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Brian Sanya Mondoh

Brian is a dual-qualified advocate, admitted to the Bar of England and Wales (Lincoln’s Inn, 2017) and a barrister and attorney-at-law at the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago (2019).

At The Barrister Group, Brian is currently undertaking a part-time 9-month reduced pupillage (4.5 months non-practising and 4.5 months practising) based on his diverse international experience.

TBG House (1)

 

Brian Mondoh

Brian began his legal practice in 2019 in Trinidad and Tobago. As founder of a legal and edtech consultancy based in the Caribbean and Africa, he leads a global community of over 90,000 members, leading discussions on legal and regulatory compliance, tech risks, and market strategies. Internationally recognised as a pioneering expert and researcher in legal tech, Brian has been influential in policy development across various jurisdictions. In the last half of 2024, he hosted 48 tech experts at various events and launched a popular YouTube podcast to broaden the understanding of emerging tech amongst a varied audience.

In partnership with leading universities and financial institutions, Brian provides Web3, blockchain, and emerging tech programs across the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa, offering fully funded and assessed courses to over 3,000 students, with each cohort graduating more than 600 participants.

Brian's Experience

Called in 2017

 

Barristers in England and Wales are regulated by the Bar Standards Board

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Areas of Expertise

Brian maintains a robust practice in civil, commercial, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. He also takes instructions in family, employment, and insurance law.

Within his specialised legal tech practice, he advises and speaks internationally on blockchain, digital assets, and other emerging technologies. His expertise includes anti-money laundering, wash trading, crypto asset recovery, and ensuring that virtual asset businesses (VASPs) comply with financial and regulatory standards in jurisdictions monitored by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Qualifications

Bar Admissions and Memberships

  • England and Wales, Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, 2017
  • Trinidad and Tobago – 2019 to date (Practising)
  • Member: Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago
  • Member; CFAAR (Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery), UK
  • Member: Public Procurement Research Group - University of Nottingham
  • Expert Panel Member: Digital Euro Association
  • Member: University of Nottingham Commercial Law Centre
  • Member: University of Nottingham Public Procurement Research Group

Brian is currently undertaking a PhD in Law at the University of Nottingham, researching the extent to which blockchain and smart contracts could be used to improve integrity and transparency in public procurement.

Academic Qualifications

Brian has published research on the revolutionary aspects of Non-Fungible Tokens (‘NFTs’) and Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (‘DAOs’) in evolving models of data governance and ownership, fundraising and collaborative economies. His publications are widely cited in derivative works and have been listed on Social Science Research Network’s (‘SSRN’) Top Ten download list in various research disciplines. Brian’s work has also been featured on Massachusetts Institute of Technology (‘MIT’) Computational Law Report Idea Forum on Composable Governance in the contexts of legal tech, business automation, and Web3 (blockchain based web).

  • A Psychology with Community Development, Daystar University, Kenya
  • LLB (Hons) 2:1, Nottingham Law School, UK
  • Bar Professional Training Course (Pg. Dip) (Very Competent), Nottingham Law School, UK
  • M (Distinction) in Intellectual Property Law (Trademarks and Passing Off), Nottingham Law School, UK
  • Commonwealth Caribbean’s Council of Legal Education Certificate (L.E.C) (Pg.Dip) awarded by the Hugh Wooding Law School (Trinidad and Tobago).

Accreditations

  • Certified Blockchain Legal Professional with specialisms in:
  • Certified Decentralised Finance (DeFi) Expert
  • Certified Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs) Expert
  • AI meets Blockchain: Estimation of Blockchain Readiness - University of Nicosia
  • Certified Blockchain and Supply Chains Professional
  • What is Bitcoin? Saxion University of Applied Sciences
  • Bitcoin and Crypto-assets (Theory, Protocol and Design)
  • Certified Blockchain Know Your Client (‘KYC’)Professional
  • Various Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorist Financing by Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists - ACFCS
Publications

BS Mondoh and M Green, 'D'Aloia v Persons Unknown - Wrong Defendant Pursued: Implications for Crypto Exchange Liability, Legal Status of Digital Currencies' (Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence, 5 November 2024) https://bit.ly/3ZVF3Ks

BS Mondoh et al, 'Open Source CBDC: Exploring Open Source in CBDC Development' (December 2024) 

BS Mondoh et al, 'DAOs: Introducing a New Era of Governance' (December 2023) https://www.pf.uni-lj.si/media/zzr.2023.09.hude.iglicar.mondoh.pdf

 

Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Brian Sanya Mondoh, Esq.' (Blue Ocean Global Technology) https://www.blueoceanglobaltech.com/interview/blue-ocean-global-technology-interviews-brian-sanya-mondoh-esq/

 

Mondoh, Brian Sanya 'The Fight Against Crypto Scams: British Virgin Islands Court Grants a Worldwide Freezing Order Against Persons Unknown' (Blockchain Lex, 15 March 2023) https://blockchainlex.io/the-fight-against-crypto-scams-british-virgin-islands-court-grants-a-worldwide-freezing-order-against-persons-unknown/

