Comments
Partner Claire Cross comments on the FCA’s new non-financial misconduct rules and the potential risks of employers taking an overly cautious approach to workplace investigations.
July 21 2026
Claire Cross
Partner
"She is second to none. Claire is really sharp and has a personality that brings clients in and makes them believe in her and trust her. She is also very good at strategy."
Chambers 2026
BIOGRAPHY & EXPERTISE
Claire is an experienced lawyer in all areas of white-collar law, with particular expertise in criminal, regulatory and disciplinary cases relating to financial services.
Claire advises individuals and firms on complex white-collar and regulatory matters. She is described as being “at the top of her game” and “a powerhouse in FS contentious work” by Legal 500.
Areas of expertise
Claire has extensive experience acting in matters involving the SFO, FCA, HMRC, CMA and NCA, providing strategic advice and representation from the outset of an investigation through to formal proceedings. She regularly advises individuals in internal investigations, as well as witnesses and suspects in cross-border matters, particularly those involving US authorities. Her recent work includes matters concerning complex fraud, money laundering, market abuse, anti-competitive practices, and bribery and corruption.
Claire has a particular interest in contentious financial services work and has developed a leading practice in this area, advising individuals and firms on high-profile investigations and regulatory matters. Having previously served as a senior lawyer at the FCA, she offers valuable insight into the regulator’s approach, enabling her to deliver clear, strategic advice across both investigative and supervisory contexts. She is a recognised specialist in cases involving insider dealing, market abuse, fitness and propriety issues, and breaches of the FCA Handbook. She works closely with clients to manage regulatory risk, respond effectively to intervention, and achieve proportionate, commercially informed outcomes.
WORK HIGHLIGHTS
- Representing a suspect in the London Capital and Finance investigation.
- Representing an individual in a multi-jurisdictional spoofing investigation.
- Representing senior individuals in compelled interviews by the SFO and FCA.
- Acting for an individual in an FCA/DoJ investigation into bribery in Mozambique.
- Acting for an individual in an internal investigation relating to sanctions breaches.
- Advising an individual in respect of an SFO Ponzi Scheme Fraud investigation.
- Acting for a Senior Director of a listed company in an investigation relating to breaches of the Market Abuse Regulations.
- Advising a trader deposed in a US Anti-Trust Class action.
- Advising a Global Head of a bank in respect of an internal investigation into potential mismarking.
- Acting for a senior manager in an FCA regulatory case relating to breaches of APER Principles 1, 2 and FIT.
- Representing a senior manager in respect of an FCA prohibition order.
- Acting for a Partner of a multi-national company in respect of a large-scale conspiracy to defraud.
- Advising a company in respect of a Trading Standards investigation.
Career
Claire joined Corker Binning as Of Counsel in October 2016. Prior to this, she served from 2008 as a Senior Lawyer at the Financial Conduct Authority, working within both its Enforcement Division and Criminal Prosecution Team, where she advised on and prosecuted the full spectrum of enforcement actions. Between October 2015 and July 2016, she was also Assistant Director in the Cartels and Criminal Group at the Competition and Markets Authority.
Claire is recommended by The Legal 500 UK 2021 for Financial Services: Contentious, Fraud: White-Collar Crime and Professional Discipline. She is ranked in Chambers and Partners 2021 for Financial Crime: Individuals and Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory, and was described by Legal 500 UK 2022 as “a star performer” and “fantastic for all white-collar cases, particularly FCA criminal / regulatory defence work.”
News & Insights
Comments
FCA warns Premier League clubs on unauthorised financial firm sponsorship deals – Claire Cross quoted in the Professional Adviser
June 4 2026
Comments
Partner Claire Cross quoted in Compliance Week on How STORs Strengthen FCA Enforcement and Reduce Regulatory Risk
February 25 2026
Comments
U.K. Insider Trading Case – Claire Cross comments for Compliance Week
February 19 2026
Comments
Claire Cross Highlights FCA Fine-Setting Challenges for Law360
February 17 2026
Insights
FT Adviser Article – Banque Havilland Tribunal Ruling: FCA Integrity Findings Upheld
February 17 2026
Comments
Claire Cross Comments for the FT on UK regulator’s decision to fine Banque Havilland
February 13 2026
Insights
Three Cases, One Question: How Far Can US Financial Services Enforcement Go?
