Three Raymond Buildings

James Hines KC acts in major international fraud, crime and extradition cases, both prosecuting and defending. His experience, versatility and judgement are highly sought after.

James has acted in numerous SFO, FCA, and CMA cases. For 25 years he almost exclusively appeared for the defence. In 2015 he was instructed by the SFO to lead for the prosecution in the US$ LIBOR trial of Barclay employees. He is one of very few KCs on the SFO panel for both trial work and for Money Laundering and Extradition.

In crime he has acted in all areas including corruption, murder, robbery, and drugs. He has conducted two significant bribery and corruption trials in the last year, and he is currently defending in Operation Rockrose, an EncroChat case of conspiracy to murder.

James spent much of the pandemic in the Cayman Islands. In 2019 he assisted the Cayman DPP with the Island’s response to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.

James has extensive experience representing police officers in disciplinary proceedings and at trial. He has also advised and acted in private prosecutions and for some years was outside criminal counsel for the Microsoft Corporation.

Notable clients include a suspect in the recent 1MDB trial in Malaysia, ‘the Nat West three’, and Silvio Berlusconi. He is known for his phenomenal ability and knowledge, his intelligent advocacy and his commanding court presence.

Called 1982, Silk 2015. Bar Council Ethics Committee, Vice Chair (crime), Gray’s Inn Bencher.

European Criminal Bar Association; Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers; Fraud Lawyers’ Association (committee member); Private Prosecutors Association; Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum; Extradition Lawyers Association

BA Hons Law.