James Leonard
Called to bar 1989
Clerk Stephen Somerville Tel: 020 7353 6381
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Since James Leonard was called in 1989 he has specialised in defending fraud cases, regulatory (professional discipline and health and safety) and enforcement.
In particular that has meant dealing with multi-million pound allegations of tax, VAT (MTIC ‘carousel fraud') and investment fraud (for example Part 2 Jubilee Line Extension Fraud - offshore tax fraud allegation and Re Clearsearch Ltd - investment/ prospectus fraud and Re Premier Lifts Limited - allegations of fraud and corruption spanning 6 years and 3 London Boroughs)
He has a substantial Health and Safety Court and advisory work practice for PLC'S and board directors (for example Tulip Ltd, Melloy Ltd, RWE Npower PLC, Comet PLC and Sudeley Castle Ltd) with a particular interest in environmental enforcement. Health, Safety and Environmental cases are conducted both the Magistrates and Crown Court but this work tends to be at the higher end of the scale of seriousness and regularly includes fatalities in the work place and offences under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. His recent environmental law experience includes advising and assisting a Strategic Health Authority in relation to a multi fatality outbreak of Clostridium Difficile.
His experience of representing health care professionals and others extends to Inquests, the Crown Court and Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) on criminal matters, and at the General Medical Council, the General Dental Council and in the FHSAA (now the Tribunal Chamber for Education Health and Social Care). He also acts appears before the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain disciplinary tribunals, both for corporate pharmacies and individual pharmacists. He is instructed in relation to other professional disciplinary tribunals (solicitors and accountants) and appears in the High Court and Court of Appeal in relation to the review and challenge of regulatory tribunal orders. In the GMC, GDC and RPSGB, James is instructed in relation to performance, health and conduct issues with a particularly conduct which includes allegations of such as fraud and suspected sexual impropriety. During the summer of 2010 he will be at the GMC representing, with Queen's Counsel, a Consultant in relation to Police, GMC and Home Office investigations going back over 8 years. His current work also includes acting for the former owners of the Maypole Nursing Home in Birmingham in a forthcoming Inquest and a variety of GMC and GDC fitness to practise cases up to Consultant level.
His reputation is for prompt assistance to professional clients; calm, reasoned and practical advice for all lay clients as well as robust advocacy, fearless cross examination and sound tactical sense in Court.
As part of his practice James has also undertaken extensive work in the Crown and High Court concerning confiscation orders, both under the CJA 1988 and the POCA 2002 including particular experience dealing with High Court appointed Receivers, their powers and remuneration (see in particular Hansford v. Southampton Magistrates' Exp HMRC Prosecutions Office The Times March 19, 2008). He has recently completed confiscation proceedings in a case as a Leading Junior in asset tracing across the Channel Islands, Andorra and Switzerland (Operation Whitelaw) and Lebanon (Operation Horizon). He has had considerable success in either the defeat or very substantial reduction of sums claimed by way of confiscation order, particularly in cases which involve, or might involve, the "piercing of the corporate veil". He is equally experienced in representing clients with regard to Director's Disqualification and, because of the obvious overlap of criminal and tribunal jurisdictions, a particular interest in developing VAT Tribunal work.
In addition to having represented prosecution and defence in innumerable murders and manslaughter, he has a well developed practice in cases involving death by dangerous driving representing defendants instructed by solicitors appointed by insurance companies. His experience of criminal investigation and litigation recently caused him to be instructed as a consultant to Bedell Cristin Solicitors of Jersey in relation to prosecutions arising out of the Haut de La Garenne Children's Home Enquiry and allegations of historical sex abuse at the home stretching back over 40 years. The management of evidence and unused material in that and similarly vast cases is a speciality.
Areas of practice
Fraud & Extradition, Financial Services, Discipline & Regulatory, Health and Safety, Public Access, Public Law
What the directories say
"James Leonard is a very confident advocate and safe pair of hands". Chambers and Partners 2010
