Experience
Jonathan has significant trial experience of civil fraud, commercial dispute resolution and criminal defence, having been instructed as leading counsel in numerous cases.
Jonathan has appeared in most courts, including the Supreme Court, Privy Council, Court of Appeal and High Court and have been called on a case-by-case basis in the Cayman Islands.
Criminal
Defended in most types of cases, including fraud, terrorism, drug offences [including numerous multi-handed conspiracies to supply and importation cases], money laundering, sex offences, and murder. Jonathan has been instructed as leading counsel to defend in several murder trials. Jonathan recently represented a physiotherapist on trial for indecent assaults against patients and a doctor charged with child sex offences.
Experience in gang related cases, including murder, where an AK-47 was used as the murder weapon. The notorious Nunes footballer murder, an alleged drug-related assassination of a young footballer in the Midlands.
Asset Seizure and Forfeiture. Experienced in all manner of POCA confiscation proceedings, asset tracing, civil and criminal recovery, and High Court freezing orders. Particular experience in Account Freezing Orders under POCA.
Acted for defendants in Courts Martial hearings both in the UK and in Germany.
Banking finance frauds, VAT, Duty frauds, cheating revenue, money laundering, particular expertise in money laundering arising out of Hawala banking transactions. Most recently, representing a woman whose partner was in prison and using her bank account for drug dealing, and a Chinese woman who operated an illegal money changing bureau. Particular expertise in understanding Mortgage Fraud
Regulatory matters in the criminal courts, including offences under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, the Trade Descriptions Act, Health and Safety, Fire Safety and Consumer Protection Regulations. Jonathan acted for the defendant in one of the largest counterfeit goods cases, where the defendant was extradited from Spain by the Local Authority. Recently, Jonathan acted for the defendant charged with significant Environmental Offences, both in the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal. That case culminated in a confiscation order for £2 million.
Acted for the Deputy Commissioner of police in his trial in the Cayman Islands, “Operation Tempura”, charged with perverting the course of justice and misfeasance in public office. Tempura was an investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police into alleged corruption in the Cayman Islands, which involved the arrest of suspension of senior police officers and a High Court Judge.
Experience of the most serious of driving offences, including the successful defence of a lorry driver who tragically killed three in an accident.
Represented and advised a former director of US firm Peregrine Systems, involved in extradition and liaising with the DoJ California and SEC in the UK. This case followed on from the “Nat West 3”, able to pre-arrange bail in the USA following extradition, with conditions allowing the defendant to return to the UK.
Death row appeals to the Privy Council.
Civil Cases
Directors’ Disqualification, Liquidators’ claims against directors, administrators, compulsory interviews with directors.
Jonathan was instructed in the Commercial Court for one of the defendants in an allegation of fraud against the SKAT ( Danish tax authority ), Skatteforvaltningen (Danish Customs and Tax Administration) (SKAT) v Solo Capital Partners LLP (In Special Administration), Sanjay Shah and others alleging a loss said to be in the region of £1.5 billion. Though all Defendants were based in Dubai, the court in London claimed jurisdiction. Following the withdrawal by the solicitor, Jonathan continued to advise the client under the Direct Access provisions, including drafting witness statements and skeleton arguments. The Defendant did not have sufficient funds to pay for representation in what was a year long trial.
Advised several UK listed companies on the legality and possible money laundering implications of investing in Canadian cannabis production.
Litigated a fraud involving the collapse of a chain of hotels. The loss incurred was said to be £30 million. The case involved the management of a worldwide freezing order. I obtained £1m of D & O insurance for the directors following the initial refusal by the insurers to accept liability, on the basis that a COP 9 investigation had not been disclosed.
Regulatory
Jonathan acted for the NMC at their inception to get experience of regulatory procedure, and more recently have advised the Conservative Party on their disciplinary procedure and presented for the Met Police, as well as acting as a legal advisor.
Current Significant Cases
Acting for the defendants in Fortnum Group Limited, Marianne Sunita Advani v Alistair Jeremy Dias and Oaktree Court (Bedford Park) Limited in a £1m claim arising out of a share sale in the High Court.
Representing a mother and daughter, Sami v Sami, in family litigation involving a substantial property portfolio worth in the region of £1m.
Recently instructed in a significant multi-handed conspiracy to money launder, R v McGovern involving £30m.
R v Seedat fraud listed for 40 days in October 2025
Derby CC v Crossly, trading standards, listed 50 days in May 2026.
Reported cases include:
R v Yusuf [2024] EWCA 856 Appeal against sentence, Appellant was charged with conspiracy to supply at least 300kg of Class A and firearms offences. An ENCRO case.
R v Dixon 2023 EWCA Crim 280 Appeal against sentence following attempted murder conviction.
R v Balasubrananiam [2022] EWCA Crim 1404, fresh evidence, referral by the CCRC, on conviction of conviction for conspiracy to assault. The defendant stood trial for murder, the assault was an alternative.
R v Byrne and others [2021] EWCA Crim 107, a case concerned a carbon credit fraud, bad character and the admissibility of “dubious” expert evidence.
R v Roddis Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) [2020] EWCA Crim 396, an appeal against convictions for terrorist offences based on new evidence that the Appellant was autistic.
R v Cooke 2013 EWCA Crim 90 Application for leave to appeal against conviction for a shooting in a tattoo parlour.
R v Joof and others [2012] EWCA Crim 1475 Murder conviction quashed
R v Morgan [2011] EWCA 1429 Appeal against conviction for serious drugs and money laundering offences.
R v Orlowski [2011] EWCA 454 Appeal against minimum term murder conviction.
R v Austin [2009] EWCA Crim 394. Appeal against sentence for graffiti offences.
R v Mahmood 2009 EWCA Crim 2009 Honour killing appeal against conviction, new evidence called.
R v Athwal Court [2009] EWCA Crim 789, where he acted for the appellant at trial and on appeal for an honour killing.
R v Davies [2003] EWCA Crim 3110 Trade Descriptions appeal against conviction.
Culmer v Queen Privy Council (Bahamas) [1997] 1 W.L.R. 1296, acted for the appellant on appeal from the Bahamas to the Privy Council.
Martin v Watson [1996] A.C. 74, an appeal to the House of Lords on the issue of who was the prosecutor for the tort of malicious prosecution.
Tiffin School, Kingston Upon Thames
LSE, LLB Law Graduated in 1985
Bar School 1984 to 1986
Called to the Bar October 1986