2 Hare Court

Alexandra is a leading criminal regulatory and inquest & public inquiry barrister. Her practice has built upon her years of experience defending and prosecuting serious crime. Alexandra has developed her expertise in inquests & public inquiries through her involvement in numerous complex and high profile cases including in relation to the death of Alexander Litvinenko, the Hillsborough stadium disaster, the ‘SAS Inquest’ involving the death of three army reservists from heat illness in the Brecon Beacons and most recently the public inquiries into the Grenfell Tower fire and the Manchester Arena bombings. Alexandra has a parallel expertise in Health & Safety, Fire Safety and Food Safety and is a leading defence specialist. She has significant experience advising and acting for individuals and major corporate clients across a wide range of industries including Energy, Utilities, Construction, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Food. Alexandra is ranked as a Leading Individual for Inquests and Public Inquiries and Health & Safety in the 2022 Chambers & Partners UK legal directory. She was also nominated as Health and Safety Junior of the Year in the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2018 and Public Law Junior of the Year by The Legal 500 in 2018. Alexandra also speaks fluent Russian and is often instructed in matters requiring her Russian language skills and specialist knowledge of Russia and the CIS region. Before coming to the Bar Alexandra lived in Russia for several years where she interned for Human Rights Watch and then worked at BP.

Amina Graham

Amina is a sought-after practitioner with extensive experience providing legal advice and representation across the spectrum of Sports Law, Regulatory and Professional Discipline sectors. Amina has over 11 years’ experience working as an in-house barrister at The Football Association (The FA) as Head of the Regulatory Legal department. In this role she was responsible for prosecuting cases and providing legal advice on behalf of The FA in all football disciplinary matters throughout the football pyramid, up to and including, the Premier League. Amina has substantial experience of advising on and appearing in cases involving anti-doping, on-field misconduct, betting, discrimination and safeguarding. She has overseen the most high-profile cases in football regulation over the last decade, including The FA v Ivan Toney (betting), The FA v Jurgen Klopp (on-field misconduct), The FA v John Yems (discrimination), The FA v Kieran Trippier (betting), The FA v Daniel Sturridge (betting), and The FA v Jose Mourinho (on-field misconduct). Amina also has significant experience advising on internal investigations, disciplinary and regulatory matters, and grievances. Prior to joining The FA, Amina was a barrister at a leading chambers in London specialising in criminal law. She also spent six months in The Hague, Netherlands, in the trial against Charles Taylor (former President of Liberia) who was charged with war crimes before the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Amina has also been appointed to sit on various sports disciplinary panels: UK Athletics (Disciplinary Panel Member and Selection Appeal Panel Member); England and Wales Cricket Board (Disciplinary and Safeguarding Panel Member); Badminton England (Safeguarding Panel Member); Sports Resolutions (Pro Bono Panel Member).

Andrew Colman

Andrew Colman is a leading junior of great intellect and experience, held in high esteem for his fairness and integrity and for his particular ability to cut through complex issues of fact or law in order to get to the heart of the matter. For the past twenty years he has specialised exclusively in the area of professional discipline, establishing a solid reputation as one of the foremost practitioners in the field. He formerly presented some of the GMC’s most serious and substantial cases, but now deploys his expertise in the defence of doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals. He is commonly instructed in lengthy and complex Fitness to Practise cases. He also acts for and advises regulators (for example, the GOC and GPhC) and registrants in other professions, such as solicitors. Andrew appears regularly in the High Court, on statutory appeals, judicial reviews and ancillary matters. He is well equipped for such work by his previous experience of appellate advocacy, up to the highest levels (Privy Council/ House of Lords) and his past history of practice in extradition. Andrew speaks fluent Spanish.

Andrew Radcliffe KC

Andrew Radcliffe KC is predominantly a white collar crime fraud specialist, who continues to be listed as a leading silk both in Chambers & Partners UK and Legal 500. Since taking silk in 2000, his cases have included most aspects of fraud and allied offences including allegations of price fixing, money laundering, MTIC fraud, duty evasion, insider dealing, tax evasion and advance fee fraud as well as confiscation. He also regularly defends and prosecutes in murder and other cases of serious crime and his practice includes regulatory matters. In May – July 2019 he acted for an Interested Person in the London Bridge Inquests. He frequently works in the Cayman Islands, both in an advisory capacity and in court there and where his work, detailed below, has covered a wide range of serious crime. Previously, he has been called to the Turks & Caicos Bar, representing a lawyer facing tax fraud allegations. He was a contributor to the CBA’s responses to the Law Commission in respect proposed changes to the laws on fraud and dishonesty and, later, their review of the laws of conspiracy and attempt. He was the author of two chapters (on insider dealing and regulatory offences, respectively) in ‘Fraud: Law, Practice and Procedure’, published by LexisNexis in 2012. International Since 2005 he has worked regularly in the Cayman Islands, making frequent visits to that jurisdiction. His work there has included various allegations of corruption, misconduct in public office (sometimes involving senior politicians), fraud, other aspects of financial crime, murder, firearms etc. He has conducted numerous trials there (both jury and judge alone trials under the local legislation) and has made many appearances in the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal. In 2014 and 2015, he successfully represented a solicitor who was tried on charges of stamp duty fraud in Turks & Caicos Islands. He has lectured extensively in Hong Kong on topics including money laundering, bribery, corruption, misconduct in public office and Hong Kong’s recent Competition Ordinance.

Angus Bunyan

Angus Bunyan is an established leading junior whose practice is focused on serious fraud and business crime. He recently acted for the SFO in securing Deferred Prosecution Agreements with two UK companies for bribery offences. He is currently instructed by the SFO to prosecute individuals suspected of bribery in the construction sector, prosecuted UK directors for paying bribes to secure Afghan military contracts and acted in the HBOS case involving corruption between senior managers at the bank and leading figures of the business community. Angus has significant expertise both in bringing and defending private prosecutions, especially those related to commercial disputes. He recently represented Oleg Deripaska in his private prosecution of Vladimir Chernukhin and in the related Judicial Review proceedings and his advice and counsel is regularly sought by other HNW individuals and companies. He also represents individual and corporate clients in regulatory matters, particularly those facing proceedings for environmental offences. An SFO Panel A and CPS level 4 prosecutor, he is routinely instructed as leading counsel in high profile, sensitive and multi-handed trials where specialist knowledge and first-rate advocacy are required.

Ben Rich

Ben has a substantial practice appearing before Panels of a variety of regulatory tribunals including the MPTS, GDC, GOC, RICS, NMC, and BAcC. He has appeared before the High Court on behalf of registrants, including successfully resisting a GMC appeal in GMC v Awan [2020] EWHC 1553. He has represented doctors accused of grooming, sexual offences against children, dishonesty, clinical incompetence and violence. He has advised on judicial review of a regulator’s decision, and has conducted judicial reviews in the Administrative Count. Across the healthcare sector, Ben has dealt with cases including allegations of sexual and physical assaults on patients, sexual interest in children, theft, multiple clinical failings and behaviour issues. Among his recent cases he represented a consultant surgeon facing around 60 allegations relating to his clinical practice and behaviour. Only a few minor allegations were found proved, and the Tribunal concluded there was no misconduct. Ben appears for doctors in NHS England Performers’ List hearings. He also represents healthcare professionals at inquests, including a consultant anaesthetist whose patient bled to death after a caesarean section.

Brendan Kelly KC

Brendan Kelly KC is described by the leading industry directory as having “a phenomenal court presence”. Brendan’s practice focuses on the provision of advice and advocacy in cases of fraud, serious crime, and regulatory law. As well as representing individuals, he is also sought out by regulated professionals for cases arising in the workplace. He also regularly advises and represents corporate clients, as well as their individual directors and officers (both in the UK and abroad), in all aspects of business crime. More recently Brendan has been in considerable demand within the Civil jurisdiction representing a Russian National in The London Court of International Arbitration and latterly several Middle Eastern Clients in ongoing fraud matters which are the subject of litigation in The High Court in London.

Brian O'Neill KC

Now in his fifteenth year in Silk, Brian specialises in private prosecutions, business crime, serious crime, regulatory crime and sports law. His expert skills can be applied to any complex situation whether defending or prosecuting across various jurisdictions. Private Prosecutions: Brian heads Chambers’ Private Prosecutions Group. Brian’s expertise in criminal law and his very considerable experience in serious and complex criminal cases have led to a number of instructions in this area in which he both prosecutes and defends. Business Crime and Financial Services: Brian has appeared in two of the most newsworthy fraud cases to have been tried in this country: the HBoS corruption scandal – R v Mills & others; and the football bribery case – R v Pagliara & others. He is regularly instructed by both leading defence solicitors and prosecution agencies and is on the SFO’s KC Panel. Crime: Brian is instructed in criminal cases of the utmost gravity and seriousness by leading defence solicitors and specialist units within the CPS. His vast experience has earned him the respect of those who instruct him, his peers and the judiciary. He is regularly instructed in high profile murder cases. Regulatory Crime: Brian has advised a number of train operating companies in respect of their practices and procedures around alleged fare evasion. Sports Law: Brian is regularly instructed by The Football Association, for whom he acted in the Ivan Toney case.

