Jolyon Connell

Partner

Jolyon advises companies, institutions and individuals on a wide range of complex, high-value commercial disputes and asset recovery claims. He has particular experience in cases involving financial institutions, investment advisers and investment funds – both international and domestic – as well as disputes concerning digital assets and cryptocurrencies.

Jolyon has considerable experience in relation to civil fraud claims, where he has advised clients concerning high-value domestic and international fraud claims. This typically involves associated issues such as freezing orders and anti-suit injunctions related to those proceedings.

Jolyon has significant trial experience and has litigated many claims before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, as well as defending claims before the Financial Ombudsman Service. Clients praise Jolyon's strategic insight and his resolute, pragmatic and commercially-focused approach to dispute resolution. He is used to working collaboratively with clients in difficult situations, aiming to provide direct and clear advice to achieve the client's strategic objectives as quickly and effectively as possible.

Jolyon is ranked as a leading lawyer in Chambers & Partners UK (for Commercial Litigation, Civil Fraud and Crypto Disputes) and by the Legal 500 (for Commercial Litigation and Civil: Fraud).

Financial Institutions

Jolyon has acted for and against many clients within the financial services industry on a broad range of commercial disputes and civil fraud claims. Recent work highlights have included: advising on a multi-million pound asset management dispute for a large pension fund; pursuing multiple claims for breach of contract in private equity funding disputes; acting in complex, cross-border High Court litigation relating to a London-based derivatives broker; defending an investment advisory firm in well-publicised High Court film financing litigation; and advising a well-known wealth manager in relation to a series of multi-million pound claims for breach of duty and negligence. Jolyon has also advised private banks and investment managers on high-value claims relating to breach of contract, negligence and breach of duty.

Businesses

Jolyon advises market-leading businesses, in the UK and overseas, on commercial litigation and civil fraud matters. Examples include defending threatened or advanced claims against those businesses, as well as advising on the use of litigation to achieve commercial objectives. In addition to bringing/defending claims on behalf of businesses, Jolyon also has significant experience in litigating claims between the stakeholders within businesses, including shareholder disputes and claims for breach of director’s duties.

Individuals & Families

Jolyon advises high-profile and high net worth individuals, often based outside the UK, on matters relating to commercial litigation and civil fraud. Jolyon has acted for individuals (and their related corporate interests and family members) in relation to the commercial disputes. Jolyon also continues to act for clients accused of multi-billion pound fraud claims, as well as having pursued numerous claims against individuals (and their companies) alleged to have carried out very substantial frauds worth tens or hundreds of millions of pounds.

Recognitions

Chambers FinTech 2026

Crypto-Asset Disputes

Band 3

Chambers UK 2026

Commercial and Corporate Litigation

Band 4

The Legal 500 2026

Commercial Litigation: mid-market

Leading Partner

The Legal 500 2026

Fraud – Civil

Leading Partner

Memberships & Accolades

Fraud Lawyers Association
International Bar Association
London Solicitors Litigation Association

Testimonials

"Jolyon is very intelligent, highly engaged and commercially savvy. He is above all friendly, approachable, and handles cases with pragmatism and his client's commercial interests at the forefront." (Chambers UK 2026)

"Joe has an impressive ability to address the relevant and pertinent issues whilst keeping an overall holistic view of the matters at hand. He is a pleasure to work with." (Chambers UK 2026)

"Jolyon Connell is noted for his experience in a diverse array of civil fraud cases, including matters involving cryptocurrencies, insolvency and allegations of conspiracy." (Chambers UK 2026)

"Jolyon Connell is a star partner, a great, highly commercial and knowledgeable lawyer, great with clients and at obtaining a swift and value for money resolution to any dispute." (The Legal 500 2026)

"Jolyon Connell is a partner at the vanguard of Farrers' emergence as a commercial disputes powerhouse. He is hugely respected and has a great roster of private equity and HNW clients." (The Legal 500 2026)

"He has an excellent grasp of subject matter, a good common sense approach and considerable commercial acumen. He's a very trusted advisor across the board." (Chambers UK 2025)

"Jolyon Connell and his team at Farrers know exactly how to run a fraud case. Jolyon is strategic, analytical and commercial. He is a fantastic fraud litigator." (The Legal 500 2025)

"Jolyon Connell – I have worked with Joe for 15 years on commercial disputes and civil fraud matters. Really bright, hugely likeable but tough and a very capable negotiator." (The Legal 500 2024)

"Jolyon Connell is a class act, who speaks honestly and directly, but always in a collegiate way. He is razor-sharp, and it is clear that he is a technically very gifted lawyer and would be the first port of call for a dispute." (The Legal 500 2024)

"Jolyon Connell has an extremely sharp mind, which stays on point and very quickly separates the important and relevant from the unimportant and irrelevant.’(The Legal 500 2023)

"Jolyon is an absolute delight to work with. He has a very keen legal mind combined with a practical and realistic approach."(Chambers UK 2023)

"Jolyon is an excellent person to work with - I can speak with him on a practical and realistic level, and having witnessed him in action, his intellect and ability to press a point and advance questioning are outstanding. He is concise, bright and engaging." (Chambers UK 2022)