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Account Freezing Orders – Court makes €1.9 million Forfeiture Order
Jonathan Grimes
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. He is also one of a small number of solicitors with experience advising on war crimes investigations and related matters.
He provides clear strategic advice from the earliest stages - often before any formal investigation is open. He is experienced in responding to enforcement action undertaken by a range of agencies and in conducting internal investigations. He regularly works alongside colleagues at Kingsley Napley specialising in other disciplines to ensure the provision of the best possible advice in relation to all aspects of a matter – reputation management, employment, dispute resolution, corporate and commercial – or whatever the case requires.
Jonathan acts for individuals and organisations in a wide range of cases involving allegations of financial wrongdoing and other forms of misconduct.
He has extensive experience advising individuals and organisations at every stage of investigations. He has attended a large number of interviews of many different kinds and defended numerous prosecutions. These have included voluntary and compulsory interviews of witnesses and interviews under caution of those suspected of criminal offences. He has experience of investigations and prosecutions conducted 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 has acted for defendants in numerous trials.
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.
Jonathan regularly acts for organisations that come into contact with a range of 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.
Jonathan conducts internal investigations on behalf of companies and other organisations. He understands the legal and practical challenges of such work and provides clear guidance on all aspects. He is particularly interested in the use of advances in technology in providing cost and other benefits. He recognises the importance of ensuring that investigations are well structured and focussed and that they report on time and within budget.
Jonathan has particular expertise in the area of proceeds of crime (money laundering). He advises on a range of issues including the making of suspicious activity reports (SARs). Clients include legal and other regulated professional individuals and organisations. Recent advice has included consideration of investments in crypto assets. Jonathan also advises on the impact of sanctions designations in a range of different contexts. Jonathan is the Kingsley Napley’s Money Laundering Nominated Officer (MLNO).
He regularly advises individuals and organisations on 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) and has been involved in some of the highest value such cases.
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.
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.
He's thoughtful, very versatile and a pleasure to work with."
Chambers and Partners, 2022
Jonathan Grimes is cerebral and hardworking.”
Legal 500 UK 2022
Grimes is a brilliant lawyer - he has very good international expertise."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021
I think his client manner is excellent, and he is extremely bright and able. He is completely dedicated to his clients. He provides the full package in terms of service."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021
He looks at the bigger picture and is very analytical - He's really sharp and thoughtful."
Chambers UK 2021
Jonathan Grimes gives very thoughtful, clear advice and is equally at ease dealing with the directors of an international business as with individual employees. I was especially impressed by his ability to cut through complicated expert evidence to identify the key strengths and weaknesses. He is excellent with clients and has a touch of steel."
Legal 500 UK 2021
Jonathan Grimes is meticulous, emotionally intelligent, with exceptional client skills, and is a first-rate academic lawyer."
Legal 500 UK 2021
He's got a lot of knowledge in the POCA area. He's analytical and is a skilful, talented lawyer."
Chambers UK 2021
"He's one of the leading luminaries in fraud and POCA; he is able to get results without the pain of litigation."
Chambers UK 2021
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 has knowledge not just of UK domestic law but also treaties and conventions abroad which makes him unique in his solutions."
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
Jonathan Grimes is utterly exceptional."
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
A very cerebral mind, he continues to impress market sources with his exceptional work on high-profile white-collar investigations."
Who's Who Legal: Investigations, 2020
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
Jonathan Grimes
Jonathan Grimes
Daniel Browne
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