 

Green Matthew and Mondoh Brian Sanya, Recovering Ransomed Bitcoin Sent to Exchanges' (Bitcoin Magazine, 15 March 2023) https://bitcoinmagazine.com/legal/recovering-ransomed-bitcoin-sent-to-exchanges

Mondoh, Brian Sanya et al NFT Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Connoisseurship and Critique (November 12, 2022). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4275613 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4275613

Mondoh, Brian Sanya et al, Decentralised Autonomous Organisations: The Future of Corporate Governance or an Illusion? (June 23, 2022). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4144753 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4144753

Mondoh Brian Sanya and Adami-Johnson Maria Sara, 'How to Regulate NFTs' (Right Click Save, 8 September 2022) https://www.rightclicksave.com/article/how-to-regulate-nfts

 

Mondoh Brian Sanya, 'The Satoshi Trifecta: Code, Transparency, and Privacy' (Blockchain Lex, 29 November 2021) https://blockchainlex.io/the-satoshi-trifecta-code-transparency-and-privacy/

Mondoh, Brian Sanya 'The Broken Chain: The Satoshi Vision, Bad Actors, and Clueless Regulators' (Blockchain Lex, 21 July 2021) https://b lockchainlex.io/the-broken-chain-the-satoshi-vision-bad-actors-and-clueless-regulators/

 

BS Mondoh, 'COVID-19, Web 3.0, and the Demise of the Middleman Economy' (Blockchain Lex, 1 June 2021) https://blockchainlex.io/covid-19-web-3-0-and-the-demise-of-the-middleman-economy/

 

BS Mondoh, 'The Future of Copyright Law in the Age of Artificial Intelligence' (Blockchain Lex, 7 October 2019) https://blockchainlex.io/the-future-of-copyright-law-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence/

 

Professional Commentary

 

'Blockchain Industry Review' (Cryptocurrency Club, December 2023) https://issuu.com/cryptocurryclub/docs/issue_december-final

@thecake.chat, 'Supporting Your First Steps into the World of Cryptocurrency' (Medium, 15 March 2023) https://medium.com/@thecake.chat/supporting-your-first-steps-into-the-world-of-cryptocurrency-f3af0b8e789f

 

Glimpsing the Potential of Blockchain-Based Contracts' (Nearshore Americas, 10 March 2023) https://nearshoreamericas.com/qa-glimpsing-the-potential-of-blockchain-based-contracts/

 

'Where Can You Find the Best Crypto ETFs?' (Time Bulletin, 10 March 2023) https://www.timebulletin.com/where-can-you-find-the-best-crypto-etfs/amp/

 

BigONE Series: An Expert Guide to Crypto Investing in 2022' (Blockcast) https://blockcast.cc/bigone-series-an-expert-guide-to-crypto-investing-in-2022/
Languages

English, Kiswahili, local Trinidadian dialect

Case Profile

1. Regularly advise clients in trademark cases, focusing on passing off and illegally modifying genuine products by removing identifying marks.

 

2. Regularly advise Web 3 companies through mergers and acquisitions. Recently advised a client in a deal where his company was acquired for at least £10 million.

 

3. Regularly advise clients wanting to raise investment funds through SAFT (Simple Agreement for Future Tokens) agreements.

 

4. Regularly advise on tokenomics to clients planning to raise investment funds through Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).

 

5. Advised on a copyright breach involving jointly owned rights, where one owner passed away and the surviving owner refused to transfer the deceased's share to the deceased’s estate.

 

6. Represented clients in a civil class action against a board of trustees for a breach of trust related to the misuse of commercial rent and attempts to unilaterally change lease terms for a commercial building.

 

7. Acted for a Carnival costume designer whose original designs were used without permission by a prominent Carnival band, resulting in substantial unauthorized profits.

 

8. Regularly advise event managers on negotiating contract terms with international bands and artists for performances at various African and Caribbean festivals.
Privacy Policy

1. This is a privacy notice that describes how, why and for how long I will process or keep your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’).
2. The GDPR governs how an individual’s personal data is used, and your rights in relation to that data.
3.  I, Brian Sanya Mondoh, have been instructed by you or your litigation friend (usually a parent), through your solicitor or agent, or via the Bar Pro Bono Unit.
4.  It is necessary for me to process your personal data in order for me to provide you with legal services, for example:

  • Advise on the prospects of litigation;
  • Advise on the value of your claim;
  • Representation at a court hearing;
  • Representation at trial;
  • Advise, review or comment on legal issues or evidence.

5. Processing means anything done to data such as: recording, organising, adapting, altering, copying, consulting, transmitting, combining, erasing or storing it.

6.The processing for the purposes listed above will take place in accordance with either Article 6(1)(a) GDPR or Article 6(1)(b) GDPR, depending on how you instructed me.

7. If you have instructed me on a direct access basis, or engaged a solicitor (or legal agent), to assist you in bringing or defending a claim then the processing is necessary to perform a contract to which you are a party (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR). To give effect to that contract (i.e. to bring a claim) it is necessary for me to process your personal data for litigation purposes.

