Andrei Luca

Partner – Private Clients | Director of Risk and Compliance
Sterling Law (Legal 500 Firm) | London

About Andrei

Andrei Luca is a Partner in the Private Client team and Director of Risk and Compliance at Sterling Law, a Legal 500 recognised London law firm. He advises high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), entrepreneurs and international families on private wealth, estate planning, residential and commercial conveyancing, crypto transactions and cross-border legal matters, while leading the firm’s AML, compliance and financial crime framework.

His practice combines technical private client expertise with strategic risk oversight, providing clients with legally robust, commercially focused and fully compliant solutions.

Private Client – London | Estate Planning & Probate

Andrei advises UK and international clients on complex estate planning and succession matters, including cross-border estates and high-value asset structures.

• Drafting Wills and advising on lifetime gifting strategies
• Trust structuring and administration
• Probate and estate administration (including multi-jurisdictional estates)
• Inheritance Tax planning under the Inheritance Tax Act 1984
• Asset protection strategies for internationally mobile families
• Cross-border estate planning involving EU and non-EU jurisdictions

He works alongside leading tax advisers, accountants and specialist private client barristers to ensure holistic, tax-efficient and compliant wealth structuring. Sterling Law has developed an established ecosystem of professionals — including tax advisers, forensic accountants, audit specialists and counsel — enabling clients to receive integrated legal and financial advice under one coordinated framework.

Residential & Commercial Conveyancing – High-Value and Complex Transactions

Andrei provides strategic oversight on residential and commercial conveyancing in London, particularly high-value, complex or cross-border property transactions.

He regularly advises on:

• Prime and super-prime London residential property acquisitions and disposals
• Commercial property transactions and corporate acquisitions via SPVs
• Property transactions involving overseas investors
• Lender compliance and regulatory risk in conveyancing

Source of Funds and Source of Wealth assessments in high-value transactions

His work ensures strict compliance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended), the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and SRA regulatory requirements.

Clients — particularly UHNW individuals and international investors — rely on his discretion, precision and ability to manage enhanced due diligence requirements without compromising transaction efficiency.

AML, Due Diligence & Risk Advisory

As Director of Risk and Compliance, Andrei leads Sterling Law’s firm-wide compliance strategy in accordance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations.

He is recognised for his expertise in:

• Anti-Money Laundering (AML) advisory and compliance
• Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for high-risk and PEP clients
• Source of Wealth and Source of Funds investigations
• Financial crime risk mitigation
• Internal compliance audits and governance frameworks
• Advising on UK sanctions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018

He has particular experience assisting professionals, directors and international clients facing frozen accounts, sanctions exposure or complex financial compliance queries.

His approach is preventative, commercially pragmatic and aligned with OFSI guidance and UK financial crime legislation.

Crypto Transactions & Digital Assets – UK Legal Advice

Andrei advises private clients and investors on legal and compliance aspects of crypto-assets and digital wealth in the UK.

His work includes:

• Property purchases funded by crypto assets
• Assessing AML and regulatory implications of crypto-derived wealth
• Structuring transactions involving digital assets
• Source of Wealth reporting linked to crypto trading and investment
• Estate planning considerations involving digital assets

He ensures compliance with FCA guidance and the UK’s evolving regulatory framework governing crypto-assets, particularly where digital wealth intersects with conveyancing, estate planning and cross-border transfers.

Cross-Border Private Client Advice

With admission to the Romanian Bar (2003) and a Master’s Degree in EU Law, Andrei is particularly well-positioned to advise on UK–EU and wider international matters.

He regularly assists clients with:

• Multi-jurisdictional estate administration
• Cross-border succession planning
• International asset structuring
• Regulatory risk in overseas property transactions

His cross-border capability provides reassurance to international families, foreign investors and globally mobile entrepreneurs requiring coordinated UK legal advice.

Professional Background

Andrei joined Sterling Law initially within its Immigration and Compliance function before progressing to Head of Risk and Compliance and subsequently Partner. While his earlier role involved regulatory oversight in immigration services, his current practice focuses on private client, conveyancing compliance, AML advisory and financial crime risk management.

He is a qualified lawyer admitted to the Romanian Bar Association (2003), holds a First-Class LL.B (Hons) and a Master’s Degree in EU Law with Merit.

Why Clients Instruct Andrei Luca

Clients value:

• Strategic private client advice aligned with UK legislation
• Robust AML and compliance expertise
• Experience in high-value property and cross-border transactions
• Crypto asset transaction oversight within a regulated framework
• Access to Sterling Law’s integrated ecosystem of barristers, tax advisers, accountants and audit specialists

His dual role as Partner and Director of Risk and Compliance ensures that every instruction is delivered with legal precision, regulatory integrity and commercial awareness.