Contact details

Justin McClelland

T: +44 20 7809 2127 Email Justin | vCard Office: London

Awards

Financial services: Contentious regulatory

Financial services: Contentious regulatory

Financial services (contentious) and Regulatory investigations and corporate crime

Financial services (contentious) and Regulatory investigations and corporate crime

 Fraud: white-collar crime

Fraud: white-collar crime

Justin McClelland Partner

Contact details

Justin McClelland

T: +44 20 7809 2127 Email Justin | vCard Office: London

Acknowledged as a leading individual in the areas of both regulatory investigations and corporate crime, the leading legal directories have noted that "Justin McClelland can be a game-changer; he knows the case backwards and has superb instincts".
  • Profile
  • Services
  • Sectors

He is described as “knowledgeable, astute and empathetic” and “‘excellent’ at handling multi-jurisdictional investigations,” where his “structured, calm and thorough” approach has proved invaluable in resolving the most challenging matters for clients, whether corporate or individuals. The Directories have noted that “Justin McClelland is the main selling point as he brings considerable experience, expertise and judgement in the field’.” and that “Justin McClelland is the stand-out practitioner. He has considerable cross-over experience, excellent judgement and secures great results.”

Justin’s practice is international and covers a number of sectors, including financial services, transport, construction, pharmaceuticals and energy, in the following areas:

Regulatory investigations: Leading and managing the defence of corporate clients and individuals in complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations on issues such as market abuse, insider dealing, breaches of the FCA’s Principles and Rules, and cartel behaviour.  The investigative agencies with which he has dealt include, in the UK, the FCA, the PRA, the FRC, the ICAEW, the MHRA, the NCA and the SFO and, overseas, the European Commission, the US DOJ, the NYAG, the US CFTC, the Dubai FSA and the Japanese FSA;

Regulatory advice: Managing interactions with regulators in supervisory environments to avoid or minimise the impact of regulatory breaches pre-enforcement. The agencies dealt with have included (in the UK), the FCA, PRA, MCA, ICAEW and MHRA;

Corporate investigations: Managing internal investigations involving POCA concerns, employment disputes, internal fraud allegations, export compliance/sanctions issues, bribery issues and data protection issues;

High-value litigation: Representing clients in commercial and financial disputes including cross-jurisdictional litigation, multi-party actions, appellate proceedings, and follow-on actions arising from regulatory investigations;

Compliance programmes: Providing assistance to clients in developing, implementing and reviewing compliance programmes.

Prior to his private practice, Justin served as a lawyer in the British Army, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and prosecuting cases spanning the criminal spectrum at Courts Martial, as well as advising and negotiating internationally and at the highest levels of government. Justin was awarded the MBE in June 1998.

"Justin McClelland has had a wonderful way with clients who, not surprisingly given his mastery of each case and engaging personality, have the utmost respect for him. His preparation of his cases is impeccably thorough: it is not just a case, as with many, of summarising, but their instructions and enclosures provide a concise and incisive analysis of the evidence and law and this position maintains at every stage of the proceedings. And difficult, complex and novel areas of law at that!"

The Legal 500 UK 2023

  • Investment funds
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Corporate crime and directors' criminal liability
  • Regulatory litigation
  • Professional standards and discipline

LIBOR investigations

Advising a global bank and individuals in relation to the global LIBOR investigations.

FX

Advising the global head of FX at a prominent bank in respect of alleged FX manipulation.

Market conduct

Advising a group of companies in respect of criminal and regulatory investigations by UK and US authorities arising from alleged market misconduct;

High profile SFO investigation

Advising a suspect in respect of the SFO’s investigation into a leading international bank.

More: Investment funds

Prelisting advice

Advising an African company on its compliance regime as part of its preparation for listing on the LSE.

Bribery Act

Developing and assisting with the implementation of risk reviews, policies and procedures in a number of companies and charities.

Modern Slavery Act

Providing advice to international firms in respect of their compliance with the MSA.

Global shipping firm

Providing advice to a global firm regarding its compliance programme.

Compliance training

Running compliance training for a number of firms in different sectors.

More: Regulatory compliance

High profile investigation

Advising a former legal adviser, who was a suspect in respect of the SFO’s investigation into a leading global bank.

Cartel investigation

Advising a well-known airline in respect of alleged cartel activity, including in respect of a follow on compensation scheme operated in in the US.

SFO investigation into Tesco

Advising a witness in respect of compelled interviews by the SFO.

Cartel investigation

Advising a well-known airline in respect of an alleged global cartel, including UK follow-on attempted ‘class action’ litigation arising from the same.

SFO investigation into energy sector

Advising a former legal adviser to a company under investigation for its activities in an overseas jurisdiction.

Internal investigations

Conducting multiple internal investigations into such matters as misconduct, bribery and anti-money laundering issues.

Bribery allegations

Conducting an internal investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption regarding a mining company in Africa.

Pharmaceutical investigation

Conducting an extensive investigation into activities of a global company, involving the first self-report to its regulator, which resulted in no further action being taken.

SFO investigations

Advising multiple individuals in investigations by the SFO.

FX

Advising the global head of FX at a prominent bank in respect of UK, EU and US investigations into the alleged manipulation of the FX market.

More: Corporate crime and directors' criminal liability

Treating Customers Fairly

Advising a building society in respect of alleged breaches of TCF, securing a private warning.

