• 'A charming, sophisticated advocate who is highly thought of by the judiciary' 
    Chambers UK 2023
  •  "He's a top class prosecutor."
    Chambers UK 2024
  • 'Gloriously understated, he’s a very, very effective advocate who gets great results. A lovely advocate.' 
    Chambers UK 2017
  • 'Unflappable, understated and devastatingly effective.'
    Legal 500 Crime 2018
 

Edward Brown KC

Called to the Bar:1983

Silk:2008

  • Overview

    A formidable silk with an outstanding practice; Edward Brown KC is recognised for his masterful approach and devastating advocacy.

    Corporate & Financial Crime 

    Following the completion of his Senior Treasury Counsel appointment, Edward Brown KC now represents the prosecution, corporate entities and individuals in allegations of significant and high-profile corporate crime, corruption, corporate manslaughter and health and safety investigations as well as inquests and public inquiries.

    He has direct experience of Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) negotiations involving major international corporates and has advised the Solicitor General on the introduction into legislation of the DPA statutory regime.

    Crime 

    Treasury Counsel (Senior and Junior) for 14 years, Edward Brown KC has been at the forefront of high-profile, nationally important and complex crime.

    On completion of his appointment as Senior Treasury Counsel, he has continued to be instructed by the CPS as favoured counsel in this field, including murder, corruption and international crime. Edward is also frequently instructed by the defence, both on a privately and publicly funded basis. He has an outstanding practice in criminal law.

    Reviews 

    Chambers UK 2024: Crime – Band 1

    Chambers UK 2023: Crime – Band 1

    "He's a top class prosecutor."  Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    "Ed is a really classy advocate, who has a fantastic manner with juries."  Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    'A charming, sophisticated advocate who is highly thought of by the judiciary.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    'He's scrupulously fair, and his advocacy is measured and persuasive.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)

    'Well-regarded silk. Incredibly nice, very thoughtful, and measured in his approach. A man with a superb reputation.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)

    ‘Scrupulously fair and a man whose advocacy is measured and persuasive.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)

    ‘He is one of those unflappable people’ who is ‘brilliant at what he does.’ Chambers UK Crime (2019)

    ‘One of the best prosecutors in the country: unflappable, understated and devastatingly effective.’ Legal 500 Crime (2018)

    ‘His research is detailed and his drafting is superb.’ Chambers UK Crime (2018)

    ‘Gloriously understated, he’s a very, very effective advocate who gets great results. A lovely advocate.’ Chambers UK Crime (2017)

    ‘He is a bright barrister with a lot of talent who does not speak before he thinks.’ Chambers UK Crime (2016)

    ‘Charming, thorough and highly effective.’ Legal 500 Crime (2016)

    ‘A very smooth and polished performer.’ Legal 500 Crime (2015)

    ‘A brilliant cross-examiner.’ Legal 500 Crime (2014)

    Appointments

    • 2016: Bencher, Gray's Inn
    • 2007-2014: Senior Treasury Counsel, Central Criminal Court
    • 2010: SFO Approved Counsel List
    • 2008: Silk
    • 2001: Recorder
    • 2000: Junior Treasury Counsel, Central Criminal Court

    Professional Memberships

    • Criminal Bar Association, including steering party on involuntary manslaughter 
    • CPS Steering Committee reviewing disclosure 
    • UN Detention Review Board, Kosovo

    Education 

    • University of Buckingham 
           

    Privacy Notice

    Recent Cases

    News

    Articles

  • Corporate and Financial Crime

    A silk who has made the move from Treasury Counsel to the specialisms of corporate and financial crime seem effortless.

    Overview 

    Following the completion of his Senior Treasury Counsel appointment, Edward Brown KC now represents the prosecution, corporate entities and individuals in allegations of significant and high-profile corporate crime, corruption, corporate manslaughter and health and safety investigations as well as inquests, public inquiries and regulatory law. He has direct experience of Deferred Prosecution Agreement negotiations involving major international corporates and has advised a Solicitor General on the introduction into legislation of the DPA statutory regime.

