Lincoln House Chambers

Inquiries & InquestsCriminal LawBusiness Crime & Financial RegulationRegulatoryProfessional DisciplineLicensing

Kate is Head of Chambers at Lincoln House Chambers.

“Kate comes very highly recommended for inquiry work. Her strengths are that she is very responsive, extremely intelligent, gets to the heart of the key issues straight away, and gives clear, practical advice.”- Legal 500, 2025

“Kate is an exceptional trial advocate, an extremely skillful operator, brilliant on tactical decision making, and great to work with.”- Legal 500, 2025

“Kate is a superb advocate and her speeches are works of art. She is excellent with clients, her preparation is meticulous, and she has a tremendous court presence; she ticks every box.” - Tier 1 Crime (General and Fraud) - Legal 500 2024​

“Kate is a tenacious advocate who does not hold back from difficult questions, has a measured manner, and is always thinking ahead. She is all over the detail and is great at leading a team.” - Tier 1 Inquests and Inquiries - Legal 500 2024​

“Kate is an exceptional Silk. Always on top of every detail, always prepared, always responsive to both the solicitor and the client on a case. Judges love her - and so do clients. She will give tough advice as she is always focussed on getting the best result. One of the best criminal silks in the country and an exceptional strategic thinker.” Tier 1 Crime (General and Fraud) - Legal 500 2023

 “Kate is extremely hard working, sees the bigger picture, and manages clients and other counsel deftly and tactfully. She inspires confidence in her strategy and enthusiasm from her team.” Tier 1 Inquests and Inquiries - Legal 500 2023

“One of the best silks in the country with an acquittal rate second to none.” Ranked: Tier 1 – Legal 500, 2022​

“Fantastic with clients, and great at explaining complexities in a way that is understandable and clear. Reassuring and calm in the face of a challenge.” – Legal 500 2022​

“A silk truly at the top of her game” – Legal 500 2020 and 2021​

“Barrister of the Year” – Manchester Legal Awards, 2019​

“Her speeches are pure genius.” – Legal 500, 2018​

“A Master Tactician.” – Legal 500, 2017​

“Barrister of the Year” – Manchester Legal Awards, 2017​

“Possibly the best crime silk on circuit; she has exceptional judgement and is an outstanding trial advocate” – Legal 500, 2016​

“A robust advocate who has a strong track record in serious crime cases.” – Legal 500, 2015​

“An excellent serious and business crime specialist” – Legal 500, 2014​

Kate has a formidable reputation as a first-class silk due to her skill, judgement and outstanding performance in serious and complex cases. ​ Kate Blackwell KC is one of the UK’s leading silks specialising in criminal law and public inquiries. She is sought after for high-profile cases.

Kate is recommended by the leading legal publications year after year, she is considered one of the premier KC's in the country and has been awarded the coveted Manchester Legal Awards Barrister of the Year Award in both 2017 and 2019.​

The professional guides rank Kate as a “Tier 1” advocate.”​

Kate is instructed by leading specialist firms of solicitors nationwide in the full range of criminal offences but is particularly well known for her expertise in sexual offences and her representation of high net individuals charged with cases of dishonesty, commercial fraud, corruption, violence and drugs offences.​

Kate regularly presents lectures and seminars on all aspects on public inquiries serious crime, fraud, regulatory crime and health and safety law (including corporate manslaughter). She has advised a number of prosecution agencies (Police, HSE, CPS) on evidence gathering and case preparation.​

Kate handles a high proportion of private client work. She is the counsel of choice for many solicitors who want to offer a bespoke and exceptional service to their private clients. She has successfully represented professionals including sports personalities, solicitors, accountants, bankers, insurance executives and medical professionals charged with business crime and all manner of sexual offences.​

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 before trial. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone that required the very best legal advice.”​

"We can honestly say that throughout the whole process matters were dealt with professionally and efficiently at all times. From the very first introduction meeting to this conclusion we believe that we were given excellent and clear advice and thorough, professional case management. We also felt supported and that we had someone on our side throughout the difficult time."​