Retail misselling

Advising a building society in respect of alleged misselling of life insurance policies, including the management of issues concerning the FCA, the FOS and the FSCS.

Market conduct

Advising an international group of companies in respect of criminal and regulatory investigations by UK and US authorities arising from alleged market misconduct and successfully resolving the same.

Benchmark manipulation

Advising an individual in relation to investigations by UK and US authorities into LIBOR manipulation and securing no further action by those authorities.

Benchmark manipulation

Advising a global bank in respect of investigation by UK, US, European and Asian authorities regarding LIBOR manipulation.

Alleged audit failures

Advising a global accounting firm in respect of an ICAEW investigation into alleged audit failings.

Claims from a company entering Special Administration

Advising a counterparty of and liquidity provider to a collapsed UK-regulated entity, including in respect of associated issues relating to the Insolvency Service, as well as litigation in the EU and in the US.

Investment firm’s legacy issues

Advising a firm in respect of issues arising from the acquisition of legacy policies, involving FCA and FSCS aspects. 

AML and associated litigation

Advising and representing a regulated firms and its associated companies in respect of AML concerns, liaising with the National Crime Agency and representing the firm in associated litigation.

Overseas bank

Advising an overseas bank based in the UK in respect of its engagement with the PRA and FCA on multiple governance and systems issues.

International brokerage firm

Representing a firm in extensive discussions and negotiations with the FCA regarding the threatened withdrawal of its permissions.

PRA and FCA investigation

Representing a Senior Board Member of a global bank in respect of a joint PRA and FCA investigation into breaches of permissions.

PRA and FCA investigation

Advising a Senior Board Member of a global bank in respect of a PRA and FCA investigation into non-financial misconduct.

More: Regulatory litigation

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales

Advising a global accounting firm in respect of alleged accounting failures. 

Financial Services

Advising individuals in respect of allegations of misconduct allegations brought by the FCA and PRA.

Solicitors Regulation Authority

Acting for a solicitor facing investigation by the SRA into historic allegations of criminality.

Pharmaceutical sector

Conducting an extensive investigation into activities of a global company, involving the first self-report to its regulator, which resulted in no further action being taken.

More: Professional standards and discipline

  • Private capital and funds
  • Life sciences
  • Energy and natural resources

Compliance advice: advising organisations on the development, implementation and review of compliance structures across different sectors and on the application of relevant regulatory rules to all aspects of the conduct of their businesses;

Enforcement avoidance: advising and representing organisations and individuals in respect of negotiating with regulators as part of their supervisory engagement, with a view to seeking to manage regulatory scrutiny and avoid enforcement action;

Enforcement representation: where enforcement action is initiated, representing and defending organisations and individuals in respect of allegations of regulatory breaches and criminal activity.

More: Private capital and funds

Internal investigation

Conducted an urgent and extensive investigation into concerns raised regarding the implementation of pharmaceutical research protocols and the reporting of their results.

Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Conducted an extensive investigation and advised a pharmaceutical company in respect of alleged breaches of EU regulations. 

More: Life sciences

Loan dispute

Defending an African oil company in respect of a $150 million loan dispute in the English High Court and setting a new precedent in respect of the interpretation of LMA agreements.

Bribery allegations

Conducting an internal investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption regarding a mining company in Africa.

SFO investigation into energy sector

Advising a former legal adviser to a company under investigation for its activities in an overseas jurisdiction.

Prelisting advice

Advising an African company on its compliance regime as part of its work pre-listing on the LSE.

More: Energy and natural resources

Awards

Financial services: Contentious regulatory

Financial services: Contentious regulatory

Financial services (contentious) and Regulatory investigations and corporate crime

Financial services (contentious) and Regulatory investigations and corporate crime

 Fraud: white-collar crime

Fraud: white-collar crime

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First speech by new FCA Head of Enforcement – key takeaways

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24 May 2023

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The Financial Services and Markets Bill – a "bonfire" of retained EU financial services law, or something less?

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15 May 2023

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19 Apr 2023

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13 Apr 2023

From Insights

New UK "failure to prevent fraud" offence

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17 Nov 2022

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07 Oct 2022

From Insights

Enforcement action over AML failings by Wise Nuqud Ltd – key lessons and international context

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24 Aug 2022

From Insights

Practical regulatory steps for challenger banks

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07 Jun 2022

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Avoiding other M&A risks and liabilities

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28 Sep 2021

From Insights

Getting the Deal Through's edition of 'Asset Recovery' UK chapter by Ros Prince, Justin McClelland, Alan Ward and Harriet Campbell

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24 Jun 2021

From Insights

UK Freeports in 2021: What are the benefits, opportunities and risks?

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13 Apr 2021

From News

Essential Compliance Update

Justin McClelland, partner in our regulatory litigation team, gave a presentation on 13 April 2021 as part of an Essential Compliance Update run by Goodacre UK (a trai..

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23 Jun 2020

From Insights

HMRC and the Covid-19 furlough scheme: New civil enforcement powers emerge, but prosecutions remain in prospect

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the UK Government has committed billions of pounds to preserving livelihoods and jobs via the Self-Employment Income Support Schem..

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27 Jan 2020

From Insights

Cracking down on culture

Regulatory scrutiny of workplace culture and the handling of non-financial misconduct

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