January 26 2026
Insights
Non-financial misconduct: what do expanded rules mean for Christmas parties?
December 15 2025
Insights
Terrorism Act: Policing and prosecuting ‘lone wolves’
December 15 2025
Comments
Claire Cross comments on the ‘Name and Shame’ test case ruling that could embolden FCA
December 2 2025
Insights
The FCA and non-financial misconduct: Updated rules and guidance
July 29 2025
Comments
Claire Cross quoted in the media about the FCA and non-financial misconduct
July 21 2025
Insights
FCA increases its efforts to deter insider dealing
June 16 2025
Insights
Claire Cross writes for FT Adviser about the FCA increasing its efforts to deter insider dealing
May 20 2025
Comments
Claire Cross comments on FCA findings – insider trading declining to five year low
December 9 2024
Insights
Illegal content: Internet crackdown?
October 28 2024
Insights
Lloyd’s of London strives for change: A new era of accountability amid misconduct scandals
October 21 2024
Comments
Claire Cross comments on FCA’s imposition of a £29m fine on Starling Bank
October 2 2024
Insights
Claire Cross features on Citywire’s Wealth Show Podcast
December 7 2023
Comments
Claire Cross quoted extensively on FCA and PRA proposals to boost diversity and inclusion in financial services
October 11 2023
Insights
The Online Safety Bill and the Criminalisation of Senior Managers
May 27 2023
Comments
Claire Cross talks about disclosure offences in Financier Worldwide
January 25 2023
Comments
Claire Cross comments on Jeremy Hunt ignoring lessons from the 2008 financial crisis
December 13 2022
Comments
Claire Cross writes for the Financial Times about Suella Braverman’s insider dealing accusations
November 4 2022
Comments
Claire Cross comments on the FCA director’s resignation
October 25 2022
News
Claire Cross writes for Pensions Age on the new powers of the Pensions Regulator
March 15 2022
News
Claire Cross and Nick Barnard write for Financial News on NatWest conviction
January 12 2022
News
Claire Cross is quoted in New Law Journal on NatWest guilty plea
October 14 2021
News
Claire Cross quoted in The Times on NatWest criminal guilty plea for money laundering
October 12 2021
Insights
The FCA and Fraud – The Story of A Reluctant Prosecutor
August 4 2021
News
Partners David Corker and Claire Cross write for Fraud Intelligence on Cum-ex
May 20 2021
News
David Corker and Claire Cross write for GBRR on cum-ex
March 16 2021
Comments
Claire Cross quoted in media on Natwest action
March 16 2021
Comments
Claire Cross quoted in Bloomberg on recent blow to cum ex investigations
February 24 2021
News
Claire Cross writes for Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence on Money Laundering Regulations
September 29 2020
News
Claire Cross writes for Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence on Burford v LSE
August 20 2020
Comments
Claire Cross quoted in GIR on MLAT requests
May 26 2020
News
Claire Cross writes for Law360 on FCA’s “Dear CEO” letter
May 22 2020
Comments
Claire Cross comments in GIR on FCA investigation into cum-ex fraud scheme
April 20 2020
News
Claire Cross writes for HFMCompliance on the FCA’s response to asset management
February 10 2020
News
Claire Cross to speak at Anti-Corruptie Conference 2019
November 28 2019
News
Claire Cross and Anna Rothwell write for The Times
October 15 2019
Comments
Claire Cross comments in GIR regarding EU whistleblowers protections
October 8 2019
News
Claire Cross writes for FT Adviser on authorised corporate directors
October 2 2019
Insights
SMCR roll-out: Less than three months to go, are firms ready?
