Direct Access Barrister
Jas Jandu, MCIArb
Direct Access Barrister
Jas Jandu, MCIArb
In addition to my experience as a Barrister (2014+) and Commercial Litigation Solicitor (2004-14), I also worked as in-house Counsel at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from 2009-2017. As a result, I have over 20 years’ experience of advising UK/international companies, individuals or public bodies on matters of English Law in complex litigation.
I have been ranked as one of London’s Leading Junior Barristers in the Legal 500 in the fields of ‘Financial Services & Fintech Regulation’ (2023-25) and ‘Business & Regulatory Crime/Global Investigations’ (2023-24). I have also been praised by regulatory clients for “having sound judgement with a practical approach” and for “focussing on the things that matter.”
As an MCIArb, I am a Member of the world-renowned International Arbitration organisation, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and share its commitment to Arbitration as an alternative means of dispute resolution. I am also one of the SFO’s Panel Counsel and was appointed as a Recorder (part-time Judge) on the South Eastern Circuit in 2020.
Client testimonials include: 'Jas has a fantastic grasp of technically challenging law and the ability to explain complex matters to clients.'
Fees: my market rate is c.£300+VAT per/hour (which may be negotiable depending on the case).
Area of Law
Banking and Financial Services
Notable Banking & Financial Services Cases:
* Financial Disputes & Enforcement Investigations (2024) - advising on: an international shareholder dispute and regulatory change-in-control issues regarding an FCA-Regulated Fintech firm; proceedings brought against international online Spread Betting & CFD firms.
Commercial
Notable Commercial Litigation & Arbitration Cases:
* Shareholder Dispute Re. Financial Services Firm (2024) - advising on an international shareholder dispute/potential arbitration regarding a Fintech/Financial Services firm.
* Claimant v IG & Others (2024) - advising on County Court proceedings brought against international online Spread Betting & CFD firms.
* Limited Company v Viola Money (Europe) Ltd - representing a business taking action against a financial services firm in the County Court.
* Advising Foreign Government Re. High Court Claim - advising on regulatory issues connected to Commercial Litigation in the High Court in England.
* FCA High Court & County Court Claims (2020) - advising the FCA (on secondment) on various claims brought in the Business & Property Courts and Central London County Court by consumers / third parties against various insolvent companies connected to an FCA prosecution. Appearing as advocate for the FCA in the Chancery Division of the High Court and successfully obtaining a full costs order against a Claimant (following strike out of an abusive proprietary claim over restrained funds). Legal issues advised on included bona vacantia, declarations of unenforceability of loans, general civil restraint orders, civil appeals and the interplay between Civil and Criminal jurisdictions.
Fraud
Notable Civil Fraud & Financial Crime Cases:
* FCA v Gopee (2020) - advising and assisting the FCA (on secondment) in complex POCA Restraint & Confiscation proceedings resulting in a £5.1m Confiscation Order over criminal proceeds (arising from the Defendant’s criminal lifestyle & conviction for operating an illegal / unauthorised money lending business).
* UK & Offshore Anti-Money Laundering Cases - advising on UK Anti-Money Laundering Regulations and Proceeds of Crime Act requirements/offences. Advising on a confidential, complex and high-value offshore financial services Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism Financing compliance review (reporting on compliance and record-keeping effectiveness across a wide range of client files and assisting on a review of Corporate Governance issues).
* Operation Cotton (2015) - assisting on the investigation which culminated in an FCA prosecution in 2015. Investors had lost over £4m in an unauthorised Collective Investment Scheme and the case resulted in eight convictions.
* R v Meeson & Ors (2013) - assisting on the initial FCA investigation culminating in the prosecution of a £5m tax fraud perpetrated by a former Tax Association President and others; investigated by the FCA, HMRC and the Pensions Regulator.
* Civil Fraud Litigation - acting for various clients.
Professional Discipline
Notable Professional Discipline Cases:
* Enforcement Investigations (2024) - advising on: an FRC-related investigation.
* Confidential Regulatory Enforcement Investigations (2023) - advising on FSMA issues, Payment Services law, Money Laundering Regulations concerns, Competition Law issues, Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) jurisdiction and the calculation of Regulatory Fines.
* PSR’s £1.82m fine of NatWest Group Banks (2022) - advising the Payment Systems Regulator on various highly complex enforcement matters, including the PSR’s £1.82m enforcement fine issued against National Westminster Bank Plc, Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, Ulster Bank Ltd and Coutts & Company. The fine was levied on the four NatWest Group banks in 2022 for overcharging ‘interchange fees’ on credit cards.
* Enforcement / Corporate Investigation: FCA-Authorised Firm - advising on a complex, confidential internal audit / investigation at a major FCA-Authorised Financial Services Firm.
Regulatory
Notable Financial Services Regulatory Advice Matters:
* Advising Cryptoasset, E-Money, Credit, Debt & Insurance Firms - on Change-In-Control, FCA Authorisation & Anti-Money Laundering regulatory requirements.
What sort of work do I do?
See cases under each practice area above, but in summary my specialist expertise includes:
* FINANCIAL / FRAUD CASES: I can advise and represent individuals or firms defending themselves in investigations or enforcement cases brought by financial/fraud regulators. For example, if you or your firm are facing an FCA, PSR, FRC, SFO (etc) investigation, or even a Financial Ombudsman Service complaint, then I may be able to assist you. I may also be able to help you make a claim against a professional firm or individual.
* COMMERCIAL / CONTRACTUAL DISPUTES: If you are in a business dispute and your claim is worth more than £25k then I may be able to help you resolve it. This includes international disputes if your agreement is governed by English Law (e.g. the relevant terms & conditions will usually have a ‘governing law’ clause confirming this).
* ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: I may be able to help you resolve your dispute out of Court if appropriate e.g. through Arbitration, Mediation or Settlement Negotiations. Whether any of these options is possible will depend on the particular situation in each case, but I would aim to get you the best possible outcome in all the circumstances.
Who do I work for?
See also: https://www.3harecourt.com/barrister/jas-jandu
Some examples of cases suitable for Direct Access include:
* Just Cash Flow v. Construction Company & Director: successfully defending Director and Construction Company (victims of ‘identity fraud’) in a contractual loan guarantee claim brought against them inappropriately by a business loan finance company.
* Advising an Independent Financial Advisor on the defence of potential professional negligence claims for pensions investment advice.
* Representing clients in Court hearings and trials.
Note: I do NOT have expertise in Landlord/Tenant or Immigration Law - for these please seek other Counsel, Solicitors or Citizens' Advice / Law Centres.