Jennifer Richardson joined Blackfords in 2011 and is a Partner in our Central London office specialising in serious and business crime and regulatory law.
Serious and Business Crime
Jennifer has a solid reputation in serious and business crime having represented clients in some of the most complex and high profile investigations and prosecutions in the country. She specialises in assisting individuals pre-charge to prevent investigations leading to criminal proceedings being brought against them.
She has acted for individuals and corporate bodies in several high value frauds including one of the largest single handed SFO prosecutions in recent times. In 2019 Jennifer defended the former managing director of one of the largest pharmaceutical wholesalers in the UK in a landmark ICO prosecution which led to clarification in the law surrounding the Data Protection Act.
Jennifer has developed a specialism in cybercrime and has been engaged to defend in the largest crypto-currency seizure known to have taken place in the UK.
She is well known for defending serious allegations brought by agencies including the CPS, NCA, SFO, FCA and trading standards.
Beyond her business crime practice Jennifer has also defended a number of high profile and high net worth individuals accused of general criminal offences such as rape, sexual assault, fraud and drugs offences. She is well known for her ability to defend serious criminal allegations whilst navigating the complexities of PR and reputational damage limitation when defending highly publicised individuals.
Jennifer also has significant experience in dealing with international criminal matters where an individual is asked to engage in foreign proceedings from the UK as a witness subject to orders obtained via the UK Central Authority (UKCA).
Regulatory and professional discipline
Jennifer is a Chambers and Partners ranked lawyer in the field of professional discipline having defended professionals accused of misconduct both within and outside of the workplace including; SRA, NMC, HCPC and GMC investigations.
Linked with this Jennifer also regularly represents clients who require assistance with ongoing DBS problems and investigations by Local Authorities and the Care Quality Commission.
Jennifer regularly represents individuals at public inquiries and coroners inquests. She is currently representing several individuals in Operation Northleigh (investigation into the Grenfell Tower tragedy).
- What the directories say
Rising Star, Legal 500 2023
Recommended Lawyer – Chambers & Partners 2022
- “A very hardworking and well-organised solicitor. She is able to juggle a large workload and provide an excellent client service.” (Legal 500, 2022)
- “A first-rate lawyer, achieves outstanding results for clients, keeps us well informed and provided exceptional client care.” (Legal 500, 2022)
- “One of the most tireless and efficient solicitors in the profession. There is no fact in any case which escapes her eye for detail. Her ability to convey difficult advice-particularly in cases involving matters of substantial legal and factual complexity-make her an invaluable asset to any team at all stages of the process.” (Legal 500, 2022)
- “She is a first-rate lawyer who achieves outstanding results for clients.” (Chambers & Partners, 2022)
- “Jennifer is a really astute lawyer who has an amenable way with clients.” (Chambers & Partners, 2022)
- “Jennifer Richardson is a star. She is my first choice whenever I am asked to recommend a litigator in this specialist area. Her legal knowledge is second to none. She combines that with excellent judgement. That winning combination ensures that she always adopts the best possible strategy, tailored to the particular case, to secure the most advantageous result for the client. She is realistic but robust. She is absolutely dedicated to each case, however big or small. I have seen her on many occasions interact with clients – including very demanding clients; her approachable but professional manner never fails to instil confidence.” (Legal 500, 2021)
- “Intelligent and extremely able” (Legal 500, 2020)
- “A smashing lawyer who is calm and assured and brilliant with clients” (Legal 500, 2019)
- Notable cases
- SFO-v-W- Southwark Crown Court. Defending in SFO prosecution of 5 individuals charged with multi-million dollar trade finance fraud involving the demise of one of the worlds largest steel trading companies.
- SFO-v-A- Southwark Crown Court. Defending in SFO prosecution of individual charged with multi-million dollar international property investment fraud.
- R-v-T- Southwark Crown Court. Prosecution of 4 individuals with conspiracy to defraud in a multi-million pound boiler room fraud involving investment in Ecuadorian Gold Mining rights.
- R-v-H- Southwark Crown Court. Defended former Paralympian and member of the House of Lords accused of sexual assault.
- R-v-B- Southwark Crown Court. Defended former reality TV star accused together with several others of conspiracy to defraud in relation to sale of investments in coloured diamonds (boiler room fraud).
- Police-v-CH. Represented international entertainer and music artist accused of raping a fan at a concert.
- Operation Spruce- Warwick Crown Court. ICO investigation of blue chip clients alleged to have committed date protection breaches when instructing private investigators.
- SFO-v-P. Pre-charge representation of individual who worked for a company as a trader in renewable energy sources. SFO investigation was discontinued against this individual.
- R-v-M. Defence of a registered nurse in multi-handed care home abuse prosecution following undercover investigation by BBC Panorama.
- Memberships & associations
- Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
- Female Fraud Forum
- West London Law Society
- Middle Temple
