Region Area

Barristers

Adam Wolstenholme

Adam Wolstenholme

Career

Adam's practice encompasses all areas of criminal defence and associated areas of work. He has a particular interest in serious crime, fraud and extradition. He is well suited to deal with vulnerable clients and has a strong interest and background in civil liberties and human rights.

Adam's recent instructions include various serious matters, including rape, false imprisonment and murder.

Serious and General Crime

Adam appears predominantly for the defence in serious and general criminal matters. He has been instructed in the following matters of note in the last two years.

R v J - s.18 Conspiracy to Kidnap, Falsely Imprison and Commit GBH (led junior in a six month trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court). Case involved torture over many hours through the application of a burning iron to the victim's face.

R v K - s.18 Wounding (Amersham Crown Court). Case involved a bite removing the victim's ear. A very favourable sentence was secured.

R v P - Threats to Kill (Canterbury Crown Court). complicated case which spanned two years due to the intricacies of various applications and abuse of process arguments raised relating to vulnerabilities of the defendant. No evidence was offered on the third day of trial.

R v V - Possession with intent to supply Class A - acquitted (Woolwich Crown Court). Defendant acquitted despite accepting that he was in possession of a commercial quantity of drugs found with scales.

R v D - Interference with Duties of Cabin Crew - acquitted (Lewes Crown Court). Seven witnesses gave evidence against the defendant who was alleged to have interfered with a flight to the UK from France.

R v C - Burglary, offers no evidence on the day of trial following representations against client who had appeared on 'Crimewatch' for this allegation (Shrewsbury Crown Court)

http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/04/29/landlord-cleared-of-raiding-own-pub-in-shropshire/

Fraud

Adam has an impressive practice specialising in fraud matters acting for both the Crown and the defence.

He has recently completed a secondment to the Financial Conduct Authority where he was involved in a front-running case, involving trading over a two year period.

He is instructed to represent 'The Man' in the 'Largest Ever e-Bay Fraud', involving a benefit figure of millions of pounds. He is instructed as junior alone to contest the confiscation order and the costs order.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1235839/Conman-dubbed-The-Man-millions-biggest-eBay-fraud-exploding-golf-balls-fake-clubs.html

He has appeared for the defence in confiscation matters arising from 'Operation Cotton', one of the largest investigations ever conducted by the FCA into unauthorised collective investment schemes.

http://www.cityam.com/216852/eight-men-convicted-over-very-substantial-fraud-after-huge-fca-investigation-operation-cotton

He is presently instructed in various lengthy Proceeds of Crime Act matters, including two matters in which he is being led, he has appeared regularly in contested confiscation matters, third party assertions, and appears privately for the defence in forfeiture hearings and appeals.

He was instructed as independent counsel in 'Operation Amazon', involving complicated disclosure issues which has formed the disclosure protocol in Fraud cases:

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2015/1941.html

He is appointed to the Attorney General's Baby Barrister Scheme, which involves civil work for all government departments.

Extradition

Adam appears for requested parties in extradition matters and has been successful at all levels of the process, with recent success in the High Court:

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2016/124.html

Chambers

Within chambers, Adam serves as one of chambers Equality and Diversity Officers. He volunteers at both the University of Law and the Inner Temple, mentoring prospective barristers.

Prior to coming to the bar, Adam gained valuable experience working in a law firm in Peru and working for the ICJ in Geneva. He has a Masters in Human Rights awarded by the European Inter-University Centre, Italy and KU Leuven, Belgium.

Languages

Spanish

Memberships

Inner Temple

Education

English and Spanish LawEuropean Masters in Human Rights and Democratisation