Marina Aristodemou

(she/her)

Research

Publications:

1. M. Aristodemou, ‘Are beneficial ownership laws important? A consideration of the contribution of the Panama Papers and Pandora Papers  in the evolution of beneficial ownership laws in the UK and the US’, (2024) 5 JEC <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949791424000344?via%3Dihub> accessed 29th September 2024. 

Upcoming Publications:

1. Chapter in an Edited Book, ‘The regulation of Market Abuse – is it time for an alternative approach?’, University of Bergamo, to be published in 2024.

I am open to any financial crime related research opportunities, including co-authoring books, book chapters and journal articles.

Thesis

An Analysis of Criminal Liability for Corporate Financial Crimes Committed by Shell Companies in the United Kingdom and the United States

Purpose of thesis:

1. Explore the importance of beneficial ownership regulation in the prevention of misuse of anonymous shell companies.
2. Assess the suitability of AML/CTF mechanisms used, while understanding the growth since the ICIJ case studies (Panama Papers, Paradise Parapers, FinCEN Files and Pandora Papers) got published. The effects on each jurisdiction will be discussed as well as other major cases leaked.
3. Provide recommendations for more reliable due diligence checks and the advancement of corporate criminal liability to provide easier access to prosecution when required.

Brief Summary:

The thesis aims to throughly analyse what happened in the key ICIJ case studies, how governments onboraded the information leaked and the progress made towards preventing access to the loopholes the case studies shown. Through critical analysis of the advancements made, current corporate criminal liability frameworks for both the UK and the US will be analysed, to assess which framework is more adequate to respond to the challenges faced from the observations made through the case studies analysis. Examples being, which jurisdiction monitors beneficial ownership in an efficient way to prevent being involved in a future leak and which jurisdiction has the best approach towards Know Your Customer/Know Your Business processes? Also, what is the role of financial institutions for each jurisdiction in the reporting of suspicious activity regarding businesses and how is this assessed by the governments?

After the consideration of the progress made in the UK and the US and their processes, the thesis will analyse potential recommendations for reform. The ultimate aim of the thesis is to understand how the UK could adopt a robust framework for corporate criminal liability that minimises the possibilities for re-offending and gives room to potential prosecutions when required. 

The conclusion will provide an overview of the thesis' obervations and the final recommendations.

Funding sources

Self funded project.

Biography

Education:

1. Cardiff University, Doctor of Philosophy (Law) (started in October 2023)
2. UWE Bristol, LLM International Trade and Economic Law 2023 (Distinction)
3. UWE Bristol, LLB Law (Hons) 2022 (2:1)
4. Institut International de Lancy, International Baccalaureate Bilingual Diploma 2019

Work Experience:

1. Lloyd's Banking Group, Economic Crime Analyst (July 2024-Present)
2. Triodos Bank, Financial Crime Apprentice (15-month placement April 2023 - July 2024)
3. UWE Bristol, Student Ambassador (September 2021 - April 2023)
4. UWE Bristol, Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) Leader (August 2021 - April 2023)

Additional Qualifications:

1. Level 3 Apprenticeship in Risk & Compliance 
2. ICA Basic Certificate in Financial Crime Prevention (Merit)
3. Qualified for both Lexis and Westlaw UK and Lexis Nexis Advanced Level & Westlaw International.
4. Completed “UWE Skilled”, a course that aims to work on soft skills regarding employability. A program emphasizing on Digital Marketing, Data-Driven Communication Skills and Artificial Intelligence.

Honours and awards

1. LLM International Trade and Economic Law, UWE Bristol (2022-2023)
2. LLB Law, UWE Bristol (2019-2022)
3. International Baccalaureate Bilingual Diploma, Institut International de Lancy (2017-2019)

Committees and reviewing

Early Career Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Economic Criminology.

Supervisors

Nicholas Ryder

Professor of Law

Severine Saintier

Professor of Law and Director of Recruitment and Admissions

Petula Thomas-Jones

Lecturer in Law