Louise Hodges

Louise represents individuals and companies embroiled in criminal and regulatory proceedings whether in the UK or internationally. She has acted in relation to high-profile Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigations and Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) negotiations.

"Louise Hodges is a lead partner in the firm's internal investigations team and "one of the best around" in the eyes of our sources.... "If you can get her, get her" said one interviewee."

The International Who's Who Legal: Investigations

Corporate crime and investigations

Louise is an expert in advising companies and senior management in relation to corporate criminal liability and economic crime. She is experienced in conducting or advising on internal investigations and is part of the Kingsley Napley Corporate Investigations Group. She frequently represents suspects and witnesses being interviewed either by employers or by investigating authorities, including those being compelled to attend interviews. Louise was part of the team representing Tesco in the SFO criminal investigation and DPA.

Her advice to corporates includes the review, testing and development of compliance systems.

Financial crime

Louise is well known for representing individuals subject to financial regulatory and/or criminal investigations for market abuse or market misconduct including insider dealing and misleading the market, mainly dealt with by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the SFO. She co-heads the KN Financial Services Group. 

Louise often advises early in an investigation, aiming where possible to avoid criminal charges and either secure no further action or an alternative regulatory disposal.  She has a track record of securing acquittals at trial.

Her cases frequently have an international dimension, including involving the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and US Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as well as many European prosecutors and regulators, including Consob, BaFin, and FINMA. She has been involved in representing individuals in the Libor, Euribor,  FX and Cum-ex investigations and prosecutions. Louise represents individuals embroiled in HM Revenue and Customs criminal tax investigations. She was part of the team representing Rebekah and Charlie Brooks in the phone hacking trial. Louise has public law experience, including the Leveson Inquiry and in the Baha Mousa Public Inquiry.

Bribery and Corruption

Louise has a track record in representing individuals and companies in relation to accusations of bribery and corruption, which generally have an international dimension.

Louise is the Chair of the City of London Law Society (CLLS) Corporate Crime and Corruption specialist committee and in this capacity meets with senior members of the prosecuting authorities and government and opposition ministers and Law Officers.

Previous posts include the  first Chair of the Fraud Lawyers Association (FLA) and the Vice Chair of the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) She is a member of the European Fraud and compliance Lawyers (EFCL) and the GGI Global Alliance. 

She is regularly invited to participate on advisory panels for the Law Society and other bodies covering a range of topics including  professional conduct, Legal Professional Privilege and disclosure. She is a member of the Practitioner’s Panel supporting Jonathan Fisher KC in the Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences. In 2018, she gave evidence to the House of Lords (HoL) Bribery Act 2010 Committee and previously gave evidence to the HoL Select Committee on the European Union.

In 2023, Louise is listed by Who's Who Legal: Business Crime Defence 2023 and is recognised as a Global Elite Thought Leader for Individual  and Corporates Defence. She is also listed in the Lexology Index Investigations Report 2025, Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders GIR and she won the Who's Who's Legal Investigation Lawyer of the year Award in 2022. Louise is also listed as Leading Partner and Hall of Fame in The Legal 500 and is ranked in both Chambers UK and Chambers High Net Worth UK. 

Louise Hodges heads up the team and sets the tone and industry of its members. She is the go-to solicitor for most City traders whenever insider trading or market abuse is suspected. She speaks the language of the City with authenticity. Her experience in this field is second to none. I have never known a client to be less than amazed by her fluency in the intricacies of financial services. Down to earth, practical, realistic, Louise is admired and respected by every regulatory and enforcement agency in the field."

Legal 500 UK, 2023

 

Recent cases

• Part of the team representing Tesco in the SFO investigation.
• Conducting an independent investigation on behalf of an FCA regulated company.
• Advising a company in relation to disclosure requirements in a private prosecution.
• Advising a senior manager with regards to an FCA investigation into Anti Money Laundering systems and controls of a global bank.
• Securing “no further action” in relation to an FCA regulated individual investigated for allegations of not dealing with the regulator in an open and cooperative manner (Principle 4).
• Acting on behalf of a number of individuals in connection with the wide-ranging EURIBOR and LIBOR investigations and prosecutions being conducted by UK and overseas authorities and related regulatory and civil litigation.
• Representing an individual in the global investigation in to mirror trades and anti-money laundering controls at Deutsche Bank.
• Acting for an individual in the US and UK “London Whale” investigation related to JP Morgan.
• Acquittal of Rebekah and Charlie Brooks for offences arising from the investigation in to phone hacking at the News of the World. 
• Assisting a global bank in relation to an internal investigation following leaks of confidential information.
• Advising a regulated company with regard to money laundering disclosure requirements.
• Representing various individuals accused by HM Revenue & Customs of fraudulent evasion of tax in their personal tax affairs.
• Advising individuals in the Davis Inquiry relating to press briefing of information in the FCA's 2014/15 Business Plan.
• Advising witnesses being interviewed either by employers or by investigating authorities using their compulsory powers, in particular the Serious Fraud Office and Financial Conduct Authority.

