QEB Hollis Whiteman is delighted to announce that Kathryn Hughes, Nadesh Karu and William Cholerton have all accepted invitations to join Chambers following the successful completion of their Pupillages.
Overview
An exceptional advocate, valued for his intellectual clarity, strategic instincts, and meticulous approach.
Crime
William has significant experience across the full spectrum of serious and complex crime. He is regularly instructed in heavyweight cases involving serious violence, organised crime, and multi-handed conspiracies, acting for both the prosecution and defence. Known for his strategic judgement, thorough preparation, and compelling courtroom advocacy. His calm and approachable manner makes him particularly effective in challenging and sensitive cases.
Corporate and Financial Crime
Instructed in complex financial crime at both individual and corporate level, William has developed a strong practice in this area, acting in cases involving bribery, fraud, money laundering, and regulatory breaches. William also has considerable experience advising on anti-bribery and corruption systems and controls. His astute handling of the complex law in this area and command of detail make him a trusted choice in serious financial proceedings.
Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law
William has developed a strong public law practice alongside his core criminal work, with particular experience in major public inquiries. He has been instructed in high-profile matters involving policing, regulatory oversight, and institutional accountability such as the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI). He is valued for his clarity of thought, diligent preparation, and ability to manage sensitive, document-heavy litigation with composure and precision.
Regulatory
William is regularly instructed in professional disciplinary and regulatory proceedings, including those brought by healthcare and legal regulators. His thorough preparation and measured advocacy make him a popular choice in cases where professional reputation is at stake.
Appointments
- CPS External Advocates Panel Grade 3
- Approved NMC Counsel
- Accredited to undertake cases involving Vulnerable Witnesses
- Accredited to undertake Youth Court Cases
Memberships
- Criminal Bar Association
Education
- Bar Professional Training Course, Kaplan Law School
- LLB (Hons), King’s College London
News
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Corporate and Financial Crime
William stands out for his ability to handle large-scale, document-heavy financial crime cases with clarity, precision and sound judgement. Calm under pressure and intellectually agile, William is a trusted junior in complex corporate and financial crime proceedings.
Overview
William has a breadth of experience in corporate and financial crime, representing individuals and companies at every stage of the investigative and criminal process. He has acted in cases involving fraud, bribery, corruption and money laundering, often in the context of large-scale, multi-agency investigations. In addition to defending allegations of financial misconduct, William has particular expertise in legal professional privilege, confiscation, and asset recovery proceedings under POCA.
Experience
William has substantial experience in corporate and financial crime, with a focus on serious fraud, bribery, corruption and money laundering. He has acted in high-value and complex investigations involving systemic misconduct, investor deception, and the misuse of corporate structures. His recent instructions include acting for regulators, company directors, and multinationals in matters brought by the SFO, NCA, HMRC and the US Department of Justice.
He is regularly instructed to conduct Legal Professional Privilege (LPP) reviews and advise on complex disclosure issues. His recent work includes assisting in disclosure reviews during the NCA’s investigation into Javad Marandi, and acting for a major commodities multinational in its response to a DOJ subpoena. William is valued for his precision, efficiency and ability to manage large volumes of material under pressure.
William is experienced in cross-border investigations and parallel proceedings across multiple jurisdictions. He has assisted in cases involving overseas bribery, international sanctions breaches, and the laundering of criminal assets through opaque corporate structures. His ability to navigate the challenges of multi-agency, international cases makes him a dependable presence in heavyweight financial crime litigation.
William spent a year with the Anti-Bribery, Fraud and Corruption team at a major investment bank, advising on internal investigations, regulatory compliance, and due diligence on multi-million-pound transactions. He has a strong commercial instinct and a clear understanding of the expectations and priorities of corporate clients and legal teams.
Measured, articulate and assured, William is a trusted advocate in heavyweight criminal trials across the spectrum.
Overview
A composed and persuasive advocate, whether acting alone or as a led junior, William is regularly instructed in serious and complex criminal cases. Equally at ease prosecuting or defending, he is known for his measured advocacy, meticulous preparation, and ability to win the confidence of judges and juries alike. His practice spans the full spectrum of criminal work, with particular experience in multi-handed trials involving allegations of serious violence, organised crime, drugs, and trafficking.
Experience
William has broad experience across the criminal spectrum, both prosecuting and defending cases of real complexity and seriousness. He has acted in trials involving allegations of murder, armed robbery, serious violence, large-scale drug supply, trafficking, and firearms offences. Known for delivering strong results, he is regularly instructed in multi-handed and sensitive cases where clear advocacy and sound judgement are essential.
