Jonathan Laidlaw KC

Whilst Jonathan Laidlaw KC’s practice is predominantly in business and financial crime where he has consistently been ranked by Chambers as one of their star silks, he is also rated in the directories as a leading silk in the areas of private prosecutions, general crime, health and safety, inquests and inquiries and sport. Previously a recipient of the “Crime Silk of the Year” award, the directories have described him as “an exceptional silk who provides superlative client care and commands the authority of the court with his formidable advocacy”. They have spoken of him being “an outstanding advocate … 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 the Sunday Times/Debretts list of the 500 most influential people in Britain today.

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 inquiries and before sporting and professional disciplinary tribunals. He is also asked to produce reports in silk-led internal inquiries.

He presently acts for a number of individuals who are the subject of SFO, FCA and DoJ investigations; for the Bank of England; for Pret a Manger; for The FA and Chelsea Football Club; for core participants in both the Grenfell Tower and the Manchester Arena Bombing inquiries; he advises a number of leading entrepreneurs considering bringing private prosecutions; and acts on Operation Kenova’s behalf in Northern Ireland.