Jonathan Lennon KC/ £22M AFOs successfully challenged

National Crime Agency v U Ltd and others.  Westminster Magistrates' Court.

In late 2024 Jonathan Lennon KC was instructed to represent U Ltd, a new company that has amassed significant sums from overseas sources in a short period.  The company had had its bank accounts frozen, initially by a bank Suspicious Activity Report, followed by a period of extension by the NCA – the ‘moratorium period’.  At the conclusion of that period the NCA sought on notice Account Freezing Orders for all 3 accounts for a one year period.   This would have put the U Ltd out of business.  The company had legitimate explanations for the significant sums in the accounts and Jonathan headed a team which marshalled, at short notice, a challenge to the NCA’s application.  The NCA were represented by 2 counsel.  The result was the immediate release by consent of nearly £10M allowing the company to continue to operate and the NCA being restricted to a three month, as opposed to a one year Order.  In those three months U Ltd were able to provide further evidence leading to the short-term AFOs being set aside just before Christmas 2024.   

Jonathan Lennon KC was instructed by Pav Benning and Richard Naylor of The Queensbury Group.