Jessica Hocking joined Three Raymond Buildings following successful completion of her pupillage. She is developing a practice across Chambers’ main areas of expertise, with a particular interest in financial crime, sanctions, public law and regulatory matters. Jessica was Called to the Bar of Seychelles in August 2023.

Prior to joining Chambers, Jessica was a solicitor at an international law firm in London specialising in tax litigation, with experience in arbitration, financial and corporate crime, risk and compliance, and other financial regulatory matters.

Jessica’s current instructions include: junior counsel to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in the Covid Inquiry; junior counsel (led by James Lewis KC and Ben Watson KC) in listed asset forfeiture and civil recovery proceedings brought by the NCA; junior counsel (led by James Lewis KC and Rachel Barnes KC) advising on various sanctions matters; junior counsel (led by Helen Malcolm KC) in relation to a high profile extradition request between the USA and The Bahamas; and junior counsel (led by James Lewis KC and Rachel Scott) in a firearms and corruption case in Seychelles.

Legal Expertise

Financial crime and proceeds of crime overview

Jessica has a particular interest in financial crime. Jessica is currently instructed as junior counsel (led by James Lewis KC and Ben Watson KC) in ongoing high-profile forfeiture proceedings brought by the NCA. Jessica has recently assisted James Lewis KC in another high-profile matter regarding liability under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Jessica is instructed as junior counsel (led by James Lewis KC and Rachel Scott) in a complex corruption case in Seychelles.

Jessica is regularly instructed as sole counsel in a range of cash forfeiture, listed asset forfeiture and account freezing order proceedings.

Notable Financial crime and proceeds of crime cases

Republic of Seychelles v MV & LV (ongoing)

Junior counsel in a firearms and terrorism case (led by James Lewis KC and Rachel Scott).

Republic of Seychelles v MV (ongoing)

Junior counsel in a complex corruption case (led by James Lewis KC and Rachel Scott).

NCA v H (ongoing)

Junior counsel in listed asset forfeiture proceedings (led by James Lewis QC and Ben Watson QC).

Regulatory overview

Financial Regulation

Jessica has assisted other members of Chambers in advising corporate clients on the extent of their financial regulatory obligations under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

Prior to joining Chambers, Jessica worked at an international law firm as a solicitor. During her time at the Firm, she worked with the White Collar and Financial Regulation team and gained experience in both contentious and advisory financial regulatory work. She was part of a team advising a corporate client in an FCA investigation regarding potential breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations. While working as a tax litigation solicitor in the Corporate Tax team, she also advised corporate clients on the ‘failure to prevent’ offences under the Criminal Finances Act 2017 and other risk and compliance matters.

 

Other regulatory matters 

Jessica has assisted other members of Chambers in advising on a range of issues related to health and safety, fire regulations and other regulatory matters.

Jessica is on the Teaching Regulatory Authority’s panel of Presenting Officers and is regularly instructed in professional disciplinary proceedings.

 

Sanctions overview

Jessica has a particular interest in sanctions work. She is currently instructed as junior counsel (led by James Lewis KC and Rachel Barnes KC) advising on various matters under The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Notable Sanctions cases

Sanctions matter (ongoing)

Junior counsel (led by Rachel Barnes KC) advising on various matters under The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Sanctions matter (ongoing)

Junior counsel (led by Rachel Barnes KC) advising on various matters under The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Sanctions matter (ongoing)

Junior counsel (led by James Lewis KC) advising on various matters under The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Civil and quasi-criminal matters overview

Jessica is frequently instructed as sole counsel in applications for, and appeals against, the full range of civil preventative orders, including Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders, Stalking Protection Orders, Gang Injunctions, Knife Crime Prevention Orders, Sexual Risk Orders and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.

Recent instructions include a successful interim application for the Metropolitan Police Service’s first ever Knife Crime Prevention Order, a successful committal hearing in the County Court in respect of a breached Gang Injunction and a successful application for Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders relating to the exploitation of a 13 year old in a county lines operation.

Jessica recently provided training to the Metropolitan Police Service on Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders and Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders.

Notable Civil and quasi-criminal matters cases

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v P (2022)

Acted for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in the MPS’ first application for a standalone interim Knife Crime Prevention Order under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v N (2022)

Successfully applied for an interim Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order in respect of individuals involved in a county lines operation.

