Elif Bilecan

Elif Bilecan works under the supervision of David Bloom, head of the Financial Crime department, with a particular focus on confiscation and enforcement proceedings.

Elif is developing expertise in proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). Her experience spans both criminal and civil law, as she has assisted in asset recovery, fraud, and regulatory investigations, providing her with a strong foundation to assist on high-value and strategically complex cases that require both analytical precision and a nuanced understanding of the legal framework.

Elif has completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a Masters in Law (LLM) and brings experience working on serious and complex financial crime, gained through roles at the Financial Crime Authority (FCA), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and in private practice at a leading law firm.

In addition to her casework, Elif is an active member of the Women in Criminal Law (WICL) Committee, where she contributes to initiatives supporting the progression of women within the legal profession.

07 July 2026

Crown Court orders private prosecutor to pay £75,000 after “improper” prosecution of SMW client.

At the end of 2022, Securitax Ltd, a UK-registered company, commenced a private prosecution against the CEO and Managing Director of a technology company accusing him of committing fraud in 2019.

28 November 2025

POCA Success: Benefit figure reduced from over £8 million with corporate veil and third-party interests successfully challenged

SMW secured a major reduction in a confiscation claim against a businessman, cutting the Crown’s alleged £8 million benefit to a £1.9 million order and nearly halving the available amount. All third-party interests were upheld, the corporate veil remained intact, and key assets were excluded after detailed submissions and robust negotiation.