Judith Seddon is a preeminent white collar lawyer, representing clients in matters relating to financial crime and in regulatory proceedings and criminal investigations and prosecutions. Ms. Seddon advises individual and corporate clients in some of the most significant and complex investigations mounted by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and by prosecuting authorities across the globe, acting as a trusted adviser in navigating the myriad of unexpected challenges involved in managing cross-border investigations. She has conducted numerous internal investigations for clients involving highly sensitive matters, advising on reporting to the regulators and authorities, and has successfully defended clients against threatened actions by the SFO, FCA, HMRC and other government agencies, including the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Ms. Seddon is consistently recognized as a top white collar lawyer by legal publications. Ranked in Band 1 for both Financial Crime Corporates and Individuals in Chambers UK, clients describe her as a "fantastically good lawyer", "a true subject matter expert [who] thinks outside the box" and as a "very dynamic lawyer [that] cuts to the chase and is very committed to her clients". In 2018, Who’s Who Legal named her Business Crime Lawyer of the Year and she is consistently recognized as a Global Elite Thought Leader for business crime defense and investigations, most recently for 2022. Ms. Seddon is also ranked in The Legal 500 UK’s Hall of Fame for White Collar Crime (advice to individuals) and Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime.

Following a highly successful academic career, Ms. Seddon established herself at a leading boutique criminal law firm in central London. She regularly appeared as a defense advocate in court and led the preparation of the defense in high-profile prosecutions and regulatory proceedings. She later moved to leading global law firms, where she was a leading figure in their London white collar investigations and prosecutions practices.

Ms. Seddon is a regular speaker, panel member and chair at conferences throughout the UK and internationally.

    • A company and its directors in a Competition and Markets Authority investigation into suspected anti-competitive arrangements in the supply of construction services.
    • A Malaysian businessman in respect of Indian criminal proceedings, consequential representations to Interpol, advising on issues of extradition, business travel restrictions and WorldCheck representations.
    • Various individuals in connection with FCA investigations and interviews concerning issues relating to financial crime, including anti-money laundering.
    • A senior executive who is a suspect in a cross-border bribery and corruption investigation being conducted by the SFO into the employer and various senior executives
    • An individual in connection to a now discontinued SFO investigation into the accounting issues at a technology company.
    • A number of investor clients in assessing their reporting obligations under applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations.
    • A major financial institution in relation to a multi-jurisdictional investigation into bribery and money-laundering.
    • A major financial institution on the SFO's investigation and prosecutions in relation to alleged benchmark manipulation.
    • Secondment from June – September 2014 to the Financial Crime team within Barclays advising the business on a variety of issues, including the use of third-party agents and compliance with the internal policies.
    • Senior executives at a leading British retail corporation in a high-profile investigation.
    • A multinational company in relation to potentially corrupt payments to agents made by its subsidiaries, advising on the conduct of such investigation and reporting obligations/potential liability in four different jurisdictions.
    • An international organization, its employees and former employees in relation to criminal investigations into the companies' and individuals' alleged corruption overseas.
    • A major financial institution on the SFO's investigation in relation to alleged FX manipulation.
    • A major financial investigation in relation to an overseas bribery investigation and requests for mutual legal assistance.
    • A major corporate in relation to allegations concerning fraudulent conduct perpetrated on a substantial number of consumers over several years. Liaising with investigations authorities and conducting an internal investigation and a review of the company’s terms and conditions.
    • Hall of Fame – Fraud: White-Collar Crime (Advice to Individuals) – The Legal 500 UK 2023
    • Hall of Fame – Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime (Advice to Corporates) – The Legal 500 UK 2023
    • Band 1 – Financial Crime: Corporates (London) – Chambers UK 2023
    • Band 1 – Financial Crime: Individuals (London) – Chambers UK 2023
    • Business Crime Lawyer of the Year – Who’s Who Legal 2018
    • Global Elite Thought Leader – Business Crime Defence – Corporates – Who’s Who Legal 2022
    • Global Elite Thought Leader – Investigations – Who’s Who Legal 2022
    • Women in Investigations – Global Investigations Review 2015
    • The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations – Co-editor and introduction co-author (2016 - 2022)
    • Self-Reporting to the Authorities and Other Disclosure Obligations: The UK Perspective – Co-author, The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations (2018- 2022)
    • Monitorships in the United Kingdom – Author, The Guide to Monitorships (2019 - 2022)
    • Culture, Compliance and Crisis – Co-author, Global Investigations Review (May 5, 2020)
    • HMRC outlines benefits of self-reporting tax offences, while SFO fraud guidance expected to reward privilege waiver and compliance programmes – Author, The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Investigations (July 2019)
    • Common Sense Prevails in the UK’s Battle over Legal Professional Privilege – Co-author, Expert Witness Journal
    • Financial Regulation/Money Laundering Hot Topics - Co-chair, NYSBA 2022 London Global Conference (December 1, 2022)
    • The Investigation and Prosecution of Economic Crime – What Does the Future Hold? - Keynote Speaker, 7th Annual Business Crime Conference (November 10, 2022)
    • Ethics, regulation and reputation - Panelist, 19th Annual General Counsel Summit (November 1, 2022)
    • The Limits of Compliance – how can we better deal with misconduct that undermines trust? – Panelist, 39th Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime (September 2022)
    • The Fraud Lawyers Association Conference – Panelist (June 2022)
    • GIR Live: London Winter – Co-chair (December 2, 2021)
    • Can We Measure Integrity in Financial Markets? – Panelist, 38th Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime (September 2021)
    • Behavioral Science: A Tool for Effective Compliance and Can We Measure Integrity in Financial Markets? – Panelist, 38th Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime (September 2021)
    • The Proliferation of Text and App-Based Messaging: A Discussion of the Legal Landscape & Practical Guidance for Financial Firms – Panelist, SIFMA Compliance & Legal Annual Seminar (July 21, 2021)
    • The Proliferation of Text and App-Based Messaging – Panelist, Enforcement Express Roundtable Series (July 15, 2021)
    • How Good Does Governance and Stewardship Assist in Combating Financial Crime? – Speaker, 37th International Symposium on Economic Crime (September 2019)
    • The Legal Apprentice Competition – Panelist, News Group UK and Kingsley Napley (June 2019)
    • Responding to, Managing and Preventing Investigations and Disputes Across the Globe – Speaker, City & Financial Global Ltd. Conference (March 2019)

     

    • Fraud Lawyers' Association
    • Women in White Collar Defense Association
    • American Bar Association