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v D (2022)

Successfully acted for the Commissioner of Police in contempt proceedings following breach of a gang injunction.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets v F (2022)

Secured the discontinuance of proceedings for a parent in proceedings brought under the Education Act, involving complex medical evidence.

Licensing overview

Jessica was recently instructed as junior counsel (led by Stephen Walsh KC) advising a UK corporate in the hospitality sector which ultimately led to the successful discontinuance of an investigation against the corporate for alleged licensing breaches.

Jessica has acted for the Metropolitan Police Service in contested licensing hearings and for Transport for London in licensing appeals in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court.

Notable Licensing cases

London Borough of Redbridge v W (2022)

Junior counsel (led by Stephen Walsh KC) acting for a UK corporate in the hospitality industry. Successfully secured the discontinuance of an investigation into alleged licensing breaches.

Extradition

Extradition overview

Jessica is currently instructed as junior counsel (led by Helen Malcolm KC) in relation to a high-profile extradition request between the USA and The Bahamas.

During pupillage, Jessica assisted her pupil supervisors (Rachel Barnes KC and Rachel Scott) in the preparation of extradition matters on behalf of Requested Persons and Requesting States.

Notable Extradition cases

Extradition Matter (ongoing)

Junior counsel (led by Helen Malcolm KC) advising on an extradition request between the USA and The Bahamas.

Inquests and Inquiries overview

Jessica has a keen interest in public law and is a member of the Attorney-General’s ‘Junior Junior’ Scheme. Jessica is currently instructed as junior counsel to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in the Covid Inquiry. Prior to this, Jessica was junior counsel for the Metropolitan Police Service on the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

Notable Inquests and Inquiries cases

Inquiry into the Covid 19 Pandemic

Junior counsel to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (led by Ben Watson KC).

Undercover Police Inquiry (2022-23)

Junior counsel for the Metropolitan Police Service.

Crime overview

Jessica has prosecuted and defended in cases involving a range of offences. Recent cases include securing an acquittal for a client accused of racially aggravated assault, successfully applying to dismiss a charge of criminal damage on a technical basis, and securing the discontinuance of proceedings brought against a client who had been prosecuted under the Education Act 1996.

Jessica has been instructed to advise on a range of wider matters, including evidential issues and potential liability under the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

Notable financial crime and proceeds of crime cases

Republic of Seychelles v MV & LV (ongoing)

Junior counsel in a firearms and terrorism case (led by James Lewis KC and Rachel Scott).

Republic of Seychelles v MV (ongoing)

Junior counsel in a complex corruption case (led by James Lewis KC and Rachel Scott).

NCA v H (ongoing)

Junior counsel in listed asset forfeiture proceedings (led by James Lewis QC and Ben Watson QC).

Notable Inquest and Inquiry cases

Inquiry into the Covid 19 Pandemic (ongoing)

Junior counsel to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (led by Ben Watson KC).

Undercover Police Inquiry (2022-23)

Junior counsel for the Metropolitan Police Service.

Notable Sanctions Cases

Sanctions matter (ongoing)

Junior counsel (led by Rachel Barnes KC) advising on various matters under The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Sanctions matter (ongoing)

Junior counsel (led by James Lewis KC) advising on various matters under The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Notable Extradition cases

Extradition matter (ongoing)

Junior counsel (led by Helen Malcolm KC) advising on an extradition request between the USA and The Bahamas.

Notable civil and quasi-criminal cases

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v P (2022)

Acted for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in the MPS’ first application for a standalone interim Knife Crime Prevention Order under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v N (2022)

Successfully applied for an interim Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order in respect of individuals involved in a county lines operation.

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v D (2022)

Acted for the Commissioner of Police in contempt proceedings following breach of a gang injunction.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets v F (2022)

Acting for a parent in proceedings brought under the Education Act involving complex medical evidence.