8. If I am assisting you on a pro bono basis, it will be necessary for me to seek your consent to be able to represent you (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR). In this scenario, you will be sent a consent form.

Recipients of your data

9.  I may also be required to share your data with others, depending on the nature of your case. This may include:

(i)  Courts and other tribunals to whom documents are presented;

(ii) Your solicitors, or agent representing you, through whom I have been instructed;

(iii) Potential witnesses, experts and other persons involved in the case;

(iv) Solicitors, barristers, or other legal representatives;

(v) Ombudsman and regulatory authorities;

(vi) Education and examining bodies; and

(vii) Current, past or prospective employers.

Special Categories of Data

10.  In some cases I will have been given your personal data that is within the ‘special categories’ of data described in GDPR Article 9(1). For example, personal data that reveals your race, ethnicity, sexual preferences, political or religious beliefs, trade union membership or health. There are also restrictions for processing information regarding criminal convictions.

11. This type of personal data will only be processed where it is necessary in order to represent you in your legal claim, or advise on the prospects of a legal claim.

Retention

12. I will retain your personal data for no longer than is necessary, and where it is possible, I will anonymise your data.

13. How long your personal data is kept will depend on a number of factors. The retention period will be reviewed when the service I am providing you with is complete. However in general, I am obliged by the Bar Code of Conduct to retain records of my cases, and by HM Revenue and Customs to retain records for 6 years.

14. Once your case has concluded and fees have been paid, I shall retain only the personal data necessary for the following purposes:

(i) The legal and professional obligation to retain information relating to my cases;

(ii) To check for any potential conflict of interests that may arise in the future when I am instructed on other cases;

(iii) For use in the defence of potential complaints, legal proceedings or fee disputes;

(iv) To refer back to in future cases which raise similar legal, factual, or procedural issues.

15. The processing for the purposes listed in paragraph 14 (ii), (iii), and (iv) above, will take place in accordance with Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. That is, for the purposes of legitimate interests that are not outweighed by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms.

16. The processing for the purposes listed in paragraph 14(i) above, will take place in accordance with Article 6(1)(c) GDPR. That is, the processing is necessary for me to comply with a legal obligation. 

Your Rights

17. Where processing of your personal data was based on your consent (see paragraphs 6 and 8) you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This does not affect the lawfulness of the processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

18. Withdrawal of your consent to process such data will most likely mean that I am no longer able to provide you with the legal services you seek.

19. You may request confirmation that your personal data is being processed by me and details about the personal data, the source, the processing, the purposes of the processing, the recipients and the retention period.

20. You may request a copy of your personal data that is being processed by me. You may also request rectification (i.e. correction) where there are inaccuracies in the personal data.

21. You have the right to object, on grounds relating to your particular situation, at any time, to processing of your personal data in paragraph 14 of this privacy notice. Should you object, the processing will only continue where there are compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your fundamental rights, freedoms and interests. 

22. Where the processing or retention of your data is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, it will not be possible to object. 

23. You have the right to request that your personal data is erased where any of the following apply:

(i) The personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed;

(ii) You withdraw your consent where the basis of processing was based on consent and where there is no other ground for the processing;

(iii) Where your fundamental rights, freedoms and interests override the legitimate interests of processing in paragraph 14;

(iv) The personal data has been unlawfully processed; or

(v) The personal data have to be erased to comply with a legal obligation.

24. You have the right to request that your personal data is restricted from processing, so that it is simply stored, for the following reasons: as an alternative to deletion; so that it can be corrected; for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; to verify if a legitimate ground exists (paragraph 14).

25. Where it is necessary to correct your personal data, or you have requested the restriction or erasure of your personal data, I shall endeavour to contact the recipients of the personal data, unless this involves disproportionate effort. 

Security

26. I take appropriate physical and technical procedures to safeguard your personal data to prevent it from being accidentally lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way. 

Complaints or Queries

27. If you have any questions regarding this privacy notice, or how I use your personal data please email me: mailto: brian.mondoh@tbgbarrister.co.uk, or my clerks: clerking@thebarristergroup.co.uk telephone 01823 247 247.

28. I shall aim to respond as soon as possible, and within 30 days.

29. You have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe I have not handled your request in an appropriate manner. For information on contacting the ICO please go to: https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/

Brian's Testimonials

I wanted to commend you for another excellent piece. Thank you for the references to our work which you have dealt with perfectly. Congratulations and thanks again.

Dean Armstrong KC

I extend a heartfelt kudos to Brian Sanya Mondoh. Your unwavering dedication, mentorship, and guidance have been nothing short of transformative.

Favour Agbo

Agronomist

Brian delivered crystal-clear guidance swiftly, unlocking our team's full creative potential without the legal overhang.

Erica McKenzie

Creative Brand Concepts

 

 

Family Law Barristers (3)

 

Contact us about working with Brian

If you’d like to work with Brian Sanya Mondoh or any of our other TBG House barristers, send us your details and we’ll get back to you.