Jo Rickards
Partner/ Joint Head of Fraud
and Regulatory
International and domestic business crime and regulation. Particular expertise in advising on corruption inquiries, cartel investigations, insider dealing, market abuse and other FSA investigations. Has successfully represented many individual and corporate clients facing criminal and regulatory sanctions in the UK, US and other jurisdictions.
Jo is the joint Head of our Fraud and Regulatory Department. Having trained with Peters & Peters, she became a Partner in 1992. An acknowledged expert in her Fraud and Regulatory practice, Jo represents defendants/ witnesses in often high profile SFO and FSA investigations and HM Revenue & Customs cases. She has extensive experience in corruption cases, all types of banking, securities and investment frauds, insider dealing/ market abuse investigations and disciplinary and regulatory work. She also advises on mutual legal assistance issues.
Jo acts for individuals involved in internal or regulatory enquiries. She is a key member of the firm’s Cartels team, acting in investigations and advising clients on the implications of the Enterprise Act 2002 regarding the criminalisation of cartel behaviour.
Jo was declared as a 'Hot 100' lawyer in 'The Lawyer' (January 2003) after her successful defence of the Wickes Group Finance Director in SFO proceedings. She writes articles and lectures on her specialist areas, especially on the investigation and prosecution of hardcore cartel members and on corruption. She is a member of The Times’ Law Panel. She is ranked as an expert in Legal Experts 2008.
Quotes about Jo Rickards from Chambers UK "A Client's Guide to the Legal Profession 2008"
Jo Rickards has “a huge amount of energy, and yet manages to be very calming and reassuring.” Said to get involved in some of the highest profile matters, “she is a significant player in this field.” Rickards has acted on a series of serious and complex fraud investigations of late, including representing several senior company executives in pending separate SFO investigations. She also acted on the cash for honours inquiry.
Quote from The Legal 500 - 2007 (current edition)
The ‘outstanding’ Jo Rickards is representing a client on the ‘cash-for-honours’ inquiry; and is also instructed in relation to the BAE corruption affair. Other recent matters include representing a client in an SFO inquiry into alleged corruption involving Egyptian public officials, and representing four BA executives in the OFT cartel investigation into alleged price-fixing.