Drystone Chambers

Karim Khalil appears in many of the most serious and high profile cases across the UK. He also advises and represents people in cases involving issues of foreign jurisdiction and/or cross border matters. He is equally happy to work with hard copy or digital materials and has a formidable reputation for working quickly and effectively. He took Silk in 2003 prior to prosecuting the Soham Murders, having been called to the Bar in 1984 and becoming one of the youngest Assistant Recorders/Recorders.

His advice and advocacy is sought across diverse fields including murder, gross negligence manslaughter, 'baby-shaking’, serious fraud (including Inland Revenue, Customs & Excise and MTIC), Health & Safety, drug trafficking and sexual offences. Karim has a special interest in cases involving forensic experts across a wide spectrum.

Karim has represented those seeking to avoid extradition when accused or convicted of multiple homicides in foreign jurisdictions.

He advises those considering private prosecutions and is a qualified Mediator and mediation advocate.

His close association with Cambridge University enables him to draw on significant expertise and has contributed to making him one of the Directory ranked leading Silks in the cross-examination of experts in may fields. He wrote the chapter on Confiscation Law for Lexis Nexis and has been asked to contribute to a new journal on palynology (plant based forensics).

Karim successfully resisted criminal proceedings against one of the government scientists in the Porton Down investigation.

He has been involved in many trials involving Police informants. He has represented prisoners before the Discretionary Lifer Panel and regularly represents appellants in the Court of Appeal, often superseding trial Counsel.

Karim has long championed the increased use of digitally presented evidence and was the keynote speaker at the inaugural conference for SIOs across the country, working closely with Acume. He was invited to become a member of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences following his keynote speech on the “The science of the Soham murders”.

Since their launch, Karim has consistently been placed among the top ranked list of Silks in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners Directories.

Bencher of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn (2013) Recorder of the Central Criminal Court 2013 Queen’s Counsel 2003 Recorder 2000 Called to the Bar 1984 MA Hons (Law) – Queens’ College, Cambridge

South Eastern Circuit Committee Joint Advocates Selection Committee (S.E Circuit) Cambridge & Peterborough Bar Mess (Chair) & Norfolk Bar Mess British Academy of Forensic Sciences CBA; POCLA; HSLA Judging panel of the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire’s Award for Forensic Excellence

Cheadle Hulme School; Queens’ College, Cambridge (MA (Hons) Law; Bar vocational).

Golf (GogMagog), tennis (next generation), Lacrosse (Hawks).