Crime
We provide specialist advocates who prosecute and defend in trials.
Crime
We provide specialist advocates who prosecute and defend in trials.
Our expertise
The Head of our Criminal Team is Adam Western.
Chambers & Partners Guide to the UK Bar : ‘… excellent work in crime’ (2012) , ‘…one of the great sets for criminal work’ (2013),
Legal 500 guide – ‘… well known for their expertise in serious fraud and sexual offence cases’ (2014).
Citadel Chambers offers a highly experienced group of professionals who have been involved in lengthy and complex criminal trials involving modern slavery and human trafficking. The expertise of our members is extensive, including cases concerning trafficking defences, the Modern Day Slavery Act and forced criminality.
Members of the team are equipped to deal with sensitive cases both in prosecution and defence. Our members have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of this rapidly developing area of the criminal law.
01
Murder and Manslaughter
We have a specially selected, highly experienced group of barristers who are equipped to deal with sensitive cases both in prosecution and defence.
02
Terrorism
We have a highly experienced group of people who have been involved in many recent high profile matters involving allegations of both religious and right wing extremism as well as allegations of related offending including international arms dealing and money laundering.
03
Fraud, POCA and Money Laundering
Our fraud team have been involved in many of the leading cases of recent years and are recognised as leading experts in this area of law.
Our clients have included numerous Government Departments, the SFO, large companies, SMEs, Company Directors and individuals.
We are proud to have a strong reputation as well as a very high success rate in conducting all types of fraud litigation, both before the criminal and civil courts.
Our expertise in fraud
We have a specialised team of fraud advocates, many of whom have a vast amount of experience in prosecuting or defending criminal cases as well as acting for the claimant and defendant in civil allegations.
Citadel Chambers fraud team were recognised in Chambers & Partners 2012 for “… excellent work “
Some of our members are on the Attorney-General’s list of Unified Advocates, and are regularly instructed to prosecute cases on behalf of HM Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office, the Department of Work and Pensions, and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly the DTI). All accept instructions to defend in such cases, and regularly appear in cases involving sophisticated and organised frauds on the public purse.
Our members regularly appear before the Magistrates Court, Crown Court, Court of Appeal Criminal Division, County Court and High Court (both Administrative Division and Queens Bench).
Our silks and juniors have successfully represented clients in Very High Costs Cases, MTIC frauds, VAT frauds, direct and indirect taxation matters, conspiracies to defraud and numerous other complex, high value, dishonesty cases.
A large number of the fraud advocates are also members of the Citadel Chambers Regulatory Team. As a result their experience includes matters of asset restraint and forfeiture, confiscation, NHS and medical fraud, corporate fraud, bribery and corruption, counterfeit goods, financial services, intellectual property and trading standards.
To find out about our CPD accredited courses for the benefit of our instructing solicitors, Government Departments, the Crown Prosecution Service and those individuals involved in the investigation of fraud, click here.
Working with our clients
Our team of fraud advocates conduct work for privately paying and legally aided clients. The vast majority of members of the team have completed the Direct Access Course, meaning that in appropriate cases they can conduct litigation on behalf of clients without the need for fees being paid to a solicitor.
Each case accepted into Chambers is treated as a high priority, with our extensive facilities being utilised to ensure the best results for our clients.
Click here to listen to our podcast on fraud
04
Drugs and Gang Related offences
We offer an experienced group of barristers who have been involved in drug and gang related offences at all levels.
Our renowned work has been publicly commended.
We offer both prosecution and defence, with our experience in cases ranging from minor offences to large-scale drug seizures and importations.
We have particular experience in gang related firearms matters including the large scale importation, production and sale of arms and ammunition for gang related use.
05
Firearms
The Citadel team have particular expertise in the law relating to firearms. Not only do we have considerable specialist experience and knowledge in the licensing and regulation of firearms, but we also have both practical experience and detailed technical understanding of the use and workings of firearms.
06
Sexual Offences
Our members have a wealth of experience in cases involving allegations relating to sexual offences and indecent images in all Courts and at all levels.
From vulnerable defendants appearing in the Youth Court, to the most grave multiple complainant or multiple defendant cases involving people trafficking, familial or institutional abuse, we have the expertise.
We routinely deal with issues such as:
- Drafting Indictments in cases spanning decades and different legislative regimes
- Applications for third party disclosure
- Cases involving vulnerable witnesses, iincluding those requiring assistance from intermediaries
- Defendants who are vulnerable by reason of youth, mental health or mental impairment contested applications for SHPO’s
- Other orders made post-conviction.
07
Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Citadel Chambers offers a highly experienced group of professionals who have been involved in lengthy and complex criminal trials involving modern slavery and human trafficking.
The expertise of our members is extensive, including cases concerning trafficking defences, the Modern Day Slavery Act and forced criminality. Members of the team are equipped to deal with sensitive cases both in prosecution and defence.
Our members have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of this rapidly developing area of the criminal law.
08
Road Traffic
We provide a comprehensive service in all aspects of road traffic law. We are regularly instructed in cases in this complex and technical field and appear in the Magistrates and Crown Courts and at appellate level.
Working with us
We undertake publicly and privately funded work, including instructions on a direct access basis (if appropriate).
We provide clear and practical advice as well as expert and effective representation.
Individual members of the team provide a specialist service representing professional drivers such as taxi drivers, HGV and PCV drivers, and chauffeurs.
We can provide advice and / or representation in a wide variety of road traffic cases, including:
- causing death by dangerous or careless driving
- dangerous or careless driving
- drink or drug impaired driving
- driving without insurance
- speeding offences
- failure to provide specimens, or to furnish information
- document offences
- offences contrary to Construction and Use Regulations
- HGV, Passenger Vehicle / Taxi licensing
- tachograph offences
- special reasons arguments
- exceptional hardship arguments
- ‘totting-up’ provisions.
Working with us
We undertake publicly and privately funded work, including instructions on a direct access basis (if appropriate).
We provide clear and practical advice as well as expert and effective representation.
Individual members of the team provide a specialist service representing professional drivers such as taxi drivers, HGV and PCV drivers, and chauffeurs.
We can provide advice and / or representation in a wide variety of road traffic cases, including:
- Causing death by dangerous or careless driving
- Dangerous or careless driving
- Drink or drug impaired driving
- Driving without insurance
- Speeding offences
- Failure to provide specimens, or to furnish information
- Document offences
- Offences contrary to Construction and Use Regulations
- HGV, Passenger Vehicle / Taxi licensing
- Tachograph offences
- Special reasons arguments
- Exceptional hardship arguments
- ‘Totting-up’ provisions.