Christopher Gillespie

After twenty years of experience defending and prosecuting serious crime, Chris now practises exclusively in the regulatory sphere. In professional discipline, Chris works primarily for the defence and is instructed by all the major medical and dental insurers to represent doctors and dentists before the MPTS and GDC. He is regularly instructed to represent the interests of doctors at inquests. However, he is also instructed to present cases for the GOsC and has in the past been instructed by GOC, GPhC and RCVS. He has appeared for the NMC in the Divisional Court. Chris also represents corporate and individual defendants in criminal regulatory cases brought by the HSE, EA and local authorities and at inquests. He was instructed with Jonathan Laidlaw KC to represent the crowd management and security company at the Manchester Arena Inquiry. Chris also has a substantial advisory practice with a focus on gambling and licensing matters. He is frequently asked to advise at the early stages of criminal regulatory proceedings and on issues such as professional privilege.

Christopher Coltart KC

Christopher’s background was originally in commercial property litigation. During that time, he had an extensive portfolio of cases, representing banks, pension funds and other financial institutions in a variety of high value claims. For the last 25 years, he has specialised in business crime, contested regulatory matters, professional disciplinary cases and sports law. He is recommended by the legal directories in relation to all of these practice areas. He is also Head of 2 Hare Court’s Business Crime & Financial Services Group and is a Sports Arbitrator with Sport Resolutions Limited. As a junior, Christopher also had a significant prosecution practice and was on the ‘A’ Panel of selected advocates for the Serious Fraud Office. He now undertakes exclusively private prosecution work and is a member of the 2 Hare Court dedicated private prosecution team. Recently, he has prosecuted a significant fraud on behalf of a UK based hedge fund, and separately advised a major airline in relation to a possible private prosecution. In addition, Christopher has significant experience of major inquest work. His instructions in this regard include representing clients in the 7/7 London bombing inquest, and also the inquest into the Hillsborough tragedy.

Christopher Foulkes

Christopher Foulkes specialises in business crime and related areas. He advises and represents individuals and companies in respect of serious and complex fraud, bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, asset forfeiture and regulatory obligations. He has acted for the SFO and other prosecuting authorities for much of his career, being involved in a number of the most significant fraud and corruption prosecutions. His practice spans the criminal and civil jurisdictions. In the civil sphere he has particular experience in providing advice and representation in relation to VAT disputes and proceedings before the First-tier and Upper Tribunals and the Court of Appeal. In addition to confiscation enforcement and civil recovery, he also advises in respect of “fit and proper” status pursuant to the Money Laundering Regulations, and in libel proceedings involving allegations of corruption and money laundering. He maintains his practice in professional discipline, regulatory law and inquests, across various professions, and sports.

Christopher Geering

Christopher is a highly respected junior with experience dealing with a wide range of high profile and sensitive cases. In recent years he has represented a university in student fitness to practise proceedings, a senior member of a deanery accused of assaulting a colleague, and a doctor who allegedly sexually assaulted a psychotic patient. He has an established appellate practice and regularly advises or appears in appellate proceedings against healthcare regulators. Such cases have included appeals against the GMC and NMC, as well as resisting judicial review proceedings and statutory appeals brought by the GMC and PSA. In addition, he has been instructed to appear before the First Tier Tribunal on behalf of NHS England. Beyond healthcare, he has appeared before the ACCA representing a former financial director of an NHS Trust. He represents the RICS at first instance and in appeal proceedings. He is also regularly instructed to bring appeals against the DBS in the Upper Tribunal. Christopher has considerable experience in coronial proceedings – whether presenting healthcare practitioners, or care homes, GP practices, or the County Council. These include Article 2 and jury inquests.

Craig Ferguson

Craig Ferguson is a specialist regulatory law practitioner whose practice focuses on workplace crime and inquests. He has extensive experience of representing companies, individual directors, managers and employees in relation to a broad spectrum of offences, including corporate and gross negligence manslaughter, in proceedings before the criminal courts and at inquests. He defends in cases brought by a wide range of enforcement authorities and has particular expertise in health and safety. His background is in criminal defence, business crime and professional discipline. For many years he has been recognized as a leading practitioner in serious and complex fraud cases both for corporate and individual professional clients. He has defended in grave and complex criminal matters including murder (from planned assassination to crime of passion) attempted murder, manslaughter (from medical error to shooting), kidnap, armed robbery, bribery, corruption and major drug trafficking. He has represented many registered professionals in Fitness to Practice hearings before their regulatory bodies and in concurrent proceedings before the courts. Craig delivers training in relation to criminal regulatory and inquest matters to solicitors and other members of the profession.

Daniel Chadwick

Daniel Chadwick is a specialist criminal defence barrister with a practice exclusively defending those facing charges relating to high-value and complex fraud and business crime and serious organised crime across the country. He also has experience of defending in EncroChat cases. Engaging, accessible and fearless, Daniel is a natural and talented jury advocate. He is known for his incisive cross-examination and compelling speeches, but in addition Daniel’s dogged determination to pursue issues of disclosure and abuse of process during the pre-trial stage have produced remarkable results, often resulting in cases being dropped. Daniel approaches cases strategically from the outset and, with a reputation for being both pro-active and meticulous in his case preparation, he is frequently sought out to represent professionals in cases of the utmost gravity. In recent years, he has routinely appeared in large and complex multi-handed cases, often for the first defendant.

Daniel Mullin

Daniel undertakes work in criminal, regulatory, and civil law. He regularly represents defendants in the Crown Court, Magistrates’ Court, and professional tribunals. Daniel is currently seconded to the Law Officers’ Department in Jersey where he will provide advice on asset restraint as part of investigations into international financial crime. Daniel is currently instructed in a number of civil cases, including breaches of contract in the county court. He is a ‘junior junior’ in an action against a government department where the damages claimed exceed £700 million. In regulatory law, Daniel regularly appears before disciplinary tribunals. Daniel is instructed alone to prosecute a case in the Crown Court on behalf of the Insolvency Service for breaches of the Companies Act and fraud arising from abuses of the Covid Bounce Back Loan scheme. He also works regularly on cases brought by and against local authorities. Before coming to the Bar, Daniel worked in the corporate and commercial sector. He worked in the City of London, and in the Channel Islands, providing research and advice on regulatory and corporate law to multinational businesses.

David Whittaker KC

David Whittaker KC has considerable experience in most forms of serious crime. He frequently acts in complex, often high profile cases. He is regularly instructed to defend in fraud cases brought by the SFO and FCA; receives private instructions in general crime; and is increasingly instructed on behalf of corporate bodies and their officers in Health & Safety investigations. He conducts ancillary proceedings, including asset forfeiture, restraint and confiscation; and is also instructed in private prosecutions. Recent cases of fraud include Operation Tabernula (representing a trader charged with insider dealing) and Operation Cotton (representing defendant in the largest land banking scheme). Current instructions include a £21 million conspiracy to cheat and a £10 million pensions fraud. In general crime he secured acquittals for two professionals charged separately with coercive and controlling behaviour in a marriage. He has been involved in a number of encrochat cases and also defends in motoring cases and death by driving. In Health & Safety matters he recently defended in a gross negligence manslaughter and secured the acquittal of a building company charged over the death of a sub-contractor. He advises companies and individuals pre-charge in Health & Safety and conducts Inquests. He is instructed in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. He also acts for care home providers charged under the 2014 Health and Social Care Act Regulations. His case preparation is meticulous, and he excels at client care

Eleanor Fox

Eleanor Fox accepted tenancy in March 2023, following the successful completion of her pupillage. She represents defendants in the Magistrates’, Youth and Crown Court and practitioners before regulatory tribunals. Recent criminal instructions include fraud, burglary, and a multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs which involved substantial cell-site and telephone evidence. Eleanor is currently instructed to present cases on behalf of regulators, including the NMC. Eleanor has recently been instructed on a large-scale HMRC fraud investigation. Prior to coming to the Bar, Eleanor worked at an investment bank for three years.

Ella Ripper

Ella’s practice focuses on criminal defence and professional discipline. Her current general crime instructions include acting for the first defendant in a multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs involving modern slavery issues, and representing individuals accused of possession of indecent images and sexual grooming. In the field of financial crime, as a led junior, Ella recently represented a banker accused of conspiring with five others to defraud his employer. The trial at Southwark Crown Court ran for 5 weeks. Ella is also instructed on a large-scale HMRC fraud investigation and was recently seconded to a business crime firm to work on a multi-million pound regulatory inquiry. In the area of professional discipline, Ella regularly acts on behalf of medical professionals accused of serious misconduct. She also accepts instructions to present cases for the major healthcare regulators. Before coming to the Bar, Ella worked as a legal researcher in the white-collar crime department of Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP where she was involved in complex and high-profile fraud matters. She specialised in international sanctions law, drafting a report for the Japanese government on AML enforcement in the UK and EU, making her uniquely placed to advise on matters that touch on both sanctions and criminal law. Ella has also volunteered including at Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit), the National Centre for Domestic Violence and the Free Representation Unit. Ella has a particular interest in cybersecurity law, having focused on this area during her LL.M.

Emily Dummett

Emily has significant experience and expertise in providing advice and advocacy in serious and sensitive criminal cases. She has a reputation for meticulous skill in distilling and presenting complex evidence and law in her paperwork, and, through her advocacy, rapidly gaining the trust of the jury or other tribunal. In addition to her appellate work in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, Emily is experienced in the preparation and presentation of applications for injunctive relief in the High Court. Emily also undertakes work in the professional disciplinary tribunals and has experience of coroner’s inquests.

