Called to the Bar:1995

Silk:2016

  • Overview

    A Silk sought out for his astute judgement and responsive client care; he is recognised for the commitment and confidence he brings to a Case.

    Corporate & Financial Crime

    Philip is regularly instructed for Companies and Individuals, whether facing Investigation by a Prosecuting Entity or seeking general advice on matters such as Fraud (Civil and Criminal), Potential Criminal Liability arising from Corporate Activities, Confiscation and Compensation. His work in this field frequently extends to foreign jurisdictions; he was recently instructed by two Corporates and four Individual Defendants in a Market Abuse Trial taking place in India.

    Crime

    Philip has significant expertise in serious and complex Crime. He has appeared for both the Prosecution and Defence in some of the highest profile Criminal matters and across the full spectrum of Offences often involving multiple Parties and jurisdictions and matters requiring sensitivity. He is a team player, fantastically responsive to the Case, the Client and its needs and always delivering what is required in Court.

    Regulatory

    Philip Evans QC uses the experience he has gleaned from a career in General Crime and Professional Regulation to provide specialist advice to Professionals facing Investigation and to Regulators and Prosecuting Entities considering bringing Charges. He does so across a vast array of disciplines, Alleged Misconduct, Criminal Offences, Forms and Tiers of Tribunal.

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2020: Crime – Band 3

    Legal 500 2020: Crime – Tier 3; Sports – Tier 3

    ‘Very diligent, intelligent and good at client management.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)

    ‘He is able to win the trust and confidence of any client extremely quickly.’ Legal 500 Crime (2020)

    ‘Incredibly bright and his cross-examinations are fantastic.’ Legal 500 Sport (2020)

    ‘Excellent with clients, dependable and thorough in his preparation.’ Legal 500 Crime (2018)

    ‘Very good, especially in horse racing matters.’ Legal 500 Sport (2018)

    ‘Instructed in international corruption cases.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2017)

    ‘He will always stand his ground.’ Legal 500 Crime (2017)

    ‘He has significant style, robustness and confidence about his advice and advocacy.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2017)

    ‘Blunt when he needs to be; he will always stand his ground.’ Legal 500 Sport (2017)

    ‘He is a talented barrister ... someone that you feel is on top of things. ... He is superbly responsive.’ Chambers UK Crime (2016)

    ‘He is excellent with clients and has great tactical judgement.’ Legal 500 Crime (2016)

    ‘Sought after for his experience in high-profile and serious trials.’ Legal 500 Crime (2015)

    ‘He is easy to work with and authoritative in court.’ Legal 500 Sports (2015)

    Professional Memberships

    • Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers
    • British Association for Sport and Law
    • Criminal Bar Association
    • Philip undertakes work on behalf of the Bar Pro Bono Unit and regularly advises Cardiff University Pro-Bono Department

    Education

    • LLB (Hons) (University of Wales)
    • MA (Southampton)

    Privacy Notice

    Recent Cases

    News

    • Philip Evans QC appointed Recorder

      QEB Hollis Whiteman is delighted to announce that Philip Evans QC has been appointed as a Recorder on the South Eastern Circuit, Crime Division with effect from 16 September 2019. 

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    • Final Hatton Garden suspect guilty of conspiracy to burgle; Philip Evans QC and Arabella MacDonald prosecuting

      Michael Seed, nick-named 'Basil', played a central role in the £14m raid.

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    • Philip Evans QC discusses his work with the Cardiff Innocence Project

      Philip helped the Project to quash the wrongful conviction of a man who served three and half years in prison.

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    • Philip Evans QC and Tim Naylor work with Cardiff University Innocence Project to overturn wrongful conviction

      The Court of Appeal handed down its judgment quashing Gareth Jones' conviction.

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    • QEB Hollis Whiteman and Mourant Financial Services & Regulatory Forum

      Joint event hosted on 2nd October at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Jersey.

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    • Philip Evans QC and Philip Stott prosecute Hatton Garden burglars

      John Kenneth Collins, Terence Perkins, Daniel Jones and Brian Reader were ordered to pay sums varying from £6.5 to 8 million.

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    • Philip Evans QC is ranked as a Leader in his Field in Chambers UK Bar Directory 2018

      Details of the rankings and commentaries will be published in November 2017 in the Chambers UK Bar Directory 2018.