Professional societies, memberships and directories

• Chair of The City of London Law Society's Corporate Crime and Corruption Specialist Committee (CLLS)
• Immediate past chair, Fraud Lawyers Association (FLA)
• Former Vice Chair, European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA)
• Member of the European Fraud and Compliance Lawyers (EFCL)
• Member of the Editorial Board of the New Journal of European Criminal Law (NJECL)
• Financial Services Lawyers Association (FSLA)
• Committee member of City of London Law Society Business Crime Committee.
• Member of The City Law Club
• Member of the Practitioners' Advisory Panel for the Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences

 

What Clients and the directories say

She's very detail-oriented but she can then rise above it and be strategic."

Chambers and Partners 2025

She is really thorough."

Chambers and Partners 2025

She's a wonderful lawyer to deal with."

Chambers and Partners 2025

She has done this job for a long time and so has an incredible wealth of experience to draw on."

Chambers and Partners 2025

I rate her extremely highly."

Chambers and Partners 2025

Louise Hodges heads up the team and sets the tone and industry of its members. She is the go-to solicitor for most City traders whenever insider trading or market abuse is suspected. She speaks the language of the City with authenticity. Her experience in this field is second to none. I have never known a client to be less than amazed by her fluency in the intricacies of financial services. Down to earth, practical, realistic, Louise is admired and respected by every regulatory and enforcement agency in the field."

Legal 500 UK, 2023

Louise Hodges – Her breadth of experience is unique and her wisdom is of the very, very best. She is also a naturally gifted leader and a lovely, empathetic person; under the most acute pressure, she never loses her intuitive understanding of the organisational and human impact of her advice to the boards of FTSE companies."

Legal 500 UK, 2023

Superb and tremendously clever criminal defence lawyer who is very easy to work with."

Who's Who Legal, Business Crime Defence - Individuals and Corporates 2022 

The unflappable and absolutely brilliant. Louise Hodges is an outstanding negotiator who combines great experience with excellent judgement and work ethic."

Who's Who Legal, Investigations 2022

"She is a great lawyer with good judgement."

Chambers and Partners 2022

"She is a deeply experienced, very thoughtful and compelling advocate."

Chambers and Partners 2022

"She is excellent and highly regarded in the market. She can draw from her criminal expertise when dealing with individuals." 

Chambers and Partners 2022

“Louise Hodges is experienced and respected in her field.”

Legal 500 UK 2022

“Louise Hodges is really fantastic and the go to person for difficult FCA issues, in particular for individuals facing investigation.”

Legal 500 UK 2022

She is right at the top in terms of expertise,"

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021

Louise is someone I would happily go to for advice. I trust her judgement implicitly. She is always at the end of the phone if you need to run some ideas by her."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021

In my view, she's an absolute star. She is without hesitation one of the best solicitors I know. She is phenomenally good, I am an enormous fan of hers. If I were ever in trouble, I would go to Louise. She has everything you need in a solicitor. She is extremely experienced, extremely bright and she's just got this level-headed ability to see exactly what the case is about. She is a phenomenal tactician and she does what is best for her client every step of the way."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021

"She is an excellent practitioner with a wealth of experience. She is a real leader in this space. She is very commercially minded, strategic and sees the bigger picture."

Chambers UK 2021

She is great with clients, thinks about the broader impact and has a no-nonsense approach."

Chambers UK 2021

She is incredibly good at anticipating not just the next step, but the next twenty steps. Her judgement calls are impeccable."

Chambers UK 2021

Louise Hodges is a reassuring presence given her depth of experience."

Legal 500 UK 2021

Louise Hodges is a star. Knowledgeable, feisty and compassionate and leads a good team."

Legal 500 UK 2021

Louise Hodges is a very good criminal and regulatory lawyer."

Legal 500 UK 2021

Louise Hodges is first choice for any city trader, she knows every police station in London like the back of her hand."

Legal 500 UK 2021

She is the best criminal solicitor out there. She has a good sense of how to work tactically with prosecution agencies to ensure that clients get the best possible result."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2020

The doyenne of white-collar crime with real in-depth experience. She is highlighted for her no-nonsense approach and for delivering it straight."