    Experience 

    Increasingly recognised as a leader in the field of corporate crime, Edward is instructed as lead counsel for prosecuting entities as they investigate and progress cases against individuals and corporates, most recently acting against a major global bank. Edward has also acted on behalf of a major corporate under Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation and a multinational corporate in a DPA negotiation.

    In the past he has prosecuted and defended in many of the most notable and sensitive cases, including corporate and individual fraud, corporate manslaughter, police and political corruption and export control evasion, and has done so on a private and public basis.

    Edward has vast experience of representing public bodies and political parties in allegations of misconduct and corruption. He was appointed as leading Counsel to represent the CPS at the IICSA (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, formerly the “Goddard Inquiry”). He acted for a political party and the leader of the party in the 'Beergate', in the “Cash for Peerages” police investigation, and for MPs and other political figures in the expenses investigation. Edward was instructed by the Attorney General of the Isle of Man to conduct disciplinary proceedings against the former Attorney General of the Isle of Man.

    Edward has a recognised expertise in health and safety cases. He was lead counsel in a carbon monoxide corporate gross negligence manslaughter case. He frequently conducts gross negligence manslaughter cases for the defence and prosecution, often in respect of incidents in the construction industry. He recently represented JCB in relation to alleged health and safety breaches.

    Other significant cases in the past include Matrix Churchill, Rigg Approach corruption, Blue Arrow, Birmingham Six officers and Zeebrugge corporate manslaughter (the ferry disaster).

    Notable Cases

    • SFO v Barclays
      Acted for the SFO, leading 3 Silks and a junior in the landmark prosecution of Barclays bank and four senior executives.
       

    • HSE v JC Bamford Excavators LTD
      Defended JC Bamford Excavators in relation to a injury in the workplace.
       

    • Malden Plumbing & Heating Ltd 
      Prosecuted for Corporate Manslaughter & HSE Offences arising out of a carbon monoxide poisoning death. 
       
    • Matrix Churchill
      Edward Brown acted in the widely reported Ams to Iraq affair concerning government-endorsed sales of firearms to Iraq whilst under the rule of Saddam Hussein. 
       
    • Rigg Approach Corruption
      This was Britain's biggest investigation into police corruption, which resulted in the conviction of a number of corrupt officers.
       
    • Blue Arrow
      The prosecution of a number of city figures and high-profile bankers in 1992. 

    Reviews

    'A charming, sophisticated advocate who is highly thought of by the judiciary.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    'He's scrupulously fair, and his advocacy is measured and persuasive.' Chambers UK (2022)

    'Well-regarded silk. Incredibly nice, very thoughtful, and measured in his approach. A man with a superb reputation.' Chambers UK (2021)

    ‘Scrupulously fair and a man whose advocacy is measured and persuasive.’ Chambers UK (2020)

    ‘He is one of those unflappable people' who is 'brilliant at what he does.’ Chambers UK (2019)

    ‘Unflappable, understated and devastatingly effective.’ Legal 500 (2018)

    ‘His research is detailed and his drafting is superb.’ Chambers UK (2018)

    ‘Gloriously understated, he’s a very, very effective advocate who gets great results. A lovely advocate.’ Chambers UK (2017)

    ‘He is a bright barrister with a lot of talent who does not speak before he thinks.’ Chambers UK (2016)

    ‘Charming, thorough and highly effective.’ Legal 500 (2016)

    ‘A very smooth and polished performer.’ Legal 500 (2015)

    ‘A brilliant cross-examiner.’ Legal 500 Crime (2014)

    Recent Cases

    News

    • Barclays bankers trial concludes. Edward Brown KC and Philip Stott prosecuted.

      Edward Brown KC and Philip Stott prosecuted a five month trial against four former top Barclays executives for fraud charges linked to how the bank raised billions from Qatar in the financial crisis. They were instructed by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) ...