Fiona Robertson

Fiona Robertson is a highly sought after junior with a diverse criminal and regulatory practice. Fiona’s mixed practice allows for continuity of representation for professionals potentially facing criminal, professional disciplinary and inquest proceedings. Fiona is currently appointed as a Treasury Counsel Monitoree. She is an experienced junior who is able to master voluminous cases with precision and ease. As a result she is regularly instructed in paper heavy cases including high value, multi-jurisdictional fraud and money laundering matters. Fiona is widely regarded as having particular expertise in cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants, including youths. She is often sought to defend serious sexual offences due to her ability to quickly build trust and a rapport with anxious clients. Her extensive expertise in the often complex and sensitive issues arising in such cases mean she is a skilled tactician who is able to rigorously challenge the prosecution case while bringing the best out of her client at trial. In addition to her criminal practice Fiona has experience of international criminal law having worked for over three years in the Cayman Islands as a defence attorney. Her fearless approach in defending her clients meant she became one of the island’s most sought after criminal attorneys and regularly appeared in high profile cases on the island. The Cayman Islands has a fused profession and as such Fiona has experience in advising clients pre-charge as well as conducting all aspects of litigation.

Gavin Irwin

Gavin specialises in advising and representing businesses and professionals with a particular focus on: sanctions and export controls; fraud and money laundering; bribery and corruption; and, regulatory compliance. This includes: crisis management and self-reporting responsibilities; and, the negotiation of civil penalties as an alternative to prosecution. Gavin has substantial experience across a range of allied disciplines. Recent work includes: Financial and other Serious Crime (SFO investigations; an NCA investigation into the art market and terrorist financing; FCA crypto investigations and matters concerning the regulation of Payment Services Providers; and, proceedings brought by the Information Commissioner and Pensions Regulator) Financial and Trade Sanctions (designations under the Russia and Belarus regimes) Export Controls (issues concerning exports to Russia, China, Iran and Israel) Proceeds of Crime (including AML systems and controls; SARs and DAMLs; and, Account Freezing and Forfeiture applications) Extradition and Interpol Notices (the United States for the first request for breaches of financial sanctions; and, Nigeria in the aftermath of the P&ID arbitral fraud) Professional Conduct and Discipline (regularly appearing: on behalf of regulators and registrants in healthcare proceedings brought by the GMC, GDC, GOC, GPhC and GCC (before the FtP Committees and in the High Court); and, before the SRA, BSB and CLC) Coroner’s Inquests (regularly appearing for medics, Trusts and care-home operators) Gavin is an advocacy trainer with Gray’s Inn and is actively involved in projects to strengthen the rule of law in the Western Balkans.

Grace Forbes

Grace Forbes specialises in criminal law, inquests, inquires and professional discipline. She is ranked as a ‘Rising Star’ (Tier 1 Fraud) in the Legal 500 UK 2022 and as a led junior, she is regularly instructed in complex and document-heavy criminal cases, through which she has developed a reputation for thorough case preparation, meticulous written arguments and mature tactical insight. She has recently been instructed as a led junior in a multi-handed murder and firearms conspiracy, two three-month million-pound commercial fraud trials and a Class A county lines drugs conspiracy. She also has experience in serious cases that she has been instructed in alone, including representing one of seven defendants in a three month boiler room fraud trial and the first defendant in a complex money laundering case. She is currently instructed in two lengthy upcoming Trading Standards fraud cases involving multiple defendants, complex legal argument and cross examination of expert witnesses. She is instructed to represent one of nine defendants in a s.18 GBH case involving a stabbing, a young defendant accused of rape and a defendant accused of child abduction. Grace also has experience in private prosecutions and is an active member of the Private Prosecutors’ Association. She was recently involved in providing a complex and substantial advice on the prospects of successfully prosecuting a government official for perjury and perverting the course of justice. Grace has extensive experience in inquests and inquiries. She was one of four barristers instructed in the Independent Review into the Boohoo Group’s Leicester supply chain, an inquiry that attracted widespread media interest. She made important contributions to the lengthy report published at the end of the review. Grace also has extensive experience in inquests and professional disciplinary cases. She has represented numerous medical professionals, including those facing serious allegations of dishonesty and sexual misconduct.

Gudrun Young KC

Gudrun Young KC is a highly specialised criminal advocate. She has extensive experience in defending at the highest level in the most serious of cases including murder, violence, organized crime, drug importation and all aspects of financial crime such as complex fraud, corruption money laundering and confiscation. She has particular expertise in conducting sexual cases, acting as both leading and junior counsel. She regularly deals with complex and sensitive matters involving children and vulnerable witnesses and allegations of institutional and historic sexual abuse. A large amount of her work involves scientific and expert evidence requiring extensive knowledge and expertise of DNA, fibres, pathology, neuropathology, psychiatric issues and psychology. She has great skill and experience in cases involving mental health issues and expert evidence. Gudrun is regularly instructed in coronial proceedings for both individuals and companies. She is a member of the Coroners’ Inquests and Public Inquiries team in chambers and provides advice and representation in relation to these areas. Her recent experience includes representing the family of a patient who died in hospital in which a finding of neglect was made in relation to the sub-standard treatment he had received, a death in custody, and a high profile case involving a man who had committed suicide following significant failures in his psychiatric care. Gudrun undertakes personal injury cases with a particular emphasis on occupational disease litigation, including noise induced hearing loss and stress cases. Recent cases include a complex case involving an employer of a large organisation suing a former employer for stress related psychiatric illness and one of the first “modern day slavery” cases, in which she represented a defendant company accused of trafficking workers from Lithuania and perpetrating a number of human rights abuses against them. The defendant company was widely reported in the press as being the “worst gangmaster in the UK”. Gudrun has a successful practice in the area of professional disciplinary work. She has been instructed in cases before the National College of Teaching and Leadership, the General Medical Council, the General Optical Council, the General Chiropractic Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Hannah Thomas

Since joining Chambers in March 2019 Hannah has established a busy practice spanning criminal law, inquiries, inquests and professional discipline. Hannah has particular expertise in crime, having worked in the crime team at a City solicitors’ firm prior to coming to the Bar. She both prosecutes and defends, and when defending she is often chosen to represent clients with vulnerabilities due to her excellent client care and communication skills. Hannah’s prosecution work covers both public and private prosecutions. Hannah is also a sought after junior in inquiries and related work. During her time in Chambers she has been instructed to work on the Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the Manchester Arena Bombing Inquiry, and has most recently been instructed as one of a team of counsel on the Levitt KC boohoo Group plc Independent Review. Hannah also represents regulatory bodies and clients across a range of regulators including the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, General Medical Council, General Optical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Harry Bentley

Harry’s areas of practice are Regulatory law, Professional Discipline and Crime. His experience in Regulatory law ranges from defending individuals in proceedings brought by the Environment Agency to defending companies charged under animal welfare regulations. In professional disciplinary proceedings he both presents and defends. He has significant experience presenting on behalf of Professional regulators such as the National College of Teaching and Leadership (as it was then) and has presented on behalf of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He has also defended in Teaching Regulation Agency proceedings as well as having been regularly instructed on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing in Nursing and Midwifery Council proceedings. He has been involved in many high profile, complex and serious prosecutions both as both leading and junior counsel. His experience in Crime includes multi-handed murder trials, terrorism, investment fraud, drug importation, cheating the revenue and serious sexual offences. He has particular experience in conspiracy allegations ranging from conspiracies to murder, steal museum artefacts, control prostitution or evade immigration controls through to conspiracies to import industrial amounts of cocaine. He is currently involved in a number of cases arising from Operation Emma’s exploit of the EncroChat telecommunications system.

Harry Laidlaw

Harry has a busy and diverse practice, specialising in crime, inquests, public inquiries and health and safety work. His grounding is in crime and he regularly acts for the prosecution and defence across the spectrum of serious criminal offences. Recently he has been involved in cases involving serious violence (including murder), ﬁrearms, drugs oﬀences, fraud, rape and child sex oﬀences. He is often instructed to represent vulnerable individuals who suﬀer with a range of mental health diﬃculties. Harry also has experience defending in cases brought by a wide range of enforcement authorities such as the Health and Safety Executive. Recent instructions include defending in the case of Reading Borough Council v R P Ltd, a child death health and safety prosecution, and defending a director of a company charged with various Health and Safety at Work Act offences after an employee died at work. He has extensive experience representing those afforded interested person status at inquests including medical professionals, care homes, medical facilities, companies and families of the deceased. He is particularly adept at acting in inquests with complex medical or health and safety issues and for professionals who are at risk of criticism. Harry also has experience representing core participants at public inquiries, he is currently instructed as junior counsel to Post Office Ltd in the Horizon IT Public Inquiry. Outside of court work Harry regularly advises organisations and individuals at the pre charge stage in matters of a criminal or quasi criminal nature. He is currently instructed by Peters & Peters as junior counsel in relation to the Post Oﬃce ‘Horizon’ Appeals reviewing hundreds of convictions from the Post Oﬃce’s use of data from the Horizon computer system in prosecutions between 2000 and 2014. Harry acts on both a private and publicly funded basis.