"We thank you for bringing our family back together. For our little girl to have her daddy home is something that is so precious to us and her. You're our very own super hero, it's been an absolute pleasure working with you."​

"Words cannot express the amount of happiness I can see in my parents eyes after such a long time and I cannot thank you enough and would like to give you the whole credit for this part of my life".​

PUBLIC INQUIRIES ​

United Kingdom Covid Inquiry​

Kate has been appointed Counsel to the Inquiry for the United Kingdom Covid Inquiry. She led Module 1 into the state of preparedness of the United Kingdom for a pandemic together with Hugo Keith KC. During the public hearings, Kate examined former prime minister David Cameron and former Chancellor George Osborne. Kate is currently leading the report writing for this Module and will return to the Inquiry next year to lead Module 11 into the effect of the pandemic on all public services. She is to lead the final module that will close the Inquiry.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2023/jun/19/austerity-not-responsible-for-nhs-weakness-during-covid-pandemic-says-cameron-video​

The Thirlwall Inquiry

Kate represents the former Chief Executives of the Countess of Chester hospital following the conviction of Lucy Letby for the murder and attempted murder of several neonatal babies.

Baroness Casey Review ​

Kate provided legal advice to the Review Team conducting the Baroness Casey Review into the standards of behaviour and internal culture of the Metropolitan Police Service. The review discussed whether the Met’s leadership, recruitment, vetting, training, culture and communications supported the standards that the public should expect. It found that the organisation was institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic.​

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/mar/21/metropolitan-police-institutionally-racist-misogynistic-homophobic-louise-casey-report​

Manchester Arena Inquiry​

Kate was instructed to represent NHS England in the Manchester Arena Inquiry – an independent public inquiry to investigate the deaths of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Terror Attack. ​

Brook House Inquiry​

Kate was instructed as Leading Counsel representing Serco in the Brook House Public Inquiry. This inquiry has been established to investigate the decision, actions and circumstances surrounding the mistreatment of individuals who were detained at Brook House ​

Immigration Removal Centre in 2017. The second phase of the hearings are due to begin in February 2022. https://brookhouseinquiry.org.uk/​

Gosport Independent Panel Inquiry​

Kate was appointed by the Secretary of State for Health, as Lead Counsel and Panel Member to the Gosport Independent Panel in 2015. This Panel was constituted to examine and report on historical events which relate to the care, treatment and deaths of the patients of the Gosport War ​

Memorial Hospital (GWMH) in Portsmouth. The Panel’s work was ongoing for four years and the Panel’s report was published in June 2018. It received wide media national and international coverage. The Panel revealed the “Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power” as it estimated that at least 450 lives had been shortened at the hospital by an unjustified opioid regime. As Legal Lead, Panel member and Law Team Manager she wrote and conducted the extensive legal validation of the complete project. www.gosportpanel.independent.gov.uk/panel-report​

Daniel Morgan Independent Panel Inquiry​

On 10 May 2013, in a written statement to Parliament, the then Home Secretary, the ​

Rt. Hon.Theresa May MP, announced that the Government was setting up the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel (DMIP) to review police handling of the murder investigation. Kate was appointed as Counsel to the Panel in September 2013.​

The remit of the Panel is to shine a light on the circumstances of Daniel Morgan’s murder, its background and the handling of the case over the period since 1987. In so doing the Panel is seeking to address questions arising, in particular those relating to police involvement in Daniel Morgan’s murder; the role played by police corruption in protecting those responsible for the murder from being brought to justice and the failure to confront that corruption; and the incidence of connections between private investigators, police officers and journalists at the News of the World and other parts of the media, and alleged corruption involved in the linkages between them.​

Kate has negotiated with numerous organisations, including the Metropolitan Police Service, in ensuring maximum possible disclosure of material to the Panel, in accordance with the Terms of Reference. She has met with senior officers of the MPS and the NCA in order to consider confidential and secret information and drafted agreements to ensure the protection of documentation and other information. The inquiry report was published in June 2021. www.danielmorganpanel.independent.gov.uk​

