Richard Christie was appointed to the Attorney General’s A list of prosecution
counsel in 2002 after many years specialising in heavy defence work. His practice
continues to reflect a mix of both defence and prosecution work in almost equal
measure. He deals in all areas of criminal work but especially serious fraud,
murder and cases that require substantial client care. He successfully concluded
the hugely complicated defence of the historic axe murder of Private Eye Daniel
Morgan, a case which involved numerous allegations of police corruption and is
linked to the News International phone hacking scandal and the murder of
Stephen Lawrence (see observations of Maddison J in the case section
below). The case has been subject to an 8 year long Independent Panel Inquiry
which finally reported in 2021 – concluding that there was institutional corruption
in the Metropolitan police. Please see the full report
– https://www.danielmorganpanel.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/0
6/CCS0220047602-001_Daniel_Morgan_Inquiry_Web_Accessible.pdf
He also appeared before the Leveson Inquiry. His successful prosecution of a
multi-million pound 10 handed excise fraud was featured on the ITV programme
“Fiddles, Cheats and Scams” and he is the only counsel successfully to have
defended a murder case brought by DCI Colin Sutton – The subject of Sky
Crime’s “The Real Manhunter”.
He has been recommended in Chambers and Partners every year since taking
silk in 2006 and has also been recommended in the Legal 500.
He has also been on the SFO panel of approved counsel for both prosecution and
proceeds of crime work since 2009 being re-appointed in 2013 and 2017
respectively.
He is one of only a few designated counsel, appointed to deal with rough
justice/historic appeal cases by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. He is also
engaged in a number of these cases at any one time on behalf of the defence. He
regularly acts on behalf of the Criminal Cases Review Commission in judicial
review proceedings in relation to these cases.
He was engaged as independent counsel to the IPCC in the shooting of barrister
Mark Saunders
Before coming to the Bar, he trained with the leading accountancy firm Touche
Ross and Co. (now Deloitte).
Richard Christie KC has been ranked as:
Tier 1 for Crime (General and Fraud) (South Eastern region) for Legal
500, 2024
Tier 3 for Crime (London) for Legal 500, 2024
Band 3 for Crime KC for Chambers and Partners 2021
Richard is one of the finest barristers. His attention to detail is
incredible, able to absorb huge amounts of material very quickly
and produce a forensic analysis of it. He is very good at client care
and able to explain the most complex of legal points in a way the
lay client can understand.’ Legal 500, 2024
Richard is one of the most determined advocates in the game. He
leaves no stone unturned and his persistence cannot be stopped
or thwarted. That dedication is matched by his work ethic. He is
one of the few silks who reads all his used and unused material
and then around the subject.’ Legal 500, 2024
He can pick up a difficult case at short notice and ensure that the
defendant is represented to a very high standard.” – Chambers
UK 2023
‘‘He is diligent, articulate, has an eye for detail and is highly
respected by judges and his peers.’ Legal 500, 2021
‘He leaves no stone unturned. Very calm and collected in
presentation and an excellent communicator with varying
audiences. Works well and is inclusive of others ensuring thorough
explanations, sharing of knowledge and foresees issues to deal
with them effectively.’ – Legal 500, 2021
“Relentless and doesn’t let anything push him off course even if
things aren’t going his way.” – Chambers and Partners 2021
“Incredibly resilient when placed under pressure by defence
teams” – Legal 500, 2020
Asset Forfeiture & Confiscation: R v Karim (2015-2020) – 1.2 million-page immigration and revenue fraud. Listed for trial twice but adjourned in 2016 and then 2017. 8-month trial listed in 2018. Creation of employment by legitimate immigration firms to advance claims for leave to remain in UK and subsequent tax reclaims from the HMRC. This was a vast all-embracing case involving a senior political figure in Bangladesh, a qualified lawyer there who was also training to become a member of the Bar. 2nd charge which resulted in a very complex LPP process. Ongoing confiscation. R v Rafiq (2015-2018) – Ongoing. Human trafficking. First-ever prosecution of end user of trafficked labour. Brought against a bed manufacturer supplying John Lewis, Dunelm and Next. Acquitted at close of Prosecution case, resulting in Prosecution appeal. Against Christopher Tehrani QC. £14m confiscation order sought, 5-7 day hearing. R v Gill (2011-2013) – Leading counsel. Conspiracy to cheat. Seven-handed £38m MTIC fraud. First carbon credit MTIC fraud. First presentation of the evidence in electronic only form. 4 month trial. Against Michael Parroy QC and James Waddington QC. R v Conroy and others (2008-12) – Leading counsel. Ten-handed £18m excise and VAT fraud. Interviewed on ITV’s “Fiddles Cheats and Scams”. 