Leon Hurd

Leon advises on financial crime and compliance, fraud investigations, regulatory compliance, and economic sanctions, acting for banks, corporates, and fiduciaries on cross-border AML, insider trading, corruption, and complex multi-jurisdictional investigations.

• Advised a financial institution on cross-border investigation by ACPR into their AML/financial crime controls. Provided Jersey AML compliance guidance and advised on resisting sharing confidential information with ACPR outside of established mutual assistance gateways.
• Advised a corporate administrator on a trust structure with possible proceeds of crime from a suspected Russian fraudster. Guided on SARs preparation, obtaining consents, and coordinating with foreign counsel in asset-holding jurisdictions.
• Collaborated with forensic accountants and officers during an insider trading and money laundering investigation by providing legal counsel and liaison with prosecution authorities in the UK and offshore.
• Worked on the prosecution of a financial institution for criminal failings in its money laundering systems and controls.
• Advised a bank in relation to parallel civil and criminal proceedings. Civil proceedings in Jersey concerned the bank’s refusal to pay away substantial funds, while the US criminal proceedings concerned allegations that the beneficial owners of the funds perpetrated large-scale criminal fraud in South Africa and the US.
• Advised a corporate administrator of a complex joint venture investment structure between two major countries, one of which is subject to complex sectoral economic sanctions. The structure involved a number of entities across a number of jurisdictions. Provided ongoing sanctions and AML advice on proposed transactions, in addition to responding to regulatory queries.
• Advised a bank during an investigation to ascertain whether it held funds derived from corruption in Africa. Work included advising on a potential constructive trustee application to seek directions as to what to do with the funds.
• Conducted an internal review of a fiduciary company’s compliance with risk-based systems and controls obligations arising from AML requirements, pursuant to money laundering legislation and guidance.

Leon advises fintech and digital asset businesses on regulatory compliance, tech regulation, blockchain/DLT, token distribution, and disruptive emerging technologies, supporting innovative financial services and platforms.

• Advised a fintech startup that sought to disrupt credit broking and revolutionise the ease of obtaining competitive commercial loans and funds for significant commercial property development projects.
• Advised online entrepreneurial platform around FCA designated investment activities and the relevant exemptions/exclusions in addition to detailed guidance on the FCA financial promotions regime.
• Acted for token distribution protocol on all regulatory compliance aspects to include the current business model and the negotiating and drafting proposed term sheets.

Leon advises on dispute resolution and regulatory compliance, representing clients in complex cross-border disputes, trust and investment claims, franchisor-franchisee conflicts, negligent advice allegations, and data protection and employment-related regulatory matters.

• Acted on behalf of a claimant pursuing claims under the Data Protection Act and under common law offences in relation to the misuse of her personal data and private information.
• Acted for a senior management function employee of an authorised pensions business. Successfully resisted allegations of failings of regulatory responsibilities in the context of a gross misconduct claim by the employer.
• Advised a defendant investment wealth manager in relation to claims of negligent investment advice.
• Advised a franchisee company in respect of a dispute with a multinational franchisor.
• Advised a former trustee of a substantial investment trust in relation to breach of duty claims by the incumbent trustee in respect of investments made by the trust
• Advised an Italian HNW beneficiary of a family trust in a complex dispute. The trust assets comprised an international manufacturing business and SPVs holding significant property interests in Europe. Worked with foreign counsel to coordinate legal action.
• Advised a liquidator of a Jersey company in respect of unlawful distribution clawback claims against the company’s former directors.

Leon advises on cryptoassets, NFTs and FTs, blockchain/DLT, digital assets, and fintech, providing regulatory guidance, structuring tokenised platforms, NFT competitions, crypto gaming projects, real estate tokenisation, and dispute resolution for crypto scams.