Iain Daniels

Iain is a senior junior practicing in health and safety matters, including prosecutions under the HSWA and other health and safety related legislation, inquests, personal injury and clinical negligence. In addition, he acts on behalf of and against police forces and private custody providers in respect of a variety of claims relating to arrests, detention and prosecution as well as misfeasance and judicial review in respect of prosecutions, prisons and the actions of the police. He has represented a variety of organisations, with particular emphasis on claims involving police forces, arising out of allegations of stress, harassment and bullying at work and online. Iain has particular experience in matters arising out of the provision of healthcare, including advising and representing NHS Trusts, healthcare professionals, private prison healthcare providers and both local authority and privately-run care homes. This includes defending prosecutions, advising and representing in respect of civil and judicial review claims and those brought under the HRA as well as representing PIPs in inquests. In addition, he advises Coroners in respect of legal issues arising during and from inquests. His practice includes responding to the investigations into and prosecutions arising out of deaths in hospital and mental health units both concerning the standard of care and the condition of the buildings and equipment used. In addition, Iain represents companies in the construction, utilities, energy and manufacturing sectors. He undertakes lengthy civil and criminal trials and inquests relating to deaths arising out of construction and maintenance processes as well as personal injury cases on behalf of insurers and claimants following accidents in the workplace and work accidents involving members of the public. He was instructed and appeared in the Grenfell Inquiry on behalf of one of the core participants. Iain has advised and represented in public law matters on behalf individuals and organisations arising from inquests, criminal investigations, prosecutions, and the actions of prison providers and the police. As Iain’s experience encompasses both criminal prosecutions and civil claims arising out of health and safety legislation, he is able to advise upon both those aspects and upon the impact of matters arising in one aspect upon the other.

Jack Gilliland

Jack Gilliland specialises in criminal law, professional discipline, and inquests. He regularly represents defendants in the Youth Court, Magistrates’ Court, and Crown Court. He was recently seconded to the Law Officers’ Department in Jersey where he advised on a range of criminal offences, including attempted murder. In addition to his criminal practice, Jack has successfully represented medical professionals at inquests, and before the major healthcare regulators at all stages of fitness to practise. Before coming to the Bar, Jack served for six years in the British Army when, following training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Intelligence Corps. A significant part of his work involved handling sensitive material both in the United Kingdom and overseas. He previously lived for a period in the United States, where he worked in financial services and public affairs.

James Pickup KC

James Pickup KC has long been established as a specialist in commercial fraud defence and corporate crime with a reputation (Chambers and Partners) as someone who is "exceptional at client management" and "brilliantly focused on getting the best out of the client". More recently, whilst he continues to defend in substantial commercial fraud prosecutions, he has widened his practice to embrace civil fraud and is now regularly instructed in the VAT and Duties Tribunal, both First and Upper Tiers, High Court (Chancery and Companies Court), Administrative Court and Court of Appeal, both criminal and civil.

James Buchanan

James Buchanan is recognised as a leading criminal and inquest practitioner, specialising in corporate and gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety, trading standards offences and financial crime. James has an established track record in the defence of professionals charged with serious and complex crime and acts in proceedings brought by the leading prosecuting authorities. He has appeared as leading counsel in numerous multi-handed trials, often involving serious organised crime and flowing from large-scale investigations run by, amongst others: the Serious Fraud Office; the Serious and Organised Crime Agency; HMRC; Trading Standards; Operation Trident and the Flying Squad. James' practice focuses on workplace crime, particularly in relation to health and safety matters. His work covers the full range of offences, from manslaughter to prosecutions under the HSWA arising out of fatal and non-fatal accidents. James has significant experience of the construction, transport and healthcare sectors and is currently instructed in numerous cases involving fatalities and catastrophic personal injuries. James regularly represents medical professionals appearing in front of the General Medical Council (GMC) and also appears as Presenting Officer on behalf of the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL).

James Cox

James Cox accepts instructions across the full range of Chambers’ practice areas. A core part of James’ practice is criminal defence. He regularly appears in the Crown Court and has been praised for his hard work and ‘considerable court presence’. His recent instructions include acting as sole counsel in a ‘third-strike’ burglary trial and advising a government department on disclosure in connection with a document-heavy regulatory prosecution. James has a particular interest in criminal cases with a human rights dimension and has worked on numerous cases involving ECHR arguments. James also has a growing practice in professional discipline and is regularly instructed in matters before various disciplinary committees of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. He has written articles on legal topics for a variety of publications, for which he has won awards.

Jonathan Rees KC

At the end of July 2020, Jonny was appointed as Director of Service Prosecutions and took up his new role on 2 November 2020. Please read more about this announcement here. Currently listed by both Chambers and the Legal 500 in the first division of criminal silks, Jonathan has developed an enviable reputation for his courtroom manner and his ability to communicate effectively with judges and juries alike. During his 13 years as Treasury Counsel at the Old Bailey, he developed a wealth of experience prosecuting some of the most notorious cases of the day including, for example, the ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ scam, the ‘Freddy Krueger’ killer, the murder of Rachel Nickell on Wimbledon Common, the murder of PC Patrick Dunne, various terrorism cases, cases involving infanticide, gang-related murders, police corruption and misconduct in public office. Since relinquishing his appointment as Senior Treasury Counsel at the end of 2015, Jonathan has concentrated on using his formidable experience of serious and complex cases to develop his criminal defence practice. With a background in science, he has particular expertise in cases involving DNA evidence and edits a chapter devoted to this topic in the leading text book on sexual offences. Jonathan is currently instructed for the prosecution and the defence in a wide range of cases featuring allegations of murder, terrorism, white-collar fraud and historic sexual abuse. Many of his cases continue to attract national media attention. Recent cases include Honey Rose, an optometrist charged with gross negligence manslaughter; Stephen Port, the ‘Grindr’ serial killer; Damon Smith, the student who planted an IED on a tube train; Rolf Harris, the entertainer; Darren Osborne, the man who carried out the Finsbury Park terror attack; the rape and murder of 14 year old Viktorija Sokolova; and the murder of Tashan Daniel on the London Underground. In addition, Jonathan has experience of inquests, appearing on behalf of the family of the deceased. Jonathan was chosen to be one of a panel of three experts who went to China to provide advice to the Supreme People’s Court on the reform of their People’s Assessors System. He is committed to ethnic minority achievement and is a governor of a large secondary school in Southall, West London.

Jonathan Laidlaw KC

Jonathan Laidlaw KC’s practice is predominantly in business and financial crime and in defending directors and companies. Much of his work, both for individuals and corporates here and abroad, is pre-charge and advisory in nature. He also appears in regulatory proceedings, public inquiries, major inquests, sporting tribunals and is asked to produce reports in silk-led inquiries and to provide advice to litigants in commercial litigation considering launching private prosecutions.

Jonathan Kinnear KC

Jonathan Kinnear KC specialises in matters of real financial complexity, representing individuals and corporate clients, as well a range of Governmental organisations, often operating in the margins where the criminal and civil law meet. He has a multi-jurisdictional practice, regularly appearing in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions of the Court of Appeal, the Crown Court, the High Court and a range of Tribunal jurisdictions, in particular in respect of tax matters. He has been instructed in a number of the most serious and complex fraud cases over the last 20 years and is regularly instructed to provide strategic advice in advance of charge or prosecution on behalf of both the defence and the prosecution. He has particular experience in assisting clients under investigation by the SFO. He is regularly instructed in large-scale review and investigation work, leading large teams of investigators, solicitors and counsel. He also acts as a special advocate dealing with cases relating to national security and has particular expertise in relation to disclosure issues.

Julia Faure Walker

Julia is ranked by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a Leading Junior in Crime. In May 2020, she was appointed Junior Treasury Counsel by the Attorney General. Recent instructions include terrorism, murder, human trafficking, cryptocurrency fraud and bribery. See Public Prosecution section for further details. She is on the “A-List” of specialist regulatory advocates in health & safety and environmental law. She has advised in relation to and appeared in proceedings against companies in fatal accident cases. Recent instructions include fatalities at a waste management site and within a railway depot. In 2015, she was appointed to the counsel team of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse. She was junior counsel to the Children in Custodial Institutions and Children Outside the UK Investigations. She has represented various interested persons in coronial proceedings, including health professionals, a regulatory body and the family of the deceased.

Kate Blackwell KC

Kate is one of the UK’s leading silks specialising in criminal law and public inquiries. She is sought after for high-profile cases and is instructed by leading firms of solicitors nationwide. Kate has a formidable reputation as a first-class silk due to her skill, judgement and outstanding performance in serious and complex cases. The professional guides rank Kate as a “Tier 1” advocate. Kate is recognised as a public inquiry expert. She has been instructed to represent NHS England in the Manchester Arena Inquiry into the 2017 Manchester Arena Terror Attack. manchesterarenainquiry.org.uk She has been appointed by the Home Secretary as Leading Counsel to the Jermaine Baker Inquiry – an independent public inquiry into the shooting of Jermaine Baker during a Metropolitan Police Service operation. www.gov.uk/government/publications/jermaine-baker-inquiry-terms-of-reference She is currently Counsel to the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, set up to address questions relating to police involvement in the murder of Daniel Morgan, the role played by police corruption and the incidence of corrupt connections between private investigators, police officers and journalists at the News of the World. danielmorganpanel.independant.gov.uk Kate also accepts a high proportion of privately-funded instructions on behalf of individuals facing criminal offences. She has an outstanding success rate in having cases dismissed and winning jury trials. Following success in a recent case the client said, “Kate was absolutely fantastic. I was extremely impressed by how quickly she grasped the case and focused on the most relevant points to have the case dismissed.”

Laura Stephenson

Laura has a busy and diverse practice, specialising in crime, professional discipline, inquest and tax work. She is ranked in the Legal 500 as a leading junior in professional discipline. She appears in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Crown Court, as well as a range of professional discipline settings. She is adept at tackling cases involving health care professionals and complex medical issues, which often traverse her practice areas. She is instructed to defend in criminal cases that are particularly serious for her level of call, including rape and serious child sex offences. Laura is led in complex cases; recent trials in which she has acted as a junior include international drugs conspiracies, money counterfeiting and people trafficking. Laura is a specialist professional discipline advocate. She has a busy defence practice at the MPTS and NMC. She also appears on behalf of accountants at a range of regulatory bodies. She prosecutes on behalf of the GOsC, GOC and RICS. Laura’s significant experience in representing medical professionals also extends to inquests, where she regularly defends on behalf of doctors, care homes and Trusts. In tax, Laura is instructed on behalf of HMRC to appear at the First-tier Tribunal in her own right and as a led junior. Laura’s experience in these complicated, paper-heavy cases has enhanced her ability to approach complex financial issues across all practice areas with meticulousness and confidence.