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    • Philip Evans QC has been appointed as the Rugby Football Union's second independent Head of Rugby Judiciary.

      Philip will take over the role from Sir James Dingemans who stepped down at the end of this season.Philip has been a member of the RFU's independent judiciary since 2009, sitting as chairman on panels both at first instance and at appeal level. He has giv...

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    • Philip Evans QC and Philip Stott prosecute Mayfair jewellery burglary featuring Hatton Garden offenders

      The trial is of Terence Perkins, accused of the burglary of a Bond Street jewellers called Chatila in 2010.

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    • Philip Evans takes Silk

      QEB Hollis Whiteman member Philip Evans today had the rank of Queen’s Counsel formally bestowed upon him by Lord Chancellor, Michael Gove QC, in the traditional ceremony at Westminster Hall. Philip’s promotion brings the number of Silks at QEB...

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    • Three found guilty in Hatton Garden jewellery trial

      Three of the four defendants being tried at Woolwich Crown Court for the Hatton Garden jewellery raid were today found guilty. QEB Hollis Whiteman members Philip Evans and Philip Stott represented the prosecution and Nicholas Corsellis acted for the fi...

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    • Philip Evans appointed Queen's Counsel

      QEB Hollis Whiteman is delighted to announce that Philip Evans has been appointed Queen's Counsel in the new silk appointments announced on 8th January 2016. Philip will formally be appointed as silk on Monday 22nd February 2016.

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    • QEB Hollis Whiteman members in Hatton Garden trial

      Philip Evans appears as leading counsel for the prosecution, assisted by Philip Stott and Nick Corsellis appears as leading counsel for the first and main defendant. 

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    • Philip Evans appointed to EPCR Disciplinary Panel

      QEB Hollis Whiteman barrister Philip Evans has been appointed as a member of the European Professional Club Rugby Disciplinary Panel for the 201516 competition. Philip has been on the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Disciplinary Panel for a number of years ...

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    • Phil Evans and Tom Coke-Smyth represent families of servicemen at 'friendly fire' inquest

      QEB Hollis Whiteman barristers Phil Evans and Tom Coke-Smyth (a former parachute regiment officer) represent the families of Capt Tom Sawyer and Cpl Danny Winter at the inquest into their deaths while serving in Afghanistan in 2009.   The servicemen are a...

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    • British Horseracing Authority announces date for McGrath corruption hearing - Phil Evans and Tim Naylor to represent BHA

      The BHA have announced that the hearing of charges of breaching betting rules against jockey Richie McGrath, former trainer Kate Walton and five others has been provisionally fixed for 11 November. Phil Evans and Tim Naylor of QEB Hollis Whiteman, who ...

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    Articles

    • Eye-Witness and CCTV Evidence in Conflict

      High-quality CCTV and smart phone footage which captures alleged criminal activity is now a regular part of many criminal trials. Philip Evans QC and Kerry Broome consider in what circumstances eye-witnesses can be shown CCTV footage in advance of t

      Read more

    • The Gambling Commission: Constructive Engagement

      For gambling companies, the Covid-19 crisis has further intensified political and regulatory scrutiny of their activities and increased the possibility of interactions with the GB regulator. Adam Epstein of Mishcon de Reya, together with Philip Evans QC a...

      Read more

    • Gambling Commission Report: Far More Than an End of Year Report Card

      The Gambling Commission's enforcement report makes for essential reading for industry lawyers and compliance officers at gambling operators alike.

      Read more

    • All change for Commercial Gambling?

      Philip Evans QC and Tom Orpin-Massey wrote for the New Law Journal on the UK Gambling Commission’s revised suite of enforcement documents.

      Read more

    • UKGC's new enforcement suite: a quiet revolution?

      Philip Evans QC and Tom Orpin-Massey wrote for the iGaming Business magazine on the UK Gambling Commission’s revised enforcement policy documents. 

      Read more

    • War & Peace

      Philip Evans QC and Tom Coke-Smyth consider the application of the rule of law to the military in an article in the New Law Journal

      View Article

       

      Read more

  • Corporate and Financial Crime

    A Silk with a career built on Complex and Serious Crime, Philip Evans QC brings his ability to manage vast and intricate evidence and his reputation for robust and commanding advocacy to the Corporate & Financial Crime forum with great effect.

