Jonathan Benson is a Counsel in Allen & Overy LLP’s International Trade and Regulatory Law Group. Jonathan has extensive experience advising global companies and financial institutions on a wide range of global compliance and trade related issues, including advising on sanctions and export controls, international trade law, foreign direct investment restrictions, anti-money laundering issues and anti-bribery matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Jonathan was a senior lawyer working for the UK Government. At the UK’s Department for International Trade he led on the legislation creating the UK’s post-Brexit sanctions regime (the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018) and provided input into the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. He also led on the treatment of goods under international trade law, including advising on the GATT, rules of origin in free trade agreements and issues related to the border on the island of Ireland. His work involved liaising across the UK Government and with associated regulators, as well as with the UK’s international partners and a number of international organisations.

Jonathan regularly provides training on compliance related topics, including on sanctions, anti-bribery and international trade issues.