Jonathon Enston

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Image of Jonathon Enston a Partner specialising in Business Crime, Criminal Defence and Corporate Compliance, Investigations & Prosecutions
Jonathon.Enston@jmw.co.uk

Jonathon is a specialist criminal and regulatory defence lawyer representing businesses and individuals across numerous sectors and industries dealing with prosecutions, investigations and compliance. 

Areas of Expertise

  • CQC 
  • HSE
  • Inquests 
  • Professional Discipline 
  • Fraud and financial crime 
  • Confiscation and restraint 
  • Criminal Defence 

Jonathon represents clients nationally at the Police Station, Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, Coroner’s Court and related Tribunals. 

He has successfully defended individuals and companies at the investigatory stage as well as any subsequent proceedings. He is often instructed by individuals who are experiencing an investigation or proceedings for the very first time and is able to navigate such matters with diligence and care. His proactive and tenacious approach put clients at ease. 

Jonathon is able to effectively lead a team through serious complex matters especially with his experience in leading VHCC cases.

He is a member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL) and the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme (CLAS).

Business Crime/Regulatory

Jonathon has acted for individuals and businesses across numerous industries and sectors dealing with both investigations and prosecutions by the HSE, Environment Agency and Local Authorities, including the following:-

Representation of manufacturing company after one of its employees sustained a serious injury whilst accessing a dangerous part of machinery

Representation of senior employee prosecuted by the under section 7 HSWA following a fatality at a waste recycling centre

Representation of business owner prosecuted by the HSE in first case of its kind relating to the online sale of chemicals 

Trading Standards

Jonathon’s Trading Standards experience encompasses all types of Regulatory Crime, in particular:

  • Trade Marks Act 1994
  • Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
  • Consumer Protection Act 1987
  • Food Safety Act 1990
  • Offences under the Fraud Act 2006
  • Sale of Age-Restricted Products

Professional Discipline

Jonathon is regularly instructed to advise and defend in professional disciplinary proceedings, including the following bodies - SRA, GMC, NMC, GPhC, ACCA and GTC. 

Fraud and Financial Crime

Jonathon has over 10 years’ experience of working on complex high value fraud cases including:-

  • MTIC
  • Mortgage 
  • Investment
  • Insurance

He has also defended cases of money laundering and is vastly experienced in POCA work. He is dealing with numerous cases concerning applications to reopen Confiscation Orders under S23 POCA. 

Inquests

Jonathon has been instructed by bereaved families and senior managers in complex Article 2 and Jamieson inquests that have involved highly technical points of law and expert evidence.

Care Quality Commission

Jonathon has acted for providers and registered managers in responding to enforcement action, compliance and appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (Care Standards Chamber).

He has particular experience of providing advice and assistance in the following:-

  • Written representations
  • Warning notices
  • Registration process and cancellation of registration
  • Factual inaccuracies
  • Rating reviews
  • Fixed Penalty Notices

As he is Police Station Accredited he will often be asked to provide advice and representation following a request for a provider or registered manager to attend an interview under caution. Such matters have ranged from Wilful Neglect to Food Safety.

Jonathon joined JMW with over 10 years’ experience having previously worked for nationally and globally recognised firms in criminal and regulatory matters.

Jonathon has been described in the Legal 500 lawyers as someone who is “dedicated and leaves no stone unturned.” In the 2025 edition one client commented "Jonathan Enston is sensible, knowledgeable and asks for advice when appropriate. He has a great future ahead of him."

What his clients say

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.

What his peers say

‘Jonathon Enston is sensible, knowledgeable and asks for advice when appropriate. He has a great future ahead of him.’

Legal 500, 2025

Case Studies

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.

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