Jonathan has been advising individuals and organisations on all areas relating to criminal law for the past twenty years. His practice comprises representation in all areas of white collar and business crime including health and safety and environmental crime, as well as a wide variety of other criminal law matters with a particular emphasis on cases with an international aspect, including mutual legal assistance, extradition and INTERPOL. He is also one of a small number of solicitors with experience advising on war crimes investigations and related matters.
He advises from the earliest stage, often before any formal investigation is opened, recognising how the course a matter takes can be influenced from the outset. He is experienced in defending prosecutions brought by a range of law enforcement agencies and in conducting internal investigations. He regularly works alongside colleagues in other departments to ensure the provision of the best possible advice in relation to all aspects of a matter – reputation management, employment, civil disputes – or whatever the case requires.
White collar crime and business crime
Jonathan has acted for individuals and organisations in numerous cases involving allegations of financial wrongdoing and has experience of investigations by SFO, FCA, HMRC, CMA, NCA and the police as well as a number of foreign law enforcement agencies. He routinely co-counsels with lawyers from other jurisdictions.
He is experienced in advising at every stage. He has attended a large number of interviews of many different kinds and defended numerous prosecutions brought in the UK and abroad.
He has particular expertise dealing with law enforcement applications that seek to freeze or seize assets, including Account Freezing Orders, Restraint Orders, and other applications made under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). He frequently gives advice on money laundering issues including on the making of suspicious activity reports (SARs). Recent advice has included consideration of investments in crypto assets. Jonathan is the firm’s Money Laundering Nominated Officer (MLNO).
Jonathan is frequently appointed to act as Independent Legal Advisor (ILA) to individuals in the course of investigations by their employers or regulators. In particular he has acted for many bank and other financial services employees in relation to various investigations, including those involving Libor, Forex and CumEx.
He also regularly acts for organisations that come into contact with criminal law issues. This can include advising on such things as the response to production orders or similar requests, dealing with employees accused of crime, or managing threats to the business arising from protest or other activity.
Health and Safety and Corporate Manslaughter
Jonathan represents companies and individuals during the initial police and Health and Safety Executive investigation, through to the conclusion of cases at inquests or in the criminal courts. He has acted in cases investigated by the Environment Agency, Fire and Rescue Authorities, the Marine and Coastguard Agency, the Civil Aviation Authority and Air Accident Investigation Branch.
Cross border matters and international crime
Many of Jonathan’s cases have a cross border element. These include investigations conducted in multiple jurisdictions, the use of mutual legal assistance and other forms of international co-operation, as well as extradition and INTERPOL Notices.
In addition Jonathan provides advice and representation in respect of war crimes and related allegations, including universal jurisdiction matters - allegations which can be investigated and prosecuted in the UK even if neither the alleged offence nor those involved have any connection with the UK. He is past Co-Chair and Advisory Board Member of the IBA War Crimes Committee.
Jonathan joined Kingsley Napley in 2002 and became a partner in 2010.