Who's Who Legal: Investigations, 2020

Without a shadow of a doubt she's the best I've worked with. She's extraordinarily hard-working and really experienced. She has impeccable judgement and she's very level-headed."

Chambers UK 2020 - A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession

 

Louise Hodges stands out for her experience, grasp of broader strategic issues and the practical advice she gives clients caught up in complex litigation."

Legal 500 UK 2020

Louise Hodges is a wise counsellor and a source of great tactical awareness in cases."

Legal 500 UK 2020

Whenever we have a conflict situation, we will refer to Louise. She is very strong on the tactical side; she impressed us with her ability to see through the swirl of details and allegations and come up with a precise strategy in a compressed timeframe."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2020

Unflappable and hugely experienced. She understands how every inch of the City works."

Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession

Louise Hodges is universally respected in this field."

Legal 500 UK 2020

A real leader in this space and a complete specialist for this work."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2020

A very thoughtful and insightful leader of the team."

Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession

She is phenomenally bright and very experienced in dealing with financial crime - she's not pompous but is grounded and tactically astute."

Chambers & Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2019

She is one of the best solicitors out there and a joy to work for as a barrister."

Chambers & Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2019

A formidable lawyer that adds depth to the firm."

Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, 2019

Comes “highly recommended” by market commentators, particularly for her excellent work representing individuals in relation to major FCA and SFO investigations."

Who’s Who Legal , Investigations 2018

Experienced and quick on her feet" and say: "She really is fantastic.""

Chambers and Partners, 2018

Extraordinarily hard-working, she is extraordinarily knowledgeable, very grounded and pragmatic."

Chambers and Partners, 2018

The ‘first choice for traders and other regulated persons who find themselves in the line of fire’. "

Legal 500, 2017

Blessed with ‘extraordinary emotional intelligence’,"

Legal 500, 2017

Is able to appreciate the finer points of corporate crime and FCA regulation, is very efficient and has very good judgement."

Chambers and Partners, 2017

" highly rated white-collar crime specialist with an “absolutely terrific practice” focusing on SFO, FCA, COLP and HMRC investigations and proceedings."

Who’s Who Legal and GIR top lawyers for internal /external investigations, 2017

Thank you for your flawless handling of the FCA and your kind support. I think it’s greatly thanks to you that I still work in finance today. "

Client

The ‘first choice for traders and other regulated persons who find themselves in the line of fire’. "

Legal 500, 2017

Blessed with ‘extraordinary emotional intelligence’,"

Legal 500, 2017

Is able to appreciate the finer points of corporate crime and FCA regulation, is very efficient and has very good judgement."

Chambers and Partners, 2017

A highly rated white-collar crime specialist with an “absolutely terrific practice” focusing on SFO, FCA, COLP and HMRC investigations and proceedings."

Who’s Who Legal and GIR top lawyers for internal / external investigations, 2017

Fabulous."

Chambers UK, 2017

Hugely knowledgeable with all of the criminal law experience you would hope for." 

Chambers UK, 2017

Very strong on client relationships and a good tactician." 

Chambers UK, 2017

..".The 'absolutely superb' Louise Hodges receives praise from market sources regarding her representation of individuals on contentious FS matters, which often draws upon her broader criminal expertise. Interviewees note in particular that she is"incredibly responsive and extremely thorough," and appreciate that "she will consider an issue from every angle..."

Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession

Louise Hodges is a "market leader", praised by her clients and peers alike for her "calm, insightful and effective counsel" in relation to FCA, SFO and HM Revenue and Customs investigations."

Who’s Who Legal Investigations

Hugely respected and admired" by peers and clients alike...one of the best out there, especially when it comes to cross-border cases....she is excellent to deal with."

Who's Who Legal Business Crime Defence 2017: Analysis

A go-to for individuals under suspicion of fraud and business-related criminal proceedings. Sources say: "She's phenomenally hard-working, very personable and great with clients. She has good judgement and is not unrealistic in assessment of the case."

Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession

 

 

Publications, press highlights & Speaking Engagements

• Large firms risk prosecution for lack of fraud prevention, FT Adviser, November 2024
• UK government starts clock on failure to prevent fraud offence, CDR, November 2024
• Directors warned about impact of failure to prevent fraud offence, Business & Accountancy Daily, November 2024
• 5 Lessons For Lawyers From The UK Gov't Anti-Fraud Advice, Law 360, November 2024
• Hardest Test Yet To Come for Ephgrave After Year Atop SFO, Law 360, September 2024
• Experts express skepticism toward ‘challenging’ SFO strategy, Compliance Week, June 2024
• Reframing justice: the SFO's new strategic vision 2024-2029, Solicitors Journal, May 2024
• Serious fraud office enters era of pragmatism, New Law Journal, April 2024
• Deliberately high level’ SFO strategy looks to AI and whistleblower incentives, The Law Society Gazette, April 2024
• SFO strategy details new pilot programme – but leaves some questions unanswered , City A.M. April 2024
• SFO director support for whistleblower incentives enough to drive change?, Compliance Week, March 2024
• The Challenges Ahead For The New SFO Director, July 2023
• 6KBW College Hill: Serious Fraud, Investigation & Trial (5th edition), September 2023
• SFO unveils annual report, July 2023
• Ephgrave to take over at SFO, July 2023
• What should be priorities for incoming SFO director? Compliance Week, July 2023
• Nick Ephgrave replaces Lisa Osofsky as head of Serious Fraud Office, July 2023
• Former Met policeman announced as next SFO director, July 2023
• Former police chief constable takes SFO top job, July 2023
• FTSE 100 live: ‘Big job’ ahead for top cop Ephgrave as new director of the Serious Fraud Office, says the City, July 2023
• Lawyers unsure on 'fundamental' fraud shift, May 2023
• Quoted in Fraud strategy ‘simply not adequate’ to address current scale of economic crime, says law firm, May 2023
• Wet wipes, washing powder and water under the microscope: CMA announces its decision to focus on green claims in the fast moving consumer goods sector, February 2023
• What does failure to prevent mean for the accountancy sector? February 2023
• Coming up in-house in 2023 - New Law Journal, January 2023
• In-House Legal Teams Predict More Litigation In 2023 - Law360, January 2023
• Cost of living crisis expected to increase pressure on gcs, January 2023
• Cost of living crisis: UK lawyers braced for talent war and surge in fraud cases - City A.M., January 2023
• Greenwashing in the High Street: announcement of an investigation into ASOS, Boohoo and ASDA (George) brings the Green Claims Code into the spotlight, September 2022
• Brexit deal: UK takes step back in cross border enforcement - Quoted in GIR, January 2021
• Reform of corporate liability: two ways about it - Wrote for PLC Magazine, December 2020
• Corporate criminal liability review could yield radical and seismic changes - Quoted in GIR, November 2020
• SFO struggles to process evidence during the pandemic - Quoted in Financial Times, May 2020
• Worth of the Bribery Act under scrutiny - Quoted in The Times, April 2020
• COVID-19: 'Remote' justice update - Quoted in New Law Journal, March 2020
• Listed as a Global Elite Thought Leader in Who's Who Legal: Investigations 2020
• The Practitioner's Guide to Global Investigations 4th Edition, chapter on Witness Interviews: The UK perspective. With Caroline Day. Published February 2020.
• EU Data Privacy Laws Pose Disclosure Risks In Fraud Probes - Quoted in Law360, February 2020
• SFO guidance on co-operation: more carrot than stick? - PLC Magazine, August 2019 
• Quoted in CityAm, The Law Society Gazette & Police Professional following the announcement of the Prime Minister's crackdown on crime, the UK prosecutor would be handed an extra £85m in funding.
• Provided comment in GIR, Law360, 2nd Law360 article, CRD & The Law Society Gazette following the Serious Fraud Office releasing its co-operation guidance, August 2019.
• Quoted in  Financier Worldwide, Perils of self-reporting, July 2019
• Quoted on Law360, 4 Takeaways From UK Review Of Mostly Untested Bribery Law, March 2019
• Quoted on Law360, 4 Tips For Lawyers Working On Internal Investigations, March 2019
• Quoted in The Times, Brexit ‘will slow bribery policing’, March 2019
• Louise spoke on a panel at the Financial Services Regulation & Disputes Summit, February 2019
• Louise gave evidence to House of Lords Bribery Act 2010 Committee on 6 November, November 2018
• Quoted in The Law Society Gazette, ‘Big boys play by different rules’, anti-bribery probe hears, November 2018
• Listed as a Global Elite Thought Leader in Who's Who Legal: Business Crime Defence 2018
• Quoted in The Times, Insider dealing has gone on unpunished, lawyers claim, January 2018
• Featured in The Brief with Eve Giles, White collar crime duo hits the City, January 2018
• Listed as a Thought Leader under both corporate and individual defence in Who's Who Legal Business Crime Defence 2017 Analysis, September 2017
• New anti-money laundering regulations: as risk-based, Louise Hodges and Jonathan Grimes write for PLC Magazine, 1 August 2017
• What's New With Anti-Money Laundering Compliance in UK by Louise Hodges - Law360, 3 July 2017 
• Quoted by Richard Crump, Law 360,  UK Law To Fight AML, Terrorist Financing Comes Into Force, June 2017
• Quoted by Commercial Dispute Resolution (CDR), Not just a cosy fireside chat, June 2017
• Quoted by Max Walters, Law Gazette, Law Society slams SFO 'restrictions' on representation, May 2017
• Quoted by Mark Taylor, Law 360 UK, Never Mind the Brexit: FCA Sets Real Priorities For the City, April 2017
• Enforcement procedures remodelled by Jonathan Blunden and Louise Hodges - Compliance Monitor, April 2017
• Quoted by Mark Taylor,  Law 360 UK,UK Financial Crime Crackdown Hints At US-Style Prosecution, January 2017 
• Quoted by New Law Journal,  Evidence calls for corporate crime crackdown, January 2017 
• Quoted by Waithera Junghae, Global Investigations Review, UK examines case for expanding corporate criminal liability to economic crime, January 2017 
• Quoted in Solicitors Journal, Lawyers split over consultation on reform of corporate crime, January 2017 