3 week confiscation hearing. R v Durham (2012) – Leading Counsel. 11 counts of conspiracy to rob CIT vans over a 5 year period. 6 of 11 acquitted. Large scale ‘fit-up’ alleged against the Flying Squad who had previously fitted up two of the defendants. 5 month trial. Against Brian O’Neill QC. Confiscation involving complex issues arising on divorce. R v Donnan and others (2006-2008) – Prosecution of £35m money laundering operation stemming from major MTIC fraud – 8 week trial followed by 5 day confiscation proceedings R v Long (2007) – Leading Counsel in fraud/arson trial (8-week trial). Target criminal. Substantial disclosure issues involving previous 9-month prosecution. Confiscation ongoing. Against Bill Clegg QC (trial) and Tim Owen QC (confiscation) R v Piggott and others (2005-2010) – £44 million MTIC fraud involving use of offshore companies in Hong Kong, Spain, Panama, Portugal, Ireland and France 15-week trial. Confiscation joined with ancillary relief proceedings in the High Court (Leading counsel 2006-2010). Complicated issues relating to divorce and ownership of property held in the names of others unrelated to the defendant. R v Stapleton, May and others (2002) – One of the first major Missing Trader Intra Community (MTIC) VAT ‘carousel’ frauds involving ten Defendants and the loss of over £12 million to the revenue plus confiscation. A case now synonymous with all confiscation proceedings.
Criminal Defence: Murder R v Paffey (2018-2019) – Murder following previous incident leading to on-going PTSD on part of D. Complex defences of self-defence, loss of control and diminished responsibility. Against Amjad Malik QC. https://www.echo-news.co.uk/ news/17227283.defence-claims-murder-suspect-joe-paffey-suffers-from-ptsdafter-acid-attack/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-46513430 R v Garrod (2018) – Manslaughter in the course of armed robbery with firearms. Acquitted of robbery and firearm offences. D subject to a previous life sentence. Jury unable to agree on manslaughter charge. Against Christine Agnew QC. R v McCarthy (2017) – Murder within the travelling community. Alleged revenge attack by running over the victim with a transit van following attack with slashhooks and machetes by the victim and his family. Acquitted of murder. Against Miranda Moore QC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucksherts-38959521 R v Lorenzo Simon (2015) – Murder – body in a suitcase disposed of in the Birmingham canal. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englandbirmingham-32236909 R v Iftinca (2015) – Leading Counsel with Matthew Bagnall. Instructed to defend in 6 handed murder trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. The trial was due to last 8 weeks but Mr Iftinca was acquitted at the close of the Prosecution case. Against Jeremy Benson QC R v Naweed Bashardost (2015) – Acquittal on charges of murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm following 4 month trial. 3 applications to discharge the jury, two because of alleged bias. Naweed Bashardost was acquitted of murder and conspiracy to commit GBH. The seven handed case was heard in Birmingham Crown Court and gave rise to numerous problems as a result of reports of jury bias against the defendants. The case concerned an alleged gang attack by Afghans on a rival Pakistani gang who were all said to be armed with Samurai swords, baseball bats and at least one shotgun. Naweed Bashardost was one of only 3 defendants who were acquitted completely of all charges. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-30716002 R v Mohamoed (2013) – Leading Counsel. Attempted murder of ballet dancer Jack Widdowson (featured on BBC and numerous National Newspapers as a reallife Billy Elliot). Acquitted. Against Michael Mather-Lees QC R v Beck (2012) – Leading Counsel. Murder. Football related. Diminished responsibility defence. Against Jonathan Turner QC R v Dudley (2012) – Leading Counsel for main defendant in allegation of fourhanded gross-negligence manslaughter – alleged excited delirium arising from lawful restraint by 4 doormen leading to spontaneous death – acquitted. 