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Brian Sanya Mondoh

Brian is a dual-qualified barrister specialising in emerging technologies with knowledge and experience of blockchain, Web3, digital assets, artificial intelligence, and fintech. His practice includes advising the private sector, regulators, and governmental institutions on technology-related legal matters.

His wider practice encompasses contract and commercial disputes, intellectual property law, trademark and passing off, banking and financial services, bankruptcy and insolvency, media and entertainment law, employment law, family law, and landlord and tenant disputes.

He is completing PhD research in law on the use of blockchain and smart contract technology to achieve transparency and integrity in public procurement, and is a TEDx speaker on emerging technology and law.

TBG House (1)

 

Brian Mondoh

Brian's Experience

Called in 2017 (England & Wales)
Called in 2019 (Trinidad & Tobago)

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

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Blockchain, Web3 & Digital Assets

Brian is founder of Blockchain Lex Group and serves as an expert for the Digital Euro Association on Central Bank Digital Currency frameworks. His expertise includes advisory work on:

  • Regulatory compliance frameworks for Money Services Businesses and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) across multiple jurisdictions
  • Legal structuring and compliance for Decentralised Finance (DeFi) platforms and Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs)
  • AML/CTF program development and implementation for digital asset businesses
  • Legal support for digital asset recovery and blockchain analytics investigations
  • Legal compliance review and regulatory assessment for smart contract auditing
  • FATF compliance frameworks for virtual asset service providers
Artificial Intelligence & Algorithmic Decision-Making

Brian provides legal advisory work on AI regulation and governance, with particular focus on:

  • AI compliance frameworks, risk classification and governance for high-risk AI systems
  • Legal guidance on data protection and data usage in AI decision-making systems
  • Algorithmic bias mitigation and AI transparency compliance
Offshore Regulatory Compliance

Brian has experience advising Money Services Businesses in the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and other offshore jurisdictions on financial and regulatory compliance matters.

Risk Management and Commercial Advisory

Brian regularly advises on:

  • Mergers and acquisitions of blockchain and cryptocurrency companies, including legal compliance checks
  • Investment contracts and fundraising structures for blockchain projects
  • Trademark protection and passing off disputes
  • Entertainment industry contracts including artist performance agreements and dispute resolution
  • Company formation and drafting blockchain project white papers
Legal Tech Education and Awareness

As CEO of CryptoMondays Caribbean and Africa, Brian leads a community of over 30,000 members across 40 countries and guides aspiring entrepreneurs through complex digital asset regulations. He hosted 48 tech experts at events in 2024 and launched a popular YouTube podcast on emerging technology.

Through strategic partnerships with leading universities and financial institutions, Brian delivers Web3, blockchain, and emerging tech programs across the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. His programs provide fully funded courses to over 3,000 students annually with each cohort graduating more than 600 participants. Additionally, he created Web3 Bootcamp and Hackathon programs in partnership with XRPL Commons in Paris.

Legislative & Policy Work
  • Delivers blockchain, Web3, and emerging technology education programs in Barbados through Blockchain Lex Academy, partnering with the Erline Bradshaw Foundation, UN (Caribbean) and University of the West Indies

  • Invited by the Jamaican Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce to discuss national strategies on blockchain, smart contracts, and Central Bank Digital Currencies in May 2023

  • Co-authored UN publication 'Measures to Improve Transparency and Cooperation in Government Procurement & Trade in Times of Crisis' and received UNESCAP Certificate of Excellence

  • Served as blockchain expert on Scottish Trade Delegation to Barbados in November 2023, resulting in business expansion and educational programs.
Current UK Practice

Technology Law & Intellectual Property

Brian's practice includes cybersecurity law, data protection and GDPR compliance, AI regulation and governance, media and entertainment law, and intellectual property including trademark infringement and passing off.

Contractual & Commercial Disputes

Advocacy and advisory work on commercial disputes including contractual matters and financial services disputes.

  • Acted for defendant in Jhanger Karim v British Car Auctions Limited
  • Acted for defendant in Ryan McCabe v Reg Vardy Limited

Banking & Financial Services

Advocacy and advisory work on banking disputes and financial services matters.

