• 'He is very thorough in his preparation, he knows his cases inside out.'  Chambers UK 2023
  • 'One of the best silks in this area practising at the Bar today.' Legal 500 Fraud: Crime 2022
  • 'He thinks outside the box and advances his client's position with great clarity and tenacity.'  Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime 2022
  • "Sean is an unflappable and supremely bright silk." Chambers UK 2024

 

Sean Larkin KC

Called to the Bar:1987

Silk:2010

  • An exceptional silk with an impressive reputation across all of the fields he practises in; he is known for his ability to process vast and complicated material quickly, effortlessly identify the root of any issue and powerfully advance his client’s case.

    Corporate & Financial Crime

    A silk frequently engaged to represent individuals and companies in the most high-profile and complex financial crime cases, Sean Larkin provides expert advice and advocacy at all stages of criminal, regulatory and confiscation proceedings and is known for his tactical excellence.

    Crime 

    Sean has spent 35 years’ defending and prosecuting at all levels of the criminal courts. He has considerable experience in serious and complex crime including homicide, terrorism sexual assaults, criminal actions following regulatory breaches; he is often involved in the ground-breaking decisions of the day.

    In 2017 he was nominated by Legal 500 as Crime Silk of the Year and he was The Times Lawyer of the Week following R v Gul in which the Supreme Court considered the definition of terrorism and the context of public international law.

    Regulatory 

    Sean Larkin KC has acted for and against virtually all regulators. His presence in the market means that he is instructed in the largest and most high-profile cases in the field. His ability to master the technical practices of other professions and evidence that arises from them makes him a favoured candidate for prosecution and defence teams alike.

    Private Prosecution 

    Sean has considerable experience of bringing and defending private prosecutions including intellectual property breaches and financial crimes. Has advised overseas organisations and corporates on potential private prosecutions in UK.

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2024: Financial Crime – Band 1; Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions - Spotlight Table; Crime – Band 1; Professional Discipline – Band 4

    Legal 500 2024: Crime - Tier 3; Fraud: Crime - Tier 1; Professional Discipline and Regulatory – Tier 3; Business and Regulatory Crime (Including Global investigations) – Tier 3

    Chambers UK 2023: Financial Crime – Band 1; Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions - Spotlight Table; Crime – Band 2; Professional Discipline – Band 3

    Legal 500 2023: Crime - Tier 3; Fraud: Crime - Tier 1; Professional Discipline and Regulatory – Tier 3; Business and Regulatory Crime (Including Global investigations) – Tier 3

    "Sean is an unflappable and supremely bright silk." Chambers UK Crime (2024)

    "He is an able warrior in court with a good client bedside manner." Chambers UK Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions (2024)

    ‘Bright and good with clients. Hugely experienced, and is also able to bring the perspective of prosecuting to this area.’  Legal 500 Business and Regulatory: Crime (2024)

     ‘Sean is a fantastic advocate with charisma, confidence and eloquence in equal measure. He works very hard behind the scenes to ensure that he is always completely in control of events in court, and in doing so inspires complete confidence in the team he leads and his client. No matter how difficult the case or the issue he rises to it.’  Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2024)

    'Sean is a very good practitioner. He is very thorough in his preparation, he knows his cases inside out." "Sean is a very effective advocate." "He is first class." Chambers UK Financial Crime (2023)

    'Very tactical and invariably comes up with good ideas to advance the case. He always wants to be involved throughout." There is no case he cannot do.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)

    'Sean's advocacy is exceptional' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2023)

    ‘His legal analysis is second to none – he has the ability to be highly creative in his arguments and interpretation. His written advocacy is absolutely first-rate.’ Legal 500 Crime (2023)

    ‘One of the best silks in this area practising at the Bar today.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2023)

    'Sean is a fantastic advocate who brings charisma, confidence and eloquence in equal measure. He works very hard behind the scenes to ensure that he is always completely in control of events in court, and in doing so inspires complete confidence in the team he leads and his client. No matter how difficult the case or the issue he rises to it.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2023)

    'A premier league player in serious fraud and a great barrister. He is a superb advocate and has all the qualities you could want in a silk. Utterly delightful to work with and has a great judgement.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2022)

    'A smooth and eloquent barrister with a disarming manner in court.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)

    'A very impressive and highly versatile barrister.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2022)

    'One of the best silks in this area practising at the Bar today.' Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2022)

    'Solid and reliable, he thinks outside the box and advances his client's position with great clarity and tenacity.' Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2022)

    'Very intelligent and excellent for complex cases. Calm, cool and strategic in his approach.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)

    'An excellent advocate who is fearless and very tactically astute.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2021)

    'He is really strong on financial crime, super responsive and very good as part of a larger team. He has a fantastic manner with clients and is an outstanding advocate, a great tactician and will have a strategy for the most complex cases. His attention to detail and his drafting skills are second to none.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2021)

    'In the world of financial crime he is recognised by his peers as at the top of his game. Approachable yet firm he is a favourite with professional and lay clients. Watching him cross-examine is one of the great experiences at the Bar.' Legal 500 Fraud:Crime (2021)

    'An exceptionally persuasive and polished advocate, with laser-sharp focus and charisma.' Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2021)

    'Sean has an excellent grasp of regulatory law and is a leader in the field. He is very calm and collected and has an easy manner with clients in the most difficult and complicated of cases.' Legal 500 Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law (2021)

    ‘As well as possessing a good brain, he's really good with clients and he seems to genuinely care. His advocacy is brilliant and he's very jury-friendly. Focused and very measured, he has a style that appeals to judges.’ ‘A magnificent advocate, who has a knack of being able to make sense of the nonsensical.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2020)

    ‘A wonderful tactician – he really thinks through cases.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)

    ‘His ability to get to grips with a long and difficult case at a late stage, and to put persuasive submissions in front of the court, was clearly a testament to his abilities.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2020)

    ‘His empathetic and imperturbable manner puts people at ease.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2020)

