Jo Rickards is the Chair of the London office’s White Collar Crime & Investigations Group where she represents a wide range of companies and individuals. Jo is recognised as a leading individual in her practice area advising clients in investigations involving allegations of corruption, cartels, tax and investment fraud and contentious financial services. She has advised directors and companies in the UK and internationally for over 20 years. She represents companies and individuals investigated by the SFO, FCA, CMA and HMRC and those who are subject to mutual legal assistance requests from criminal authorities abroad.

Jo's corporate representations range from advising a U.S. parent whose subsidiary agreed to a civil recovery order with the SFO, conducting an independent review for a UK casino chain, advising an online gambling platform in respect of a money laundering investigation and advising a sovereign wealth fund involved in a high profile sanctions matter. She has advised numerous companies on corruption, money laundering and fraud issues. She has acted for individuals in relation to investigations into Unaoil, Patisserie Valerie, Quindell, Rolls Royce, and a multinational tobacco company. She also has deep experience with insider dealing prosecutions and market abuse investigations. She was involved in the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press and the Manchester Arena Inquest/Inquiry.

She has a particular interest in bribery & corruption, environmental crime and greenwashing and regularly writes and speaks on these subjects.

On 12 July 2022, the UK’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) and various other UK government agencies issued a red alert, in conjunction
Continue Reading UK Law Enforcement Identify Common Sanctions Evasion Tactics and Use of UK-Based ‘Enablers’

On 15 June 2022, the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) implemented important changes to its enforcement powers and updated its “Monetary Penalty” guidance.
Continue Reading New Era in UK Sanctions Enforcement: Introduction of Strict Liability Standard and OFSI Guidance Update

On 4 May 2022, the UK government announced[1] a ban on UK persons or entities exporting certain professional services to Russia, prohibiting Russian businesses
Continue Reading Update: UK Bans Exports of UK Professional Services to Russia and Includes Evraz plc on the UK Sanctions List

As anticipated, the Economic Crime Bill was passed and became the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 on 14 March 2022. Overseas entities, their
Continue Reading UK Russian Sanctions and Economic Crime Update – A More Forceful Approach