    Overview 

    Philip is regularly instructed for Companies and Individuals, whether facing Investigation by a Prosecuting Entity or seeking general advice on matters such as Fraud (Civil and Criminal), Potential Criminal Liability arising from Corporate Activities, Confiscation and Compensation. His work in this field frequently extends to foreign jurisdictions; he was recently instructed by two Corporates and four Individual Defendants in a Market Abuse Trial taking place in India.

    Experience

    Philip’s experience of complex serious Financial Crime covers a vast spectrum of Offences and has involved him appearing at the highest level for both the Prosecution and the Defence, both in the UK and other jurisdictions.

    He has recent experience of complex Market Abuse and Corruption Cases; he was instructed by Lawyers in India and by a US Firm in London to act for all Defendants, both Corporate (two Companies) and Individual (four including Ravikant Ruia), in one of the largest Trials to have taken place in India.  

    As an Expert in Confiscation Philip has also been instructed by Private Individuals who are Victims (for example: Lord Rothschild) to protect their interests throughout Proceedings. 

    Philip has prosecuted a number of Serious Fraud & Money Laundering matters for the CPS on the basis of his status on both the CPS Fraud Panel and Organised Crime Panel; he recently led for the Prosecution on a Case concerning the Laundering of more than £60m through China and Afghanistan using a fraudulent accounting system, for the purposes of Terrorism. 

    Philip also has experience of Health and Safety offences. He prosecuted a Corporate and Individuals for various Charges including Manslaughter. The Case involved wide-ranging examination of the Gas Industry and new developments within it and brought in a total of 25 Experts from all areas, including Health and Safety, Building Regulations, carbon monoxide poisoning, Gas Industry practice, the properties of Polypropylene and the Construction Industry.

    Philip’s portfolio in this field is vast and varied; it places him extremely well to deal with a huge range of Corporate & Financial Crime-related scenarios and to defend and prosecute the Offences that arise from them.

    Notable Cases

    India v Loop Ltd/Essar Ltd 2G Mobile Phone Market Abuse Trial (2014)
    2G Mobile Phone Market Abuse Trial.

    R v Anwar & Alam (2014)
    Led for the Crown in a Case involving two Afghan males who laundered more than £60m using a fraudulent accounting system through China and Afghanistan for Terrorism. One Defendant absconded and was tried in absence, convicted and received 10 years. This was a legally complex and paper-heavy Case with nearly 30,000 pages of evidence. He was also instructed in the complex Confiscation Proceedings involving many millions.

    Reviews

    ‘Instructed in international corruption cases.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2017)

    ‘He has significant style, robustness and confidence about his advice and advocacy.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2017)

    'He is a talented barrister ... someone that you feel is on top of things. ... He is superbly responsive.' Chambers UK (2016)

    'He is excellent with clients and has great tactical judgement.' Legal 500 (2016)

    'He is easy to work with and authoritative in court.' Legal 500 (2015)

    'Sought after for his experience in high-profile and serious trials.' Legal 500 (2015)

    Recent Cases

    News

  • Crime

    A Silk with a proven track record in some of the most serious and high profile Criminal Cases, his excellent rapport with Clients and confident and stylish advocacy make him a popular choice for Market Leaders.

    Overview

    Philip has significant expertise in serious and complex Crime. He has appeared for both the Prosecution and Defence in some of the highest profile Criminal matters and across the full spectrum of Offences often involving multiple Parties and jurisdictions and matters requiring sensitivity. He is a team player, fantastically responsive to the Case, the Client and its needs and always delivering what is required in Court.

    Experience 

    Philip’s career has its roots in Serious Crime. He has enjoyed an enviable practice as Junior and Leader, Defence and Prosecution Counsel, in Cases that are both of great significance and that have generated wide media interest.

    Philip’s experience includes: leading in the successful Prosecution of the Hatton Garden safe deposit Burglary; leading in the Prosecution of a major Metropolitan Police operation involving multiple Defendants accused of Laundering money from Organised Crime; prosecuting Ali Dizaei (the Metropolitan Police Commander convicted of Perverting the Course of Justice); and most recently leading in the successful Prosecution of a £60m Money Laundering Case concerning the funding of Terrorism.