    ‘He is tenacious, calm and an absolute pleasure to work with.’ Legal 500 Crime (2020)

    ‘He grasps the key issues of a case with lightning-quick speed.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2020)

    ‘He is very analytical, focused and level-headed.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2020)

    ‘A truly exceptional silk, he has a fantastic manner with clients and is an outstanding advocate.’ ‘A calming influence in difficult times, he's incredibly hard-working and very methodical.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2019)

    ‘He's a real high net worth guy and successfully defended a lot of major executives.’ Chambers High Net Worth (2019)

    ‘He always provides high-quality, level-headed advice with a clear strategy. He is also an excellent advocate.’ ‘Very smooth and persuasive.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2019)

    ‘A really hands-on, hardworking silk who instantly puts clients at ease and instils absolute confidence.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2018)

    ‘Unflappable, patient with clients and with a depth of knowledge and experience.’ Legal 500 Crime (2018)

    ‘The most eloquent and persuasive courtroom advocate, with exceptional tactical skills and judgement.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2018)

    ‘An impressive barrister who provides high-quality and level-headed advice with a clear strategy.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2018)

    ‘He is superb. He has an easy-going manner which belies a sharp intellect, and he can cut through masses of paperwork to get to the bottom of an issue quickly. His interactions with clients are professional yet relaxed, and he puts clients at ease with his dry wit.’ ‘Sean has shown the utmost professionalism, patience and client care throughout these proceedings and his advice has been spot on. One thing about Sean is that however demanding the client or however difficult the issues, he does not become ruffled.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2018)

    ‘Hugely impressive and hard-working. He quickly digests and turns around difficult legal submissions. He is also proactive and exceptionally thorough, caring and dedicated. A very skilful advocate.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2018)

    ‘Outstanding in his cross-examination, grasp of the issues and presentation to the court.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2017)

    ‘He is a reassuring presence in any case – no matter the issue being addressed, he maintains his calm.’ Legal 500 Crime (2017)

    ‘He shows utmost professionalism, patience and client care, and his advice is always spot-on.’ Legal 500 Fraud Crime (2017)

    ‘An impressive barrister, who always provides high-quality level-headed advice with a clear strategy.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2017)

    ‘He is an impressive barrister, who always provides high-quality, level-headed advice, and comes up with a clear strategy.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2016)

    ‘He’s very, very client-focused, extremely hot on the details and has a very disarming manner.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2015)

    ‘Incredibly bright and industrious ... absolutely superb ... absolutely meticulous in all he does ... mastery of the minutiae ... He is absolutely meticulous, very organised, methodical, and a real 24/7 man who constantly keeps in touch with you.’ Chambers UK Crime (2014)

    Professional Memberships

    • Registered with the Bar Council – Public Access Directory
    • Justice
    • Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
    • Health and Safety Lawyers Association
    • Financial Services Lawyers Association

       

     

    Recent Cases

    • Sean Larkin KC prosecuted Matteo Bottarelli who was charged with attempted murder. Bottarelli has been convicted of 2 counts of attempted murder and one of GBH on 3 co-workers. A maintenance worker at a Middlesex Hospital, Bottarelli, carried out a spree ...

      ...
    • Sean Larkin KC and Tom Doble acted for Terence Lock, a legal consultant for a London firm of criminal solicitors, charged with assisting and encouraging an organised crime group implicated in the supply of over 100,000 kilos of cocaine. Mr Lock was charge...

      ...
    • The UK’s Serious Fraud Office has abandoned a criminal investigation into the Kazakh mining group ENRC, ending a decade-long corruption inquiry.The SFO concluded that there was insufficient admissible evidence to proseute the company.  Closure of th...

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC is instructed by the SFO to prosecute an oil trader accused of defrauding his employer. The trial is due to take place September 2022.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC advised a large multi-national corporate in one of the SFO’s largest and most complicated investigations.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to represent a leading figure in the major SFO investigation into international bribery to secure petrochemical contracts. No charges were brought.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC advised a member of senior management investigated by the SFO in G4S. Following successful representations, his client was not charged.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to represent a senior executive in the major SFO investigation into multi-jurisdictional international bribery to secure contracts. No charges were brought.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC prosecuted a man for disseminating terrorist material using a variety of social media platforms.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to represent a consultant said to have been responsible for the death of a patient. Following written representations the case was cancelled.Cousnel was instructed by the MDU. 

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC leading Paul Wakerley were instructed to defence an individual said to be involved in a drug-linked execution.The jury were hung and the case is due to be tried again in the final quarter of 2022. Counsel was instructed by Baxter Brown McAr...

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to defend a woman facing charges of child neglect following the murder of her baby and assault on her toddler by her boyfriend.The case involved complicated areas of medical evidence such that the prosecution called two patho...

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC prosecuted three youths for murdering a youth.The case involved extensive forensic and gang evidence and was the subject of a BBC documentary.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to defend a company and its director said to be involved in one of the largest counterfeiting international rings. Private prosecution brought by the clothing company, Supreme who pursued multiple civil actions across Europe

      ...
    • Advising dentist and company director facing criminal and disciplinary proceedings for allegations of substantial fraud against NHS. Difficult issues of investigation and negotiation as to the extent of involvement requiring expert reports and material fr...

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC and Paul Raudnitz QC were instructed on behalf of the SFO in these high-profile and related cases.In “XYZ” the Court approved what was only the second Deferred Prosecution Agreement in England and Wales for company XYZ. During t...

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC successfully defended a GP accused of sexually assaulting four patients over a period of 14 years. The defence involved expert analysis of complicated medical evidence as an explanation justifying his touching patients and calling and cross...

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC and Katherine Lloyd defended in a private prosecution brought by a casino against a high net worth individual said to have issued a fraudulent cheque for £2m. There were complicated issues surrounding the principles of the Gambling Act link...

