector, representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its application for compensation from Glencore, prosecuting UK directors for paying bribes to secure Afghan military contracts and acting in the HBOS case involving corruption between senior managers at the bank and leading figures in the business community.
Angus also has significant expertise both in bringing and defending private prosecutions, especially those arising from commercial disputes. He represented Oleg Deripaska in his private prosecution of a former associate and in the related judicial review proceedings and his advice and counsel is regularly sought by other HNW individuals and companies seeking to explore this niche area.
He also represents individual and corporate clients in regulatory matters, particularly those facing proceedings for environmental matters involving waste and water offences. An SFO Panel A and CPS level 4 prosecutor, he is routinely instructed as leading counsel in high profile, complex and multi-handed trials where specialist knowledge and first-rate advocacy are required.
Angus has very substantial experience prosecuting (SFO A Panel) and representing both individuals and corporates accused of serious fraud, bribery and corruption and offences under the Company and Insolvency Acts.
He also provides advice to those facing investigation, considering self-reporting or submitting a SAR under POCA and conducting internal investigations.
Andrew Pilley and others
Represented owner and director of major utilities company and League One football club charged with fraudulent trading and money laundering relating to the systemic mis-selling of energy contracts. Eight-month trial, led by Jonathan Laidlaw KC and instructed by JMW LLP.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria v Serious Fraud Office, Glencore Energy UK Ltd [2022] EWCR 2
Represented the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its application to secure compensation from the disgraced mining and commodities giant Glencore. Led by Lord Garnier KC and instructed by RPC LLP.
SFO v AB Ltd & CD Ltd
Instructed by the SFO to secure two Deferred Prosecution agreements from subsidiaries of a real estate company for obtaining contracts in the commercial office fit-out market by hidden incentives and bribes paid to corrupt intermediaries.
Re: former Prime Minister of Malaysia
Instructed on behalf of the former Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak to advise on final appeal to the Malaysian Federal Court following his conviction for corruption and money laundering for his involvement in the notorious 1MDB scandal. Instructed by Howard Kennedy LLP.
Simms-Davies and others
Instructed pre- and post-charge in SFO prosecution of individuals for bribery relating to contracts obtained in the commercial office fit-out industry (returned pre-trial).
David Mills & others (Operation Hornet) [2020] EWCA Crim 369
Prosecuted allegations of serious and long running corruption between senior managers of HBOS and leading figures of the UK business and professional community. 5 month trial, led by Brian O’Neill KC. Instructed alone for subsequent appeals.
Angus draws on his very substantial public prosecution experience to advise both corporate and private clients on the merits of and particular issues with bringing (or defending) a private prosecution.
He is increasingly sought after by leading firms to provide advice and representation to HNW individuals and companies (based here or overseas) who wish to protect their interests by way of private criminal proceedings in the UK.
Angus has particular experience of advising in cases which are related to commercial litigation and where jurisdictional and other complex issues arise.
R (Deripaska) v DPP [2020] EWHC 2918 (Admin)
Acted for Oleg Deripaska in his private prosecution of a former associate arising from commercial court proceedings and in the related judicial review proceedings. Led by Jonathan Laidlaw KC and instructed by RPC LLP.
Re: Vitaly Orlov
Acted for Vitaly Orlov in his private prosecution of a former associate arising from commercial court proceedings. Led by Richard Whittam KC and instructed by Macfarlanes LLP.
Asif v Ditta [2021] EWCA Crim 1091
Successfully represented a solicitor facing a wasted costs application following the staying of a private prosecution of which he had conduct. Instructed by RPC LLP.
Angus was instructed as junior counsel by the Environment Agency in the largest illegal waste deposit case then prosecuted by the Agency (O’Donnell & others) and one of the first in which the Agency charged offences under POCA.
Since then, he has successfully represented corporate clients, including major waste firms charged with breaching environmental permits and was instructed at first instance in Thames Water Utilities Ltd [2015] EWCA Crim 960.
Examples of recent cases include representing a national food producer charged with causing pollution of a river by releasing effluent via a pumping station, a major recycling company accused of exporting prohibited waste to Poland for incineration and a haulage firm charged with failing to comply with hazardous goods carriage regulations.
Angus has substantial experience defending cases brought by Trading Standards. He recently defended in the largest criminal case brought by National Trading Standards, representing Andrew Pilley, the owner and director of major utilities companies and a League One football club charged with fraudulent trading and money laundering relating to the systemic mis-selling of energy contracts.
Angus is a member of the SFO A Panel, a CPS level 4 prosecutor and a member of the CPS Fraud and Serious Crime panels, both also at level 4. He is instructed as leading counsel in high-profile, sensitive and often multi-handed trials where specialist knowledge is required.
Simms-Davies and others
Instructed pre- and post-charge in SFO prosecution of individuals for bribery relating to contracts obtained in the commercial office fit-out industry (returned pre-trial).
Byrne and others [2021] EWCA Crim 107
Instructed to resist appeal (part of consolidated hearing) following revelation of professional failings by carbon credit expert relied on at trial.
Elgzaly and 13 others
Led for the Crown in a series of trials concerning the targeting of high-value vehicles in London and their export to criminal networks abroad, exploiting a loophole in the DVLA process. Instructed by CPS IJOCD.
Mysliwiec and others
Led for the Crown in a case of blackmail, false imprisonment and armed robbery committed by a Polish businessman against accountants in London.
As a junior alone, Angus has successfully defended individuals charged with murder, rape and other serious sexual offences where a robust but jury-friendly approach is required. He has also appeared as a led junior working with Silks in Chambers and outside.
Andrew Pilley and others
Represented owner and director of major utilities company and League One football club charged with fraudulent trading and money laundering relating to the systemic mis-selling of energy contracts. Eight-month trial, led by Jonathan Laidlaw KC and instructed by JMW LLP.
Scott Hunt & others
Murder case involving the dismemberment and burial of the deceased and a subsequent conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Angus’ client was acquitted by the jury on one count and the Judge acceded to a submission of no case on a second.
Vitautas Jokubauskas
Led junior in a murder case involving the brutal killing and dismemberment of the deceased and the subsequent disposal of body parts around Peterborough.
The FT and BBC are today reporting that the MOJ is to launch a nine-week…
Angus Bunyan, who acted for Nigeria in its application for compensation from Glencore, reviews the…
SFO press release: On 19 July 2021, the SFO received approval by Mrs Justice May…