Leon Kazakos KC

Leon is instructed by individuals and companies in the fields of business and general crime, regulatory proceedings, insolvency litigation, tax appeals and professional disciplinary work. He provides advice and advocacy in substantial, sensitive and complex cases usually from a pre-charge stage; representing those who are under investigation or being prosecuted for serious wrongdoing. In business crime he defends across the spectrum of misconduct; from allegations of high value fraud, bribery, corruption and misconduct in public office to cheating the public revenue, money laundering, breaches of FSMA, and other related financial wrongdoing. His general criminal practice encompasses homicide, human trafficking/ slavery, serious drugs and firearms offences, and serious sexual offending. His regulatory work spans firearms licensing, breaches of planning notices, wildlife offences (CITES regulations) and some health and safety work. He represents police officers in criminal and disciplinary cases. His recent instructions include the largest ever prosecutions brought for slavery and for steroid importation, SFO and police bribery investigations, defending against BEIS in £multi-million Directors Disqualification proceedings, an international banking fraud, tax fraud in the hospitality, metals, telecoms and motor industry sectors, advice and representation in the Tax Tribunals in CIS Scheme, Margin Scheme VAT and DOTAS tax cases, political corruption, investment frauds, forgery, coercive control and related sexual offending cases, rape and murder.

Lewis MacDonald

Lewis practices in serious crime and business crime, asset forfeiture, tax, professional discipline, and inquests and inquiries. He has quickly developed a reputation as a very bright junior with a calm court room manner, and is frequently instructed in document heavy cases raising complex issues of fact and law. His practice increasingly focuses on white collar and business crime. Lewis has conducted and defended private prosecutions for companies and individuals, both acting alone and led, and is a highly regarded junior in this area. He has acted in cases from start to finish, both in the Magistrates’ and Crown Court, and is well placed to advise on prospects, the investigatory process, the drafting and issuing of summons, representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions, disclosure, and costs. He has acted in a number of cases involving evidence from multiple jurisdictions, and has successfully brought and resisted abuse of process arguments turning on the specific law applicable to private prosecutions. His recent work includes acting as the prosecution junior for a US multi-national corporation in a multi-million pound counterfeiting fraud committed in the UK, Italy, Spain and China, resulting in a sentence of 8 years’ imprisonment for the first defendant and a £7.5 million fine for his company. Acting for the defence he has secured the dismissal of private prosecutions against a foreign bank, and a high-profile political organisation, in both instances with an award of wasted costs against the prosecutor.

Madeleine Wolfe

Madeleine Wolfe is a specialist in defending and prosecuting complex and highly sensitive criminal offences. She is instructed in serious high profile matters including murder, child rape, gang rape, child sexual exploitation and human slavery and trafficking. She is a CPS grade 4, Rape and Serious Sexual Offences prosecutor.

Marios Lambis KC

Originally from a criminal practice, which encompassed major frauds and terrorist cases, including the first Iraqi Hijacking trial in which he was the youngest counsel instructed, Marios Lambis KC has been undertaking criminal, professional discipline and regulatory work for all of his career. His experience and level of knowledge has led to him undertaking work before most regulators not only presenting and defending but also advising. This included being one of only eight lawyers (the only junior counsel) invited to advise on the new fitness to practice rules for the organisation that was to take over the hearings for the General Medical Council. He has advised and/or represented the Home Office, multinational enterprises, non-governmental organisations and many regulators in areas ranging from environmental pollution, health & safety, fitness to practice of professionals of all descriptions including those facing criminal allegations and the prospect of loosing their liberty. He has been asked to chair meetings between multinationals and NGO’s both overseas and in the United Kingdom. Marios is also a Recorder of the Crown Court with a licence to try Serious Sexual Offences.

Mark Graffius KC

Mark Graffius KC is a ‘an outstanding advocate’ in the fields of serious crime and complex fraud, in which he excels and is a highly sought Silk. He is skillful and articulate and has been described as ‘highly polished’ with ‘exceptional client care and judgement’. Mark’s particular specialisation is in fraud allegations of corporate crime, but he also has extensive experience in cases involving murder, drug manufacture and importation, money laundering, firearms and cash detentions. He has been involved in numerous high profile organised crime cases from Supergrass cases and gangland murders, to the Tonbridge Robbery and the first successful challenge of DNA evidence in the UK. Mark has defended directors in cases varying from substantial VAT and Duty and Excise fraud, to a national sub- contracting fraud in the construction industry, to money laundering involving Swiss banks and Swiss Banking Law. Due to his expertise in this area of financial crime, Mark often advises company directors in matters of tax, VAT and director’s disqualifications, pre-charge.

Martin Heslop KC

Martin is widely recognised as one of the Leading Silks at the Criminal Bar with extensive experience of criminal trials including corporate and financial crime. He also specialises in Gaming and Licensing, Health & Safety and associated areas of practice. For 9 years as Treasury Counsel he prosecuted the most serious and complex cases. However, at the same time, unusually, he maintained a significant defence practice, being in demand to defend in major trials because of his advocacy and insight into the prosecution process. On taking Silk, he has continued with a high profile criminal defence practice and is highly regarded for his excellent tactical skills and presentation in complex cases both in the UK and abroad. He is generally regarded as one of the finest jury advocates today and his cross-examination skills are of the highest calibre. In addition, he brings these skills to the fields of Gaming and Licensing, and Health & Safety representing leading operators throughout the world. He is held in the highest regard by his peers and his successful cases are well known and documented.

Martin Hicks KC

Martin Hicks KC is consistently recommended by the leading industry directories as a leading defence Silk in serious crime and fraud both domestic and international, including the Crown Dependencies and the Caribbean. He acts for individual defendants, corporate clients, their directors and officers and national governments and agencies. He also represents accountants, solicitors and others who face proceedings arising out of their work. Martin gained prominence as a junior in R v Pryce, a 17-year-old musician accused of hacking into the computer systems of NASA and the Pentagon. He appeared in the “fake sheik” stings by the News of the World, the series of celebrity Rolex robberies and a major mobile phone heist at Heathrow airport. In Silk he acted in the “Victoria Beckham Kidnap Plot”, the bogus “MI5 kidnapper”, the “Aston Riots Murder”, the 24/7 bombings, “Cash for Crash Claims”, the £220 million “Lord of Fraud Plot”, the 200 million euro fraud Allseas v Sultana and successfully defended high placed journalists in Operation Elveden. Recently, he secured an acquittal for a GP charged with defrauding a French resistance patriot suffering from dementia and a suspended sentence for an Icelandic smuggler of £53million of endangered eels.

Max Mills

Max Mills represents individuals, companies and government departments in a multi-disciplinary practice encompassing Business Crime and Financial Services, Inquests and Public Inquiries, Criminal Regulatory and Professional Discipline. He is uniquely placed to act in complex cases on the cusp of criminal, regulatory and public law, and is often instructed to provide strategic advice during the early stages of proceedings in both the criminal and civil jurisdictions. Appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel in 2023, Max is currently instructed as part of the inquiry team in Module 3 of the Covid-19 Inquiry and as part of the Ministry of Defence’s counsel team in the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan. In 2021, he was part of the counsel team for the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice in the inquests into the deaths arising out of the terrorist attack at Fishmongers’ Hall. Max has acted in large-scale financial services investigations conducted by the Bank of England – into Standard Chartered in 2021 and into Credit Suisse in 2023 – which each resulted in record fines being imposed. He is regularly instructed to represent individuals and corporate clients in matters where financial regulation and white-collar crime intersect. Before coming to the Bar, Max qualified as a solicitor at an international commercial law firm, where he acted in cross-border civil fraud trials and regulatory investigations across a number of industries, before he was seconded to deputise for the General Counsel of a FTSE 250 company.

Merry van Woodenberg

Merry specialises in serious and complex crime, and regulation. She has particular expertise in financial crime, serious violent and sexual offences, and cases involving vulnerable individuals. Merry’s practice involves defending in some of the most serious cases to come before the courts. In the last year this has included allegations of terrorism and mass-murder. She defends alone in allegations of serious sexual offending, kidnap, and serious violence. She appears in the Crown Courts and the Court of Appeal. Merry has extensive experience in cases involving fraud, insider dealing, money laundering, tax evasion and bribery. She has an unusual level of sanctions and export controls experience for her call, with experience of alleged breaches of trade and financial sanctions and of export controls of dual-use products. She has worked on cases and advices in this area for topics ranging from oil, to terrorist financing, to spyware. Merry also represents corporate clients. She assisted in an internal investigation commissioned by Boohoo, and an investigation into fraudulent practices at a large multinational pharmaceutical company. Her white-collar experience is complemented by past work at the Financial Conduct Authority (in Retail and Criminal Prosecutions), her work advising the Economic Crime Command in the Attorney General’s Office in Jersey, and prosecuting for the CPS for offences such as bribery. She is an experienced LPP and disclosure counsel, dealing in that capacity with cases involving complex PII issues. Merry has long experience of working with young or vulnerable individuals, and in particular in representing people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. She works regularly with intermediaries, is a trained vulnerable witness handler, and is used to acting in cases where defendants suffer from acute mental health issues or learning disabilities. Merry has appeared as a legal commentator on Channel 4 News and for the Financial Times, and has written for ITV News, MSN News, The Lawyer, and The Barrister. Merry is a Trustee of the Kalisher Trust.