September 18 2019
Comments
Claire Cross comments in FT Adviser about the FCA and SEC
September 11 2019
News
Claire Cross discusses FCA annual enforcement performance report in GIR
July 10 2019
News
Claire Cross and Nick Barnard discuss the criminal future of AML enforcement in Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence
May 30 2019
News
Claire Cross speaking at the ABA’s 33rd Annual National Institute on White Collar Crime
March 6 2019
Comments
Claire Cross comments on the FCA’s first decision notice against former CEO of Sonali Bank UK in GIR
December 6 2018
News
Claire Cross attending the Annual Bar & Young Bar Conference 2018
November 23 2018
News
Claire Cross examines the FCA’s annual report and the SMCR regime in CDR Magazine
July 27 2018
Comments
Claire Cross comments on how the FCA could use the SMCR as a tool to tackle sexual harassment in Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence
July 2 2018
News
Claire Cross attending the European Fraud and Compliance Lawyers Conference 2018
June 8 2018
News
Claire Cross discusses insider trading in Financier Worldwide
April 18 2018
News
Claire Cross attending the 32nd Annual National Institute on White Collar Crime
February 28 2018
Comments
Claire Cross comments on the FCA tightening its antitrust rules in Behavox
January 25 2018
News
Claire Cross discusses FCA investigations and compulsion powers in Thomson Reuters Accelus
December 7 2017
Comments
Claire Cross comments on ex-Bank of America trader fined for market abuse in Bloomberg
November 22 2017
News
Claire Cross discusses FCA enforcement interviews in Thomson Reuters Accelus
September 25 2017
News
Claire Cross discusses the extension of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime in Criminal Law & Justice Weekly
August 16 2017
Comments
Claire Cross comments on the FCA’s proposals to expand the SMCR in Law360
July 28 2017
Comments
Claire Cross comments on FCA enforcement investigations in Law360
July 12 2017
Comments
Claire Cross comments on the FX Global Code in Law360
May 30 2017
Comments
Claire Cross comments on the planned launch of OPBAS in The Wall Street Journal and PaymentsCompliance
March 17 2017
Testimonials
"She is second to none. Claire is really sharp and has a personality that brings clients in and makes them believe in her and trust her. She is also very good at strategy."
Chambers 2026
"She is totally committed to her clients and her advice is always of the highest calibre."
Chambers 2026
"I work primarily with Claire Cross. She is a powerhouse in FS contentious work. She builds on her years of experience at the FCA for the benefit of her corporate and individual clients. Hugely knowledgeable, responsive and client-friendly, Claire is one of the few genuine specialists in cross-over criminal/regulatory issues."
Legal 500, 2026
"Claire Cross is fantastic. Extremely intelligent, strategic, and client-friendly."
Legal 500, 2026
"Claire Cross is a go-to for FCA financial crime cases. She is brilliant."
Chambers HNW 2025
"Claire Cross is a real thought leader around FCA matters."
Chambers 2025
"Claire is a consummate professional who gets results."
Chambers 2025
"Claire is technically brilliant, incredibly practical and commercial in how she deals with situations."
Chambers 2025
"Claire Cross is one of the very few who truly specialise in cross-over criminal and regulatory contentious FS work. She has a phenomenal depth of experience combined with a lovely manner which makes her a pleasure to work with."
Legal 500 2025
“Claire has regulatory experience and is able to bring a business perspective and understanding to the matters.”
Chambers HNW 2023
"Claire has excellent client care skills and is extremely experienced.”
Chambers HNW 2023
"In my view, Claire Cross is the best solicitor in the market for contentious FS work with a criminal angle. She is incredibly knowledgeable and is wonderful with clients. Her stint at the FCA is put to good use for her clients, who benefit from her fantastic depth of experience in this area."
Legal 500 2024
"Claire Cross is excellent and is highly experienced in FS investigations and contentious regulatory advice."