  • Acted for claimant in Kiera Grant and Wayne Grant v Shaw Brooke Bank Limited
  • Acted for defendant in Trusted Brands Limited v Zempler Bank Limited

Bankruptcy & Insolvency

Advocacy and advisory work on insolvency proceedings and related matters.

  • Acted for defendant in HM Revenues & Customs v Medya Investments Ltd (winding up petition hearing)

Public & Administrative Law

Brian served as Public and Administrative Law tutor at the University of Nottingham from January to June 2023, teaching across 10 tutorial groups with responsibilities for assessment marking and moderation.

Since September 2022, he has worked as case manager for public law, immigration, and family matters at a leading specialist chambers in Nottingham. He assists the Head of Chambers on complex legal issues including judicial reviews and deportation cases.

Landlord and Tenant (Commercial and Housing Disputes)

Advocacy and advisory work on landlord and tenant disputes, housing disrepair claims and property disputes.

  • Acted for claimant in Mulu Asmerom v The Mayor and Burgesses of The London Borough of Lambeth
  • Acted for claimant in Kerry Benson v City of Doncaster Council
  • Acted for claimant in Phillip Cartwright v South Kesteven Council
  • Acted for claimant in Lynatie Gaidzanwa v Leeds City Council

Boundaries & Easements

Advocacy and advisory work on property boundary disputes and easement matters.

  • Acted for defendant in Ozer Oberlander and Rachel Oberlander v Edwin Sharett Raphael (boundaries and easements dispute; committal hearing resulting from repeated breaches of court orders)

Employment Law

From June 2017 to January 2018, Brian served as a student advisor for the Free Representation Unit at Nottingham Law School. In this role, he represented claimants in Employment Tribunal cases, specifically handling unfair dismissal and breach of employment contract claims. He managed cases, prepared court bundles, and conducted tribunal advocacy.

From 2019 to 2022, Brian handled various employment cases at the Industrial Court in Trinidad and Tobago, representing both claimants and defendants in matters such as unfair and constructive dismissal.

Wills, Probate & Estate Disputes

Advocacy and advisory work on contentious probate matters.

  • Acted for claimant in Julia Dawn Blake-Callow v Gary John Blake

Family Law & Matrimonial Finance

Brian has extensive experience in family law matters, with particular expertise in matrimonial asset disputes and divorce settlements developed during his practice in Trinidad & Tobago and continued through advisory work in the UK. His highly ranked article 'When Harry Leaves Sally: Digital Assets in Divorce' demonstrates his adept understanding of asset division and family law complexities.

His unique expertise in blockchain and digital assets provides specialist knowledge for cases involving the identification, valuation, and division of cryptocurrency holdings and NFT collections in divorce proceedings. This international experience enables effective handling of complex cross-border matrimonial asset disputes.

Infant Approval Hearings

Advocacy and advisory work on court approval matters involving minors.

  • Acted for claimant in Owen Harry Hutchinson (a minor) v UK Insurance Limited
  • Acted for claimant in Miss Sarah Gorji Nejad (a minor) v Haven Insurance

Credit Hire Claims

Advocacy and advisory work on credit hire disputes and related proceedings.

  • Acted for claimant in Annetta Dawson v West Bay Insurance PLC
  • Acted for claimant in Kurt Poulson v Great Lakes Insurance SE
  • Acted for claimant in Miss Antonina Danilevica G v Aviva Insurance Ltd

Employers Liability

Advocacy and advisory work on employers liability matters.

  • Acted for claimant in Kim Richardson v Elysium Healthcare Limited
  • Acted for defendant in Theresa Swancott v Bestway National Chemists Limited

RTA (Without Personal Injury)

Advocacy and advisory work on road traffic accident claims without personal injury.

  • Acted for claimant in Royal Mail Group Limited v Ms Bernadette Kerry
  • Acted for claimant in Josh Craven v Richard Law
  • Acted for claimant in Staceylea Pomfret v Asda Stores Limited

Personal Injury & Motor Claims

Advocacy and advisory work on personal injury and motor claims.