      ...
    • Defence of a former Barclays trader accused of manipulating the Euribor rate. The case arose from the investigations into alleged Libor and Euribor rate-rigging.

      ...
    • William Boyce QC and Karen Robinson are instructed to defend one of the Senior Executives of Barclays as a result of the banks capital raising in 2008 and a US$3 Billion loan to Qatar.

      ...
    • Advising a company on alleged multi-million pound over-claims from a public institution requiring close analysis of accounting procedures in liaison with expert accountant.

      ...
    • Defence of ‘the most difficult and demanding insider dealing case the FCA has ever brought’. UBS compliance officer accused of disclosing inside information in multiple deals to trader who made £1m+. Deals related to prospective merger and acq...

      ...
    • Advising SRA on approach to first wave of ‘me-too’ cases involving City firm.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC defended a man accused of raping his former wife in the lavatory of a pub. The defendant was severely disabled following a RTA and extensive medical reports were adduced and reviewed.Counsel was instructed by Toby Burrou

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC prosecuted a defendant accused of being the lead supplier of social media outlets for ISIS abroad. The defendant collected SIMs and user codes disseminated to ISIS frontline for use in propaganda and communications. This was the first case ...

      ...
    • Defence of a male model accused of murder of another male model following fight over female model by arranging a fight in Shepherds Bush with weapons and associates.A high profile case. Issues of joint enterprise and bad character. Press article can be fo...

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC is defending a former Baclays Bank trader, Carlo Palombo, accused of conspiracy to defraud in relation to fixing the Euribor rate.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC acted for Dr Bawa-Garba at the High Court in response to a GMC appeal.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC and Jocelyn Ledward successfully represented the former Chief Executive Officer of a company said to be at the heart of substantial tax cheat.

      ...
    • Three-handed murder where deceased’s final words and defendants' actions recorded on 999 call.

      ...
    • Advising senior staff facing investigation into allegation of conspiracy to defraud and bribery involving major financial institution and foreign sovereign wealth fund.  

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC prosecuted a mother who travelled with her toddler son to Syria, then joined Islamic State.

      ...
    • Pre-charge advice given to dental firm being investigated for allegations of £1m fraud against the NHS.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC defended a man accused of tying up his wife, repeatedly raping her and taking photos in the course of the rape.

      ...
    • Sean Larkin QC defended a GP accused of sexually assaulting four patients over a period of 14 years.

      ...
    • Advising major financial institution on ramifications of potential bribery and money laundering incidents across several jurisdictions.

      ...
    • Prosecution of alleged members of a group encouraging support for ISIS. 

      ...
    • Defence of gangland murder in Cayman Islands.

      ...
    • Defence of pharmacist accused of being a sex pest towards a fellow member of staff and customer.

      ...

    News

    Articles

    • Briefing Note: A Birds-Eye View of Recent Developments in Non-Conviction Money Laundering and Asset Recovery

       Sean Larkin QC produced a briefing note setting out a birds-eye view of the money laundering and use of the FCA in prosecuting money laundering regulations. The article can be access here.

    • #MeToo: The disciplinary implications of misconduct, both inside and outside of the workplace

      In this podcast, Sean Larkin QC, Edward Henry QC and Alexandra Felix consider the disciplinary implications of misconduct, both inside and outside the workplace in the context of the #MeToo movement.This podcast was developed from an article

    • R V BARTON & BOOTH [2020] EWCA CRIM 575: THE LAW ON DISHONESTY IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD

    • Sentencing for offences of cheating the revenue (R v Michael Richards and others)

      Sean Larkin QC writes for Lexis PSL on the greater appetite for prosecuting financial crimes.

    • Sean Larkin QC pens Practice Note for Practical Law on Collective investment schemes

      The note discusses the key principles from case law in this area and the main elements of a CIS.

    • FGM, The Law the Lessons and the Unintended Consequences

      Sean Larkin QC and Zoe Johnson QC explore the criminal prosecution, the new legislation and the duty of professionals.

    • The Times - Lawyer Of The Week

      Sean Larkin QC is The Times Lawyer Of The Week.

      View Article

    • LIBOR fixing

      Sean Larkin QC looks at forthcoming prosecutions following the action by regulators worldwide.

    • Bribery Act Update June 2013

      The media suggest the Government is set to reconsider and review the provisions of the Bribery Act 2010.

    • The Bribery Act 2010 - A Short Guide

      Sean Larkin QC provides a new short guide to the Bribery Act 2010

      View Article

    • Adequate Procedures Handout - Bribery Act 2010

      Sean Larkin QC and Rachna Gokani provide further guidance in relation to the Bribery Act.

    • The Bribery Bill 2010 - An Overview

      This article provides an overview of the Government’s recent strategy to fight bribery and corruption, particularly overseas corruption. The article analyses a centre-plank of that strategy, the Bribery Bill 2010 as well as other developments in the criminal law

      View Article

    • Regulation of Healthcare Professionals

      Whistle-blowing, disclosure and patient confidentiality - the conflict between confidentiality and a duty to disclose.

      View Article

  • Corporate and Financial Crime

    A class-act in the field of corporate and financial crime, Sean Larkin KC continues to impress market leaders. He is recognised for his vast knowledge, sharp intellect and easy unflappable client rapport.

    Overview 

    Sean is a silk frequently engaged to represent individuals and companies in the most high-profile and complex financial crime cases. He has vast experience of all aspects of financial crime and has defended allegations brought by every prosecuting agency. He has advised on self-reports and issues of privilege. He is commercially astute as to the needs to clients. He has written and lectured extensively on financial crime. 

    Experience 

    Sean Larkin KC is prominent in the field of corporate and financial crime with a proven track record for excellence.

    His practise covers the highest level of financial crime cases advising on the defence and prosecution of corporate entities, directors and other professionals regarding all aspects of financial crime including bribery, fraud, insider dealing, intellectual property breaches, money laundering and regulatory breaches. He is instructed both on the preventative systems in place and pre-charge when under investigation and recently has had clients not charged in five separate major SFO investigations.