The Shipman Inquiry​

Kate was instructed to represent the Greater Manchester Police as Junior Counsel during this public inquiry into the murders committed by Dr Harold Shipman. Kate had been junior counsel for the prosecution during the criminal trial which resulted in guilty verdicts for murder in relation to a number of patients.​

INQUESTS & REGULATORY LAW​

Kate has been instructed in many substantial inquests in a number of roles by professional bodies, individuals and government departments. Kate has a wealth of experience in defending individuals and companies charged with breaching regulations and has prosecuted many cases for the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and the Office of Rail Regulation. ​

Cases of interest and notoriety include the following:​

8-week inquest touching the death of PM – Representing the National Offender Management Service in a case where a security operative employed by G4S in Iraq shot dead 2 colleagues.​

Office of Rail Regulation – Prosecuting railway company convicted of breaching Health and Safety Offences where a disused depot had been left with live overhead cables causing the electrocution of a group of 13 year old boys, one of whom died.​

Environment Agency v BP – Defending company manager charged with breaching environmental regulations in his waste management company.​

R v D & others – Defending a director of Railtrack charged with gross negligence manslaughter and significant breaches of health and safety regulations.​

R v T – Prosecution of a company whose breaches of H&S led to the death of employee at place of employment. Cross examined director of company over 4 days.​

R v I – Prosecution of a company charged with breaching “waste” regulations. European legislation considered.​

R v D – Defence of company director in prosecution brought by trading standards involving millions of pounds worth of goods and strong international element.​

R v W & others – Fatal accident on demolition site.​

SEXUAL  OFFENCES

Recent cases include:

R v ME – successful defence of footballer charged with rape

R v TL – successful defence of student charged with rape

R v JB – successful defence of student charged with rape

R v JD – successful defence of international businessman charged with rape

R v MA – successful defence of dentist charged with historical rape

R v MM – successful defence of businessman charged with coercive and controlling behaviour

R v H – successful defence of a man charged with running a paedophile-ring including the abduction and abuse of a 14-year old boy.​

R v J – successful defence of  a psychiatric patient charged with sexual assault upon 2 nurses

R v B and others – successful defence of father of a 4 year old for rape

R v S – successful defence of Indian national charged with rape. ​

R v T –successful  prosecution of teacher convicted of grooming a rape of an 11 year old pupil over a 5 year period.​

​R v M – successful prosecution of doctor for grooming and rape of vulnerable child with severe learning difficulties.​

R v G – successful prosecution of 3 men for kidnap, rape and assault of several sex workers, one of whom had been trafficked.​

R v B – Multiple historical abuse by music teacher.​

R v D - Indecent images charges against former police officer in position of trust.​

R v J – successful prosecution of  Premier League and England International footballer for child sex offences. Advised from the point of charge and presented the case through to trial, sentence and Court of Appeal. Convicted and sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. Successfully defended conviction and sentence appeals. ​

R v B - Case involving taking and producing thousands of images of young female and serious sexual assault. Legal applications included the anomaly produced by the age differential in the Protection of Children Act 1978 and the Sexual Offences Act 2003.​

BUSINESS CRIME​

Throughout her career, Kate has been instructed in substantial cases of mortgage fraud, VAT fraud, corruption and MTIC fraud. She regularly represents high net-worth individuals and companies facing financial investigation. Her keen knowledge, thorough preparation and tenacity are key skills for which she is highly sought after. She advises professionals prior to and during the course of criminal proceedings.​

Recent cases include:​

R v A – Defending an international  business man charged with conspiring with others to launder money. HMRC offered no evidence after extensive written argument, all restraints lifted.​

R v LS & others – Defending a woman in a multi-million pound fraud and money laundering operation. Following lengthy disclosure arguments the case collapsed leading to not guilty verdicts for all the defendants.​