• Advised a cryptoasset insurance business on regulatory perimeter issues concerning the provision of crypto wallet/custodian services in accordance with the FCA registration scheme.
• Provided regulatory advice to a nifty fifty influencer concerning the structuring of NFT prize competitions and compliance with the Gambling Act.
• Advised a founder at seed phase on the development of a tokenised services platform and on the use of blockchain and fungible tokens within the platform, in addition to considering gambling laws in relation to gamified aspects of the venture.
• Advised on the development of a crypto gaming project by providing legal and regulatory advice on the minimum viable product, assisted with the preparation of the project white paper and wire frame in order for the client to engage with funders.
• Provided regulatory advice on a proposed venture to tokenise real estate for fractionalised ownership and also on the tokenising and vaulting of tangible property.
• Acted on behalf of victims of a crypto investment scheme scam, including a High Court freezing injunction against persons unknown, working closely with blockchain tracing experts and leading domestic and foreign counsel to obtain disclosure orders against a large offshore crypto exchange.

Leon advises on gaming regulation and regulatory compliance, assisting clients with prize competitions, NFT and crypto gaming projects, online poker platforms, lotteries, and cross-border gambling and blockchain-related compliance issues.

• Advised clients on the application of ASA and CAP code rules in relation to the promotion of betting/prize competitions.
• Advised a yacht company in relation to the structuring of a prize competition to ensure that it implemented a sufficient level of skill, judgment or knowledge to place the competition outside of a licensing requirement.
• Regulatory advice to a nifty fifty blockchain influencer concerning the structuring of NFT prize competitions and compliance with the Gambling Act, including review of terms and conditions of the competition.
• Advised a founder of an online poker/NFT project in relation to compliance with the Gambling Act.
• Advised a client on the design of a cryptocurrency mining game and compliance with both FCA and Gambling Commission requirements.
• Advised a blockchain-based football trading platform as to whether crypto tokens issued by the platform constituted financial securities.
• Provided a client with advice and an international comparative analysis of gaming/gambling rules in relation to a project engaging Panama, BVI, Cayman and the UK. The project potentially involved the operation of a lottery and prize draw.

Leon advises on tech regulation, disruptive and emerging technologies (AI, Web3, Metaverse), data regulation and compliance, and data privacy, supporting digital platforms, SaaS businesses, AI analytics, and cross-border technology ventures.

• Advised a cross-border digital commodity trading platform by providing regulatory guidance and solutions to ensure compliance while preserving the commercial proposal’s integrity.
• Advised an AI construction analytics company on whether the software that it uses to deliver services to clients could be caught within the scope of Russian sanctions.
• Advised a SAAS business operating in the ticketed events industry on regulatory compliance including guidance on the application of FCA rules, Payment Services Regulations, and Electronic Money Regulations.
• Advised the developers of an investment algorithm on legal and regulatory issues impacting on their business model.
• Advised a start-up online platform to connect investors with businesses seeking funding. Advised on the application of FCA consumer and investment regulations.

Leon advises on financial regulation, international financial regulation and governance, regulatory compliance, and fintech, assisting banks, insurers, and financial institutions with FCA investigations, business migrations, regulatory structuring, and compliance remediation.

• Advised a consumer hire business on potential failings of regulatory obligations connected to the delivery of its business. Advised on engagement with the FCA and also on remediation steps to bring the business in line with regulatory expectations.
• Advised a company on whether its business fell within the scope of FCA-regulated insurance activity. Advised on perimeter issues and structuring of the business.
• Advised an international financial institution on financial regulatory matters arising in relation to the migration of its banking businesses from Jersey to the Middle East. Successfully negotiated the cessation and migration of the banking business.
• Acted for a major financial institution on a section 166 skilled person regulatory investigation in respect of the sale of interest rate derivative products.
• Acted for a major financial institution on a contentious regulatory investigation into the sale (and any potential mis-selling) of mortgage products, advising on liability and redress.

Recognised by the Legal 500 2025 for Fintech: Corporate & Commercial 2026

Recognised by The Legal 500 for Fintech: Regulatory 2025

Master’s degree in International Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation – received a distinction and the Best Graduating Student award