Roger Sahota
Partner
”One of the most able solicitors I have ever worked with”
Roger specialises in International Criminal Law with an emphasis on Cryptoasset litigation, Interpol Red Notices, Extradition, Financial Crime and Reputation Management. He is currently instructed to represent Yadi Zhang in a money laundering allegation concerning the seizure of BTC valued at approx.£3billion.
The first solicitor to conduct a war crimes trial in the Hague, Roger Sahota is one of London’s leading criminal lawyers, with an internationally recognised reputation for taking on challenging and difficult cases, and a track record of delivering successful outcomes. He is also one of the editors of a blog dedicated to the work of Interpol - the Red Notice Monitor.
Highly sought after in his thriving private criminal defence practice, Roger is regularly retained as the “homme d’affaires” for many ultra-high net worth individuals, CEO’s, senior politicians, media figures and celebrities. He has acted for and advised in several head of state prosecutions. In serious and complex criminal cases he is often called upon for his expertise as external counsel by companies, financial institutions and international law firms. Working alongside some of Britain’s leading QC’s, barristers, private investigators and forensic experts he specialises in defending professionals and corporate bodies in cases where limiting reputational impact is paramount.
Frequently featuring in television and media interviews on breaking legal issues, Roger also regularly writes and blogs on legal issues for mainstream media and legal journals. Roger’s unique international and domestic criminal law experience means that he is repeatedly instructed in many ground-breaking criminal cases.
A free thinker and one of the most able solicitors I have worked with.. sees the wood from the trees in the big cases. — Legal 500 QC
One of the brightest solicitors I have come across. — Court Reporter
One of the best cross examiners... I really appreciated your submissions. — International Judge
Notable Criminal Law Cases
Cryptoassests
Roger Sahota has been instructed in some of the largest ever domestic and international crypto asset criminal prosecutions and investigations.
R v Yadi Zhang - Representing defendant in criminal proceedings following largest ever BTC seizure of est. 60,000BTC valued at approx. £3billion as of April 2024 . Advised on challenging search warrants, restraint, asset detention applications, forfeiture, disclosure and criminal investigation and prosecution. The cryptoassets seized include one of the worlds ten largest bitcoin wallets.
Terraform Labs, Korea - advising CFO of Terraform Labs and co-defendant of Do Kwon, in respect of Interpol Red Notice issued by South Korea following collapse of the crashed stablecoin TerraUSD and cryptocurrency Luna.
B and C - Advising HNW individuals with substantial crypto asset holdings on regulatory and criminal exposure and risk.
R v Ali - representing defendant in large scale BTC related fraud in UK. Advise on restraint and disclosure orders regarding BTC holdings and in criminal investigation and prosecution.
International
Prosecutor v President Prlic – trial of leader of Herceg-Bosna in UN Tribunal – the Slobodan Praljak case - Trial Counsel
Prosecutor v President Charles Taylor – trial of Liberian leader in UN Tribunal - Trial Counsel.
Mikheil Saakashvili – advising the former President of Georgia and Governor of Odessa on the legality of his expulsion from Ukraine (with Geoffrey Robertson QC)
Prosecutor v Karazdic – member of amicus team filing appeal v application of Joint Criminal Enterprise theory
Sanchez Sanchez v United Kingdom - first case featuring UK to be heard by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights since Brexit
Senior Iraqi Politician – advised in cross border blackmail and extortion allegations
Horne v United Kingdom and Balahan v Sweden - Representing Accused in two appeals against extradition to the United States before the ECHR.
Sanctions - advising businessman accused of illegal armament trading seeking removal from UK sanctions list.
Diplomatic Immunity - post charge advice and intervention for US Marshall - prosecution withdrawn
Interpol
HNW Client - representing HNW Chinese businessman - securing deletion of Interpol Red Notice on fraud related charges.
HNW Consortium - representing group of HNW businessmen in South East Asia in a joint application to delete Interpol Red Notices.
X - Advising client on application to delete Red Notices from Jordan
Y - Red Notice from India deleted
Luke de Pulford - preventative application to Interpol warning against abusive Red Notice in respect of high profile China activist.
Advice on many other Interpol Red Notice Cases
Financial Crime
FCA v Korfuzi - Representing co-defendant in FCA insider trading prosecution, ongoing with 6 week trial scheduled for 2025.
SFO v Gerald Smith – UK’s largest ever confiscation order, parallel commercial court proceedings concerning disposal of assets following sale of Hyde park hotel portfolio and related commercial court and POCA proceedings.
NCA v F – representing son of Moldovan Prime Minister in one of the first UK Account Freezing Order Applications
Metropolitan Police v E - securing return and discharge of Account Freezing Order and unfreezing of accounts holding £1million.
HM – Businessman, securing return of £400,000 cash seized by police in contested cash seizure proceedings FF.
Successfully representing law firm in quashing search warrant in Divisional Court JR proceedings.
GM - Successfully representing documentary filmmaker in challenging illegal police search of home and securing return of property.
T – Businessmen accused in ongoing police financial crime investigation – securing return of £200,000 cash seized by police in contested cash seizure proceedings and quashing search warrants - CPS decide not to prosecute.
S - Businessmen in boiler room investigation – successfully challenging legality of search warrant - no prosecution.
JS - Police people smuggling investigation – successfully challenging legality of search warrant - CPS decide not to prosecute.