His approach is grounded in meticulous preparation and careful case analysis. William has a sharp eye for the detail that matters, and brings structure, clarity and strategic focus. His written work is precise and persuasive, and he is trusted to master the papers and legal issues quickly and thoroughly. Instructing solicitors turn to William as a safe and reliable pair of hands. He inspires confidence from the outset, handles pressure with professionalism, and brings assurance to even the most demanding of cases. Whether acting alone or as a led junior, he is trusted to deliver with consistency, judgement and care.
William is known for his calm and approachable manner with both lay and professional clients. He communicates clearly and effectively, ensuring clients feel heard, understood and well-informed throughout the process. His ability to combine a steady courtroom presence with a client-focused approach has made him a popular choice in challenging and high-pressure cases.
Recent Cases
R v Connors and others – junior counsel for the prosecution in a four-handed conspiracy to murder involving the use of ‘zombie’ knifes following an acid attack.
R v A and others – junior counsel for the prosecution in an attempted murder where a 14-year-old boy was shot in the neck.
R v Patel and others – junior counsel for the prosecution in a four-handed conspiracy to kidnap, falsely imprison and blackmail where the offences were co-ordinated by two serving prisoners.
R v Pedro and others – junior counsel for the prosecution in a conspiracy to rob designer watches valued at over £1.4m from a jeweller in Richmond.
R v Vata and others – junior counsel for the defence in a three-handed attempted murder and conspiracy to produce Class B drugs trial where a cannabis ‘grow house’ was robbed and the robbers were subsequently run over with a vehicle.
R v Mack and others – successful defence of a man charged with conspiracy to import firearms.
R v D and others – successful defence of a youth charged in a conspiracy to burgle involving over 200 incidents committed over a two-year period. The prosecution was stayed as an abuse of process following submissions concerning the failure to properly consider the modern slavery defence relied upon.
R v S – successful defence of a woman charged with human trafficking.
R v A – successful defence of a former solider suffering PTSD charged with GBH.
R v Middlemas – successful defence of a man charged with GBH and four counts of assault on police officers.
R v T – successful defence of a man charged with attempted GBH in a police custody suite.
R v Major and others – defence of a man charged with aggravated burglary and GBH involving the use of sledgehammers and machetes, acquitted of aggravated burglary and GBH, guilty of simple burglary.
R v Francis and others – defence of a man charged with running a ‘county lines’ Class A drug supply line over an 18-month period.
R v Filip – defence of a man charged with arson with intent to endanger life involving the destruction of a 5-story residential building.
R v Khan and others – prosecution counsel for several cases arising out of Operation Hessmer concerning the supply of Class A drugs to undercover officers.
R v G – prosecution counsel in a ‘cold case’ involving an armed robbery committed in 1982.
Regulatory
A sharp and persuasive advocate, William brings clarity and composure to complex regulatory and disciplinary proceedings.
Overview
William is regularly instructed in regulatory and disciplinary proceedings across the healthcare and legal sectors. He combines clear, effective advocacy with a practical understanding of reputational risk to deliver the best outcomes for his clients.
Experience
William has substantial experience presenting cases for the Nursing and Midwifery Council, including a particularly complex matter involving over 100 individual allegations against a registrant. His calm, methodical approach and persuasive advocacy have made him a reliable choice for lengthy and sensitive hearings.
He has also acted for a range of other regulators, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the British Horseracing Authority, preparing cases involving serious misconduct and regulatory breaches for trial. William is well versed in the relevant statutory frameworks and brings clarity and precision to the preparation of complex matters.
In addition, William has assisted senior members of chambers in proceedings brought by regulators such as the General Medical Council, the General Optical Council and the Health and Care Professions Council, developing wide-ranging experience across healthcare regulation and tribunal advocacy.
Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law
A considered and capable advocate, William is well suited to public law, inquests and inquiries, bringing sound legal analysis and a proven ability to handle complex, document-heavy matters.
Overview
William has developed a strong practice in public law, with solid experience in inquiry work. He has been instructed in major public inquiries including the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI), and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Experience
William is recognised for his ability to master complex, document-heavy briefs at speed and pinpoint the legal and factual issues that matter. His work often involves large-scale disclosure exercises, where his clarity of analysis and attention to procedural fairness have proved invaluable.
William has substantial experience advising on legal professional privilege in both inquiry and judicial review contexts, and is trusted to make sound, defensible judgments in sensitive and high-pressure environments.
He has also been instructed by the Home Office in relation to national security cases, reviewing classified material and advising on disclosure strategy in proceedings with significant reputational and legal risk.