
Jonathan Lennon KC had been ranked as one of the top 10 F...Read more
Jonathan Lennon’s practice encompasses homicide and other serious crime including allegations of fraud, bribery, corruption and regulatory and corporate wrong-doing.
In addition Jonathan has a substantial experience in POCA/asset recovery litigation in the High Court, as well as challenges to investigative orders such as search warrants and Production Orders etc.
Jonathan is in demand for criminal cases involving a cross-over with civil litigation.
In 2023 Jonathan Lennon KC was recognised as one of the top 10 financial crime barristers in London by Business Today magazine; See here.
Jonathan is experienced in handling the most complex briefs and is in demand for a range of cases including heavy duty fraud work as well as murder and terrorism cases. He has acted for the SFO in a number of cases. His criminal practice involves a significant amount of defence work in corporate and financial crime. Jonathan’s multi-disciplinary practice means he can bring expertise from one area to another. His civil practice includes, Financial Conduct Authority High Court actions, POCA High Court civil recovery, challenges to; Restraint Orders, Property Freezing Orders, Search Warrants and Disclosure Orders etc. He is regularly instructed in cash forfeiture and Account Freezing Order cases and has appeared at all levels up to the Supreme Court. He has been instructed by Government departments, regulatory bodies, companies and individuals. He is on the CPS Specialist Lists for Fraud and for Proceeds of Crime. Jonathan was junior counsel in the first POCA civil recovery case to reach the Supreme Court (SOCA v Gale) and in the seminal case on disclosure and PII (R v H & C). He was counsel in the leading cash forfeiture case of UKBA v Angus.
SFO v X and Y (2021). Instructed to represent an investment company and its director under criminal investigation for fraud (on going civil claim).
R v I (2022) Inner London Crown Court. Represented accountant charged with offences under the Charities Act 2011 (breach of trustee duties not to mislead the Charity Commissioners).
R v N (2022). Southwark Crown Court. Substantial and complex prosecution of allegations of mass money laundering of cryptocurrencies and ‘carding’.
R v PC (2021) Oxford Crown Court. Represented city solicitor charged with fraud by abuse of position regarding family inheritance dispute. Prosecution dropped case after service of Defence Statement citing significant disclosure issues. Defendant acquitted.
Jonathan has been a prolific article writer for many years. He has particular experience with intelligence and covert policing and is a contributing author to 'Covert Human Intelligence Sources. The 'Unlovely' Face of Police Work.’ Waterside Press. Jonathan is frequently asked to lecture to his own and other professions, including to the British Bankers Association as well as writing for the Journal of International Banking and Financial Law and the Proceeds of Crime Review.
Jonathan is again ranked as Tier 1 in the Legal 500 2024 for both Fraud: Crime and POCA and Asset Recovery (as he was in 2023) and as a New Silk in Chambers & Partners 2023 in both Financial Crime and POCA & Asset Forfeiture.
“Jonathan works tirelessly for clients and is completely on top of every matter he deals with. He has that rare quality of being able to being able to translate the most complex of issues to make sure that both the jury and the client are fully engaged in the proceedings.” Legal 500, 2025.
“John is a distinguished silk and a leading figure in the intricate and heavyweight realm of serious financial and regulatory crime. Possessing a comprehensive knowledge of the law, he consistently leaves a lasting impression.” Legal 500, 2025.
“The strength of legal arguments is superb and his written work is first class.” Chambers & Partners Financial Crime 2025.
“He is a great defender and fantastic on his feet.” Chambers & Partners Financial Crime 2025.
“Jonathan is a very good advocate and a strong practitioner.” Chambers & Partners Financial Crime 2025.
“Jonathan Lennon KC's written work is exceptional and he has a nice style about him.” Chambers & Partners (POCA) 2025.
“Jonathan is excellent. He has a passion for advancing cases for his clients and presenting them in the best possible light.” Chambers & Partners (POCA) 2025.
"Jonathan Lennon KC is a POCA guru who is extremely responsive and reactive. He provides an unrivalled level of support to clients when the stakes are high and they have everything to lose." Chambers & Partners (POCA) 2025.
“Jonathan is a first-rate criminal defence barrister. He is a thorough, diligent and persuasive advocate.” Legal 500, 2024.
“Jonathan has sound judgement and is a passionate advocate. He has a firm focus on strengths of the case in his written submissions, and a good rapport with the bench.” Legal 500 (POCA) 2024.
“He is a fantastic advocate and wonderful to work with” Chambers & Partners Financial Crime 2024.
“Eloquent, likeable and down to earth, he knows the regulations inside out” and “He has a very good manner with the court; he focuses in on the necessary points and really hammers them home.” Chambers & Partners (POCA) 2024.
"Involved in some of the most complicated POCA cases around, he explains complex positions to clients in a very simple fashion." - Chambers and Partners 2023
"Jonathan is a first-rate criminal defence barrister. He is a thorough, diligent and persuasive advocate." - Legal 500 2023
"A class act – Jonathan is a first rate advocate, who is incredibly incisive, very strategic and exceptionally good at cutting through fine detail quickly and with ease. He has an elegant and captivating style to his advocacy, achieving the right results form a tribunal." - Legal 500 2023
“A robust and punchy advocate who is amazingly bright” - Chambers & Partners 2022
“Jonathan is a meticulous barrister, whose emphasis on detailed preparation enhances a measured and unflappable approach in court” – Legal 500, 2022
"Jonathan is a first-rate lawyer with an outstanding legal mind. He is a seriously accomplished counsel who glides through hugely demanding cases with ease" - Legal 500, 2022.
“Very good – he fights hard for his clients and is very effective” - Chambers & Partners 2021
“A great all-rounder with an eye for detail. He is approachable, takes a common-sense attitude and is an exceptional advocate.” - Chambers & Partners 2020
"He is capable of grasping issues at short notice despite voluminous and complex obstacles." "His easy-going manner makes him popular with clients and juries. This is backed up with real determination” - Chambers and Partners 2019
“A popular choice of junior for those seeking expertise in property, tax and carbon credit fraud. He undertakes both prosecution and defence work and frequently lectures on corporate crime issues.“ "He is a forceful advocate in court and his technical knowledge is second to none." - Chambers & Partners 2015
“A renowned fraud practitioner who regularly prosecutes and defends in confiscation and asset recovery proceedings. He has experience of acting with regard to international mutual assistance requests, multi-jurisdictional recovery claims and contempt of court cases." - Chambers & Partners 2015
“Brilliant at the complex stuff.” - Legal 500 2015