Ruth Harris

Practice Areas

Ruth leads the Financial Crime & Regulatory Team at Hodge Jones & Alen, bringing over 20 years of experience of defending criminal cases to this role. She has defended cases investigated and prosecuted by authorities such as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the National Crime Agency (NCA), the Insolvency Service and Trading Standards. She has successfully defended those responding to allegations such as conspiracy to defraud through boiler rooms, missing trader and long firm fraud; cheating public revenue including Covid related offences; offences relating to market manipulation and all forms of money laundering.

Ruth has an enormous breadth of experience in dealing with complex, multi-handed and frequently multi-jurisdictional trials. She relishes acting in cases which have voluminous material and complicated disclosure issues. She is adept at managing such trials, dealing with teams of counsel, solicitors, experts and witnesses to bring cases to successful conclusion. Ruth is aware that for many of these cases, clients are obliged to seek public funding and is committed to accepting cases in these circumstances. She is conscious that those facing such complex matters, but reliant on legal aid, should also have access to the most experienced and able representation.

The proficiency Ruth has developed in defending weighty, often high-profile trials, has allowed her to build the skills to adeptly intervene in matters at the investigation stage. Her experience of how cases develop and need to be defended help her to assist clients at commencement of an investigation, seeking to conclude or limit matters before proceedings start. Her clients are largely professionals and reputation management is at the forefront of her mind in each case.

Ruth defends complex, serious crime and frequently acts in cases that have both a serious crime and financial crime element, allowing Ruth to bring all her expert knowledge and skills in this area to good effect.

She confidently advises on matters flowing from criminal investigation including restraint, asset seizure and lawfulness of search warrants. Ruth is also well-equipped to deal with regulatory issues which may arise from criminal investigation.

Professional Memberships

• The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association

• The Fraud Lawyers Association