Michael Hayton KC

Michael Hayton KC's practice in silk is primarily defending clients as part of our Criminal Defence, Criminal Regulatory and Professional Discipline teams. He also prosecutes in both criminal and regulatory cases. He regularly defends both corporate and individual clients in cases involving fatalities and cases of the utmost complexity. Michael is regularly involved in cases pre-charge in order to assist in providing appropriate direction for his clients case preparation. After many years acting on behalf of the GMC, Michael now defends and is approved counsel for the major medical insurers. He has acted in cases involving serious misconduct and cases of deficient performance involving complicated medical expert issues. Michael is leader of the Northern Circuit and has been recommended for many years by both Legal 500 and Chambers UK.

Michael Rawlinson

From a background defending and prosecuting serious crime, Michael has developed a significant reputation and practice in the fields of professional discipline, inquests and all aspects of regulatory and private crime. Michael has almost twenty years diverse experience, and now specialises in the representation of healthcare professionals and police officers across a wide range of proceedings, frequently dealing with misconduct and disciplinary hearings, but also appearing at complex inquests and in associated criminal proceedings. He also has significant experience of judicial review, and is regularly instructed in the defence of health and safety matters. Michael has recently been appointed a Fee-Paid Employment Judge and Fee-Paid Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber). As well as significant experience at the Bar, Michael has recent experience as in-house counsel for a ‘Top Five’ Legal 500 law firm, where he specialised in inquest, healthcare and regulatory matters.

Neelam Gomersall

Neelam’s practice focuses on criminal defence, inquests and professional discipline. She has experience representing regulated professionals charged with criminal offences with an eye to the regulatory consequences that may follow. She has acted on behalf of medical professionals, sports professionals, teachers, and police officers. Neelam is regularly instructed in serious multi-handed matters before the Crown Court. She was instructed to represent the first of three defendants charged with conspiracy to rob high-value watches after a professional basketball player was robbed of a Rolex at knifepoint in Knightsbridge. As led junior, she recently represented a defendant acquitted of a sophisticated conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs involving the supply of multiple kilograms of high-purity cocaine and cannabis across the South of England. The case involved expert evidence on new “anti-surveillance” communication methods using encrypted “interceptor” handsets and “spoofing” sims. She has been instructed in matters involving serious dishonesty and complex fraud. As led junior, she represented one of eight defendants charged with conspiracy to defraud and associated immigration offences centered around a sham Bollywood film production company. The trial at Southwark Crown Court lasted four months and involved a high volume of documentary and banking evidence. As sole junior, she represented a defendant charged with several counts of fraud by false representation in a “tinder swindler” style romance fraud. Neelam is often instructed in sensitive cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses. She recently represented a tennis coach acquitted of assault by penetration and sexual assault of a four-year-old student. She represented a deputy headteacher of a SEN school acquitted of assaulting a severely autistic 10-year-old student after a successful submission of no case to answer. In the area of professional discipline, Neelam has acted on behalf of medical professionals charged with dishonesty and sexual misconduct. She recently appeared in the High Court in an appeal against sanction. Neelam is frequently instructed to represent medical professionals in inquests. She was recently instructed in a 7-day Article 2 inquest after a hospital in-patient sustained a fatal head injury while suffering from Covid-19 delirium.

Nikita McNeill

Nikita has a strong record of high-profile inquests and public inquiries. She acts for Coroners, Inquiries and Core Participants, including bereaved families. Nikita is also experienced at advising and representing both Coroners and individuals in related litigation, including judicial review and overturning inquests. Nikita also enjoys a diverse and challenging practice that encompasses crime, white collar crime, professional discipline and licensing law. She is a member of the Attorney General’s Civil Panel C and undertakes public law cases, with a particular focus on judicial review and coronial law.

Nneka Akudolu KC

Appointed King’s Counsel in 2022, Nneka is a highly respected jury advocate whose practice encompasses all areas of serious crime. She has particular experience working with vulnerable defendants and witnesses and those charged with historic allegations of a sexual nature. She regularly is lauded by her clients for her razor sharp focus and meticulous preparation in every case that she undertakes. Nneka is a personable and approachable advocate whose ability to understand the facts of a case quickly and effectively enable her to grasp the issues with ease. She is especially proficient in dealing with long running high profile cases with significant volumes of evidence and multiple defendants. These cases typically involve complicated joint enterprise issues. Nneka has a wealth of experience challenging expert evidence in respect of gang associations and drill lyrics. Her cases routinely involve the interpretation of difficult scientific evidence such as blood spatter distribution and DNA. Away from the Crown Court, Nneka has a keen interest in Military Law and has considerable experience representing members of the armed forces and their dependents in Court Martial proceedings here and overseas. Her military work covers a wide range of matters including murder and serious sexual offences. Nneka is a fierce proponent for increased diversity at the Bar and frequently writes articles and delivers speeches on the subject.

Oliver Glasgow KC

Oliver Glasgow KC was appointed Senior Treasury Counsel in 2015, King’s Counsel in 2016 and First Senior Treasury Counsel in 2020. He has a reputation for detailed preparation, exceptional advocacy and is an especially good cross-examiner. He divides his practice between working at the highest level in the criminal sphere, where he appears in high profile trials of the utmost gravity for both prosecution and defence, and specialising in serious quasi-criminal and regulatory work, where he defends in regulatory and health and safety work, and acts for interested parties in public inquiries and inquests. He is currently lead counsel to the Afghanistan inquiry, which is looking into allegations of extra judicial killing by UK Special Forces. Recent instructions include high profile corporate manslaughter and health and safety matters (Aster Healthcare, the Jersey Gas explosion and the Condor Ferry disaster); acting for the SPA and the MoD in historic abuse allegations; representing the AG of Jersey in the child abuse inquiry and prosecuting a double jeopardy murder (R v. Tregaskis); and prosecuting complex homicide and terrorist offences (R v. Seed, R v. McSweeney, R v. Al-Jundi). He regularly advises the AG and government departments in cases of general public importance; he advises companies and individuals in connection with investigations and private prosecutions; he advises professionals and sportsmen in connection with allegations of misconduct and ethics; and he advises foreign AGs in connection with domestic and international allegations of serious criminality and corruption.

Orlando Pownall KC

Orlando is ‘regarded by his peers as being one of the best of the best‘ at the Criminal Bar. Ranked as a ‘star‘ silk by Chambers UK, he is frequently instructed as leading counsel in high profile cases, carrying ‘great authority with Judges‘. Having defended on a number of high profile cases, including the recent and successful defence of New Zealand cricket captain Chris Cairns who was tried for perjury and perverting the course of justice, Orlando is described as ‘a good cross-examiner…who defends well and has a huge presence in court‘. Orlando is repeatedly instructed by high profile clients to provide pre-charge advice for a range of criminal and business crime charges. He is said to be “Very engaging and passionate – he gets stuck in.” He undertakes a number of financial crime cases, having been instructed most recently in Operation Tabernula, one of the largest insider dealing cases bought by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Paul Renteurs

Paul Renteurs joined chambers in 2014. Whilst specialising in criminal defence and prosecution, professional discipline, and coroners’ inquests, Paul’s practice encompasses work in the fields of occupational disease and general civil litigation. Paul has gained a wealth of experience in the Crown Court, Disciplinary Tribunals and Coroners’ Courts, and has acted for a wide range of individual and corporate clients in a variety of litigious and regulatory settings.

Peter Gray KC

Peter Gray KC (2002 Scotland) is a leading practitioner in regulatory crime and, in particular, in the fields of health and safety, and environmental crime. Peter has been instructed to appear on behalf of corporate accused in the most serious prosecutions, statutory appeals and high profile Fatal Accident Inquiries in recent years.

Peter Wright KC

Peter Wright KC is cited by Chambers UK, the Legal 500 and other industry directories as a leading Silk. Testimonials from those guides, his instructing solicitors, and also his lay clients, describe a highly respected senior practitioner of considerable experience and gravitas. He specialises in providing advice and advocacy in cases involving crime, fraud, health and safety, as well as other forms of regulation or decisions by public bodies which affect businesses and individuals. In 2006 the Attorney General appointed him Senior Treasury Counsel, and he was the first person ever to be directly appointed to that position, which he relinquished in 2010 to return to his defence practice. He is regularly instructed in cases of the utmost gravity and complexity, including fraud, cartel price fixing arrangements, corporate and gross manslaughter, murder and terrorism. He works in London (the Isle of Man- where he is instructed in criminal proceedings against the Attorney General) and in Crown Courts across the country. He regularly appears in the High Court and Court of Appeal arguing complex points of law. As well as advising the Crown Prosecution Service, Treasury Solicitor and Attorney General, he has extensive experience of working for and against other agencies of Government including the Serious Fraud Office and Office of Fair Trading. His case profile includes: appearing as leading Counsel in the series of trials arising from the alleged corrupt payments to public officials by journalists known as Operation Elveden; an OFT Investigation into International Cartel and Price Fixing Arrangements in the steel abrasives industry; the LIBOR scandal; civil and criminal proceedings arising from the investigation by the SFO into breaches of the UN Oil for Food Programme to Iraq; in addition to his “mainstream” criminal work in Corporate and gross negligence manslaughter; terrorism and murder. In addition to defending in cases of serious and complex crime, Peter also advises and represents companies and individuals who face investigation or proceedings under Health and Safety legislation, and in related cases such as fatal and other non-fatal accidents arising from incidents in the workplace.

