Jeffrey Simser is one of Canada’s leading experts on asset recovery, civil asset forfeiture, anti-money laundering and anti-bribery and corruption law.
Jeffrey Simser Barrister & Solicitor
Jeffrey Simser is a Barrister and Solicitor in Toronto, Canada. He served as a lawyer and legal director at the Ministry of the Attorney General for over thirty years before starting his own practice in 2022. He is one of Canada’s leading experts on asset forfeiture and anti-money laundering law. He holds law degrees from Queens University at Kingston and Osgoode Hall Law School. Mr. Simser is the author of two published books, Civil Asset Forfeiture in Canada (loose-leaf) and Canadian Anti-Money laundering Law: the Gaming Sector. He is currently working with co-authors on another book, Money Laundering in Canada. He has published dozens of articles. Mr. Simser was twice qualified as an expert witness at the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia (the Cullen Commission). Mr. Simser has provided training and support to law enforcement and jurisdictions across Canada and around the world (including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Philippines, Guatemala and Kenya).
Education
BA: University of Toronto, 1984.
LL.M: Osgoode Hall Law, York University, 1997.
LL.B: Queens University, 1989.
Publications
Civil Asset Forfeiture in Canada
(2011-Present, loose-leaf)
Jeff worked on the policy and legislative development of Canada’s first civil asset forfeiture law and then subsequently advised each of the provinces and territories as they followed Ontario’s lead. This book, Civil Asset Forfeiture in Canada is updated twice a year and provides a practical quick-reference guide to defending, bringing, and asserting claims in civil forfeiture proceedings across Canada.
Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Law: The Gaming Sector – Co-authored with Rob Kroeker
(2017)
Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Law: Gaming Sector provided guidance and assistance to help lawyers and policy advisors navigate Canada’s complex Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulatory system as well as gaming law.
Milestones
Amethyst Award
(2008)
The Amethyst Award in Canada recognizes and honours Ontario public servants who have set a standard of excellence in their field. In 2008 Jeff was given an individual Amethyst Award for his work within the Ministry of the Attorney General developing and building Canada’s first non-conviction based law, the Civil Remedies Act in 2001, and then continuing to lead the Civil Remedies for Illicit Activities office.
Cambridge
The Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime is a unique annual event that brings together educators, government practitioners, the judiciary and the business world to discuss the threats posed by criminal and subversive activity. Jeffrey is an annual attendee. Jeff’s panels in 2022 include sessions on asset forfeiture and the Cullen Commission as well as a plenary talk on unexplained wealth orders.
Cullen Commision
(2020 – 2022)
The Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia was led by Mr. Justice Cullen. Jeffrey was twice qualified and testified as an expert witness on civil asset forfeiture and anti-money laundering measures. His testimony, papers and the final report can be found below.
Unexplained Wealth Orders
Testimony quoted in: https://www.cpacanada.ca/en/news/pivot-magazine/aml-unexplained-wealth-orders
See related article: https://baselgovernance.org/publications/wp-41
Jeffrey Simser 