Jonathan Crow QC

Legal Press:

"quite simply, one of the best advocates ... an exceptionally sharp and quick mind", "an absolutely first-rate public law advocate"
Chambers UK

"one of the most talented chancery silks, with expertise in the private and public sectors" "one of the top advocates at the commercial Bar"
Legal 500

"an excellent strategist and a stylish advocate"
The Lawyer  

"an amazing mastery of both the law and the facts in a case"
Chambers Global

Summary

Jonathan's practice straddles both company/commercial litigation and public law.  He represents private clients and public authorities alike, both in appellate work and in trials.  He has appeared in more than 160 reported cases, including 28 in the Supreme Court or the House of Lords, as well as many others in the Privy Council, Court of Appeal and in the European Court of Human Rights.  He also has a busy overseas practice, including work in relation to jurisdictions such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Nevis and Hong Kong.  Apart from his work as an advocate, he sits part time as a Deputy High Court Judge in London and also as a judge of the Courts of Appeal in Guernsey and Jersey.

In the last 12 months Jonathan has appeared three times in the Supreme Court in the UK, once in the Court of Appeal in Bermuda and once in a substantial hearing in Nevis. He is involved in a number of high profile cases relating to the Madoff scandal and the Lehmans collapse both in the UK and overseas. Judgment has also recently been given by the Supreme Court here in a successful appeal concerning the admissibility of evidence which emerged in the course of 'without prejudice' negotiations. Other recent work for private clients includes a number of substantial commercial disputes concerning the ISDA Master Agreement, derivative instruments, securitisations and structured investment vehicles, generally with an international angle involving jurisdictional challenges.

Judicial quotes

"an argument conspicuous for its moderation as well as for its skill"
Lord Goff in Guinness Plc v. Saunders [1990] 2 AC 663, at 697A

"argued the appeal with great ability"
Balcombe LJ in Finers v. Miro [1991] 1 WLR 35, at 44

"most ably argued"
Lord Hoffmann in R (Bancoult) v. Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs (No. 2) [2009] 1 AC 453, at §31

"we would like to pay tribute to the high standard of the argument"
Sir Anthony Clarke MR in Office of Fair Trading v. Abbey National Plc [2010] 1 AC 696 (CA), at §1

"admirable clarity and cogency"
Etherton LJ in R (Barclay) v. Lord Chancellor [2009] 2 WLR 1205, at §114

"conspicuous clarity and skill"
Lord Walker in OFT v. Abbey National Plc [2010] 1 AC 696 (HL), at §25

"very attractively put"
Mummery LJ in Duncombe v. Secretary of State for Children, Schools & Families [2010] 2 CMLR 14, at §46

"submissions which are advanced with great skill"
Maurice Kay LJ in Bank Mellat v. HM Treasury [2011] 2 ALL ER 802 at §39

Career

1981-1998: As a junior specialising in company/commercial litigation, Jonathan was heavily involved in cases such as Guinness, Polly Peck and Barlow Clowes, as well as numerous shareholder disputes, and media and entertainment cases.  He also appeared overseas, in the Sea Containers takeover dispute and in the litigation following the insolvency of Bermuda Fire and Marine.  Chambers & Partners described him as an "absolute star", and ranked him in 4 categories - company law, financial services, chancery and insolvency.  The Legal 500 described him as "brilliant" and "outstanding", ranking him as one of the top 3 juniors at the Bar, with recommendations in commercial litigation, company law, banking and insolvency.

1998-2006: In 1998 Jonathan was appointed First Treasury Counsel (Chancery), and for the next 8 years he was retained exclusively by the Government.  His practice widened to include all aspects of public law, with an emphasis on human rights and freedom of information.  Although by convention he remained a junior, his practice was effectively that of a silk throughout.

 
2006 onwards: In 2006, Jonathan returned to private practice as a silk.  On announcing his retirement as First Treasury Counsel, the Attorney General said that Jonathan was a barrister "of the very highest calibre" who had given "outstanding service to the government in many cases of the greatest public importance".  Jonathan now combines his wider experience in public law with his previous specialisation in company/commercial litigation.

Cases of Interest

Click here for a complete list

Lectures and Seminars

Jonathan is regularly asked to provide lectures and seminars for firms of solicitors and for various professional bodies, such as the London Solicitors Litigation Association, the Administrative Law Bar Association, the Human Rights Lawyers Association, the Chancery Bar Association, the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association, the Insolvency Lawyers Association, the Property Law Bar Association, and the Statute Law Society.

Appointments

1994 Treasury Counsel (Chancery)
1998 First Treasury Counsel (Chancery)
1998 Bencher of Lincoln's Inn
2001 Deputy High Court Judge
2006 Attorney General to HRH the Prince of Wales
2011 Court of Appeal Judge in Guernsey and Jersey

Professional

Commercial Bar Association
Chancery Bar Association
Administrative Law Bar Association
Insolvency Lawyers Association