6 week trial R v Hanson (2011) – Leading Counsel. Conspiracy to murder based on tainted SOCPA evidence. Estimated to last 3 months but following 5 day abuse of process argument, key evidence excluded and prosecution offered no evidence R v Rees – The Daniel Morgan Murder (2008-2011) – Probably one of the most complicated and unusual murder trials ever. Historic axe murder involving alleged police corruption, 750,000 pages of material, 5 month abuse of process application and 5 previous enquiries. Listed for 6-8 months. After the defendants were acquitted, Mr. Justice Maddison, the trial Judge said: “In all the years that I have been a judge, and there have been many of them, I have never come across a case in which there have been so many issues or such complex issues to be resolved before a trial could even get underway. And I anticipate that the combined experience of counsel, and it is very considerable combined experience, has never come across a case of this kind.” “My firm view is that the legal representatives for all the defendants, faced with a mammoth task, have responded magnificently to it. And the quality of the written and oral submissions that I have received has been of the highest quality. The industry and the tenacity which has been shown by the defence teams is to be commended and the defendants will leave court knowing, if they did not already and I think they must have known before, that they have been very well served.” “Mr. Christie, if I may say so, it is obvious from the detail and quality of your submissions that you have been investing a huge amount of effort into this.” The case is said to have involved the longest pre-trial legal arguments in the history of English Criminal Law The case has been linked to the phone hacking scandal, has featured on Panorama and been widely reported in all the National Newspapers. Against Nicholas Hilliard QC (now Hilliard J, former Recorder of London) and Jonathan Rees QC R v Hale (2009) – Leading Counsel. Murder. Missing victim. Note “By fire, by sea, by landsite, by acid” found in Defendant’s possession. Acquitted. Front page Evening Standard and Sky News. Against Crispin Aylett QC R v Bodden (2007) – Leading Counsel in conspiracy to murder trial in the Cayman Islands (3 week trial). Co-defending with Jerome Lynch QC R v Carter (2006) – Leading Counsel in murder trial. Complicated forensic evidence in which he successfully argued that there had been no killing at all (4 week trial). Against Sally Bennett-Jenkins QC and then Jeremy Benson QC R v Duffy (2006) – Murder. Diminished responsibility reduced to manslaughter – Batters mother to death with hammer – Against Philip Singer QC
Sexual Offences: R v T (2013) – Leading Counsel. Rough justice appeal. Historic sexual offences. Fresh evidence R v Small (2008) – Leading counsel. Rough justice appeal against conviction in case involving serious historic sexual offences. Conviction quashed. Re-trial in 2009. Acquitted R v Ahmed (2007) – Leading Counsel in rough justice-style appeal. Multiple rape, kidnap and false imprisonment resulting from Islamic marriage. Issues relating to legal professional privilege of the victim, bad and good character and fresh evidence emanating from legal documents seized from the victim
Drugs: R v Briggs (2010-2011) – Leading counsel. £1 billion+ cocaine importation and firearms charges. Acquitted of all charges bar £10k worth of money laundering R v Carine and Barret-Jolley (2005-8) – Rough Justice-style appeal for one of the Southend airport conspirators (250kg of cocaine) – Previous counsel – Martin Heslop QC; Simon Bourne-Arton QC
Other: R v Taft (2017) –Rough-justice appeal against convictions for conspiracy to issue threats to kill and to cause explosions (pipe bombing in the course of business dispute) arising from deficiencies in disclosure at the original trial In the course of the Court’s judgment at paragraph 36 Holroyde LJ observed: “We preface our remarks by paying tribute to the care and clarity with which both counsel have addressed us. We are extremely grateful for their written and oral submissions” https://crimeline.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/taft.pdf R v Rafiq (2015-2018) – Ongoing. Human trafficking. First-ever prosecution of end user of trafficked labour. Brought against a bed manufacturer supplying John Lewis, Dunelm and Next. Acquitted at close of Prosecution case, resulting in Prosecution appeal. Against Christopher Tehrani QC. R v Durham (2012) – Leading Counsel. 11 counts of conspiracy to rob CIT vans over a 5 year period. 6 of 11 acquitted. Large scale ‘fit-up’ alleged against the Flying Squad who had previously fitted up two of the defendants. 5 month trial. Against Brian O’Neill QC.