Extradition
USA v S – Representing alleged Mexican Cartel leader in USA extradition request re charges of murder and importing heroin
Govt of India v A – successfully representing Indian businessman in defeating extradition proceedings
Govt of India v L– successfully representing Indian accountant in defeating extradition proceedings
Germany v R – HNW businessman request for extradition on basis of organising tax avoidance scheme
USA v R - representing accused challenging extradition to USA in in wire fraud prosecution
HNW Music Industry Promoter – intervention defeating mutual legal assistance request and averting potential extradition
Reputation Management
Senior Member of Middle Eastern Royal Family – pre-charge intervention averting criminal prosecution
Dr M - Plastic Surgeon acquitted of racially aggravated assault following crown court trial
B - Senior aide to Russian billionaire - pre-charge intervention averting prosecution in assault case
R, Chartered Accountant – pre-charge intervention averting prosecution in assault case
H, Chartered Accountant – pre-charge intervention averting prosecution in assault case
H, Businessman – post-charge intervention resulting in CPS decision to discontinue private prosecution for conspiracy to commit fraud
R v I – Attempted Murder, gang related allegation, all charges dropped pre-trial
R v JD - representing anaesthetist charged with stealing drugs from hospital in high profile prosecution.
Sexual Assault Allegations
Ultra HNW CEO of international property developers - pre-charge intervention averting prosecution in sexual assault case
HNW Monaco based businessman – pre-charge advice in sexual assault allegation, no criminal prosecution ensued
HNW CEO of financial company - pre-charge intervention averting prosecution in sexual assault case
Rev C - pre-charge intervention averting prosecution in historic sexual assault case against member of clergy
C – advising former military officer in in historic sexual assault allegation with national media coverage
Dr P - representing GP accused of multiple sexual assaults on patients in 3 month trial
R v W – Defending former public school teacher in historic sexual assault allegation
R v P - Medical student - conviction averted after hung jury at trial in 2022
R v D - Businessman - acquitted of rape after jury trial in 2023
R v T I- T professional - charges of sexual assault dismissed in Crown Court 2023
Cyber Crime
HNW Businessman - post-charge intervention persuading CPS to drop charges in cyber- crime prosecution
R v A and R v H - Two separate recent cases representing IT professionals accused of Computer Misuse Act offences
R v A, Senior Academic, pre-charge intervention averting prosecution in indecent images investigation
R v P - Businessman, pre- charge intervention resulting in charges being discontinued in indecent images investigation
R v I IT professional, pre- charge intervention resulting in charges being discontinued in indecent images investigation
R v J, X, V - three separate cases in 2023 where charges dropped after defence submissions in Crown Court prosecution for indecent images
Client Testimonials
“Roger Sahota is an outstanding lawyer I could not have wished for better. I recommend everyone to Mr Sahota, he represented me at a difficult time.”
— M Y
“Amazing - so grateful to Roger for what he has done. What a great solicitor - he was reliable, helpful and professional. He went out of his way and has made such a huge difference to me and my children. Brilliant outcome. Would definitely recommend to others. — K N
“I cannot thank Roger and Daniel enough for the efforts and services they provided. Roger always kept a calm, organised and positive outlook from day one which helped me do the same during this lengthy wait for trial as well as everything preceding. My family and I all feel extremely well represented by you both and it’s been a pleasure to have met you. I wish you both very well in the future.” — R T (Medical Professional)
“I would like to say thank you for your help and support throughout my case. I am truly appreciative of all the hard work both you and Andrew put into my case.” — NS
"I was pleased with Mr Sahota’s attitude from the very first time I met him in the office and later at court proceedings. I found him as very friendly, calm and helpful with a very professional attention to details and professional conduct. Thanks to him we managed to put things right. I wish no one experienced such a matter but if it happens I would strongly recommend Mr Roger Sahota as reliable resource of legal help.” — M Y
“I am very very satisfied and happy to be a part of the winning streak of Roger Sahota in handling and defending legal cases. I picked him up to represent me based on the reviews given to him and I did not regret it. He is very professional and well-mannered. Having put my trust in him, he was able to intelligently and comprehensively outline my defense and clearly presented it to my accuser; hence the case was won handily. In this regard, i am giving a 5-star review of Roger Sahota’s accomplishment.” — M C
Read more client reviews for Roger on our testimonials page.
Criminal Law Articles
Amicus Curiae Motion for Review of Joint Criminal Enterprise Doctrine, MICT Filed 24th August 2017
Guide to Criminal Finances Act 2017, Roger Sahota, Law Society Gazette, 23rd May 2017
Would your AML practices make the SRA 'raise an eyebrow'?, Roger Sahota, Solicitors Journal, October 9 2015
Roger Sahota - Legal Network Television DVD - a practitioners guide to changes made by the Serious Crime Act to POCA 2002, October 2015
From Russia With Cash - Roger Sahota writes for Property Drum Magazine, September 2015
Guide to Serious Crime Act 2015, Roger Sahota, Law Society Gazette, June 2015 (with Nicholas Yeo, barrister)
Solicitors Guide to Search Warrants, Roger Sahota, Law Society Gazette, June 2014 (with Rupert Bowers QC)
Orders Need to Suit the Facts, Roger Sahota, Law Society Gazette, September 2013
Clarifying the Hearsay Rule, Roger Sahota, Criminal Law and Justice Weekly, June 2013 (with Tim Welch)
Memberships
Solicitors Association of Higher Courts Advocates – Secretary
Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association
Law Society Human Rights Section
Law Society Advocacy Section Steering Committee
Court of Appeal Users Group
London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association
Association of Defence Lawyers Practising Before the ICTY
Society of Labour Lawyers