Sir David Calvert-Smith

Called to the Bar:1969

  • Overview

    Former Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales and retired High Court Judge, Sir David is today highly regarded for his advisory and consultancy services.

    Overview

    Sir David Calvert-Smith returned to Chambers as an Honorary Member in 2013 after retiring from the High Court Bench. No longer practising as a barrister he provides bespoke and often high-profile advisory and consultancy services across the full spectrum of his vast experience. His work often involves an international element and is invariably highly confidential, involving public bodies and high-profile corporates.

    Experience 

    Since retirement from the Bench, Sir David has provided services as an independent investigator, expert witness, trainer and advisor, has given expert evidence in two international arbitrations as an expert witness, conducted a review of the Iraqi Historical Allegations Team (IHAT) for the Ministry of Defence, carried out an investigation on behalf of the IAAF, and conducted training for overseas judges in the conduct of terrorism trials. 

    Before becoming a High Court Judge, Sir David had an enviable career at the Bar. He has been 1st Senior Treasury Counsel, Panelled Counsel to the SFO, Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    As DPP, Sir David implemented the biggest structural change ever in a government department following the recommendations of the Glidewell Report and negotiated the transfer of the charging decision from the police to the CPS in all but the least serious offences.

    On his return to Chambers, after five years as the DPP, Sir David headed the Formal Investigation of the Commission for Racial Equality into racism within the Police Service of England and Wales.

    His career continued to involve high-profile appointments; whilst a member of Chambers, he occupied the position of Solicitor of Customs and Excise following the incumbent’s suspension until the appointment of David Green QC.

    Sir David Calvert-Smith recently led Kyan Pucks in an independent review of the manner in which the SFO handled its investigation into the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation. For more, please see The Times and the Law Society Gazette. The full review can be accessed here.

    Whilst a High Court Judge, Sir David was appointed significant responsibilities. He was in charge of the Terrorism List and also held the position of Presiding Judge of the South Eastern Circuit.

    At the conclusion of his time at the bench, Sir David became a Judge of the Courts of Appeal of Jersey and Guernsey and subsequently Chairman of the Parole Board of England and Wales; following his stepping down in 2016 he rejoined the Parole Board as a member and continues to sit as a judicial member of the Board.

    Sir David has recently been appointed as an arbitrator by Sport Resolutions.  Sports Resolutions is a UK-based independent, not-for-profit, dispute resolution service for sport operating globally, offering arbitration, mediation, tribunal and expert opinion.

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    Notable Cases

    • Herald of Free Enterprise
    • Marchioness
    • Buncefield
    • Marconi 
    • Polly Peck (Part 1)
    • Iraqi sanctions
    • R v Botmeh & Alami
      The car bomb plot upon the Israeli Embassy in London.
    • R v Hindawi
      The attempted bombing of an El Al flight from London to Tel Avi.
    • R v Karim
      Tried as Mr Justice Calvert-Smith. A former BA software engineer was jailed for 30 years for plotting to blow up a plane.
    • R v Ali, Sarwar & Or’s
      The murder of Julie Hogg. Tried twice and acquitted before his became the first case to be brought following the modification of the double jeopardy rule in 2005.
    • R v Hanson
      Tried as judge. Murder of banker John Monckton.
    • R v Tobin
      Tried as Mr Justice Calvert-Smith. Murderer of three women, two of whom he buried in the garden of his house. Whole life sentence.
    • R v Dunlop
      The murder of Julie Hogg. Tried twice and acquitted before his became the first case to be brought following the modification of the double jeopardy rule in 2005.

      Appointments

    • 1981: Assistant Recorder; Appointed to DPP panel of counsel.
    • 1985: Head of the Bar Council team negotiating legal aid/prosecution fees; negotiated the first graduated fee scheme.
    • 1986: Recorder; Junior Treasury Counsel.
    • 1990: Educational and Training Committee of the Bar Council, latterly Vice-chairman.
    • 1991: Senior Treasury Counsel.
    • 1995-1997: First Senior Treasury Counsel; Vice Chairman Criminal Bar Association.
    • 1998: Chairman Criminal Bar Association.
    • 1998-2003: DPP.
    • 2003: Chaired Bar committee into Funding Entry to the Bar.
    • 2004-2005: Head of Formal Investigation of the Commission for Racial Equality into racism within the Police Service of England and Wales;
    • 2004-2005: Solicitor of Customs and Excise.
    • 2005-2012: High Court Judge (Queens Bench Division).
    • 2005-2012: Judge in charge of the Terrorism List.
    • 2006-2010: Presiding Judge of the South Eastern Circuit.
    • 2012-2017: Judge of Courts of Appeal of Jersey and Guernsey
    • 2012-2016: Chairman of the Parole Board of England and Wales
    • 2017 - Present: Judicial member of the Parole Board 
    • 2021 - Present: appointed as an arbitrator by Sport Resolutions

    Recent Cases

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