    He has advised or acted in the most serious cases including: ENRC; BAT; Amec Foster Wheeler; G4S; XYZ; Barclays Euribor; Barclays Libor; Barclays/Qatari; Unaoil; Abdel-Malek (defence of compliance officer at UBS for insider dealing); Operation Amazon, where he successfully defended a CEO in the largest e-disclosure case; Operation Cotton, in which he was lead counsel for the prosecution of the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) largest case; Operation Vaulter (defence of director accused of laundering £900m); Morris (defence of a former CEO for £52m pension fraud); and the defence of a company for workplace death.

    Sean has considerable experience of issues of disclosure, privilege, foreign investigations and commercial sensitivity. He has been instructed on a number of highly sensitive cases including cases that have required self-reports to domestic and foreign agencies and has been instructed to advise overseas Law Officers and FSCs Sean Larkin KC has advised and acted for the owners/directors of companies on issues of sanctions and subject to account freezing orders.

    Sean has a wealth of experience in Health & Safety cases. His first major case was the defence of an engineering manager in the Hatfield Rail Crash. Most recently he has defended a company facing allegations arising from workplace death in the course of the removal of the parapet of a bridge which fell and crushed the deceased. This case required careful analysis of the responsibility of three separate companies involved in different tasks. Sean has been instructed in a wide variety of manslaughter criminal and regulatory cases including unlawful act (e.g. opening car door causing fatality prosecution) and gross negligence (e.g. doctors) or unusual fatalities (deaths of Raoul Moat after he was shot with a taser).

    His involvement in some of the largest and most complicated cases has led to him being most recognised for his ability to master substantial amounts of material and identify the crucial issues, presenting them beautifully, whether in advice or in a courtroom.

    Sean was the founding head of the Corporate and Financial Crime Group at QEB Hollis Whiteman and led the team for over five years.

    In 2017 he was nominated by Legal 500 as Crime Silk of the Year, encompassing Financial Crime.

    Notable Cases

    • X (2023)
      Defence. Representing bitcoin trader accused of multi-million pound money laundering from third party serious criminal activities.
    • Rivera (2023)
      Prosecution. SFO. Oil trader accused of fraud by abuse and money laundering involving multi-jurisdictional sustainable fuel trading pursuant to EU regulations.
    • X (2022)
      Defence. Advising large multi-national facing high profile SFO investigation into allegations of bribery and money laundering across multiple jurisdictions. X brought significant civil actions.
    • Amec Foster Wheeler (2021)
      Defence. Advising senior executive facing SFO investigation into allegations of bribery in several territories leading to DPA. No charge. 
    • R v Sorby (2019)
      Lead prosecutor for the SFO in the prosecution of the three defendants accused of substantial bribery overseas. Issues arising from the outcome of an internal investigation, the impact of corporate liability and corporate structure.
    • Barclays Euribor (2019)
      Defence of a former Barclays trader accused of manipulating the Euribor rate. The case arose from the investigations into alleged Libor and Euribor rate-rigging.
    • R v Abdel Malek (2018)
      Defence of former compliance officer at UBS accused of insider dealing by accessing confidential information available to her and clandestinely passing to a trader who traded. Trades said to be linked to other substantial high net-worth traders.
    • X (2016)
      Advising major financial institution on ramifications of potential bribery and money laundering incidents across several jurisdictions with different rules on privilege and different duties of reporting to investigatory and regulatory bodies.
    • Operation Amazon (2016)
      Successful defence of CEO of company said to be at the heart of a substantial tax cheat. Significant disclosure issues which led to a stay of the case and the leading case in e-disclosure R v R and others [2016] 1 Cr App R 20.
    • Hatfield Rail Crash (2005)
      Represented an engineering manager who was charged in relation to the Hatfield Rail Crash. 3 Large companies were investigated and there were 4 fatalities. 

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2023: Financial Crime – Band 1; Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions - Spotlight Table

    Legal 500 2023: Fraud: Crime - Tier 1; Business and Regulatory Crime (Including Global investigations) – Tier 3

    'Sean is a very good practitioner. He is very thorough in his preparation, he knows his cases inside out." "Sean is a very effective advocate." "He is first class." Chambers UK Financial Crime (2023)

    ‘One of the best silks in this area practising at the Bar today.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2023)

    'Sean is a fantastic advocate who brings charisma, confidence and eloquence in equal measure. He works very hard behind the scenes to ensure that he is always completely in control of events in court, and in doing so inspires complete confidence in the team he leads and his client. No matter how difficult the case or the issue he rises to it.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2023)

    'A premier league player in serious fraud and a great barrister. He is a superb advocate and has all the qualities you could want in a silk. Utterly delightful to work with and has a great judgement.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2022)

    'One of the best silks in this area practising at the Bar today.' Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2022)

    'Solid and reliable, he thinks outside the box and advances his client's position with great clarity and tenacity.' Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2022)

    'He is really strong on financial crime, super responsive and very good as part of a larger team. He has a fantastic manner with clients and is an outstanding advocate, a great tactician and will have a strategy for the most complex cases. His attention to detail and his drafting skills are second to none.' Chambers UK Financial Crime (2021)

    'In the world of financial crime he is recognised by his peers as at the top of his game. Approachable yet firm he is a favourite with professional and lay clients. Watching him cross-examine is one of the great experiences at the Bar.' Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2021)

    'An exceptionally persuasive and polished advocate, with laser-sharp focus and charisma.' Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2021)

    ‘As well as possessing a good brain, he's really good with clients and he seems to genuinely care. His advocacy is brilliant and he's very jury-friendly. Focused and very measured, he has a style that appeals to judges.’ ‘A magnificent advocate, who has a knack of being able to make sense of the nonsensical.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2020)

    ‘His empathetic and imperturbable manner puts people at ease.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2020)

    ‘He grasps the key issues of a case with lightning-quick speed.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2020)

