Jonathon Enston

Jonathon Enston is a Partner in the Business Crime and Regulatory team at JMW Solicitors. He is ranked by Chambers and Partners and recognised in The Legal 500. He advises aesthetic clinics and healthcare providers facing regulatory enforcement, inspection outcomes, criminal investigation and enforcement.

He is regularly instructed by aesthetic clinics and practitioners where regulatory issues have escalated, particularly following inspection, enforcement action or threatened intervention by regulators.

1. Healthcare & Aesthetic Regulation

Jonathon has a leading national practice acting for aesthetic clinics and practitioners in regulatory enforcement and intervention.

He is regularly instructed where clinics are subject to inspection or enforcement action by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), particularly where outcomes may impact registration status or the ability to continue operating.

His work is focused on urgent, high-risk regulatory situations, including

• CQC inspection findings and regulatory escalation
• Warning Notices and Notices of Proposal
• MHRA Enforcement (unlicensed supply, prescription breaches)
• Police referrals following regulatory inspection
• Trading Standards investigations and prosecutions
• S10 Notices
• Threatened suspension or cancellation of registration
• Urgent enforcement action affecting clinic operations
• Regulatory intervention following complaints or adverse findings

He is frequently instructed at the point where regulatory action is active or imminent, requiring immediate strategic response to protect business continuity, professional standing and reputation.

MHRA & Aesthetic Treatment Risks

Jonathon advises aesthetic clinics and practitioners where issues arise involving medicines regulation and enforcement risk from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

This includes matters involving Botox, dermal fillers and other prescription-only treatments, particularly where prescribing structures or supply arrangements are being scrutinised.

He is regularly instructed where regulatory concern arises from clinic treatment models, prescribing arrangements or supply chains, and where enforcement risk is present.

Healthcare Regulatory Enforcement (CQC)

Alongside his aesthetics practice, Jonathon acts in broader health and social care regulatory enforcement matters involving the Care Quality Commission (CQC), including urgent regulatory intervention, inspection outcomes and enforcement proceedings.

He also advises on healthcare inquests, including those arising following deaths in regulated care or healthcare settings, often alongside parallel regulatory criminal investigations.

Approach

Jonathon is regularly instructed by aesthetic clinics and healthcare providers at the point of regulatory escalation, particularly where inspection outcomes or enforcement action threaten trading status or registration.

His approach is focused on:

• Rapid assessment of regulatory exposure following inspection or intervention
• Immediate strategic response to enforcement action
• Managing regulator engagement during active proceedings
• Coordinating overlapping regulatory and criminal issues
• Protecting business continuity, reputation and operational stability

2. Firearms Licensing

Jonathon advises certificate holders, firearms dealers and rural businesses on firearms licensing law, including applications, renewals, revocations and appeals against police decisions. He is regularly instructed in high-stakes matters where licensing decisions have significant personal and professional consequences.

3. Business Crime & Investigations

Jonathon acts in complex criminal and regulatory investigations involving allegations of fraud, financial crime, health and safety breaches and corporate wrongdoing.

He is regularly instructed in matters involving regulators including the Health and Safety Executive, Trading Standards, Environment Agency, local authorities and police-led investigations.

His work includes advising on interviews under caution, internal investigations, regulatory enforcement action and crisis management.

Serious Criminal Defence

Jonathon has experience in serious criminal defence, including Very High Cost Cases (VHCCs), acting for individuals facing complex and high-profile criminal investigations and prosecutions.

He advises from the earliest stages of investigation through to trial in cases involving fraud, financial crime and serious criminal allegations.

Professional Discipline

Jonathon represents professionals facing disciplinary proceedings before regulators including the GMC, NMC, GPhC, Social Work England and the Teaching Regulation Agency.

He advises on fitness to practise investigations, hearings and appeals, with a focus on protecting professional standing and reputation.

