Andrew Bird KC

Andrew Bird KC is a specialist in white-collar crime, civil and criminal asset forfeiture, and civil and public law proceedings which overlap with the criminal process.

Andrew Bird KC took silk in March 2021. Andrew Bird KC is a specialist in white-collar crime, civil and criminal asset forfeiture, and civil and public law proceedings which overlap with the criminal process. Having prosecuted cases for the state at the highest level he now has a thriving practice in private prosecution cases, particularly those involving allegations of fraud. He has acted for both the private prosecutor and the defence.  He was first junior to David Perry KC in D Limited v A [2017] EWCA Crim 1172, where the Court of Appeal overturned a Judge’s terminating ruling and gave guidance in relation to a number of issues including motive and conduct in private prosecutions. In early 2019, led by Jonathan Laidlaw KC he represented a defendant to a private prosecution for fraud and successfully argued for the dismissal of all charges. He is presently involved in a Judicial Review of the decision of a Magistrates’ Court legal advisor refusing to issue a summons to a private prosecutor. In between, he continues his practice in cases involving criminal investigations, and public law challenges to the criminal and investigative processes, and gives advice in substantial cases to both sides of the criminal divide.

‘Andrew combines an excellent legal brain with a very practical approach to litigation.’

The Legal 500 2022.

"Andrew is incredibly user-friendly and has an encyclopedic knowledge of his practice areas."

Andrew is ranked in Chambers and Partners in the fields of POCA and Asset Forfeiture, Financial Crime and Private Prosecutions - Financial Crime. He is ranked in The Legal 500 in the field of POCA and Asset Forfeiture and is also ranked in the field of Fraud - Crime. He is also recognised in Who's Who Legal at the UK Bar in the field of Asset Recovery, Civil Fraud and Criminal Fraud.

Chambers & Partners 2021.

As a junior, Andrew is ranked in 2020 as a star Individual in Chambers and Partners in the fields of POCA work and Asset Forfeiture and also ranked in Financial Crime and Private Prosecutions - Financial Crime. He is ranked in the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 leading individual in the field of POCA and asset forfeiture. He is also recognised in Who's Who Legal at the UK Bar in the field of asset recovery and civil fraud.

 "Has a very good eye for detail and particularly enjoys researching tricky legal issues. He always instils confidence in us and the courts that he knows his subject inside out."

"Andrew Bird is a veritable genius in POCA. Academic judges respect his detailed and persuasive skeleton arguments."

In 2012, he was appointed to the Attorney General's 'A' list panel for government work and acts in cases of the highest complexity, and particularly those where the civil and criminal jurisdictions overlap. He was a Grade 4 CPS prosecutor, and has been standing counsel to RCPO and the DWP and was on the SFO A Panel for 5 years, involved in two of its biggest investigations.

Chambers and Partners 2020.

In 2012, he was appointed to the Attorney General's 'A' list panel for government work and acts in cases of the highest complexity, and particularly those where the civil and criminal jurisdictions overlap. He was a Grade 4 CPS prosecutor, and has been standing counsel to RCPO and the DWP and was on the SFO A Panel for 5 years, involved in two of its biggest investigations.

 ‘He combines hands-on expertise with detailed legal knowledge to provide insightful advice.’

The Legal 500 2021.

‘Excellent at proceeds of crime because of his knowledge of the area.’

The Legal 500 2019.

"Very knowledgeable, commercial and practical." "When we go to him, we know we have a fount of knowledge we can draw upon."

Andrew accepts direct public access instructions in suitable cases.

MA, Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. Inns of Court School of Law.