SILK PROFILE
Jonathan Lennon KC

Jonathan Lennon KC

UK Bar 2026

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Doughty Street Chambers
 Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Financial Crime

London (Bar)

12 years ranked

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture

All Circuits

14 years ranked

About

Provided by Doughty Street Chambers

Career

Jonathan heads Doughty Street Chamber’s Business Crime Team. He has a substantial experience in POCA/asset recovery litigation as well as challenges to investigative orders such as search warrants and Production Orders etc.

Jonathan is experienced in handling the most complex briefs and is in demand for a range of cases including heavy duty fraud work as well as murder and terrorism cases. He has acted for the SFO in a number of cases. He has significant experience in allegations of corruption and Bribery Act 2010 offences.

There are few Silks with as much experience of POCA work including Unexplained Wealth Orders. Jonathan’s multi-disciplinary practice means he can bring expertise from one area to another. His civil practice includes, Financial Conduct Authority High Court actions, POCA High Court civil recovery, challenges to; Restraint Orders, Property Freezing Orders, Search Warrants and Disclosure Orders etc.

Jonathan is regularly instructed in cash forfeiture and Account Freezing Order cases and has appeared at all levels up to the Supreme Court. He has been instructed by Government departments, regulatory bodies, companies and individuals. He is on the CPS Specialist Lists for Fraud and for Proceeds of Crime.

Jonathan was junior counsel in the first POCA civil recovery case to reach the Supreme Court (SOCA v Gale) and in the seminal case on disclosure and PII (R v H & C). He was counsel in the leading cash forfeiture case of UKBA v Angus.

In 2014 Jonathan assisted the Home Office with ideas and practical issues in the (then) Serious Crime Bill, having advised the then Shadow Attorney General on the same legislation via the Criminal Bar Association. He currently serves as Executive Committee member of the Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association.

In 2023 Jonathan was recognised as one of London's top 10 financial crime barristers in Business Today magazine.

Professional Memberships

Executive Committee Proceeds of Crime Lawyers’ Association,

Criminal Bar Association

S.E Circuit

Publications

Jonathan has been a prolific article writer for many years. He has particular experience with intelligence and covert policing and is a contributing author to 'Covert Human Intelligence Sources. The 'Unlovely' Face of Police Work.’ Waterside Press. Jonathan is frequently asked to lecture to his own and other professions.

Personal

Jonathan is a keen runner.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Financial Crime - London (Bar)

Band 3
Individual Editorial

Jonathan Lennon KC has significant experience in financial crime with heavyweight fraud and POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) work at the heart of his practice. He has the ability to swiftly analyse complex cases with large volumes of documents and produce sound advocacy. Lennon has worked widely in high-value tax fraud matters, as well as in corruption cases. He is noted for his expertise in bribery and money laundering cases.

Learn more about this teamView ranking table

POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture - All Circuits

Band 3
Individual Editorial

Jonathan Lennon KC handles POCA matters arising from criminal fraud trials including those concerning money laundering, tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud, and has acted in a number of seminal cases in this area. He is instructed by prosecuting authorities including the SFO, and also defends professional individuals and business owners.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • He is very affable and fights strongly for his clients.

    Financial CrimeUK Bar

  • John is very pragmatic, sensible and proactive.

    Financial CrimeUK Bar

  • Jonathan Lennon is a real fighter, who really cares about his client and gets stuck in, getting to the bottom of the matter. He's a very hard-working and effective advocate.

    POCA Work & Asset ForfeitureUK Bar

  • Jonathan is very good at finding a way to make the argument fit the tribunal. He communicates well with the judge and his advocacy is very persuasive.

    POCA Work & Asset ForfeitureUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Doughty Street Chambers (226)

All Circuits

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