Ed M. Thompson

Ed represents individuals and corporates  across the full spectrum of criminal and quasi-criminal matters.
His practice encompasses investigations, prosecutions and other litigation conducted by a variety of different agencies concerning criminal defence and police investigations, bribery and corruption, financial crime, money laundering and extradition. His cases often have an international dimension.

He has particular expertise dealing with law enforcement applications that seek to freeze or seize assets, including Account Freezing Orders and other applications made under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and of challenging the exercise of search and seizure.

Befitting the often high profile nature of his cases, Ed is very sensitive to clients’ reputational needs. He is adept at handling the media and devising strategies to minimise publicity. His calm and thorough approach is praised by his clients, as is his enviable success rate.

White Collar Crime

Ed has acted in many significant cases brought by the SFO, the Information Commissioner, the Electoral Commission and various professional disciplinary bodies. The cross-border nature of many of these matters means Ed has experience of dealing with a range of foreign jurisdictions (including Russia, the US, India and many European states). In recent years he has acted for the Chief Executive of Cambridge Analytica, a number of senior employees in a global bank, individuals at the centre of allegations of FX manipulation, individuals and corporates involved in pan-European investigations into cum ex trading and suspects in SFO and DoJ bribery and corruption investigations.

Criminal Defence and Police Investigations

Outside white collar and financial crime, Ed deals with clients facing a wide range of criminal allegations, from sexual offences to extradition.

Ed specialises in advising clients prior to, or at the earliest stages of, an investigation with a view to preventing further action. Where his cases engage issues beyond criminal law (for example employment, family or dispute resolution) he works with colleagues from other teams within the firm to provide a comprehensive solution.

At the other end of the criminal process, Ed is regularly instructed to advise on challenges to police cautions, appeals against conviction and sentence and in respect of applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).

A mark of the high regard in which Ed is held within the profession is his membership of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee, a law-making body where he sits alongside senior members of the judiciary, the CPS, police and Ministry of Justice.

Recent cases