Peter Lownds

Peter Lownds has a high-profile and wide-ranging leading junior criminal defence practice that includes fraud, terrorism, drug supply conspiracies, serious sexual offences and cases involving very serious or fatal violence. He is regularly instructed in complex cases and is renowned for his thoroughness and tactical judgment. His most recent trials have included acting for a man alleged to be involved in a substantial southwest based cocaine conspiracy, a company owner accused of attempting to murder his wife, and a businessman charged with involvement in a City based pay-day loan investment conspiracy. His other recent notable cases include defending a young man with learning difficulties accused of manslaughter, a teenager alleged to be plotting to make a terrorist bomb, and a man accused of controlling a prostitution business involving trafficking. Imminent trials include representing a company director accused of being involved in a long-running “cash for crash” insurance fraud, and defending a young woman accused of participation in an international holiday home time-share fraud. His historical high-profile cases include successfully defending a pilot of a helicopter charged with manslaughter, successfully representing a film actor accused of rape and representing a man charged over the prohibition of the publication of images of the murderer of James Bulger.

Quinn Hawkins

Quinn Hawkins is a leading criminal junior who specialises in substantial cases of both serious and organised crime, fraud and confiscation, these often involve complex areas of fact, law and public interest in the Crown Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. His client friendly approach has the ability to make clients feel at ease while at the same time developing a good professional rapport. Recent cases include, R v Michael Misick and Others, June 2015 to date. Prosecuting (together with Andrew Mitchell QC) the former Premier and Cabinet Members of the Turks and Caicos Islands for political corruption, fraud, bribery and money laundering involving over $50 million. The case has been before a seven judge panel in the Privy Council (R v Misick and Others [2015] 1 W.L.R. 3215) to decide preliminary points of law. He has been responsible for the presentation of this highly complex case that has required his expertise in dealing with multi jurisdictional issues, civil recovery and restraint of assets. The trial is estimated to conclude in the Spring of 2017. R v Sheldrake and Others. Defending in large-scale money laundering case involving over £6 million, with large cash transfers to Brazil. R v Ndoli and Others. Defending the principal defendant in the largest immigration fraud ever committed and fraud against Eurostar.

Ralph Pickering

Ralph Pickering specialises in criminal law and professional discipline. He regularly represents defendants in the Youth Court, Magistrates Court and Crown Court. Ralph was recently seconded to the Attorney General’s Office in Jersey where he provided advice on prosecutions on a range of criminal matters, including complex financial crime and drugs importation. He also has experience in Mutual Legal Assistance. Before coming to the bar Ralph worked as an actor and performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He also lived for three years in Russia and is fluent in the language.

Rebecca Erkan-Bax

Rebecca has a successful and substantial criminal practice. She is a formidable opponent with a meticulous approach to evidence and exceptional client care skills.Rebecca has extensive experience defending clients accused of a range of criminal offences and regularly defends clients at trial in multi-handed conspiracy cases. Rebecca is a Level 2 Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service and also prosecutes on behalf of the National Probation Service. She has considerable experience working as disclosure counsel and independent counsel for HMRC and the SFO.Rebecca provides clients with focused, considered advice and is a composed yet tenacious advocate in court. She has particular experience in representing vulnerable youth clients with complex mental health issues and clients who have been deemed unfit to stand trial. In addition to completing the mandatory vulnerable witness training, Rebecca has completed specialised youth justice training to ensure that she obtains the best possible outcome for every client.

Rebecca Malczewski

Rebecca’s legal experience includes being a Casework Volunteer for Advocate and an Advice and Information Volunteer for Liberty. Rebecca was also a Helpline Volunteer on Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline and an Independent Custody Visitor for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire. Alongside her studies, Rebecca was President of the Association of Gray’s Inn Students. She was a Peer Reviewer for the Gray’s Inn Student Law Journal and a mentor for Griffin, the school outreach programme run by Gray’s Inn. Prior to joining the Bar, Rebecca was an Associate at an asset management firm. Rebecca is a Trustee for St Cuthbert’s Society JCR, Durham University.

Rebekah Hummerstone

Rebekah Hummerstone is instructed as a leading or sole junior to prosecute and defend in all areas of crime, including; terrorism, fraud, serious violence, armed robbery and sexual and drug oﬀences. She also undertakes professional discipline work and has experience of coroner’s inquests. She is currently instructed as part of the senior counsel team to the Inquiry for the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

Redmond Traynor

Redmond joined 2 Hare Court in 2019. He regularly represents defendants in the Youth Court, Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court. Redmond is particularly interested in matters relating to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Prior to coming to the Bar, Redmond wrote his postgraduate thesis on the assessment of a defendant’s “benefit” in drug cases under POCA. Redmond has experience advising companies who have been made subject to Account Freezing Orders and has defended in applications for cash forfeiture brought by the Police. Recently, Redmond acted successfully for an interested third party in restraint proceedings involving high-value antiques. Redmond has acted for defendants in planning enforcement litigation and subsequent proceedings under POCA. In addition to his criminal practice, Redmond has represented medical professionals at inquests and before their regulators. Redmond has also been instructed to represent bereaved families at inquests. Redmond accepts instructions on public law cases and in civil applications brought by the Police. Redmond has been instructed to defend in a number of gang injunction applications at both first instance and on appeal. He acts pro bono for Bail for Immigration Detainees in applications on behalf of those in immigration detention and has advised on an application for judicial review of a decision of the Independent Office for Police Conduct and on an appeal under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. Before converting to law, Redmond graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Classics. After university, he spent a year living in Iran, learning Persian at the University of Tehran.

Richard Heller

Richard is a specialist practitioner with substantial experience across the full range of regulatory crime – trading standards, food safety, health and safety and environmental, in addition to fraud, planning enforcement and all aspects of restraint and confiscation – acting for regulators and the regulated. Richard is one of only a handful of practitioners to be listed in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 as a leading barrister in Consumer Law (trading standards, food safety etc.). He has appeared in many of the most high profile criminal consumer cases, including Operation Augusta (the world’s largest eBay fraud), SAS Fire and Security (nationwide cold-calling scam), Mitchells & Butlers (fatal food-poisoning outbreak caused by turkey served on Christmas Day) and London Parking Gatwick (meet and greet parking scam at Gatwick airport). Richard is appointed to List A on the Unified List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law, and has appeared in numerous cases on behalf of the HSE, local authorities and for the defence. Richard also has extensive experience as a planning enforcement barrister, appearing in more than 50 such cases on behalf of both the prosecution and defence.

Robert Rinder MBE

Robert Rinder’s practice focuses primarily on international fraud, money laundering, and other forms of financial crime. He also advises on and appears in cases involving regulatory allegations against businesses and their directors and officers. Robert is also increasingly instructed, predominantly for the defence, as sole or leading counsel in cases involving allegations of serious and complex crime across the full spectrum of offences.

Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC

‘A first class act’; Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC has throughout her career established herself as the pre-eminent choice for clients who demand intellectual rigour, exceptional advocacy and a high level of service and commitment. Her wide experience and skillset garnered across both criminal and regulatory have ensured that she is viewed as an advocate of the highest ability, with ‘lethal’ cross examination skills in combination with an overarching strategic approach to the case. Her appointments have included being Treasury Counsel and she has been a Recorder of the Crown Court since 1998, authorised to sit at the Central Criminal Court and also authorised to try serious sexual offences. Sallie was awarded with an honorary doctorate as a recognition of her pre-eminence in law. Since taking Silk in 2006, Sallie’s practice has been exclusively defence based but her previous experience in prosecution of the gravest and highest profile offences and work with the intelligence services, means she is uniquely placed to advise on her clients on the appropriate strategy to meet the prosecution case, in whichever discipline. Her experience dictates that she is best placed to advise and undertake private prosecutions for companies and individuals. In recent years, Sallie has honed her expertise in relation to student disciplinary matters, both advising and representing students in University discipline, and also in criminal matters that are linked to these matters. Her practise also focuses on pre-charge advice and the preparation of detailed and complex written representations with a view to ensuring proceedings against the client are brought to a conclusion without charge. She provides pre-charge advice to clients on all aspects of the regulatory and criminal spectrum, encompassing fraud, terrorism, sexual impropriety and homicide. She also advises in respect of, and appears in Inquests, and advises and appears in respect of appeals against conviction. In all spheres, her intellectual ability, strategy and sensitivity are renowned and as quoted in Chambers UK 2020 “Sallie is loved by all and feared by many, and is counsel of choice for all if you are lucky enough to be able to obtain her services. You simply couldn't ask for more.” Sallie lectures in the UK and overseas on a range of topics and to visiting judiciary to the UK on issues relating to sexual offences.

Sarah Przybylska

Sarah Przybylska’s work encompasses advice and advocacy across professional discipline, fraud, crime, and public law. Notable recent instructions include prosecuting the double jeopardy killer Dennis McGrory, convicted of rape and murder after his acquittal in 1975, and acting on behalf of the Medical Defence Union at the Infected Blood Inquiry. Sarah is instructed as leading counsel and as junior to King’s Counsel, as well as to act alone. She has a reputation for excellent advocacy backed up by careful preparation and a keen intellect. She provides training to professionals including medical and dental experts and investigators. She advises individuals and corporations across all of her practice areas in sensitive, urgent and high profile matters. Shortlisted recently as Crime Junior of the Year in Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022.