R v W & others – Defending a man in a substantial waste disposal/weighbridge fraud. Not guilty verdict entered against him in circumstances where the majority of other defendants were convicted.​

R v C & others – Defending a woman in an MTIC fraud of EU exporters. At the time this was the largest and most complex fraud of its type, involving at least £400 million worth of mobile telephones being traded and a loss to the Revenue of at least £85 million. ​

R v F & others – Defending a Maltese national in a £13 million diversion fraud involving a strong international element and a culture of non-disclosure and misinformation. Successful defence in circumstances where client had developed severe mental health difficulties during course of the trial.​

R v W & others – Fraudulent trading and blackmail. Successfully defended a woman who was the only one of 4 indicted defendants to be acquitted.​

R v B & others – The provision of advice given to a company director during the currency of an investigation into a £ multimillion MTIC fraud.​

R v O & others – Prosecution of 3 defendants charged with fraud on a substantial scale involving the commission of “disqualified director” offences.​

Oldham Trading Standards v VM & others – Defending a woman in a conspiracy alleging the fraudulent running of a kitchen business. Case stopped as an abuse of process after a 4 month trial. ​

R v R & others – Representing the main defendant in an alleged MTIC carousel fraud depriving HMRC of over £100million.​

Operation Oceanus – Successfully prosecuting three defendants charged with fraudulent trading and "disqualified director" offences.​

HOMICIDE AND VIOLENCE​

Kate has been involved in the prosecution of many such cases, often advising on disclosure, PII and conducting lengthy and complicated “ex-parte” hearings. For the defence she has made many successful disclosure and abuse of process applications.​

Cases of interest include the following:​

R v HS – Part of the prosecution team in a trial involving allegations of multiple murder.​

R v H – Defending man charged with the manslaughter of a police officer.​

R v C – Defending man charged with murder of man whose body was found to have suffered 97 separate injuries.​

R v A & T– Prosecuting mother and father whose neglect led to the death of their premature baby.​

R v K – Prosecuting man convicted of murdering his partner in the presence of their 3 children.​

R v C & others – Prosecuting a 7-handed murder and drugs conspiracy.​

R v GP – The "Lady in the Lake" murder case. Prosecuting a defendant charged with murdering his wife and hiding her body at the bottom of Coniston Lake, Cumbria.​

R v A & others – Prosecuting part of the "Oldham Riots" cases.​

R v S & others – Prosecuting the 6-handed murder of an Ormskirk businessman.​

R v A & others – Prosecuting an extensive people trafficking and false documents case.​

R v F & F – Prosecuting identical twins for gangland shooting. One of first anonymous witness applications to be made.​

R v MNK & others – Prosecution of armed robbery based upon DNA evidence.​

R v J – Defending in retrial of defendant for murder of PC Sharon Beshenevsky. ​

R v C – Defending schizophrenic man charged with attempted murder by multiple stabbing.​

R v K & others – Prosecution of a major drugs conspiracy extending from the North West to Wales and Scotland.​

R v FM – Defending a man charged with conspiracy to supply large quantities of heroin involving the use of entrapment. Preliminary legal argument lasted 5 weeks. Successfully reduced case against defendant by half.​

R v JI – Defending the main defendant in a multi-handed case involving a major Rochdale drugs gang; issues of autrefois acquit and bad character based upon previous acquittals.​

R v H & others – Defending in an extensive drug ring supplying serving prisoners and involving prison officers.​

R v P & P – Prosecuting husband and wife prison officers convicted of perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office.​

R v L – Prosecution of a police officer charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice both a trial and re-trial. ​

R v S – Prosecution of doctor for murder of a number of patients and the forging of a will.

Kate is an employee of KBQC Law Ltd.

Called 1992; QC (2012),Appointed as Crown Court Recorder (2009),Daniel Morgan Inquiry (2013), and Gosport Independent Panel (2015).

Loreto Convent Grammar School Birmingham University.