    ‘A truly exceptional silk, he has a fantastic manner with clients and is an outstanding advocate.’ ‘A calming influence in difficult times, he's incredibly hard-working and very methodical.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2019)

    ‘He's a real high net worth guy and successfully defended a lot of major executives.’ Chambers High Net Worth (2019)

    ‘A really hands-on, hardworking silk who instantly puts clients at ease and instils absolute confidence.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2018)

    ‘The most eloquent and persuasive courtroom advocate, with exceptional tactical skills and judgement.’ Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2018)

    ‘He is superb. He has an easy-going manner which belies a sharp intellect, and he can cut through masses of paperwork to get to the bottom of an issue quickly. His interactions with clients are professional yet relaxed, and he puts clients at ease with his dry wit.’ ‘Sean has shown the utmost professionalism, patience and client care throughout these proceedings and his advice has been spot on. One thing about Sean is that however demanding the client or however difficult the issues, he does not become ruffled.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2018)

    ‘Outstanding in his cross-examination, grasp of the issues and presentation to the court.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2017)

    ‘He shows utmost professionalism, patience and client care, and his advice is always spot-on.’ Legal 500 Fraud Crime (2017)

    ‘He’s very, very client-focused, extremely hot on the details and has a very disarming manner.’ Chambers UK Financial Crime (2015)

    Recent Cases

    • The UK’s Serious Fraud Office has abandoned a criminal investigation into the Kazakh mining group ENRC, ending a decade-long corruption inquiry.The SFO concluded that there was insufficient admissible evidence to proseute the company.  Closure of th...

    • Sean Larkin QC is instructed by the SFO to prosecute an oil trader accused of defrauding his employer. The trial is due to take place September 2022.

    • Sean Larkin QC advised a large multi-national corporate in one of the SFO’s largest and most complicated investigations.

    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to represent a leading figure in the major SFO investigation into international bribery to secure petrochemical contracts. No charges were brought.

    • Sean Larkin QC advised a member of senior management investigated by the SFO in G4S. Following successful representations, his client was not charged.

    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to represent a senior executive in the major SFO investigation into multi-jurisdictional international bribery to secure contracts. No charges were brought.

    • Sean Larkin QC and Paul Raudnitz QC were instructed on behalf of the SFO in these high-profile and related cases.In “XYZ” the Court approved what was only the second Deferred Prosecution Agreement in England and Wales for company XYZ. During t...

    • Sean Larkin QC and Katherine Lloyd defended in a private prosecution brought by a casino against a high net worth individual said to have issued a fraudulent cheque for £2m. There were complicated issues surrounding the principles of the Gambling Act link...

    • Defence of a former Barclays trader accused of manipulating the Euribor rate. The case arose from the investigations into alleged Libor and Euribor rate-rigging.

    • William Boyce QC and Karen Robinson are instructed to defend one of the Senior Executives of Barclays as a result of the banks capital raising in 2008 and a US$3 Billion loan to Qatar.

    • Advising a company on alleged multi-million pound over-claims from a public institution requiring close analysis of accounting procedures in liaison with expert accountant.

    • Defence of ‘the most difficult and demanding insider dealing case the FCA has ever brought’. UBS compliance officer accused of disclosing inside information in multiple deals to trader who made £1m+. Deals related to prospective merger and acq...

    • Sean Larkin QC is defending a former Baclays Bank trader, Carlo Palombo, accused of conspiracy to defraud in relation to fixing the Euribor rate.

    • Sean Larkin QC and Jocelyn Ledward successfully represented the former Chief Executive Officer of a company said to be at the heart of substantial tax cheat.

    • Advising senior staff facing investigation into allegation of conspiracy to defraud and bribery involving major financial institution and foreign sovereign wealth fund.  

    News

    • QEB Hollis Whiteman Recognised by Chambers & Partners Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals

       Chambers and Partners released their rankings for Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals and QEB Hollis Whiteman and its members are acknowledged as leaders in the field.Chambers is ranked as Band 1 and nine members of Chambers  are ranked as leader...

    • QEB Hollis Whiteman Recognised by Chambers & Partners Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals

      Chambers and Partners released their rankings for Financial Crime: High Net Worth Individuals today and QEB Hollis Whiteman and its members are acknowledged as leaders in the field.Chambers is ranked as Band 1 with sources describing us as "a set of chamb...

    • Thurs 16th July

      QEB Hollis Whiteman, in collaboration with SKRINE, will present a webinar on the practical insights needed to keep organisations compliant with s. 17A MACC Act.Malaysia’s corporate liability law is modelled on the UK Bribery Act 2010. The experience...

    • QEB Hollis Whiteman ranked in Chambers High Net Worth Guide

      Chambers & Partners’ High Net Worth publication ranks the top lawyers and law firms for international private wealth.Its 2019 edition launched on Thursday 11th June and marks the first time that Chambers HNW has featured barristers who specialise in...

    • Sean Larkin QC and Philip McGhee appear in Euribor Trial

      The prosecution is brought by the Serious Fraud Office.

    • Sean Larkin QC and Tom Broomfield appear in ex-UBS compliance officer insider trading matter

      Fabiana Abdel-Malek, ex-UBS compliance officer, charged with five counts of insider trading.

    • Sean Larkin QC speaks at Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law seminar

      This panel event considered how CSR affects arbitrations involving allegations of corruption.

    • Sean Larkin QC and Philip McGhee involved in EURIBOR trial

      The jury in the Euribor trial was discharged after being unable to reach verdicts.

    • EURIBOR Trial Commences

      Sean Larkin QC and Philip McGhee are representing defendants in the EURIBOR trial.

    • Sean Larkin QC pens Practice Note for Practical Law on Collective investment schemes

      The note discusses the key principles from case law in this area and the main elements of a CIS.