  • Acted for claimant in Donovan Owen Brissett v Advantage Insurance Company Limited
  • Acted for defendant in Sharon Cole v UK Insurance
  • Acted for defendant in Holly Stevenson v EUI Limited
  • Acted for claimant in Steven Hardiman v First Central Insurance Management Limited
Trinidad & Tobago Practice (2019- Present)

Brian established his own practice handling all business operations and conducting High Court and Magistrates' Court advocacy including:

  • Acted for defendants in civil matter involving breach of trust and commercial lease disputes
  • Represented Carnival costume designer in intellectual property infringement case involving unauthorized use of original designs
  • Drafted and negotiated performance contracts with national and international musicians for Tobago Jazz Festival
  • Advised a betting company in response to Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control legislation consultation in BVI
Caribbean & Commonwealth Expertise

Qualified to practice throughout the Caribbean region with expertise in Commonwealth Caribbean law and cross-jurisdictional commercial and regulatory matters.

Publications & Commentary

Key Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • TEDx speaker at University of Nottingham (2025): ‘Web3 and AI: A Match Made in Code’
  • Keynote speaker at Cambridge University, Queen Mary University London, City Law School, and Future Lawyer (UK)
  • Featured speaker at Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), London Blockchain Conference, and Fintech Islands (Barbados)

Professional Commentary & Media

Regular contributor to industry publications and featured expert in blockchain and cryptocurrency analysis across multiple international platforms.

Awards & Qualifications

Qualifications & Professional Development

PhD Candidate (University of Nottingham) - the use of blockchain and smart contract technology to achieve transparency and integrity in public procurement.

  • LLM Intellectual Property Law (Distinction) - Nottingham Trent University
  • BPTC - Nottingham Law School (Very Competent)
  • LLB (Hons) - Nottingham Trent University (2:1)
  • Legal Education Certificate - Hugh Wooding Law School, Trinidad and Tobago
  • BA Psychology with Community Development - Daystar University, Kenya

Awards & Recognition

  • UNESCAP Certificate of Excellence for co-authoring a research paper on transparency in government procurement and trade in times of crisis
  • Nottingham Law School 'Next Legal Voice' 2021
  • Nottingham Trent University Alumni Fellow 2018 to present
  • Featured on Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Computational Law Report Idea Forum on Composable Governance

Academic Awards

  • Nottingham Law School Dean's Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2016/17
  • Nottingham Law School's Model Student 2016/17 and 2017/18
  • Nottingham Trent University Alumni Fellow 2018 to present
  • Recognised as 'Nottingham Law School - Next Legal Voice' 2021

Professional Certifications

Certified Blockchain Legal Professional with specialisms in Decentralised Finance (DeFi), Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs), Blockchain and Supply Chains, and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance. Additional certifications in Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorist Financing.

Professional Bodies & Memberships
  • Honourable Society of the Lincoln's Inn
  • Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago
  • CFAAR (Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery) UK
  • Expert Panel Member: Digital Euro Association
  • University of Nottingham Commercial Law Centre
Languages

English, Kiswahili, local Trinidadian dialect.

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

Latest articles from Brian

Data Use and Access Act 2025: Regulating Automated Decision-Making Following UK Data Protection Reforms

The United Kingdom’s data protection framework is governed by the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) and aligns with the UK’s General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) to ...
Brian Sanya Mondoh
Brian Sanya Mondoh

When Code Creates Duty: The Tulip Trading Case and the Future of Liability in Web3 and Blockchain Networks

The Tulip Trading litigation addresses whether software developers who maintain Bitcoin networks may owe fiduciary or tortious duties to cryptocurrency owners. This question sits ...
Brian Sanya Mondoh
Brian Sanya Mondoh

The COPA v Wright Trilogy: English High Court’s Judicial Treatment of Vexatious Litigation in Web 3 and Blockchain Matters

This case analysis examines three sequential English High Court decisions in the litigation between the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA) and Dr Craig Wright. The trilogy ...
Brian Sanya Mondoh
Brian Sanya Mondoh

Code Meets Law: An Overview of the UK’s Crypto-Asset Regulatory Shift

Cryptoassets are significantly changing the landscape of global finance. They have introduced innovations like digital currencies, Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) and smart contracts, ...
Brian Sanya Mondoh
Brian Sanya Mondoh

Howells v Newport City Council: Challenges and Innovations in Digital Asset Recovery

The case of Howells v Newport City Council [2025] EWHC 22 (Ch) concerns the claim by Mr. Howells (‘the Claimant’) to recover a hard drive containing the private key to bitcoins ...
Brian Sanya Mondoh
Brian Sanya Mondoh

 

 

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