2 Hare Court

Whilst Jonathan Laidlaw KC’s practice is predominantly in business and financial crime where he has consistently been ranked by Chambers and Partners as one of their star silks, he is now rated in the directories as a leading silk in seven practice areas: financial and business crime; general crime; private prosecutions; health and safety; inquests and inquiries; professional discipline and regulatory law.

Previously a recipient of the “Crime Silk of the Year” award, the directories have spoken of him being “regularly instructed in headline-grabbing cases” who is, “also eminently well equipped to advise significant individuals on sensitive matters involving reputational issues”. It has been said that he is “an extraordinarily able advocate with great style who can deal with the most difficult of cases with the greatest of ease” and that he has “lethal cross-examination skills and a mean way with closing speeches”. He features in both the Sunday Times/Debretts list of the 500 most influential people in Britain today and the High Net Worth Guide.

Much of his work, both for individuals and companies here and abroad, is pre-charge and advisory in nature and Jonathan Laidlaw KC makes appearances in the Commercial Court, at major inquests and public inquiries and before sporting, regulatory and professional disciplinary tribunals. He is also asked to produce reports in silk-led inquiries.

He presently acts for several individuals who are the subject of SFO, FCA, NCA and DoJ investigations and for the Bank of England, Pret a Manger, The FA, Live Nation and Aviva. He has represented core participants or provided advice in the Grenfell Tower, Manchester Arena Bombing, COVID-19 and Post Office Horizon public inquiries and he advises a number of leading entrepreneurs considering bringing private prosecutions.

Called 1982; Inner Temple; South Eastern Circuit; 1995-2000 Junior Treasury Counsel; 1998 recorder; 2000-10 Senior Treasury Counsel; 2008 KC; 2008-10 First Senior Treasury Counsel.

2013: Head of Chambers; 2008–2010: First Senior Treasury Counsel; 2008: King’s Counsel; 2000–2008: Senior Treasury Counsel; 1995–2000: Junior Treasury Counsel; 1995: Recorder; Criminal Bar Association; Private Prosecution Association; Fraud Lawyers Association; Health & Safety Lawyers Association; South Eastern Circuit; ARDL.