Louise Hodges

The Lawyer Hot 100 2012: recognised for her "outstanding detailed knowledge of her field."

The International Who's Who of Business Crime Defence Lawyers 2011: "The "outstanding" Louise Hodges is currently the vice chair of the European Criminal Bar Association. She specialises in fraud and business crime litigation and acts in investigations by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and HMRC".

Louise Hodges is a 'well-established expert in her field with sound judgment and considerable tactical skills'.  She has developed an excellent reputation for involvement in FSA investigations, for a number of clients accused of involvement in insider dealing and market misconduct in fraud: criminal.

Louise is a main author and co-editor with Stephen Gentle of "Kingsley Napley: Serious Fraud, Investigation and Trial" which was published in April 2009.   

Louise specialises in all fraud and business crime litigation, including investigations and prosecutions by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as well as other agencies.  She is particularly well known for representing individuals subject to FSA regulatory and/or criminal investigations for market abuse or market misconduct including insider dealing and misleading the market. Her cases frequently have an international dimension, and she has acted in a large number of cases involving international mutual legal assistance (MLA) requests. She advises in cases involving restraint, asset seizure or confiscation proceedings.   She also advises in general criminal matters including caution interviews under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).

Louise also has public law experience and is currently advising in relation to the Leveson Inquiry. She was the lead partner heading a team of lawyers representing a number of military witnesses in the Baha Mousa Public Inquiry. Previous public law work includes the Butler Inquiry into the conduct of HM Customs & Excise, IPCC matters and Judicial Review.

Louise is a regular speaker on criminal and regulatory investigations, in particular with regard to FSA investigations.  She is also active in advising and commenting on national criminal justice proposals and policy. 

Louise has a particular interest in Europe and is currently the Vice Chair of the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA).  She has given evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union and invited to attend various expert meetings at the European Parliament, Commission and Council in Brussels.  Louise has drafted a number of responses on behalf of the ECBA and the Law Society on proposed legislation such as the European Investigation Order (E10), European Evidence Warrant (EEW), best practice in antitrust proceedings, conflicts of jurisdiction and ne bis in idem, confiscation, the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) and criminal sanctions in environmental law.  

Louise joined Kingsley Napley in 1997 as a trainee and qualified into the criminal and regulatory practice area in 1999.  She has previous non-criminal legal experience working in the field of International Capital Markets in Hong Kong which included a secondment to ING Barings. 

Professional societies

• European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
• London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association (LCCSA)
• Financial Services Lawyers Association (FSLA)

Professional Committees

• Vice Chair, European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
• Member of Law Society European Criminal Law working group
• Member of the Editorial Board of the New Journal of European Criminal Law (NJECL)

Further information

• Listed in The Lawyer's 2012 Hot 100 Lawyers
• Listed in the 2011 edition of the International Who's Who of Business Lawyers
• Regularly invited to expert meetings by the European Commission, European Parliament and NGOs in relartion to Criminal Justice in Europe
• Member of the European Commission Justice Forum
• Has given evidence to the House of Lords European Union Select Committee E

Publications

• Gentle & Hodges: 'Kingsley Napley: Serious Fraud Investigations & Trial' 4^th Ed Lexis Nexus Butterworths April 2009
• Contributor to policy papers and consultations on behalf of the Law Society, the ECBA, the LCCSA and Kingsley Napley. Topics include best practice in Antitrust proceedings, EU proposals on evidence gathering and advisability, e-Justice, European Arrest Warrant, Fraud and Regulatory Offences
• Joint author with Stephen Gentle of "Regulatory Offences" chapter in "Fraud: Law, Practice and Procedure" published by Lexis Nexis Butterworths, 2004
• Contributing Editor to the Journal of European Criminal Law (JECL)

• Bribery Act guidance takes 'common sense' approach, Louise Hodges commented in People Management Online, 30 March 2011
• Britain Releases Guidance on New Anti-Bribery Act Law, Louise Hodges commented in The New York Times International Herald Tribune, 31 March 2011
• FSA publicity machine ensures victory before its findings are challenged, Louise writes in the Daily Telegraph, 5 April 2012
• FSA raises hackles over Hannam  Louise comments in the Financial Times, 4 April 2012
• "The FSA warns City: your on your own" Louise Hodges comments in The Telegraph, 23 June 2011
• "Kingsley Napley drafted in to represent alleged UBS rogue trader", The Lawyer, 19 September 2011