    He has regularly been instructed to appear in Cases involving Serious Violence and Homicide: he defended the Serial Killer, Levi Bellfield; he recently successfully defended a man charged with attempting to Murder his grandfather (R v Sibley); successfully defended the Owner of a Children’s Activity Camp against Charges of Child Cruelty; and successfully prosecuted the Gunman who triggered the London Riots (R v Hutchinson-Foster).

    Philip has been instructed in a number of Serious Sexual Allegations. These have included Allegations of Rape and Allegations of Historic Sexual Misconduct; he has vast experience in defending in all levels and types of Sexual Offences.

    Philip has specific expertise representing Professionals as they face Criminal Charges arising from their workplace; his substantial cross-discipline experience in both Criminal and Regulatory Law enables him to provide specialist advice to those facing Investigation in both arenas and across all areas from Allegations of Sexual Offences, to Investigations concerning Financial Crime and Health and Safety breaches.

    Philip has particular expertise in Road Traffic-related matters. He has acted privately for Clients of some notoriety who have included the Managing Director of a multinational Car Manufacturer, the wife of the Chairman of a High Street Bank, Premiership Footballers and their families along with a world-famous Theatre producer. These Cases have involved alcohol-related matters, Speeding, Avoidance of Disqualification under the 'totting up' provisions and Speeding-Related Offences, as well as Dangerous Driving and Death by Dangerous Driving.

    Philip has built on the foundations of his General Crime practice as a Junior to become a Silk known for his ability to deal with the most serious and complex of Cases with robust confidence.

    Notable Cases

    R v Sibley (2014)
    Secured acquittal of man charged with attempting to Murder his grandfather.

    R v Dunne (2013)
    Hoaxer jailed for claiming he had kidnapped EastEnders Actress.

    Ali Dizaei Appeal (2013)
    Successful as Ali Dizaei's appeal Against conviction rejected.

    R v Hutchinson-Foster (2013)
    The Gunman who triggered the London Riots.

    R v Oleksiak (2012)
    World renowned Artist acquitted of s.18 GBH.

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2020: Crime – Band 3

    Legal 500 2020: Crime – Tier 3

    ‘Very diligent, intelligent and good at client management.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)

    ‘He is able to win the trust and confidence of any client extremely quickly.’ Legal 500 Crime (2020)

    ‘Excellent with clients, dependable and thorough in his preparation.’ Legal 500 Crime (2018)

    ‘He will always stand his ground.’ Legal 500 Crime (2017)

    ‘He is a talented barrister ... someone that you feel is on top of things. ... He is superbly responsive.’ Chambers UK Crime (2016)

    ‘He is excellent with clients and has great tactical judgement.’ Legal 500 Crime (2016)

    ‘Sought after for his experience in high-profile and serious trials.’ Legal 500 Crime (2015)

    Recent Cases

    News

    Articles

    • Eye-Witness and CCTV Evidence in Conflict

      High-quality CCTV and smart phone footage which captures alleged criminal activity is now a regular part of many criminal trials. Philip Evans QC and Kerry Broome consider in what circumstances eye-witnesses can be shown CCTV footage in advance of t

      View article

    • War & Peace

      Philip Evans QC and Tom Coke-Smyth consider the application of the rule of law to the military in an article in the New Law Journal

      View Article

       

      View article

  • Regulatory

    A rare Silk with a substantial cross-discipline experience in both Criminal and Regulatory Law, Philip Evans QC has the edge in the Regulatory field.

    Overview 

    Philip Evans QC uses the experience he has gleaned from a career in General Crime and Professional Regulation to provide specialist advice to Professionals facing Investigation and to Regulators and Prosecuting Entities considering bringing Charges. He does so across a vast array of disciplines, Alleged Misconduct, Criminal Offences, Forms and Tiers of Tribunal.

    Experience

    Philip Evans QC has experience of Regulatory Law across the spectrum of Professions including: Healthcare, Social care, Law and Order and Sport. 

    He has successfully defended Doctors facing Allegations of Sexual Assault, has appeared before the General Social Care Council and advised in relation to a number of their Appeals.

