Catherine Donnelly
Specialist in homicide and child sex abuse.Criminal DefenceCriminal Prosecution - Grade 4. Serious Crime Group [Grade 4] and RASSO.
2 Harcourt Buildings
2hb.co.uk2hb.co.ukBarristers
Charles Drinnan
Barrister
Dominic Hockley
Dominic has a reputation for fearless advocacy and sound legal advice. He is a sought after junior specialising in complex crime, confiscation and professional discipline. He prosecutes and defends in jury trials across London and the surrounding area. He is skilled at witness handling; adept at questioning vulnerable or difficult witnesses and cross-examining medical and forensic experts. Dominic has been led in a number of multi-million pound frauds and has particular professional experience of infant manslaughter cases. He has spent several months at the Serious Fraud Office and has acted as independent LPP counsel. Able to deliver a bespoke service, Dominic accepts private instructions, including for motoring offences, and has significant experience acting for clients on a public / direct access basis. Dominic is a very experienced advocate before professional and disciplinary bodies, particularly in fitness to practice hearings in the healthcare field. His approachable attitude and clear presentation make him the ideal advocate for regulators and registrants. Areas of Expertise Fraud Money Laundering Confiscation and Restraint Proceedings Serious Crime Private Prosecutions Professional Discipline & Regulatory
James Dawes
Leading silk at 2 Harcourt Buildings and a Recorder in the Crown Court
Jane Osborne KC
Jane has a leading criminal practice in complex prosecution and defence work across the complete spectrum of criminal offences.
For many years Jane has had a solid reputation in financial crime. She is regularly instructed, to both defend and prosecute, in multi million pound cases alleging conspiracies to defraud and to cheat the revenue, and in international and cross jurisdiction money laundering investigations. These are frequently complex prosecutions involving substantial financial evidence, multiple bank accounts, forensic accountant evidence, and overseas evidence. Inevitably Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings run alongside such investigations and prosecution and Jane is skilled in dealing with all aspect of restraint and confiscation. Her attention to detail is particularly apparent when presenting and challenging detailed banking evidence. Jane receives frequent instructions to prosecute on behalf of the Specialist Fraud Division of the Crown Prosecution Service, and HMRC, and in particularly complex investigations is asked to advise pre-charge. Jane is on the Serious Fraud Office counsel panel.
Additionally, Jane is frequently instructed in homicide offences and offences involving serial sex offences. She is particularly adept at dealing with young defendants accused of extremely serious crimes, and those with mental disorders. Jane frequently deals with cases where psychiatrists and intermediaries are involved, both for defendants, and for witnesses. Jane has a particular speciality in cases involving complex medical evidence, specifically in the field of non accidental head trauma in baby's and infants, and issues of causation.
Jane has a substantial appellate practice having appeared in the court of appeal in the recent past to argue points of law relating to conspiracy indictments, the definition of "criminal property" in POCA, the admissibility of expert evidence, the legality of covert surveillance methods and the ambit of Misconduct in a Public Office when applied to serving police officers.
Mahesh Karu
Mahesh is a dedicated advocate with a drive to ensure his clients receive the best representation.
Specialising in Crime, Mahesh is very experienced in prosecuting and defending the full range of criminal cases including sexual offences, violence, offensive weapons and firearms, drug-dealing, burglary, and fraud. He also has experience in proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, as well as offences under the Companies Acts and the Insolvency Act 1986, having appeared both for the prosecution and defence in cases prosecuted by the Insolvency Service.
Mahesh also acts as counsel for HMRC, providing early advice to investigators in large scale investigations such as multi-million pound money laundering, tax evasion and fraud to ensure effective investigation. Mahesh has advised in many investigations involving international money laundering and large organised criminal groups attempting to remove vast sums of illicit money from the jurisdiction.
Having been frequently instructed as a led junior in serious and complex cases such as those involving murder, money laundering, and human trafficking, Mahesh has amassed a wealth of experience working with senior counsel to achieve results in cases beyond his call.
He has experience representing young and vulnerable individuals as well as those with mental health issues and learning disabilities, and appears in cases with particularly vulnerable witnesses.
Mahesh has an in-depth knowledge of legal professional privilege and disclosure, having been instructed as independent counsel and disclosure counsel to undertake vast disclosure reviews by agencies such as Serious Fraud Office, National Crime Agency, The Insolvency Service, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and Government Legal Department, becoming involved in exceptionally large scale investigations.
Page Nyame
Page is a highly regarded junior specialising in corporate crime and public inquiries. She has a track record of resolving matters favourably for clients.
Tom Nicholson
Tom is a leading specialist criminal barrister, whose reputation is built on the thoroughness of his preparation and excellence of his advocacy. His practice, often as leading junior counsel, tends to involve cases of gravity and complexity, such as multi-handed police or NCA investigations, encompassing the most sensitive disclosure and PII issues, as well as high public profiles. One such case, involving people-smuggling from Afghanistan, led to an official commendation from the Home Secretary. Tom defends in the most serious or difficult cases - for example representing police officers in cases such as fatal/near fatal accidents, youths charged with rape and serious sexual offences, or offences where mental health is a significant feature of the case. He has significant experience of landmark cases with complex legal issues, such as the prosecution of those who infect others with HIV, the pioneering use of technology and cases with an international dimension. He has expertise in all aspects of road traffic offences, including drink-driving and technical defences. Tom has for some years been a BASC recommended counsel, with a particular interest in firearms revocation appeals and antique defences.