      Read more

    • SFO v Barclays: five members of Chambers in landmark case

      The fraud trial of four former Barclays executives began on 23/01.

      Read more

    • SFO charges Barclays Bank and four executives with fraud

      Edward Brown QC appointed lead prosecuting Counsel. 

      Read more

  • Crime

    Significant experience at the highest level in serious criminal offences. Former Senior Treasury Counsel Edward Brown KC is very highly thought of for his vast knowledge and superb advocacy, both prosecuting and defending.

    Overview 

    Treasury Counsel (Senior and Junior) for 14 years, Edward Brown KC has been at the forefront of high-profile, nationally important and complex crime.

    On completion of his appointment as Senior Treasury Counsel, he has continued to be instructed by the CPS as favoured counsel in this field, including murder, corruption and international crime. Edward is also frequently instructed by the defence, both on a privately and publicly funded basis. He has an outstanding practice in criminal law.

    Experience 

    Edward has prosecuted and defended in many of the most notable and sensitive cases of the last two decades, including: murder; fraud; terrorism and police and political corruption.

    Edward successfully prosecuted Ben Butler for the killing of his daughter Ellie (leading Ben FitzGerald KC). A very high-profile and emotive case, Ben Butler had previously been convicted of shaking his daughter as a baby and subsequently cleared of the conviction at appeal. Ellie was returned to Ben Butler’s custody against police and family protests. A year later, she suffered catastrophic and fatal head injuries. Edward prosecuted both Ben Butler and his partner, Ellie’s mother; Butler was convicted of her murder and sentenced to at least 23 years' imprisonment and Ellie's mother was convicted of perverting the course of justice.

    Edward’s experience of murder cases is unrivalled. He has dealt with the full spectrum of the offence, from infanticide to gangland murders and contract killings. He has particular expertise in joint enterprise. In recent years, Edward has prosecuted the Mark Duggan shooting case (and was involved in the inquest) and was instructed in the trial of the murder of millionaire socialite Robert Troyan, by his financial adviser David Jeffs. He has recently advised in three historic murder reinvestigations and recent medical manslaughter cases.

    Other recent cases have included the historic killing of an 80 year old (Young) advising in the Deepcut Barracks inquiry; baby killing cases (Jamal and Brown & Shirley); Grenfell tower effigy burning; Wayne Couzens Police WhatsApp group; NCA international corruption and bribery investigation; acting for the labour party and leader in the 'Beergate' police inquiry; the double child killing (Say); defending in the “Cash for Peerages” police inquiry (acting for the Labour Party - no charges brought) and MPs’ expenses; he was lead counsel in the leading case on anonymity (Mayers); he acted in Barot (the “dirty bomb” terrorist, the highest-ranking Al-Qaeda leader prosecuted in UK); and the Stockwell gang shooting of the five-year-old Thusha. He called the youngest ever witness in a murder trial (aged four).

    In previous years Edward was instructed in the Dome Robbery, Rigg Approach corruption, the Birmingham Six police officers, and Matrix Churchill. 

    Public Inquiries

    Edward was the lead counsel at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA, formerly the “Goddard Inquiry”) acting for the CPS, which included strands concerning the Anglican church, Nottingham care homes, Lord Janner, Syril Smith, Lamberth care homes, Westminster and various other strands. 

    He lectures young gang members in South London on the consequences of joint enterprise gang violence and is a trustee of Growing Against Violence (GAV).
     

    Notable Cases

    R v Cobban and Borders (2022)
    In relation to Wayne Couzens Police WhatsApp group.

    R v Busetti (2021)
    The burning of Grenfell tower Effigy with related racist evidence.

    R v Demmon (2021)
    Defended a 14 year old charged with murder.

    R v Brown and Shirley (2020)
    Prosecuted in relation of a killing of a young baby who died of multiple injuries inflicted over several months.

