Exchange Chambers

Criminal

Neil was called to the Bar in 1989, and was originally made a Queen’s Counsel in 2010, and is now King’s Counsel. He has over 30 years’ experience advising individuals and companies on serious criminal business and regulatory offences and investigations. Renowned for his preparation and strategic foresight, he specialises in cases that concern bribery & corruption, fraud, DPA’s, company offences, cartel investigations, and insider dealing cases. He is well known for his down-to-earth and collegiate approach with the teams that he works with.

Neil is frequently instructed to advise on live internal corporate investigations, including advising on warrants, documentation retention & production, interview plans, privilege and wider strategic outcomes for companies, which can frequently include money laundering and market reporting obligations.

Neil has been consistently recognised in the legal directories for his work. Legal 500 rank him as Tier 1 leading Silk for Fraud and Business & Regulatory Crime (including Global Investigations). Chambers & Partners list him in Band 1 for Fraud. He is sought after by large corporations and firms alike and is frequently instructed in high profile cases brought by the SFO, FCA, CPS and CMA. In the last few years he has successfully defended in a number of major SFO prosecutions, including: Sarclad Ltd (the XYZ DPA), Guralp Systems Ltd (GSL DPA) and most recently G4S (G4S DPA). In 2019, Chambers & Partners shortlisted him for Crime QC of the year, and in 2023 Legal 500 Shortlisted him as Financial Crime KC of the year.

Called 1989; Silk 2010

Committee Member on Very High Cost Case Reform for Bar Council/CBA; Criminal Bar Association; Fraud Lawyers Association; Cyber Crime Practitioners Association; Management Board of Charter.

He is long serving member of the Management Board of Charter. He is married with three children. In his spare time, he is a Trustee of one of his children’s schools and Chair of Governors of a Voluntary Aided School. He occasionally plays golf (very badly).