Rebecca Dix
Rebecca practises in criminal law defence and prosecution cases with a unique insight and expertise of advising clients during the pre-charge phase of a criminal case, for example during long running and complex investigations where search warrants have been conducted or where deferred prosecution or plea negotiation agreements are in contemplation.
An experienced barrister in corporate criminal law, with a unique insight and expertise in advising corporate clients (whether witnesses or suspects) in connection with fraud and bribery investigations and prosecutions.
Rebecca advises corporates, senior executives and leading Government enforcement agencies (including the Serious Fraud Office) on a range of pre and post- charge criminal matters in both public and private prosecutions as well as Deferred Prosecution Agreements and adequate procedures in failure to prevent corporate crime offences.
As a trial advocate, her Court practice covers a broad range of criminal law offences from high profile international corporate crime cases to money laundering, driving, theft, robbery, burglary, serious assault and drug offences.
In addition to her advisory and court work, Rebecca regularly enjoys providing in- house Corporate training and advocacy training for new and established barristers in the profession.
Notable cases
Defence
Fraud and Money laundering offences
R v x (2024)
Led defence junior in an ongoing fraud investigation, alleging long running insider employee fraud and money laundering offences.
X – stock listed company (2023)
Advised the corporate on international bribery offences, in particular in relation to payments made to secure high value contracts. International advice was provided with partners based in UAE, USA and Europe.
X- High fashion industry
Reviewed compliance policies and provided a training deck on responding to a dawn raid/search warrant execution on site.
X- Listed company (2022)
Reviewing and advising on anti- bribery policy measures for the corporate in particular around corporate hospitality. Reviewing global policy documents to assess risk management relevant to the industry and nature of the business to provide advice on effective ABC measures to be applied globally.
R v X and 8 others Blackfriars Crown Court (2016)
Successfully defended X accused of a large scale conspiracy to convert criminal property. It was alleged that £1million worth of Apple Inc. gift cards had been purchased from over 25 fraudulent multi- jurisdictional bank accounts. After extensive legal argument the jury were directed to acquit after the Crown offered no evidence.
R v X and 2 others Wood Green Crown Court (2016)
The defendants were charged with money laundering offences for cash found during a police search. X, a vulnerable and heavily pregnant suspect. The police evidence was robustly challenged on procedure and the Judge held that PACE had not been lawfully applied. The jury returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty.
R v X and others Southwark Crown Court (2015-2016)
Part of the defence team for a Barclays swaps trader, alleged to have manipulated LIBOR. Prepared his defence denying any dishonesty and reviewed extensive disclosure schedules in support of that defence in preparation of extensive legal argument. X was later acquitted at trial.
R v Anwyl and others (Op Amazon) Southwark Crown Court (2015-2016)
Conspiracy to defraud HMRC of £60m and money laundering offences in relation to a forestry investment scheme. Prepared the defence statement with Leading Counsel and reviewed extensive disclosure schedules and evidence to prepare the defence. Attended pre-trial hearings on disclosure and legal arguments.
R v X and others (Op Hornet) Southwark Crown Court (2015-2016)
X, a practising solicitor at the time, was accused with others in relation to the high profile Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) conspiracy to defraud (£245m) case. X was alleged to have concealed criminal property during the period of the alleged fraud and corruption. Rebecca was part of the defence team in preparing the defence statement and analysing extensive and complex disclosure schedules, in anticipation of section 8 and legal applications before trial. Rebecca conducted pre-trial hearings with leading King’s Counsel in preparation of the trial. X was acquitted at trial.
Prosecution
Bribery, fraud and corruption
X- Government Department (2024)
Advised on a sensitive project for a Government department on potential criminal and civil fraud risks, working alongside the civil team when considering breach of contract claims to provide recommended steps to mitigate any future risk of harm to the contract for services.
X- Telecommunications listed company (2023)
The corporate sought to investigate potential allegations of copyright offences discovered through online advertising portals where arrangements were being made to unlawfully sell their products. Advice provided on routes to pursue a private prosecution.
Serious Fraud Office 2016-2022
Working with various investigation teams across the SFO, including two years as the Associate General Counsel Rebecca advised on the most- high profile and complex fraud and bribery investigations and prosecutions conducted in England. Her work included advising on covert operation techniques, securing and reviewing electronic material and managing teams of lawyers, senior investigators and forensic accountants during a long standing and what was to become the largest global Deferred Prosecution Agreement to date (€3.5bn). Rebecca had the unique breadth of experience from interviewing witnesses using Section 2 powers to reviewing the preparation of criminal trials during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Given her role, Rebecca developed a particular expertise in Deferred Prosecution Agreements that primarily related to industrials in the energy, oil and gas and aerospace sectors.