 

 

 

 

London School of Economics, LLB (2011)
Kaplan Law School, Bar Professional Training Course (2013)
CISI, Certificate in UK Financial Regulation (2015)
University of Law, Legal Practice Course (2016)

Scholarships/Prizes

James Hunt Prize, Gray’s Inn (2021)
Ann Goddard Scholarship (2021)
Winner, ‘Best Advocacy Award’, WCA Mediation Competition (2018)

As a tax litigation solicitor, Jessica was a regular contributor to Tax Journal. She co-authored a number of articles on tax compliance and enforcement, including:

Covid-19 and UK tax compliance, 2 December 2020 – Tax Journal
JJ Management Consulting: HMRC’s right to conduct informal investigations, 21 July 2020 – Tax Journal
Covid-19 – response of UK Tax Tribunal, 10 July 2020 – Bloomberg Tax
Budget 2020: compliance and enforcement aspects, 12 March 2020 – Tax Journal
2019 review: the tax compliance and disputes landscape, 11 December 2019 – Tax Journal
Changing UK tax environment – impact on corporates’ approach to tax risk, 21 June 2019 – Bloomberg Tax
The changing landscape of UK tax, 2 June 2019 – Tax Journal
No safe havens 2019: HMRC’s renewed focus on offshore non-compliance, 10 April 2019 – Tax Journal

Attorney-General’s ‘Junior Junior’ Scheme

In addition to her experience as a solicitor in the corporate tax team of an international law firm, Jessica has experience in Policy and Financial Regulation, having worked as an Adjudicator and Policy Advisor at the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Prior to joining Chambers, Jessica worked on two pro bono initiatives with Amicus. She also provided legal advice at a community legal advice project in East London for a number of years.

Jessica has created a number of initiatives to support students from under-represented groups who want to pursue a career in law.

Professional Memberships 

Criminal Bar Association

Young Fraud Lawyers Association

Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum

I, Jessica Hocking, am a data controller and can be contacted at 3 Raymond Buildings, Gray’s Inn, London WC1R 5BH or by telephone on 020 7400 6400 or by email at jessica.hocking@3rblaw.com.  My Data Protection Policy can be found here.

All personal data that I process is for the purposes of providing legal services, conducting conflict-checks, marketing, defending potential complaints, legal proceedings or fee disputes, keeping anti-money laundering records, training other barristers and pupils and when providing work-shadowing opportunities, and/or exercising a right to a lien.  The types of data I process vary upon the nature of the legal matter in relation to which I am engaged to advise, but can include names, contact details, biographic details and ‘special category personal data’ (such as details of racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, health, sex life and criminal convictions and proceedings).

Depending upon the circumstances of the case, the legal bases upon which I process personal data are (i) the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract, (ii) the processing is necessary to comply with legal obligations to which I am subject, or (iii) the processing is necessary for the legitimate interests set out above, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subjects which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child.  When I rely on (iii) legitimate interests, my ‘Legitimate Interests Assessment’ can be found here.  When I process data which has not been obtained directly from the data subject (e.g. personal data contained in evidential materials), it will have been supplied to me as part of my instructions in circumstances covered by legal professional privilege.

Depending upon the circumstances of the case, I may share the personal data with:

  1. my Chambers, which supplies professional and administrative support to my practice;
  2. Courts and other tribunals to whom documents are presented;
  3. my lay and professional clients;
  4. potential witnesses, in particular experts, and friends or family of the data subject;
  5. solicitors, barristers, pupils, mini pupils and other legal representatives;
  6. ombudsmen and regulatory authorities;
  7. current, past or prospective employers;
  8. education and examining bodies;
  9. business associates, professional advisers and trade bodies.

I retain personal data for no longer than 7 years after the case has come to an end or as otherwise required by law.

I do not intend to transfer data to any country which is not either within the European Union, or otherwise permitted by UK data protection legislation.

Under the UK GDPR, data subjects whose personal data I process have the right to request from me access to, and rectification or erasure of, their personal data, the right to the restriction of processing concerning them, the right to object to processing as well as the right to data portability.  Data subjects also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ico.org.uk).

In cases where there is a contract between me and the data subject, the provision of personal data is a contractual requirement and the data subject is obliged to provide the personal data in order that I can supply legal services.  A failure to provide such data may mean that I will not be able to provide those legal services.

Rev 2.1 – 09.02.2022

Data Protection Policy

Legitimate Interests Assessment