Criminal Prosecution: Murder: R v Louro and Aisthorpe (2019) – historic murder of vulnerable elderly man and cover-up staged to make death look like suicide meaning that it took 9 years and a fresh investigation to uncover the truth. Perjured evidence at inquest. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-48643776 R v White and Shepherd (2018/2019) Convictions secured against two drug dealers who murdered their friend and rival having lured him to dense woodland, beaten him over the head with baseball bats and cut his throat. A 7-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court after jury being in retirement for 6 full days. Both defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment and were required to serve minimum terms of 29 and 28.5 years respectively. The case involved detailed scientific, telephone, CCTV evidence and eye witness testimony following the creation of false alibis by both defendants. Against Alastair Malcolm QC and Richard Barraclough QC. Case featured on Channel 4’s 24 hours in Police Custody. https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/sam-mechelewskimurder-trial-sentencing-15743567 R v Bird (2017)– Murder – attack with hammer, leading to delayed rupture of the spleen. Complex issues relating to causation and pre-existing ill-health. Successful prosecution. Against Nigel Lickley QC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ukengland-cambridgeshire-41179602 R v Rexha (2017) – Murder of partner, partial decapitation, diminished responsibility. Successful prosecution. R v Sakhil and Solomon (2016-2017) – Attempted Murder – Gang related, stabbing of female gang member -multiple wounds– successful prosecution. Successful prosecution where victim refused to provide statement or to give evidence. R v Sylvester, Lewis and Houlder (2016-2017) – Murder – stabbing following fallout between drugs dealers. Murder commissioned by lead drug dealer. Successful prosecution. Extradition of one defendant from Venezuela. Against Annette Henry QC and Sally-Ann Hales QC R v Bergin, Simms and Shreeve (2016) – Attempted murder, aggravated burglary and s.18 of multi-millionaire businessman – shot with sawn-off shotgun at point blank range. Complex issues relating to voice recognition. Successful prosecution https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-38252168 R v Tambengwa (2008) – Leading counsel. 5 week murder trial combined with serious sexual offences on a child witness. Successful prosecution. Against Richard Ferguson QC.
Other: R v Nevers (2007) – Leading counsel in series of attacks on pregnant women or women with small children (9 in total). Similar fact/bad character (2.5 month trial). Successful prosecution. Life sentence resulted. Against Stephen Solley QC and then Henry Grunwald QC.
Fraud and Financial Crime: R v R (2020) – Member of the Bar charged with alleged serious fraud on public funds arising from his practice – ongoing. R v Karim (2015-2020) – 1.2 million page immigration and revenue fraud. Listed for trial twice but adjourned in 2016 and then 2017. 8 month trial listed in 2018. Creation of employment by legitimate immigration firms to advance claims for leave to remain in UK and subsequent tax reclaims from the HMRC. This was a vast all-embracing case representing a senior political figure in Bangladesh, a qualified lawyer there who was also training to become a member of the Bar. 2nd charge which resulted in a very complex LPP process. Ongoing confiscation. https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/four-sentenced-their-part-uks-largest-ever-visafraud https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/11/23/fraudsters-ran-fake-visa-scamandstole-13m-hmrc-sentenced-31/ https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/mammoth-fraud-trial_uk_5bf81ed2e4b03b 230fa12fb7?guccounter=1&guce_referrer_us=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20 vc2VhcmNoP3E9a2FyaW0rZnJhdWQrc291dGh3YXJrJmZvcm09RURHU1BIJm1 r R v H (2016-2018) – Conspiracy to cheat HMRC as part of tax-avoidance film scheme – professional, high net worth defendant. Ongoing R v Bensley (2013) – Leading Counsel. £24m. 6-handed MTIC fraud. 5 ½ month trial. Only one of 6 defendants to be acquitted R v Naqshbandi (2012) – Leading Counsel. £6m crash for cash conspiracy to defraud. Over 250 staged accidents/exaggerated claims. Numerous satellite cases that were prosecuted as separate cases against prosecution witnesses. 5 week trial. Against David Aaronberg QC R v Gill (2011 to 2013) – Leading counsel. Conspiracy to cheat. Seven-handed £38m MTIC fraud. First carbon credit MTIC fraud. First presentation of the evidence in electronic only form. 4 month trial R v Conroy and others (2008-12) – Leading counsel. Ten-handed £18m excise and VAT fraud. Interviewed on ITV’s “Fiddles Cheats and Scams” R v Abu and others (2007/8) – Leading Counsel in Immigration fraud (3.5 month trial) R v Donnan and others (2006-2008) – Prosecution of £35m money laundering operation stemming from major MTIC fraud – 8 week trial followed by 5 day confiscation proceedings. R v Long (2007) – Leading Counsel in fraud/arson trial (8 week trial). Target criminal. Substantial disclosure issues involving previous 9 month prosecution. Confiscation ongoing. Against Bill Clegg QC (trial) and Tim Owen QC (confiscation). R v Strain (2005/6) – Leading junior in hydro-carbons (fuel laundering) fraud involving extensive money laundering amongst the Northern Irish criminal fraternity (4 month trial). R v Piggott and others (2005-2010) – £44 million MTIC fraud involving use of offshore companies in Hong Kong, Spain, Panama, Portugal, Ireland and France-15 week trial. Confiscation ongoing and joined with ancillary relief proceedings in the High Court (Leading counsel 2006-2010). R v Chapman (2004) – £16.75m VAT fraud: one of the first MTIC frauds involving use of the “Wallbank Protocol”. R v Grady (2004) – Leading Junior in Multiple Letters of Credit fraud perpetrated against the English Clearing Banks – Stayed after 3 months for abuse of process. R v X (2003) – £40 million VAT fraud involving the evasion of duty on 180 million cigarettes using multiple corporate bodies. Extensive PII and legal submissions owing to Defendant’s status as informant.