    R v Butler & Gray (2016)
    Edward Brown KC, Ben FitzGerald and Philip Stott prosecute father for murder of six-year-old daughter and prosecute her mother for child cruelty and perverting the course of justice.

    R v Eshati (2015)
    Case of a Libyan terrorist facilitator who from the UK tried to help arrange a huge arms shipment (valued at over £18m) into Libya in contravention of the United Nations arms embargo to Libya.

    R v Jeffs (2013)
    Edward Brown KC prosecutes David Jeffs who was charged with murdering millionaire socialite Roberto Troyan.

    R v Hutchinson-Foster (2013)
    Edward Brown KC & Philip Evans successfully prosecuted Hutchinson-Foster, who was found guilty of supplying a gun to Mark Duggan, who, 15 minutes later, was shot dead by police.

    R v Barot & Others (2007)
    Edward Brown KC acted for the prosecution in the unsuccessful appeal by the highest-ranking Al Qaeda operative to be convicted in the UK at the time, the “dirty bomb” Al Qaeda terrorist, Dhiren Barot, against his life sentence for conspiracy to murder.

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2024: Crime – Band 1

    Chambers UK 2023: Crime - Band 1

    'A charming, sophisticated advocate who is highly thought of by the judiciary.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    'He's scrupulously fair, and his advocacy is measured and persuasive.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)

    'Well-regarded silk. Incredibly nice, very thoughtful, and measured in his approach. A man with a superb reputation.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)

    ‘Scrupulously fair and a man whose advocacy is measured and persuasive.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)

    ‘He is one of those unflappable people’ who is ‘brilliant at what he does.’ Chambers UK (2019)

    ‘Unflappable, understated and devastatingly effective.’ Legal 500 (2018)

    ‘His research is detailed and his drafting is superb.’ Chambers UK (2018)

    ‘A masterful prosecutor and a barrister of real humanity.’ Chambers UK (2018)

    ‘Gloriously understated, he’s a very, very effective advocate who gets great results. A lovely advocate.’ Chambers UK (2017)

    ‘A charming, understated and highly experienced prosecutor, whose skills are a deadly combination.’ Legal 500 (2017)

    ‘His sense of fairness and commitment to justice are unparalleled; he is a fair prosecutor. His gentleness makes him devastatingly effective. Juries love him.’ Chambers UK (2014)

    Recent Cases

    News

    Articles

  • Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law

    'A charming, sophisticated advocate who is highly thought of by the judiciary.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    Experience

    Edward was the lead counsel at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA, formerly the “Goddard Inquiry”) acting for the CPS, which included strands concerning the Anglican church, Nottingham care homes, Lord Janner, Syril Smith, Lamberth care homes, Westminster and various other strands. 

    He lectures young gang members in South London on the consequences of joint enterprise gang violence and is a trustee of Growing Against Violence (GAV).

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2023: Crime - Band 1

    'A charming, sophisticated advocate who is highly thought of by the judiciary.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    'He's scrupulously fair, and his advocacy is measured and persuasive.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)

    'Well-regarded silk. Incredibly nice, very thoughtful, and measured in his approach. A man with a superb reputation.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)

    ‘Scrupulously fair and a man whose advocacy is measured and persuasive.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)

    ‘He is one of those unflappable people’ who is ‘brilliant at what he does.’ Chambers UK (2019)

    ‘Unflappable, understated and devastatingly effective.’ Legal 500 (2018)

    ‘His research is detailed and his drafting is superb.’ Chambers UK (2018)

    ‘A masterful prosecutor and a barrister of real humanity.’ Chambers UK (2018)

    ‘Gloriously understated, he’s a very, very effective advocate who gets great results. A lovely advocate.’ Chambers UK (2017)

    ‘A charming, understated and highly experienced prosecutor, whose skills are a deadly combination.’ Legal 500 (2017)

    ‘His sense of fairness and commitment to justice are unparalleled; he is a fair prosecutor. His gentleness makes him devastatingly effective. Juries love him.’ Chambers UK (2014)

    News