John Gould > Russell-Cooke LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Russell-Cooke LLP Offices

Russell-Cooke LLP
2 PUTNEY HILL
LONDON
SW15 6AB
England
Visit website 020 8789 9111 020 8780 1194

John Gould

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+44 (0)20 8394 6542 [email protected] View profile View profile

Work Department

Administrative and public law; professional discipline and regulation

Position

Chair John Gould’s area of particular expertise is regulation and public law. He specialises in the analysis and solution of complex regulatory problems, advising regulators, government departments, law enforcement agencies, charities and statutory and professional bodies.

One of John’s particular areas of interest is complex financial schemes. He has played a leading part in investigations relating to investment, tax and pension schemes, international financial frauds, money laundering, organised criminality and the corruption of public officials. He has been appointed as an ‘expert person’ under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), a court appointed partnership receiver and a court appointed supervisor of search and freezing orders. He has advised and served as an expert witness for, among others, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the Magistrates Association (MA) and the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) in a variety of courts and tribunals including the Old Bailey. He holds rights of audience in the higher civil courts.

John provides advice on and drafts legal structures, statutory powers, royal charters and professional rules. He is Board Solicitor to the Architects Registration Board. He prepares independent reports for organisations where things have gone wrong including on governance and related issues. He has advised more than 40 sets of barristers’ chambers on structures, mergers, dissolutions and disputes, and has advised in relation to political donations and expenses at the highest level. Many of his cases have attracted significant media interest. He often advises and reports in relation to situations which involve both legal and reputational issues for organisations.

Career

Trained Russell-Cooke, Potter & Chapman; qualified 1980; partner 1982.

Memberships

  • Member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA)
  • John has published numerous articles in journals including as a standing contributor to the New Law Journal
  • John is the author of The Law of Legal Services (in its second edition). The book has been described as authoritative by Lord Neuberger, then President of the Supreme Court.

He is currently re-writing the Solicitors volume of the EFP published by Lexis Nexis.

Education

Bristol GS and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (Evan Lewis Thomas Law Student)

Lawyer Rankings

London > Public sector > Administrative and public law

Russell-Cooke LLP advises on a broad range of public law matters, including judicial review, statutory appeals, and public inquiries. John Gould heads the practice. Praised as ‘a seasoned and very intelligent solicitor’, Gould often advises public bodies on revisions to legislation. Lui Asquith focuses on human right cases, discrimination claims, and government policy. Michael Stacey is also noted for his experience advising on both contentious and non-contentious public law matters.

London > Dispute resolution > Professional discipline

(Hall of Fame)

John Gould – Russell-Cooke LLP

With ’broad experience from decades of involvement in professional discipline for a range of professionals‘, Russell-Cooke LLP acts for both professional and regulatory bodies, as well as for regulated individuals and businesses. Sector expertise for the 12-strong team covers finance, legal, health and social care, as well as property and infrastructure. It also has a strong track record in advising the sport, education and charities sectors. The practice is co-led by regulation and public law specialist John Gould; and professional discipline and sports law expert Matt Bosworth, ‘a go-to lawyer for clients with regulatory issues’. The practice further showcases Michael Stacey, who acts for regulatory bodies and individuals, businesses and charities on regulatory and professional disciplinary issues; and Sheetul Sowdagur, whose primary focus is on assisting clients working in the health and social care sectors. Sowdagur also represents teachers, academics, accountants, actuaries, and financial services professionals.

London > Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market

Russell-Cooke LLP‘s litigation group covers civil fraud and professional negligence, along with construction, insolvency, financial services, contractual, director and shareholder disputes. John Gould is an expert in commercial litigation, regulation and public law disputes. Elliot Elsey is ‘commercially astute and effective’ and Michael Stacey maintains a broad disputes practice. The department further includes Mark Fletcher, who has ‘impeccable commercial judgement’, and Emily Joss, who is ‘all over the detail’. Joshua Mitchell acts in commercial litigation, corporate disputes and professional negligence and Ed Patton also assists with major disputes. Former insolvency head Lee Ranford and David Fendt departed the firm in February 2024.

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