Legal 500 2024
"Claire Cross has a well deserved reputation for working on the highest profile disputes, and I trust her knowledge and expertise completely."
Legal 500 2024
"Claire Cross is the real standout partner in the financial services space. Her judgement is excellent, she is strategic and very good fun to work with."
Legal 500 2024
"Claire Cross is one of the few real experts working at boutique level in the field of contentious financial services. Her experience whilst a lawyer at the FCA ensures she knows the inner workings of financial services regulation backwards."
Legal 500 2024
"She is erudite, interested and committed."
Chambers UK 2024
"She is fantastic and very knowledgeable with the FCA."
Chambers UK 2024
"She is able to get to grips with the key issues quickly."
Chambers UK 2024
"Claire is brilliant. She is incredibly sharp and knows FCA financial matters inside out."
Chambers UK 2024
"Claire is very well known in the market as a financial services expert, which comes from her FCA background. She is also very practical, commercial and reassuring with client advice."
Chambers UK 2024
"Claire Cross is excellent with clients, very down to earth and easy for them to engage with. She instils confidence in them very quickly."
Chambers UK 2023
"Claire Cross is very good at courtroom tactics."
Chambers UK 2023
"Claire Cross is fantastic. She is phenomenally clever, extremely experienced and a safe pair of hands for any client in difficulties with the FCA."
Legal 500 2023
"Claire Cross is extremely collaborative and immediately inspires confidence from clients."
Legal 500 2023
"She is bright, thinks outside the box and has excellent client care skills."
Chambers HNW 2022
"She is an excellent lawyer with really good knowledge."
Chambers UK 2022
"She is excellent on market abuse cases and she is great with clients - she has a lovely manner and is very relatable."
Chambers UK 2022
"Claire Cross has a wealth of experience, including in her previous role within FCA Enforcement, and is great at getting to the key issues."
THE LEGAL 500 2022
"Claire Cross is fantastic for all white-collar cases and particular for FCA criminal / regulatory defence work. As a former lawyer with the FCA Criminal Prosecutions Team, she knows the regulator inside out. She is a star performer. Well recommended."
THE LEGAL 500 2022
"Significant expertise in financial services investigations and cross-border cases."
THE LEGAL 500 2022
"Star performer."
THE LEGAL 500 2022
“A fantastic team player, extremely bright and a great tactician.”
CHAMBERS UK 2021
Claire Cross has "in-depth knowledge of the full range of potential issues which will arise."
Legal 500 UK 2020
Peter Binning and Claire Cross are 'brilliant at the interface of insider dealing and market abuse and are able to run rings round the regulator'.
THE LEGAL 500 2019
Claire Cross ‘knows every document in the case’.
THE LEGAL 500 2019
Claire Cross is 'a bright new star'.
THE LEGAL 500 2019
"Peter Binning and Claire Cross are 'brilliant at the interface of insider dealing and market abuse and are able to run rings round the regulator'."
THE LEGAL 500 2019
- Representing a suspect in the London Capital and Finance investigation.
- Representing an individual in a multi-jurisdictional spoofing investigation.
- Representing senior individuals in compelled interviews by the SFO and FCA.
- Acting for an individual in an FCA/DoJ investigation into bribery in Mozambique.
- Acting for an individual in an internal investigation relating to sanctions breaches.
- Advising an individual in respect of an SFO Ponzi Scheme Fraud investigation.
- Acting for a Senior Director of a listed company in an investigation relating to breaches of the Market Abuse Regulations.
- Advising a trader deposed in a US Anti-Trust Class action.
- Advising a Global Head of a bank in respect of an internal investigation into potential mismarking.
- Acting for a senior manager in an FCA regulatory case relating to breaches of APER Principles 1, 2 and FIT.
- Representing a senior manager in respect of an FCA prohibition order.
- Acting for a Partner of a multi-national company in respect of a large-scale conspiracy to defraud.
- Advising a company in respect of a Trading Standards investigation.