Notable cases
White collar and business crime
- Providing money laundering advice to investors in cryptocurrency
- Advising lawyer in relation to HMRC investigation
- Advising insolvency practice on its AML obligations
- Representation of individual in CumEx related investigation
- Representation of solicitor in money laundering investigation
- Representing in-house accountant in FCA prosecution relating to financial irregularities in publicly listed company
- Representing employee of construction firm in CMA investigation
- Advising law firm in its response to an Account Freezing Order
- Representation of individuals in NCA cash seizure and Account Freezing Order matters
- Representing finance director in SFO investigation into government contracts
- Representing former MD of oil company in relation to Brazilian corruption investigation
- Advising company wishing to deal with frozen asset
- Representation of foreign politician in NCA corruption investigation
- Representation of employee of company in compelled interview conducted by the SFO
- Representation of company chairman in SFO fraud investigation
- Advising auction company in relation to AML and POCA matters
- Representation of bank employee in overseas investigation into market manipulation
- Representation of bank employee in internal investigation into information supplied to regulators
- Representation of in-house lawyer in offences against public justice matter
- Representation of bank employee in HMRC investigation of historic film scheme
- Representation of fund manager in overseas investigation into market manipulation
- Representation of employee in SFO compelled interview (using POCA powers)
- Representation of in-house lawyer in SFO corruption investigation
- Representation of accountant in FCA investigation into market abuse
- Representation of bank employees in compelled interviews conducted by the SFO
- Representation of judge in offences against public justice matter
- Representation of fund managers in compelled interviews conducted by the FCA
- Representation of bank employees in investigation into allegations of anti-competitive behaviour
- Representation of newspaper in relation to criminal allegation
- Representation of bank employee in Mutual Legal Assistance request from overseas jurisdiction
- Representation of employees of large multi-national in compelled interviews conducted by the SFO
- Representation of employee of insurance company in investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
- Advising a company on its AML and other reporting obligations upon discovery of suspected employee wrongdoing
- Advising businesses and individuals on their reporting and other obligations under UK AML law
Health and Safety and other Regulators
- Representation of waste business on alleged permitting breaches
- Representation of prison officer in police investigation following prison death
- Representation of international construction vehicle manufacturing company following serious accident
- Representation of business owner in large Trading Standards prosecution (including successful challenge to the imposition of a restraint order)
- Representation of farmer in animal welfare case
- Representation of international engineering company following accident in which four people died
- Representation of numerous employees in various HSE investigations into fatal and non-fatal accidents
- Representing the “Responsible Person” (under fire regulations) following large fire in retail premises
- Representation of Chairman and FD of recycling company facing allegations of breaches of environmental law (includes financial restraint proceedings)
- Representing owner of a hotel in investigation into alleged breaches of fire safety regulations following a fire
International Criminal Law
- Representation of Colonel Kumar Lama, a Colonel in the Nepalese army on charges of torture, following his arrest in the UK
- Advising various individuals on risk of prosecution in UK for war crimes and related allegations
Other
- Advising arms company in its response to protest activity
- Representation of numerous individuals facing general criminal allegations including sexual offences and violence (including murder)
- Advising individual facing allegations of humanitarian people smuggling
- Advising a school in relation to allegations made against head master
- Representation of soldiers facing allegations arising from various historic fatal incidents
What Clients and directories say
He's very experienced. He's also a very confident and inspiring person - when things are difficult, he's calm and reassuring." "I was especially impressed by his ability to cut through complicated evidence to identify the key strengths and weaknesses of our position."
Chambers UK 2021
He has a good ability to think through legal issues in a broad and international way. He doesn't go for the most obvious and domestic point, he looks at the bigger picture and he is very analytical."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2020
He is an all round adviser with second to none technical knowledge, but also a very gracious and caring human being who provides practical advice to his clients."
Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Jonathan Grimes careful and passionate attention to his clients has made him, slowly but surely, one of the most admired operators in the field. His particular interest in international crime has inspired a huge growth in this area of work within the firm. This requires an usually keen legal mind and a great deal of patience: he has both, and in large measure."
Legal 500 UK 2020
He's very pragmatic and down to earth, but he also has a good grasp of the technical issues that you need to have when dealing with the criminal side of health and safety."
Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Is tenacious while at the same time being pragmatic and highly knowledgeable."
Legal 500 UK 2020
He is a determined solicitor who doggedly fights his client's corner."
Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession
A very talented lawyer. He's excellent, a well prepared, thoughtful and sophisticated lawyer."
Chambers UK 2020 - A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
He's fantastic; he's an incredibly smart, very measured and thoughtful lawyer. He zeroes in on the critical part of a case immediately and doesn't get distracted by side issues."
Chambers and Partners, 2019
Receives praise for his 'great attention to detail and extremely savvy approach'; he regularly acts for clients in police and HSE investigations, inquests and in the criminal courts."