• "I cannot speak highly enough of the team at JMW, and in particular Jonathon, who supported me through a period of immense personal distress. From the very first conversation, Jonathan was professional, courteous, and incredibly understanding. He always gave me a generous amount of time to talk things through, never making me feel rushed, and took the time to explain everything clearly and calmly. What stood out most was his availability, he was consistently at the end of the phone when I needed reassurance or guidance, which made an incredibly difficult situation feel far more manageable. This is a position I would not wish on anyone, but if you do find yourself in need of support, I genuinely could not be more grateful to have been represented by Jonathan and the wider JMW team. Their dedication, compassion, and professionalism are second to none. Thank you again for everything, your support made a real difference."
• "On behalf of our entire family, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to you, Daniel and your team for your outstanding work, your great commitment and your support throughout the entire case. We are extremely relieved and very happy with the outcome. We truly appreciate the dedication, expertise and care that each of you has invested in this case. We are sincerely grateful for everything you have done for our family. Please accept our heartfelt thanks once again. Your support has meant a great deal to us during this difficult time, and we will always remember your kindness and professionalism."
• "We came to JMW at a very difficult time in the process and what impressed us from the outset was a willingness to listen and grapple with the facts of a very complex case. This had been completely lacking in our previous representation. Jonathon Enston appreciated immediately that we were approaching them at a critical juncture and made the time (in the evenings and at the weekend) to get to grips with, and provide guidance on, our case to allow us to make the decision to switch to JMW. The service Jonathon and the team then provided was excellent. It is difficult to overstate how valuable it was to have representation that not only listened but communicated effectively and logically. No query was too small and they were extremely patient with the large amount of detail involved in the case. Jonathon made clear and detailed recommendations regarding selection of counsel incorporating our thoughts effectively. The barrister instructed was also outstanding and it was clear from our first meeting that she had been very well briefed by JMW. This allowed us to get to the heart of the case quickly and develop an appropriate plan moving forward. Throughout the case the communication between Counsel and Brief was seamless. Our previous representation had advised us not to challenge any of the charges (despite our belief that they were not all accurate) and that an immediate prison term was inevitable. Due to the efforts of Jonathon and the team, four of the seven charges were dropped and the sentence was suspended. This was, in short, a far better outcome than we could ever have hoped for when we made the decision to switch. I cannot recommend them highly enough."
• "I won't ever be able to thank you enough for being there for me through the hardest ever trial I have had in life. When I was first arrested I was totally lost, everything stopped making sense to me and I lost myself. I was in total darkness not knowing or understanding what was going on. 
•  I remember the 1st time I saw you via video link and you were wearing a white shirt sipping coffee (I think). You smiled and spoke to me like I was a person again. You made me feel human. You gave me hope and most importantly you listened! You didn't judge me nor did you fob me off. You cared and from that point on you stood by my side and supported me. Even when everyone else gave up hope you didn't! Till the very last minute you spoke to protect my dignity and respect. I don't know how to ever thank you for everything you have done for me. I'm not the brightest of individuals and my understanding of life is very limited. I don't have much to offer as I don't possess much to give but whatever little if anything I can do for you just know I will always be here for you. I will always remember you and your family in my prayers and will always be indebted to you."
• "It has taken me forever to write this because I have spent weeks digesting the overwhelmingly great news from JMW on behalf of work by Jonathon Enston and Elisha Kaur. I cannot thank you enough for the unshifting hard work, consistency, focus and attention to detail. I felt seen and heard and the results speak for themselves. No further action!"
• "We really cant thank you enough for all your help. We really appreciate all the work and hours you and Daniel have put into this for us. You have been amazing."
• "Thank you so much for all your help Jonathon and Lauren. This is a perfect result. We can finally get back to work without the cloud over our heads."
• "I would like to say Thank You for all you have done. I have been impressed with how efficiently you have conducted this. This last year has been the worst of my life, but your actions have mitigated a lot of the strain of late. I am grateful that I have had such an excellent solicitor towards the end of this process."

• "Jonathon's attention to detail is spot-on and he thinks of everything." - Chambers and Partners, 2026
• "He is very pragmatic and practical and he gets to the key issues of a case quickly." - Chambers and Partners, 2026
• "Jonathon is bright, very careful and so dedicated to his clients. He also will have covered every angle of a case before prosecution starts." - Chambers and Partners, 2026
• "Jonathon Enston is sensible, knowledgeable and asks for advice when appropriate. He has a great future ahead of him." - Legal 500, 2025

CQC

Jonathon was instructed to represent a business who were providing home care in various locations across Cheshire due to Care Quality Commission (CQC) involvement. The CQC notified our client that they had grounds to suspect that a criminal offence had been committed contrary to Section 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. This section makes it a criminal offence to carry on a regulated activity in the absence of being registered with the CQC to do so. The CQC alleged that our client had provided and was continuing to provide personal care to individuals which falls within the scope of a regulated activity. If convicted the offence is punishable with an unlimited fine and/or a sentence of up to 12 months’ imprisonment. The notification contained the police caution which meant that any response provided could be used in criminal proceedings.

A response was requested within 28 days failing which the CQC could then carry out an unannounced visit and enter and inspect relevant premises in which they suspect that a Section 10 offence has been committed. Detailed representations were submitted and in less than a week the CQC responded to confirm no further action would be taken. The clients were extremely grateful and thanked Jonathon and Lauren for a ‘perfect result’ and said they felt they could continue work without the cloud over their heads.

CQC Investigation Closed with No Further Action Following JMW Representations – Section 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 – Carrying out a regulated activity without CQC registration

JMW represented a business operating in the wellness sector after it was notified by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that it suspected a criminal offence had been committed under section 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. The CQC alleged that the business had provided, and continued to provide, diagnostic and screening procedures amounting to a regulated activity without the required registration.

The allegations carried serious consequences, including the risk of an unlimited fine and/or up to 12 months’ imprisonment. The notification was issued under caution, meaning any response could potentially be relied upon in criminal proceedings, and required a response within 28 days. Failing that, the CQC could have conducted an unannounced inspection of the premises. JMW carried out a detailed review of the client’s activities and prepared prompt, robust representations addressing the CQC’s concerns. Following those representations, the CQC closed its investigation with no further action.

MHRA

Advising aesthesis clinic and training academy in response to receiving compliance notice regarding the advertising and sale of botox.

NMC

Successfulty represented nurse practitioner in overturning interim order suspension and avoided FTP proceedings relating to NMC investigation for practising outside scope of expertise (prescribing without a qualification) and administering botox to people with a prescription. Warning Notice issued.

Social Work England

 Successfully represented social worker in relation to investigation concerning safeguarding and accessing records without professional reason to do. Following representations the Case Examiners determined that the case would not be referred to the FTP panel. Warning Notice issued.

GPhC

 Represented pharmacist in response to Local Authority investigation in which “fly tipping” was alleged. Fixed Penalty Notice issued in response to representations seeking out of court disposal.

CQC

Represented a business operating in the wellness sector after it was notified by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that it suspected a criminal offence had been committed under section 10 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. The CQC alleged that the business had provided, and continued to provide, diagnostic and screening procedures amounting to a regulated activity without the required registration. No further action.

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