    Philip has extensive experience of appearing at Police Disciplinary Tribunals, the Police Appeals Tribunal and of representing Officers in the Crown Court against Criminal Charges. He recently defended an Officer charged with the new offence of Corrupt or Improper Behaviour. The Allegation was that the Defendant had paid a ‘CHIS’ (covert human intelligence source) to set up a drug deal and then arrested the recipient dishonestly. 

    Philip has particular prominence in the field of Sport Regulation. He was appointed Head of Rugby Judiciary by the RFU in 2017, taking over the role from Mr Justice Dingemans. He continues to sit as a Chairman on Tribunals convened by the Rugby Football Union (both at first instance and at appellate level), the Six Nations Tournament and EPCR rugby; he has given judgments in several high-profile rugby matters. Philip regularly acts as Judicial Officer to various international rugby tournaments; he has found working in this role has provided him with extensive experience of Regulatory and Disciplinary Law in a sporting context.

    Philip’s experience has been extended into other sporting fields in which he has a broad personal knowledge, in particular the Regulation of cricket and horse racing, where he is regularly instructed to prosecute. He frequently acts for the BHA to prosecute before its Regulatory Panel in Sports Corruption and Integrity matters and advises and appears at the Gambling Commission in regard to its Gambling Regulatory matters both at first instance and on Appeal; he regularly prosecutes Cases arising from Illegal Gambling, these have included the Crown Court Proceedings in the Gambling Commission v Christopher Mosdall. In 2012 Philip advised the Gambling Commission on extremely complex areas of law in its Review of the operating licences issued to ibetX Limited and subsequent Investigation and resolution by agreement.

    Philip has also advised Athletes on Appeal to Olympic Selection Boards and numerous Sports People in regard to disputes with their Clubs and Governing Organisations. He has an interest and breadth of knowledge of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with the additional context of having played Rugby Union at National League Level. His advocacy skills have also been extensively utilised in Council Chambers across the South of England, where he has acted in a number of Licensing matters.

    Ranked in The Legal 500 for Sport since 2016, Philip is a uniquely experienced Regulatory Silk with a practice that reflect this.

    Notable Cases

    The Gambling Commission v Mosdall (2015) 
    Philip Evans QC represented the Gambling Commission in the Prosecution of Christopher Mosdall.

    Re: SM
    Acting for Sulley Muntari, the Inter Milan and Ghanaian International Footballer, in relation to various Allegations.

    X v UK Athletics Selection Panel (2012)
    In 2012 represented a British Athlete in relation to her appeal to the UK Athletics appeal panel. The athlete has been overlooked for selection to compete in the London Olympic Games. The appeal involved several legal points relating to both domestic regulations and the rules of the international governing body, the IAAF.

    R v Asif & Butt (2011)
    In 2011 defending Pakistani cricketer Mohammed Asif with regards to allegations of 'spot fixing' during the test match, against England at Lords in August 2010.  The trial followed on from News of the World ‘undercover’ investigations by the ‘fake sheik’.

    Reviews

    Legal 500 2020: Sports - Tier 3

    ‘Incredibly bright and his cross-examinations are fantastic.’ Legal 500 Sport (2020)

    ‘Very good, especially in horse racing matters.’ Legal 500 Sport (2019)

    ‘Blunt when he needs to be; he will always stand his ground.’ Legal 500 Sport (2017)

    ‘He is easy to work with and authoritative in court.’ Legal 500 Sports (2015)

    Recent Cases

    News

    Articles

    • The Gambling Commission: Constructive Engagement

      For gambling companies, the Covid-19 crisis has further intensified political and regulatory scrutiny of their activities and increased the possibility of interactions with the GB regulator. Adam Epstein of Mishcon de Reya, together with Philip Evans QC a...

      View article

    • Gambling Commission Report: Far More Than an End of Year Report Card

      The Gambling Commission's enforcement report makes for essential reading for industry lawyers and compliance officers at gambling operators alike.

      View article

    • All change for Commercial Gambling?

      Philip Evans QC and Tom Orpin-Massey wrote for the New Law Journal on the UK Gambling Commission’s revised suite of enforcement documents.

      View article

    • UKGC's new enforcement suite: a quiet revolution?

      Philip Evans QC and Tom Orpin-Massey wrote for the iGaming Business magazine on the UK Gambling Commission’s revised enforcement policy documents. 

      View article