187 Chambers

Peter Guest qualified in 1975 and specialises in criminal and financial fraud
cases. He is also a Recorder of the Crown Court dealing with crime and serious
sexual offences. He leads in criminal defence at all levels up to and including
murder, serious sexual offences, serious fraud and serious drug offences. In
addition, Peter is listed as one of the top barristers for fraud in the U.K in the
Legal 500.
“Peter Guest is a leading figure at the London Bar in defending criminal fraud
charges”
‘Peter has a wonderful balance of personal warmth and dogged professional
determination which appeals to all of his clients. His written opinions are always
concise, and his courtroom manner has jurors spellbound.’
“A highly-respected criminal defence specialist”
“an accomplished courtroom performer” who “always impresses”
“With more than 30 years’ experience and a proven track record of success”:
Chambers and Partners
“‘Solicitors say he’s one of the best advocates they have seen.” Legal 500
“He has real authority and presence in the courtroom, and can be firm with
judges and witnesses if required.” Legal 500
Previous clients recommend him:
“The first barrister to really understand me and my case” and “the perfect crossexaminer”
“Before your speech, I felt we were 6-nil down. Now we are 7-6 up”
Judges are also generous with praise:
“The best final speech I have ever heard in a fraud”
“It was a joy to watch you work”
He has wide experience of defending clients charged, with all aspects of crime,
including fraud, money laundering, drugs, sexual offences and murder, both in the
Crown Court and on appeal. He is also considered an expert in confiscation and
cash forfeiture under the Proceeds of Crime Act and he undertakes regulatory
work.
His practice has taken him to the Privy Council in a ‘death row’ appeal and to the
European Court of Justice in a VAT appeal.
He is approved by the Bar Council to accept instructions direct from the public,
without the need for a solicitor.
Associated work
Peter has been an advocacy trainer at Inner Temple, training barristers in all
areas of court practice procedure and presentation.

Asset Forfeiture & Confiscation:

R v S [2019] ongoing – contested application for appointment of an enforcement receiver and increase in available amount. R v Nadarajah – leading counsel in lengthy confiscation hearing (not trial counsel). R v Nicolas – 2 week confiscation hearing in an international fraud (not trial counsel) R v MN – confiscation appeal. R v JG R v GM

Criminal Defence:

Murder and Serious Violence: R v J [2019] ongoing – assisting an offender, following shooting of a youth. R v Ball [2018] – manslaughter. R v Ibrahim [2018] – GBH (reduced from original charge of murder). R v G [2017] – encouraging his 8 year old son to commit acts of terrorism. R v Shilling [2016] – principal defendant in conspiracy to import automatic weapons – “largest ever seizure”. R v Lotts – murder. R v Sulkaj – murder. R v Tasker – appeal against a murder conviction. R v JN – murder. R v Johnson – leading counsel in contract shooting. R v Dalzell – attempted murder. R v Ali – Riot.

Drugs Offences: R v Gould [2019] – principal defendant in conspiracy to deal Class A drugs on South Coast. R v O’Neil [2018] – importing and selling counterfeit Viagra. R v Smith [2018] – cocaine supply. R v Ruckledge [2017] – conspiracy to import and supply huge quantities of cocaine and cannabis, hidden in chicken carcasses. R v Stanton [2017] – supply of 100+ kg Class A – Operation Rodrigo. R v Parish [2016] – importation of 200kg cocaine. R v Samad – leading counsel for principal defendant dealing in multi-kilo transactions across county borders. R v Redfern – leading counsel acting for a corrupt police officer, dealing in drugs. R v Simmons – multi-kilo heroin dealing. R v Poole – multi-kilo cocaine dealing. R v Slowey – leading counsel in multi-kilo heroin dealing. R v Stanton – appeal resulting from conviction following importation of 300+ kg cocaine. R v McDonald – multi-kilo cocaine dealing. R v Scott – multi-kilo cocaine dealing. R v Bullici – leading counsel in multi-kilo heroin dealing.

Serious Crime: R v T [2020] ongoing – conspiracy to commit armed robbery of security vans. R v Nguyen [2019] – leading counsel for organiser of people trafficking from Asia. R v Lloyd – leading counsel for armed robber of security vans. R v AS – armed robbery of a jeweller by a youth. R v Nicolov – professional safe cracker. R v Gadzijeva – leading counsel in trial for people trafficking, slavery and prostitution. R v Coombs – leading counsel in professional armed kidnap. R v Briah – kidnap, blackmail and false imprisonment. R v Hoque – rape. R v Baker – perverting the course of justice.

Fraud & Financial Crime: R v M [2018 & 2020] ongoing – leading counsel in fraud and handling trial; successfully led the defence argument resisting a prosecution appeal against earlier terminating rulings. R v T [2020] ongoing – money laundering. R v Solanki – leading counsel for principal of a money service business, which sent millions of pounds of criminal money to India. R v Zhang [2019] – principal defendant in £1.6m money laundering. R v Granger [2019] – leading counsel for principal defendant in conspiracy to launder the proceeds of stolen plant and machinery. R v Francis [2018] – leading counsel for defendant, who laundered the proceeds of a housing benefit fraud. R v Gill [2018] – money laundering. R v Zhu [2018] – money laundering £400k. R v Hassini [2018] – TOWIE star in boiler room fraud selling coloured diamonds. R v Skarbalius [2016] – fraudulent gang master activity and property frauds. R v Say [2016 & 2017] – leading counsel in pension fraud, involving investments in the Bahamas. R v Dyszko [2016] – cash for crash. R v Andrews [2015 & 2016] – leading counsel for principal defendant in mortgage frauds. R v Illingworth [2015 & 2016] – leading counsel for defendant charged with building frauds. R v Hughes [2015] – leading counsel for principal defendant engaged in the fraudulent importation of alcohol. R v Shah – Leading counsel for barrister accused of mortgage fraud. R v Simmons – boiler room fraud. R v Magon – diversion fraud. R v Saoussi-Tafroutti – leading counsel in duty fraud. R v Khatab – leading counsel in investment fraud. R v Fletcher – accountant charged with VAT fraud. R v Qazi – mortgage fraud. R v Beard – leading counsel in VAT fraud. R v Morgan – leading counsel in duty fraud. R v Roberts – leading counsel in duty fraud. R v Gulyas – leading counsel in duty fraud. R v Brown – money laundering. R v Barkalov – money laundering. R v Dennard – leading counsel in duty fraud. R v Gell – leading counsel in duty fraud (Operations Fajita and Stockade). Operation Methuselah – leading counsel in duty fraud appeal. R v Duckney – leading counsel in duty fraud. R v Bajwa – leading counsel in duty fraud. R v Saini – insider dealing (FSA prosecution). R v MG – cheating the revenue. R v NB – money laundering. R v DC – MTIC fraud and money laundering. R v Richmond – leading counsel in MTIC and VAT fraud. R v SA – MTIC fraud. R v BR – duty fraud. R v EJ – insurance and revenue fraud.

Regulatory Law: R v C [2019] ongoing – Environment Agency prosecution following events which led to a massive factory fire. Representation of a mortgage broker in FCA proceedings in the Upper Tribunal. Representation of a rugby union county manager before a RFU disciplinary tribunal. R v Jones – polluted South Wales’ main water reserve.

French

Criminal Bar Association South-Eastern Circuit

Awards, Qualifications & Other: Assistant Recorder – 1999 Recorder – 2000 Authorised to try serious sexual offences.

Direct Access: Peter Guest is approved to accept instructions direct from international and UK clients on a direct access basis, without the need for a solicitor intermediary in appropriate cases.