Jason Bartfeld QC

Jason Bartfeld specialist in Criminal Law, Sports Law, Disciplinary Proceedings and Regulatory Law.

Having spent the first 10 years of practice acting predominantly for the prosecution, in the last 10 years Jason has expanded his practice to include a significant volume of defence work at the very highest level. During that time he has been involved in some of the most notable cases tried across the country. In particular, Jason has specialist expertise in cases of homicide, serious/organised violence, fraud and large-scale drug trafficking (including complex confiscation proceedings). He is recognised as an expert in cases involving complex telephone/electronic evidence as well as cases involving complex legal issues of both joint enterprise and bad character.

“Jason is business-like and pragmatic, yet at the same time easy going and approachable, with a talent for cutting to the heart of the issue and a reputation for gaining the very best possible outcome for his clients. The sort of advocate and lawyer that you want on your side.”

Jason Bartfeld QC has been ranked as band 3 for Crime QC in the Legal 500 2022

Practice Areas

General Crime, with an emphasis on serious organised crime including complex homicide, modern slavery and large-scale drug importation

Fraud and Financial Crime, including insider trading, bribery, market manipulation, complex money laundering and tax fraud

Proceeds of Crime, including defending both criminal and civil POCA applications

Disciplinary and Regulatory Law, with an emphasis on Sports Law and professional disciplinary panels

Specialist practice in advising on, designing, drafting, operating and auditing anti-bribery / anti-money laundering / anti-slavery policies as required under UK and EU law for corporate bodies

Asset Forfeiture & Confiscation: NCA v JN. Advising on the steps to be taken following an apparent breach of a Consent Order by the National Crime Agency in civil Proceeds Of Crime Act proceedings.
R v MR. Defending in a confiscation application following a Modern Slavery conviction involving complex distinctions between the benefit of individual directors as opposed to the (not prosecuted) corporate body.
Criminal Defence: Slavery
R v PR. Acted at trial and on appeal for the lead defendant in the longest and most complex Modern Slavery case ever conducted in the UK
Homicide
R v NA. Legally complex ‘fight or flight’ manslaughter
R v TH. Multi Defendant cut-throat murder with drugs background
R v ZA. Brutal Rape and attempted murder of a stranger
R v HM. Lead defendant in multi-handed murder where the defendants were initially attacked by the victims
R v CG. Complex homicide turning on telephony evidence including the novel using of smart phone polling data
Drug Trafficking
R v AVM. Acted for the lead Defendant in one of the largest and most complex drug importation operations ever investigated (in this case jointly by HMRC and several European Police Forces)
Sexual Offences
R v EA. Representing a prominent Middle Eastern politician on an allegation of rape. Exceptionally, proceedings conducted in part in camera
Re OK. Advising at an early stage after an allegation that a young person had distributed indecent images via social media
Fraud & Financial Crime: R v PR. Long standing tax fraud centred on the travelling community
Re X. Advising a senior financial professional who had been investigated by the SFO for market manipulation and was due to be a prosecution witness in the trial of others
Re YK. Advising a prominent UAE resident on allegations (and counter allegations) of fraud relating to former UK business partners
R v ML. Advising prominent person in the Financial Sector on allegations of insider trading
Professional Discipline: GMC v DR. Disciplinary proceedings against a doctor involved in a serious car accident resulting in catastrophic injuries to his passenger
GDC v BS. Multiple proceedings against dental technician.
Sports Law: BHA v MS. Appeared for the first two defendants in the most complex horseracing corruption inquiry ever conducted by the BHA
BJA v AR. One of the UK’s most respected coaches accused of historic sexual offences against students. Pursued by the BJA notwithstanding the CPS decision not to prosecute

Professional Memberships

Criminal Bar Association
South Eastern Circuit
Midlands Circuit
Registered Lawyer under the Football Association Agents Regulations

Awards/Qualifications/Other

Jules Thorn Scholar – Middle Temple
BA (Hons) in Philosophy & Politics – University of Durham

Direct Access

Jason Bartfeld QC is approved to accept instructions direct from international and UK clients on a direct access basis, without the need for a solicitor intermediary in appropriate cases.