Scott Ivill

Mr Ivill has vast experience of defending in the gravest of cases. He is regularly instructed by leading Defence firms in their most high profile, serious and complex cases and is described as a “Premier League” advocate. In addition to cases of homicide, he is instructed in matters of serious violence, armed robbery, firearms offences, large-scale drug conspiracies and sexual offences. He has been ranked consistently in Chambers & Partners as a Leading Barrister. Cases include: R v MH – attempted murder, R v AM – attempted murder, R v IE – possession of a firearm (machine gun) with intent to endanger life, R v RD – series of smash and grab robberies, R v GC – fraud, R v DS – Class A drug conspiracy.

Sophia Dower

Sophia enjoys a diverse practice that encompasses many areas of 2 Hare Court’s specialisms, including general crime, professional discipline, regulatory and licensing. Sophia is instructed both as an advocate and in an advisory capacity. She has a strong criminal practice, both prosecuting and defending cases in the Youth Court, Magistrates’ Court and predominantly the Crown Court. Her experience covers a wide range of offences, including allegations of violence, firearms, supply of drugs, sexual offences, public disorder and serious fraud. Sophia also undertakes private prosecution work. In addition, she has a growing licensing practice and is regularly instructed in proceedings before City of London Magistrates Court in respect of appeals against adverse decisions taken by Transport for London. She also accepts instructions in regulatory and professional discipline matters. Sophia has contributed to a number of complex and large scale disclosure reviews, including a Premier League football club facing a FIFA investigation, a multi-million pound private prosecution and the inquest into the Manchester Arena terrorist attack. Sophia is currently instructed in the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry. Outside of chambers, Sophia is a committed anti-death penalty advocate having spent several months working at the Office of Capital Defence Counsel in Jackson, Mississippi. She worked with clients currently on death row who were in the process of appealing their convictions, as well as assisting clients who were due to face trial for capital murder.

Stephen Brassington

Stephen Brassington is rightly regarded as a leading practitioner in Professional Discipline and was named Chambers and Partners Junior of the Year 2016. In Chambers UK 2021, he continues his status as a star individual, described as “fearless” and “brilliant.” Chambers UK calls him “a class operator,” while L500 praises him as “an extraordinarily effective advocate,” adding, “they should sell tickets to watch his cross-examination of experts”. He advises and acts primarily in cases arising from healthcare, sports, education, and legal industries. Stephen also undertakes a significant amount of Health and Safety defence work, in particular advising and assisting in defence of criminal prosecutions and at Coronial Inquests. His background in criminal defence includes representing clients facing allegations of murder, manslaughter (including gross negligence), and other non-fatal offences of violence, sexual offences, substantial drugs supply and importation, counterfeit pharmaceuticals and others. He also has extensive experience of cases of fraud, money laundering and other ﬁnancial wrongdoing. Notable cases included defending in a conspiracy to kidnap Victoria Beckham, and in a £multi-million conspiracy to defraud Microsoft. Winner of the Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law Junior of the Year at The Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2022, Stephen has also recently been shortlisted for the 2023 award.

Thomas Beardsworth

Tom is building a criminal and civil practice across Chambers’ core specialisms. The core of Tom’s practice is criminal defence and prosecution. As sole counsel, Tom has represented defendants accused of false imprisonment, Class A drugs offences and serious violence. Tom recently secured the discontinuance of proceedings in one case by challenging the admissibility of confession evidence, and in another by making representations concerning the ‘modern slavery’ defence. His recent prosecution instructions include robbery, affray and a two-handed fraud. He prosecutes regulatory crime for local authorities including trademark offences and offences relating to Mail Forwarding Businesses. Tom has a growing civil and advisory practice. He has a particular interest in the exercise of investigative powers and the civil recovery of the proceeds of crime. He has represented the Metropolitan Police in civil applications, including asset forfeiture applications brought under Part 5 of POCA. He is currently instructed by the Department for Transport, led by Jonathan Kinnear KC, to advise on several matters arising from the train operating companies’ erroneous prosecution of fare evasion offences over many years. Before coming to the Bar, Tom worked for five years as a financial journalist at Bloomberg. Among the topics he wrote about were the recapitalisation of European banks, litigation finance and the impact of sanctions against Russian entities in the bond market. His reporting about Greensill Capital was cited by the 2021 Parliamentary inquiry.

Tom Day

Tom is recognised as a leading junior who specialises in regulatory crime with particular experience and expertise defending in prosecutions brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, and other regulatory statutes. Tom’s practice includes charges arising from fatal and non-fatal accidents and is instructed in every type of case, from gross negligence manslaughter to advising in relation to enforcement/improvement notices. Tom has represented directors, corporate entities, charitable bodies and individuals. He is also regularly instructed in inquests which touch upon potential breaches of health and safety legislation and represented The Football Association at the Hillsborough Inquests. He is known for his ability to quickly identify the central issues, provide practical advice, and bring to bear excellent tactical judgment in the preparation and management of cases. As a result, he is often instructed by solicitors before charge to provide advice with an eye to future proceedings.

Tyrone Belger

Tyrone Belger is a specialist crime and fraud practitioner, with a well-known reputation for excellent legal and tactical judgement, in a wide range of difficult and sensitive criminal cases. His skill and good humour in winning the confidence of the client is exceptional and regularly remarked upon by solicitors. He is above all versatile, sensible and reliable. Tyrone advises and acts as junior, leading and led junior in all serious crime but principally in large scale HMRC tax and VAT frauds, drug trafficking and money laundering. He has also regularly prosecuted multi-handed serious fraud, drug and confiscation cases. He is very comfortable with paper heavy cases involving multi-expert/factual/legal issues and is expert at making them jury-friendly. In court his understanding, then cross-examination and explanation of complex forensic /expert evidence is also a major strength: e.g. in mobile cell-site analysis, contamination issues and DNA.

Vivienne Tanchel

Vivienne is ranked in band 1 by Chambers and Partners for Financial Crime and tier 1 in The Legal 500 in Business and Regulatory Crime. She is also ranked in Criminal Fraud, Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law. Vivienne’s practice focuses almost exclusively on representing corporate and professional defendants, in “white collar” financial crime and regulatory proceedings. Reviewers have noted that “She has a frightening intellect” and that she is “Assertive, fearless and very, very intelligent.’ Before coming to the Bar she spent fifteen years working as a trader and advisor in international financial markets, thus offering clients a unique insight into the regulatory environment governing both the financial services and corporate markets. In addition, she has a busy practice involving the regulation of healthcare and other professionals. Vivienne is a regular speaker at seminars and lectures bringing her specific expertise in financial services to assist solicitors and other legal professionals in understanding financial markets.

Will Martin

Will Martin is a highly regarded junior, ranked in the Legal 500 as a leader in the field of crime. Considered to be a first-class advocate and astute tactician, Will advises and acts for individuals and companies in a diverse array of matters across the criminal spectrum, from pre-charge through to trial. Will’s criminal practice focuses primarily on defending and prosecuting serious crime, white-collar crime and regulatory crime. He has particular experience in complex cases, including murder and high-value fraud. A number of cases in which he has appeared have attracted significant attention in the national media. Will is often instructed in complex regulatory matters, including health and safety, trading standards, planning enforcement and environmental legislation. Will has a busy sports law practice, with a particular expertise in football. He regularly acts for sports’ governing bodies, such as the Football Association (the FA) and the English Football League (the EFL) in high profile regulatory and disciplinary disputes.

Zubair Ahmad KC

Zubair Ahmad KC is a leading silk, recognised as a “phenomenal advocate,” “a great tactician in extraordinarily difficult cases,” and possessing “unbelievable ability, immense knowledge, and sound judgment.” He has significant experience in both civil disputes and criminal matters involving corporate, professional and HNW clients. Zubair is one of only a few silks appointed in both civil and criminal law. He regularly works on cases involving parallel civil and criminal proceedings or where the civil and criminal law intersect: he worked on both the private law civil claim in Belhaj (extraordinary rendition) and in the parallel judicial review brought by Belhaj of the CPS’s decision not to prosecute a public official for complicity in his rendition to Libya. He has acted in civil, criminal and immigration proceedings arising out of alleged breaches of the Syria sanctions. He regularly advises corporate, professional, and HNW clients on reputational management, often preventing prosecution through strategic pre-charge representations. For example, he acted for a British director who was detained in Albania pending extradition to Bahrain for alleged fraud and secured the withdrawal of the extradition request and his immediate release. He recently acted for a HNW client who avoided prosecution for supporting a proscribed organisation contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000. Zubair has a wealth of experience in immigration and nationality cases, particularly those involving British citizenship deprivation. He has consistently succeeded in judicial review cases, securing relocations for foreign clients. His expertise also spans advising corporate and professional clients on the Official Secrets Acts. With very significant expertise in Closed Material Procedure and the Justice and Security Act 2013 he is able to advise corporate clients on all aspects of the National Security and Investment Act 2021. His practice includes financial crime, fraud, bribery, and homicide. He has successfully defended clients in several murder trials and continues to represent high-profile individuals, including in a landmark £263 million money laundering case involving NatWest bank. He has very extensive experience of homicide trials. Since taking silk he has successfully defended in a number of homicide trials: R v AY (prosecution offered no evidence in response to an application to stay proceedings as an abuse of process); R v KK (acquitted of all charges by the jury) and R v MG (acquitted of all charges following successful submission of no case). Prior to taking silk he had extensive experience of prosecuting the full spectrum of homicide trials as a monitoree Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court. He has additionally been called to the Bar of Northern Ireland.

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