    • Operation Cotton: Case Concludes - Sean Larkin QC, Paul Raudnitz and Polly Dyer act for Financial Conduct Authority

      One of the largest criminal prosecutions undertaken by the FCA concluded with convictions of all eight defendants.

    • Sean Larkin QC and Adam King talk to the YFLA on Bitcoin

      QEB Hollis Whiteman host a Young Fraud Lawyers Association Educational Event.

    Articles

  • Outstanding in his grasp of the issues, cross-examination and presentation to the court; a formidable silk with 35 years of experience at all levels of the criminal legal system.

    Overview

    Sean has spent 35 years' defending and prosecuting at all levels of the criminal courts. He has considerable experience in serious and complex crime; he is often involved in the ground-breaking decisions of the day.

    In 2017 he was nominated by Legal 500 as Crime Silk of the Year and he was The Times Lawyer of the Week following R v Gul, in which the Supreme Court considered the definition of terrorism and the context of public international law.

    Experience 

    Sean has a formidable breadth of experience in crime and acts throughout every stage of proceedings all the way from pre-charge to the Supreme Court.

    Sean has acted in complex and serious cases including serious violence and heavyweight crime (including murder and all of its defences), gross negligence manslaughter, sexual offences (including cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses), and all forms of terrorism cases involving issues of collecting and presenting evidence from a number of foreign jurisdictions (including liaising with the Department of Justice and the FBI).

    He is adept at calling experts and of their cross-examination; he has been involved in many cases where sensitive disclosure and cross-jurisdictional issues have arisen. He has been instructed in numerous sensitive cases including sexual cases and has cross-examined through intermediaries.

    His ability to master substantial amounts of material has placed him in some of the largest cases before criminal courts; he is skilled at identifying the crucial issues and presents them skilfully in an attractive manner.

    Sean has defended and prosecuted a wide variety of road traffic cases including those involving fatalities leading to charges of manslaughter, and death by dangerous or careless driving.

    Sean has a wealth of experience in Health & Safety cases.  His first major case was the defence of an engineering manager in the Hatfield Rail Crash.  Most recently he has defended a company facing allegations arising from workplace death in the course of the removal of the parapet of a bridge which fell and crushed the deceased. This case required careful analysis of the responsibility of three separate companies involved in different tasks.  Sean has been instructed in a wide variety of manslaughter criminal and regulatory cases including unlawful act (e.g. opening car door causing fatality prosecution) and gross negligence (e.g. doctors) or unusual fatalities (deaths of Raoul Moat after he was shot with a taser). He has also acted in many other issues of homicide such as procuring an abortion, road traffic fatalities.  Sean's experience of health & safety extends to advisory work on fire regulations and a wide variety of defence of individuals and companies facing regulatory breaches including product liability, chemical weapons, and various European directives.  Amidst the various strands of Sean's practice he has developed extensive experience of cross-examining experts in criminal and disciplinary hearings.

    His practice is one of the most well-rounded and versatile there is.

    Notable Cases

    R v Khan (2022)
    Prosecution of Imran Khan MP in high profile case of sexual assault of 15 year old boy.

    R v B (2022)
    Defence. Encrochat. Heathrow and Gatwick cargo agent. Hundreds of kilos of class A drugs. Issues of admissibility of Encrochat. Thousands of entries of encrochat. Bad character of third parties defence said involved. Considerable issues of disclosure.

    R v Chinyanga (2022)
    Prosecution. Terrorism. Encouraging violent action in Zimbabwe.  Complicated areas of fact and law on issues of defence of others/prevention of crime which are relatively novel in this field. Public intervention by Zimbabwean journalists.

    R v Campbell (2021)
    Defence. Murder. Execution. Well-planned assassination – V shot to back of head in drugs dispute. D said to be assassin.

    R v Gul (2013)
    Sean Larkin QC successfully led the prosecution in this appeal in which the Supreme Court.

    Hatfield Rail Crash (2005)
    Represented an engineering manager who was charged in relation to the Hatfield Rail Crash. 3 Large companies were investigated and there were 4 fatalities. 

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2022: Crime – Band 2

    Legal 500 2023: Fraud Crime – Tier 1; Crime - Tier 3

    ‘His legal analysis is second to none – he has the ability to be highly creative in his arguments and interpretation. His written advocacy is absolutely first-rate.’  Legal 500 Crime (2023)

    'A smooth and eloquent barrister with a disarming manner in court.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)

    'One of the best silks in this area practising at the Bar today.' Legal 500 Fraud: Crime (2022)

    'Very intelligent and excellent for complex cases. Calm, cool and strategic in his approach.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)

    ‘A wonderful tactician – he really thinks through cases.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)

    ‘He is tenacious, calm and an absolute pleasure to work with.’ Legal 500 Crime (2020)

    ‘Unflappable, patient with clients and with a depth of knowledge and experience.’ Legal 500 Crime (2018)

    ‘He is a reassuring presence in any case – no matter the issue being addressed, he maintains his calm.’ Legal 500 Crime (2017)

    ‘Incredibly bright and industrious ... absolutely superb ... absolutely meticulous in all he does ... mastery of the minutiae ... He is absolutely meticulous, very organised, methodical, and a real 24/7 man who constantly keeps in touch with you.’ Chambers UK Crime (2014)

    Recent Cases

    • Sean Larkin KC prosecuted Matteo Bottarelli who was charged with attempted murder. Bottarelli has been convicted of 2 counts of attempted murder and one of GBH on 3 co-workers. A maintenance worker at a Middlesex Hospital, Bottarelli, carried out a spree ...

    • Sean Larkin KC and Tom Doble acted for Terence Lock, a legal consultant for a London firm of criminal solicitors, charged with assisting and encouraging an organised crime group implicated in the supply of over 100,000 kilos of cocaine. Mr Lock was charge...

    • Sean Larkin QC prosecuted a man for disseminating terrorist material using a variety of social media platforms.

