John offers expert advice on:
- Frozen Accounts - Frozen Crypto-Assets - Confiscation Hearings
John McNamara is an experienced barrister specialising in account freezing, cash forfeiture and crypto forfeiture cases. With a strong track record of providing expert legal advice and representation, he is dedicated to delivering practical and effective solutions for his clients. John’s in-depth knowledge and professional approach make him a trusted figure in his field.
Direct Access
John is direct access qualified. This means he can accept instructions directly from clients without a solicitor. This can often be more cost effective than instructing a solicitor and a barrister. If the case would benefit with the involvement of a solicitor, John has worked with some of the top criminal solicitors across London, and can make arrangements to find the right solicitor for the job.
Location
Based near St. Paul’s in London he has been helping individuals facing criminal allegations and the seizure of their money and property for over a decade. He has appeared in courts across England & Wales.
Expertise
John has particular expertise in:
Cases involving the freezing of bank accounts
Cases where cash or crypto-assets are detained by law enforcement
Acting for the partners and family members of convicted persons, to protect their property in confiscation hearings (section 10A POCA applications)
Defending individuals facing applications to increase a confiscation order (section 22 POCA applications)
Advising individuals and businesses who have been affected by the loss or detention of assets.
Services
A meeting with you, in person or online, to understand your legal dilemma and offer you clear advice and strategy.
This is normally the first step in a process of fighting your case. John will explain the law and process, and offer bespoke advice on how to move forward.
John’s goal for clients is to bring their cases to an end as swiftly and cost effectively as possible. This always forms part of John’s discussions on strategy.
If your case continues to court, John will represent you. He has a decade of experience as a trial advocate.
He has particular expertise in cash and account forfeiture cases. He has recently been instructed to defend in some of the largest and most complex of these types of cases. He also continues a practise of dealing with road traffic matters.
Clients often come to John seeking a second opinion on their case. John has a built an important advisory practice for individuals looking to understand if anything went wrong with their case which may allow them to appeal.
John can provide this advice in writing, in person, or both, depending on what works best for his clients.
Offices in the heart
of the City
What do the legal directories say about John?
"A focused and a strong advocate, looking at what his clients want to achieve and translating this into his strategy." Chambers & Partners 2026 - POCA & Asset Forfeiture
“Very analytical and someone quick to grasp the strengths of the case, he's a really good negotiator who gives honest, realistic advice." Chambers & Partners, 2026 - POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture
"John is committed to excellence. He is a real star." The Legal 500, 2025 - Crime
"He is very down to earth: clients like him and repeatedly request for him to be instructed." The Legal 500, 2025 - Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture
"He knows his stuff, is very immersed in this area and is not someone you want to be against.” Chambers & Partners, 2025 - POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture
"John understands and grasps the POCA regime in a way that very few do." The Legal 500 2022 - POCA
"John is highly intelligent, and his attention to detail is bettered only by his bedside manner with clients, who appreciate his calm and succinct style.” The Legal 500, 2022 - Crime
Contact John
Do you need representation?
Fill out some info and John or his team of clerks will be in touch shortly. They will be able to discuss the next steps in your case and likely fees.