Civil Practice: In silk, Richard Christie has been involved in many quasi-criminal proceedings including judicial review proceedings on behalf of the CCRC. He was engaged as independent counsel to the IPCC in the shooting of barrister Mark Saunders. He has also drawn extensively on his experience as a Deputy Taxing Master, dealing with many high-profile high value costs cases on behalf of HMRC and other public bodies. He has regularly dealt with civil actions against the Police and appeared in the landmark House of Lords case of Martin v Watson (1994) Q.B. 425 C.A. and (1995) A.C. 74. In recent years, as acts of policing have been carried out more and more by public companies, this has meant an increase in work in this area. Hussain v General Pharmaceutical Council – (2016-2018) Granted leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal against decision to erase pharmacist from GPC register which had been upheld by High Court. R v Evans (2015-16) – Representing SFO in costs claim brought by five defendants including Deputy High Court Judge, prosecuted for offence of conspiracy to defraud re open cast mining in Wales. [2015] EWHC 1525 (QB); http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2015/1525.html Watson v CCRC (2014) – Highly complex judicial review of historic murder case. Instructed on behalf of the CCRC to defend their refusal to refer the case to the Court of Appeal. Against Stephen Kamlish QC. Over 20 years ago Karl Watson was prosecuted for murder by Nigel Sweeney and David Waters (as they both then were). The case went to the Court of Appeal in 1996 and then was subject to one of the longest and most extensive reviews by the CCRC. When the CCRC finally decided not to refer the case back to the Court of Appeal Mr. Watson sought judicial review of that decision on numerous grounds. After a lengthy hearing that application was refused VOSA v Buzzlines (2013) – Leading Counsel for VOSA. Judicial review of costs order made by Margate Magistrates’ Court in huge tachographrelated prosecution Delroy Lewis v Ministry of Justice (2011) – Leading Counsel. Judicial Review based on overlong detention pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 for long term prisoner convicted of serious drugs and firearms offences but also convicted of a minor specified offence leading to detention for a further 2 years and 8 months longer than his actual sentence
Davis v CCRC (2009-2010) Leading counsel instructed on behalf of CCRC for refusing to refer this serious sexual case to the Court of Appeal Imerman v Tchenguiz (2009) – Leading counsel in breach of confidence case brought by multi-millionaires against one another. Involves alleged computer misuse. Now the leading case on illegally obtained documentation from an opposing party Kenneth Noye v CCRC (2008) – Leading counsel instructed on behalf of CCRC for refusing to refer this notorious murder case to the Court of Appeal – Against Clare Montgomery QC IPCC v Saunders (2008) – Independent counsel instructed by IPCC to review material in the notorious case of the shooting of a barrister. Anciux v CCRC (2006) – Instructed on behalf of CCRC to resist judicial review proceedings brought against the CCRC for refusing to refer this murder case to the Court of Appeal. Against Ed FitzGerald QC Boston v CCRC (2004-6) – Instructed on behalf of CCRC to resist judicial review proceedings brought against CCRC for refusing to refer conspiracy to pervert the course of justice case by solicitor and stockbroker to the court of appeal. Complicated costs issues also involved. Against Tim Owen QC X v Her Majesty’s Commissioners for Customs and Excise (2004-2005) – Malicious prosecution case against Customs relating to £40 million fraud where Claimant acting for Customs throughout (Leading Counsel on both sides instructed). Against Simon Freedland QC
German.
Professional Memberships: CBA and SFLA Chair of Essex Bar Mess 2011-2014
Awards, Qualifications & Other: Deputy Taxing Master -2002 KC – 2006 Recorder – 2009
Direct Access: Richard Christie KC 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.
Cinema, walking, Scotland.