    • Sean Larkin QC leading Paul Wakerley were instructed to defence an individual said to be involved in a drug-linked execution.The jury were hung and the case is due to be tried again in the final quarter of 2022. Counsel was instructed by Baxter Brown McAr...

    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to defend a woman facing charges of child neglect following the murder of her baby and assault on her toddler by her boyfriend.The case involved complicated areas of medical evidence such that the prosecution called two patho...

    • Sean Larkin QC prosecuted three youths for murdering a youth.The case involved extensive forensic and gang evidence and was the subject of a BBC documentary.

    • Sean Larkin QC successfully defended a GP accused of sexually assaulting four patients over a period of 14 years. The defence involved expert analysis of complicated medical evidence as an explanation justifying his touching patients and calling and cross...

    • Sean Larkin QC defended a man accused of raping his former wife in the lavatory of a pub. The defendant was severely disabled following a RTA and extensive medical reports were adduced and reviewed.Counsel was instructed by Toby Burrou

    • Sean Larkin QC prosecuted a defendant accused of being the lead supplier of social media outlets for ISIS abroad. The defendant collected SIMs and user codes disseminated to ISIS frontline for use in propaganda and communications. This was the first case ...

    • Defence of a male model accused of murder of another male model following fight over female model by arranging a fight in Shepherds Bush with weapons and associates.A high profile case. Issues of joint enterprise and bad character. Press article can be fo...

    • Three-handed murder where deceased’s final words and defendants' actions recorded on 999 call.

    • Sean Larkin QC prosecuted a mother who travelled with her toddler son to Syria, then joined Islamic State.

    • Sean Larkin QC defended a man accused of tying up his wife, repeatedly raping her and taking photos in the course of the rape.

    • Sean Larkin QC defended a GP accused of sexually assaulting four patients over a period of 14 years.

    • Prosecution of alleged members of a group encouraging support for ISIS. 

    • Defence of gangland murder in Cayman Islands.

    News

    Articles

    • #MeToo: The disciplinary implications of misconduct, both inside and outside of the workplace

      In this podcast, Sean Larkin QC, Edward Henry QC and Alexandra Felix consider the disciplinary implications of misconduct, both inside and outside the workplace in the context of the #MeToo movement.This podcast was developed from an article

    • FGM, The Law the Lessons and the Unintended Consequences

      Sean Larkin QC and Zoe Johnson QC explore the criminal prosecution, the new legislation and the duty of professionals.

    • The Times - Lawyer Of The Week

      Sean Larkin QC is The Times Lawyer Of The Week.

      View Article

  • A silk with expertise across the full range of regulators; he is renowned for his ability to deal with niche and complex areas of law.

    Overview

    Sean Larkin KC provides specialist advice and advocacy at all stages of regulatory proceedings; he has represented regulators, professionals and companies. His presence in the market means that he is instructed in the largest and most high-profile cases in the field. His ability to master the technical practices of other professions and evidence that arises from them makes him a favoured candidate for prosecution and defence teams alike.

    Experience 

    Sean has experience of a vast array of regulators and has represented parties from the very inception of an allegation through to the highest levels of appeal.

    Professional Discipline
    He has advised or appeared before: the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service of the General Medical Council; the General Dental Council; the Nursing and Midwifery Council; the General Social Care Council; the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal; the Regulatory Decision Committee of the Financial Conduct Authority; the Gambling Commission; and the Police Disciplinary Tribunal. He has been involved in hearings from Health, Interim Orders and Registration Committees, and dealt with all aspects of dishonesty, sexual allegations, clinical failings and performance assessments.

    Recent cases have involved areas of law such as me-too cases, female genital mutilation, abortion and related offences, sexual misconduct and complicated financial claims.

    His experience of serious crime and professional regulation means he is perfectly placed to deal with the variety of criminal and regulatory tribunals that a complaint against a professional invariably goes before.

    Sean is often asked to advise, act and lecture on complicated areas of regulatory law. In 2017 he was nominated as Professional Discipline Silk of the Year and Crime Silk of the Year. Sean has been a Times Lawyer of the Week.

    Notable Cases 

    M
    Defence. Locum consultant. Severely disabled patient died due to clinical errors. Referral following civil case. Set down for 10 day hearing. Detailed written representations

    X
    Advising dentist and company directors facing criminal and disciplinary proceedings for allegations of £1m + fraud against NHS. Difficult issues of investigation and negotiation as to the extent of involvement requiring expert reports and material from overseas jurisdictions.

    Dr S
    Defence of GP accused of sexually assaulting four patients over a period of 14 years against a background of similar allegations at various medical institutions.   Acquitted at Crown Court and no findings at MPTS.

    Dr Bawa-Garba
    Landmark case at High Court leading to whole-scale review by Health Secretary on approach to be taken when patient fatality and systemic rather than individual errors.

    SRA v X
    Advising SRA on approach to take in me-too allegations where not reported to police.

    Drs A & B 
    Advising the GMC on the issue of abortion based on gender selection, a highly controversial and topical subject. The CPS had decided not to criminally prosecute two doctors caught in a Daily Telegraph sting.

    Gambling Commission v Mann 
    Criminal prosecution of businessman for running various amusement arcades without appropriate licences.

    GMC v Dr P 
    Presented case for GMC against GP accused of carrying out FGM in the course of a cliterectomy. This raised many issues as to the application of the law of FGM.

    Raoul Moat 
    Advising various officers involved in the murder/suicide by Raoul Moat.