Publications

• The Practitioner's Guide to Global Investigations 4th Edition, chapter on Witness Interviews: The UK perspective. With Caroline Day. Published February 2020.
• The Practitioner's Guide to Global Investigations 3rd Edition, chapter on 'Witness Interviews: The UK perspective. With Caroline Day. Published February 2019.
• The Practitioner's Guide to Global Investigations 2nd Edition, chapter on 'Witness Interviews: The UK perspective. With Caroline Day. Published February 2018.
• Gentle & Hodges: 'Kingsley Napley: Serious Fraud Investigations & Trial' 4th Ed Lexis Nexus Butterworths April 2009
• Contributor to policy papers and consultations on behalf of the Fraud Lawyers Association (FLA), the Law Society, the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA), the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Associtiation (LCCSA) and Kingsley Napley. Topics include SFO informal consultation on role of solicitors in s2 (compelled) interviews, HMRC consultation on tax offences, SFO/CPS consultation on the code of practice for deferred prosecution agreements,  EU proposals on evidence gathering and admissibility, e-Justice, European Arrest Warrant, Fraud and Regulatory Offences.
• Contributing Editor to the New Journal of European Criminal Law (NJECL)

 

Further information

• Listed in Leader League as Incontournable for Compliance and Fraude – Individus
• Listed in Leaders League as Forte Notoriete for Compliance & Fraude - Entreprises / Institutions financières
• Listed in Leaders League 2024 in Compliance - Corporates / Financial institutions as Highly Recommended and in Compliance - Individuals as Leading
• Listed in Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders GIR
• Listed in the Whos' Who Legal Investigation Guide 2023 as Global Elite Thought Leader
• Won the Who's Who's Legal Investigation Lawyer of the year Award in 2022. 
• Listed in the Who's Who Legal: Global Elite Thought Leader for Individuals Business Crime Defence 2022 
• Listed in the Who's Who Legal: Global Elite Thought Leader for Investigations 2022
• Listed in the Who's Who Legal: Thought Leader listings for both GIR Corporate and Individual Business Crime Defence 2022
• Listed in the Who's Who Legal: Thought Leader listings for GIR Investigations 2022
• Listed in the Who's Who Legal: Global Elite Thought Leader listings for Investigations 2022
• Listed in the Who's Who Legal: Global Elite Thought Leader listings for both Corporate and Individual Business Crime Defence 2021  
• Listed in the Who's Who Legal: Thought Leaders Global Elite 2020 for Business Crime Defence and Investigations - a highly select group of individuals. 
• Listed in the Who’s Who Legal: Global Elite Thought Leaders listings for both Corporate and Individual Defence 2018 - a highly select group of individuals.
• Listed by Who's Who Legal: Business Crime Defence, Most highly Regarded, Corporate Defence and Individual Defence
• Listed by Who's Who Legal as a 'Thought Leader' 2017
• Listed in Global Investigations Review (GIR) Top 100 Women in Investigations Lawyers 2015
• Listed in The Lawyer's 2012 Hot 100 Lawyers
• Regularly invited to expert meetings by the European Commission, European Parliament and NGOs in relation to Criminal Justice in Europe
• Has given evidence to the House of Lords European Union Select Committee