R v X (global aerospace company) 2018-2019
Led a team of senior investigators to investigate systemic allegations of foreign bribery in connection with multi-million dollar aircraft contracts and Section 7 Bribery Act 2010 offences. Prepared the advice and summary of facts for a significant strand of the multi-jurisdictional investigation that concluded by way of the largest global deferred prosecution agreement made to date, €3.5billion between the French, USA and Serious Fraud Office enforcement authorities.
R v Misick and others Turks and Caicos Islands (2010-2015)
Instructed by the Foreign Commonwealth Office with leading King’s Counsel, advising on the investigation and prosecution into allegations of multi-million dollar corruption, bribery, fraud and money laundering offences against seven former members of the Cabinet, foreign investors and local attorneys into alleged corrupt land allocations for the development high end hotel resorts spanning six years of alleged corruption.
R v Santheepan and others Central Criminal Court (2014)
Prosecuted three defendants convicted of a year- long UK wide conspiracy to defraud credit companies. The fraud was in excess of £300,000 with over 1000 transactions. All defendants pleaded guilty to charges of fraud by misrepresentation and money laundering offences.
Proceeds of Crime, restraint and confiscation
R v Noad Central Criminal Court (2015)
Instructed for the confiscation proceedings for a defendant convicted after trial for a £10 million boiler room fraud trading in carbon credits.
R v Salashoor (2008)
Instructed to enforce a £500,000 Confiscation Order made against a UK businessman convicted of illegally exporting gyrocompass navigation devices to Iran. Drafted an unusual and complicated consent order to allow for the payment of his Order.
R v Das Liverpool Crown Court (2008)
A scientist, convicted of using his expertise to set up an illegal vodka and whisky distillery. Instructed to seek Enforcement Receivership Order for the outstanding £312,000 Confiscation Order.
R v Derek Joyce Dover Magistrates' Court (2008)
Advised the prosecution on civil remedies available for securing the payment of the outstanding £400,000 Confiscation Order after it had been ruled that it was an abuse of process to commit the defendant to prison for failing to pay his order during the requisite period of time.
Insolvency offences
R v Huntingford Chelmsford Crown Court (2013)
Instructed to prosecute insolvency offences. The defendant, after having been disqualified, continued to act as a Director for a new company without the consent of the authorities. The offence was aggravated by the fact that he had continued to obtain assets for his business using fraudulent details.
R v Sagoo Aylesbury Crown Court (2009)
Prosecuted a Director of several companies for false accounting under the Companies Act 1985 and the failure to comply with the Insolvency Practitioners. The company was prosecuted for under £1 million of unknown bank transfers. The defendant was convicted and sentenced to a suspended term of imprisonment.
General crime
R v Browne Wood Green Crown Court (2024)
Prosecuted a 6 day trial for a Section 18, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The defendant stabbed his victim during an altercation. He was unanimously convicted by the 12 person jury.
R v Ahmed and X Southwark Crown Court (2014)
Successfully defended X against a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm leaving the alleged victim with a permanent eye injury. Self- defence was successfully raised and the jury found X not guilty but his co-defendant, separately represented, guilty.
R v X Lincoln Crown Court (2009)
Led by King’s Counsel in the defence of death by dangerous driving, two pedestrians killed on a dual carriageway after the car collision. X was the owner of the car that was driven by another who was intoxicated and driving over 100 MPH. X was convicted for aiding and abetting dangerous driving.
Professional Appointments
- CPS External Advocates Panel – Grade 3
- Lecturer on criminal law advocacy, the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ad hoc)
- Elected Governing Barrister Bencher at the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Professional memberships
- Pegasus Scholarship Trust Committee member, Inner Temple
- Bar Council Committee member, formerly the Elected Employed Bar representative. A member of the Equality and Diversity working group.
- Committee member for the Bar Association of Commerce Finance and Industry
- Former member of the Territorial Army 106 Regiment, Royal Artillery Soldier and Officer Cadet training (1997-2003)
Education
- Post Graduate Diploma, Bar Vocational Course (very competent), Inns of Court School of Law
- LLM Masters in Criminal law, specialising in the Criminal Justice System (merit), University College London
Scholarships and awards
- Global Investigations Review Top 100 women in investigations in 2021
- Employed Bar Award for Legal team of the year 2020
- Peta Fordham Scholarship, Inner Temple
Call: 2004