Legal 500 UK 2019
Internationally recognised as a leading name in the field of corporate investigations, and focuses his impressive practice on financial and white-collar crime matters."
Who's Who Legal, Investigations 2018
The "very impressive" Jonathan Grimes of Kingsley Napley LLP is a criminal lawyer with extensive experience representing clients under investigation and facing prosecution by a number of regulatory authorities with regard to serious and fatal incidents."
Chambers and Partners, 2018
Receives widespread plaudits from peers who praise his expert handling of investigations from a range of regulatory bodies including the SFO, HMRC and FCA."
Who's Who Legal: Business Crime Defence 2018
Jonathan is a diligent and careful lawyer."
Chambers UK, 2018
He fights hard for clients and leaves no stone unturned."
Chambers and Partners, 2018
Realistic, determined, sharp, likeable and accurate."
Legal 500 UK 2018
A sound knowledge’ of health and safety matters, including corporate manslaughter."
Legal 500, 2017
The “terrific” Jonathan Grimes is well known for his strong expertise handling investigations of authorities from the SFO to the FCA and HMRC""
Who's Who Legal, Business Crime Defence 2017
An "extensive knowledge of POCA," and is "a delight to work with." "
Chambers UK, 2017
Incredibly committed." "You would feel very reassured if you were a client and Jonathan was supervising."
Chambers and Partners, 2017
...Determined and very hard-working" Jonathan Grimes has experience in universal jurisdiction disputes. Commentators report: "He is fiercely intelligent, and has a concise thought process and impressive knowledge of the law..."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2016
The "excellent" Jonathan Grimes continues to be a "formidable" figure in the proceeds of crime and asset forfeiture space...'"
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2016
Jonathan Grimes has much experience in acting for major corporate clients in relation to accidental death cases. Clients say he provides "first-class, tactical advice."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2015
...'Sensational' on matters relating to financial services crime and receives widespread praise for his 'impressive depth of expertise' and 'international mindset'."
Who's Who Legal, Business Crime Defence 2015
Jonathan Grimes is "formidably skilful and effective."
Who's Who Legal, Investigations, 2015
...Brings a level of gravitas to cases...’'
Legal 500 UK, 2015
Is held in high esteem by peers, and represents clients in high-profile criminal matters."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2014
Jonathan Grimes is widely admired as a 'feisty, sensible, careful and effective solicitor'. Clients include leading companies in the construction sector.”
Legal 500 UK, 2014
Professional societies and memberships
Publications, PRess Highlights & Speaking Engagements
- Kingsley Napley's third International Criminal Law Conference taking place on 28 January 2020: Justice and Rights, January 2020
- Writes for Financial Director - Enhanced threat of director disqualification for breaches of competition law, January 2020
- Why the International Criminal Court should be supported, The Times, 19 July 2018
- New anti-money laundering regulations: as risk-based, Louise Hodges and Jonathan Grimes write for PLC Magazine, 1 August 2017
- Quoted in Accountancy Online, 14 July 2017, Doing time: How judges decide criminal sentences in tax fraud cases
- Quoted in The Brief, 26 June 2017, Law firms await advice over beefed up money laundering rules
- Essentials: Criminal Finances Act 2017 and corporate offence for tax evasion, Accountancy magazine, June 2017
- 'Unexplained wealth orders', Tax Journal, 26 May 2017
- 'Autoclave specialist convicted of corporate manslaughter', H&S Matters, 10 Nov, 2014
- 'Remove juries from fraud trials? Bad idea', The Law Society Gazette, 5 August 2014
- 'Importance of Trial by Jury', The Huffington Post UK, 18 March 2014
- People Management Magazine - Corporate manslaughter cases increase 16.04.13
- Tomorrow's Health & Safety Magazine - the risks of further cost cutting
- Health & Safety Matters - The Corporate Manslaughter Act: why only 2 prosecutions after 4 years? (1 May 2012)
