Chris Daw KC

R v AH | successful defence of the first defendant in a major HMRC prosecution for Conspiracy to Cheat the Public Revenue (a serious fraud charge) of sums potentially running into the hundreds of millions of pounds. The defendant was declared unfit to stand trial and received an Absolute Discharge, with no sentence of any kind and no confiscation order.

R v SA | defence of a major case of Conspiracy to Cheat the Public Revenue, “Operation Barbados”, in which the defendant formed part of the first of a series of trials, involving in excess of 20 defendants. The value of the fraud was placed in excess of £20 million. Defendant was convicted of involvement but received the shortest sentence of all defendants and served less than 12 months in prison, against sentences of up to 9 years for his co-defendants.

R v MH | defence of an ultra-high-net worth client, charged with improper use of a Fraudulently Obtained Genuine (“FOG”) passport. Client was arrested after arriving in the UK on a private jet into London City Airport. Despite initially being remanded in custody, bail was obtained and the client was able to travel internationally, pending trial, which is now listed to take place in 2026.

R v X and Y | leading the extremely sensitive pre-charge defence strategy in one of the highest profile fraud and money laundering investigations in UK criminal law history. The case relates to the procurement of over £200m of PPE supplies by the UK government during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clients are ultra-high-net worth individuals and public figures and the case has been the subject of worldwide publicity.

R v X | defence of an elderly family member of a world renowned sportsperson, on multiple charges of historic sexual assault, dating back to the 1970s. The case is due for trial in 2025.

R v Y | defence of a high-net-worth client, on charges including Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent, arising from an incident of the alleged use of a high performance vehicle as a weapon. Client was originally remanded in custody, due to the serious nature of the charges, but was subsequently bailed and permitted to travel overseas pending trial, which is due to take place in 2025.

R v X | pre-charge advice to a client alleged to have run an illegal and unlicensed investment syndicate. Investigated by the Financial Conduct Authority and including allegations of fraud and money laundering, in addition to Financial Services and Markets Act offences.

R v Y | advising a corporate client on the impact of the sanctions regime, imposed on Russian Designated Persons and Russian citizens, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Prepared an application for an Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation Specific Licence to permit the client to access substantial funds, frozen by a major bank, allegedly linked to a Designated Person. The client operates in the international super yacht and mega yacht sector.

Agency v X Corporation | Acting for a high-profile UK corporation in one of the largest ever criminal, regulatory prosecutions, arising breaches of international law, due before the courts in 2018.

Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse | Acting for and advising a retired Chief Constable in respect of policing issues arising from historical criminal investigations under consideration by the IICSA.

Police v K | Advising the client on pre-charge legal strategy in the face of a large-scale police investigation into international drug trafficking.

R v Doctor C | Acting in a criminal appeal to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) for a doctor convicted in 2013 (with a different legal team) in the Crown Court after a trial of fraud and perverting the course of justice. The case involves an application to adduce fresh expert evidence.

R v JT | Acted for a footballer in his high-profile trial for allegedly racially abusing another footballer during a Premier League match. The Senior District Judge found the client not guilty and acted for JT in related proceedings before the Football Association Regulatory Commission.

R v Ryan Giggs | successful defence of the Premier League’s most decorated player, and former Manchester United and Wales Captain / Manager, on multiple charges of assault and controlling & coercive behaviour. After a full jury trial, under the glare of worldwide publicity, the prosecution offered no evidence against RG and he was formally declared not guilty of all charges.

The Hillsborough Disaster Inquests | Acted for two retired Chief Superintendents who oversaw vital elements of the South Yorkshire Police investigation into the Hillsborough stadium disaster in 1989. The inquests, which continued over two years, were heard by Sir John Goldring with a jury and concluded in 2016.

OPCC F v Chief Constable G | Acted for the Chief Constable of a large police force, who initially faced 16 misconduct charges relating to inappropriate behaviour towards women and data protection breaches. The client was cleared of all ten allegations of gross misconduct by an independent panel, which recommended that he return to the office. The client subsequently reached a compromise agreement and resigned from office following the initiation of separate proceedings under s.38 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Cardiff Case (R v IM) | Leading counsel in a 14-handed corruption and perjury case surrounding the notorious prosecution of the defendants for the murder of LW, said by the Crown to be a case of unique complexity. This was the most significant case of alleged police corruption in legal history. The 6-month trial, said to have cost £30 million, ended with a not guilty verdict after successful disclosure applications led the prosecution to offer no evidence.

KN & Others v Prison Department | Briefed on behalf of Britain’s ten most dangerous men in a Judicial Review action over detention conditions at the notorious Special Secure Unit at Whitemoor Prison. All clients were transferred elsewhere, and the unit was closed.

R v OA | Counsel for the main defendant in a case of a mass shooting in the North of England using an AK-47 assault rifle. This nationally publicised high-security trial concerned the shooting of five innocent people in the course of a single incident.

NOTABLE CASES BEFORE THE COURT OF APPEAL

R v YDG [2012] All ER (D) 233 | Important authority on the powers of the Crown Court regarding Preparatory Hearings and abuse of process where the Crown seeks to go behind the terms of an agreed confiscation order. The trial judge’s purported revocation of a Preparatory Hearing was found to be unlawful by the Court of Appeal.

Attorney General’s Reference (No. 43 of 2009) [2009] EWCA Crime 1925 (2009) | Leading counsel in one of the largest-ever cases of the commercial supply of firearms in the UK. Now, the guideline case on sentence regarding the large-scale gun supply, with a judgment given by the Lord Chief Justice.

R v S [2009] 2 Cr. App. R. 9 | Successful appeal against conviction where the client was extradited for one set of offences, but the Crown prosecuted others. Now the leading authority on the scope of criminal prosecutions for extradited defendants, with a judgment given by the Vice President.

Appointments

• King’s Counsel – 2013

Professional Memberships

• Criminal Bar Association
• Fraud Lawyers Association
• Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association
• Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers 
• Financial Services Lawyers Association