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2023: Professional Discipline – Band 3

    Legal 500 2023: Business and Regulatory Crime (Including Global investigations) – Tier 3; Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law – Tier 3

    Nominated by Chambers UK as Professional Discipline Silk of the Year 2016

    'Sean is a fantastic advocate who brings charisma, confidence and eloquence in equal measure. He works very hard behind the scenes to ensure that he is always completely in control of events in court, and in doing so inspires complete confidence in the team he leads and his client. No matter how difficult the case or the issue he rises to it.’ Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2023) 

    'A very impressive and highly versatile barrister.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2022)

    'Solid and reliable, he thinks outside the box and advances his client's position with great clarity and tenacity.' Legal 500 Business and Regulatory Crime (2022)

    'An excellent advocate who is fearless and very tactically astute.' Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2021)

    'Sean has an excellent grasp of regulatory law and is a leader in the field. He is very calm and collected and has an easy manner with clients in the most difficult and complicated of cases.' Legal 500 Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law (2021)

    ‘His ability to get to grips with a long and difficult case at a late stage, and to put persuasive submissions in front of the court, was clearly a testament to his abilities.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2020)

    ‘He is very analytical, focused and level-headed.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2020)

    ‘He always provides high-quality, level-headed advice with a clear strategy. He is also an excellent advocate.’ ‘Very smooth and persuasive.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2019)

    ‘An impressive barrister who provides high-quality and level-headed advice with a clear strategy.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2018)

    ‘Hugely impressive and hard-working. He quickly digests and turns around difficult legal submissions. He is also proactive and exceptionally thorough, caring and dedicated. A very skilful advocate.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2018)

    ‘An impressive barrister, who always provides high-quality level-headed advice with a clear strategy.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2017)

    ‘He is an impressive barrister, who always provides high-quality, level-headed advice, and comes up with a clear strategy.’ Chambers UK Professional Discipline (2016)

    Recent Cases

    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to represent a consultant said to have been responsible for the death of a patient. Following written representations the case was cancelled.Cousnel was instructed by the MDU. 

    • Advising dentist and company director facing criminal and disciplinary proceedings for allegations of substantial fraud against NHS. Difficult issues of investigation and negotiation as to the extent of involvement requiring expert reports and material fr...

    • Sean Larkin QC successfully defended a GP accused of sexually assaulting four patients over a period of 14 years. The defence involved expert analysis of complicated medical evidence as an explanation justifying his touching patients and calling and cross...

    • Advising SRA on approach to first wave of ‘me-too’ cases involving City firm.

    • Sean Larkin QC acted for Dr Bawa-Garba at the High Court in response to a GMC appeal.

    • Pre-charge advice given to dental firm being investigated for allegations of £1m fraud against the NHS.

    • Advising major financial institution on ramifications of potential bribery and money laundering incidents across several jurisdictions.

    • Defence of pharmacist accused of being a sex pest towards a fellow member of staff and customer.

    Articles

    • #MeToo: The disciplinary implications of misconduct, both inside and outside of the workplace

      In this podcast, Sean Larkin QC, Edward Henry QC and Alexandra Felix consider the disciplinary implications of misconduct, both inside and outside the workplace in the context of the #MeToo movement.This podcast was developed from an article

    • FGM, The Law the Lessons and the Unintended Consequences

      Sean Larkin QC and Zoe Johnson QC explore the criminal prosecution, the new legislation and the duty of professionals.

  • Private Prosecutions

    Sean has been involved in private prosecutions throughout his career. He has advised individuals and companies both on prosecuting and defending private prosecutions and bringing actions.

    He is particularly expert on arguments arising on corporate liability, LPP, disclosure and abuse of process having been involved in several of the leading cases in the field. He has considerable experience in the field of restraint and confiscation.

    He provides creative analysis to the issues that arise and brings a team-based approach to actions to achieve the client’s preferred outcome.

    Experience 

    Sean Larkin KC was involved prosecuting and defending cases initially in intellectual property and regulatory breaches before becoming active in private financial crime.

    By way of example, his cases include:

    • IBF: Defence. Acting for CEO and company said to be involved in one of the largest counterfeiting international rings. Private prosecution brought by Supreme (clothing company).
    • X: Advising overseas state agency on whether action could be taken for intellectual property breaches.
    • Amazon: Defence of directors of a German company in private prosecution brought by Amazon (charges discontinued).
    • Defence of a high net worth individual for allegedly uttering a worthless high value cheque to a Mayfair casino to pay for gaming losses.
    • Defence of the director of a man said to be one of the world’s largest Internet pirates who provided access to films and TV programmes.
    • Defence of a man said to be one the country’s leading illegal suppliers of live football matches.
    • Advising a large multi-national company on potential criminal breaches and liability from contractual arrangements and exposure to corporate and individuals.
    • Prosecution of a man who ran a chain of amusement arcades for Gambling Act offences.
    • Advising directors of a company on the pursuit of criminal allegations of bribery and fraud committed abroad.
    • Advising a company director on his personal liability should his company have committed regulatory breaches pursuant to EU directives.

    Sean’s practice means he has advised many company directors about their personal and the corporate liability from potential offences committed or against the company. The range of offences he has advised on has included intellectual property breaches, fraud, bribery and an array of regulatory breaches). 

    Reviews

    Chambers UK 2023: Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions - Spotlight Table

    'Sean is a very good practitioner. He is very thorough in his preparation, he knows his cases inside out. Sean is a very effective advocate. He is first class.' Chambers UK Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions 

    'A premier league player in serious fraud and a great barrister. He is a superb advocate and has all the qualities you could want in a silk. Utterly delightful to work with and has great judgement.' Chambers UK Financial Crime: Private Prosecutions (2022)

    Recent Cases

    • Sean Larkin QC was instructed to defend a company and its director said to be involved in one of the largest counterfeiting international rings. Private prosecution brought by the clothing company, Supreme who pursued multiple civil actions across Europe

    • Sean Larkin QC and Katherine Lloyd defended in a private prosecution brought by a casino against a high net worth individual said to have issued a fraudulent cheque for £2m. There were complicated issues surrounding the principles of the Gambling Act link...

    News

    • QEB Hollis Whiteman ranked in Chambers High Net Worth Guide

      Chambers & Partners’ High Net Worth publication ranks the top lawyers and law firms for international private wealth.Its 2019 edition launched on Thursday 11th June and marks the first time that Chambers HNW has featured barristers who specialise in...