2 HARCOURT BUILDINGS > London, England > Set Profile

2 HARCOURT BUILDINGS > Set Profile

2 Harcourt Buildings is an outstanding set of criminal barristers, with counsel of the highest quality at every level. Members of chambers prosecute and defend in the full range of criminal cases and are noted for their dedication, commanding courtroom performances, and sound advice.

Members of 2 Harcourt Buildings regularly appear in cases involving homicide, terrorism, bribery and corruption, fatal and non-fatal non-accidental infant head injury, rape, serious, prolific, and historic sexual offences (including institutional abuse), and drug dealing on a massive scale. In addition, chambers has a particular specialism in cases investigated under Serious and Organised Crime Command, and the National Crime Agency. Regular instruction in the most heavyweight of criminal cases, combined with a tradition of retaining two counsel cases within chambers whenever possible, provides the juniors at 2 Harcourt Buildings with experience far beyond their call, enabling them to command the respect of opponents and judges alike.

Recent cases include: the defence of David Fuller for the historic murder of two young women in Tunbridge Wells and the sexual abuse of multiple corpses in the mortuary at Pembury hospital, the prosecution of London GP Manish Shah for sexual offences committed against 24 female patients, and of Diana Danescu the conservative party election agent convicted of fraud.  Also, the prosecution of Robert Wells, the GP convicted of multiple counts of historic rape and indecent assault against five children and teenagers he had drugged to facilitate his offending.

Work undertaken
Crime: Members of 2 Harcourt Buildings regularly appear in cases involving homicide, terrorism, bribery and corruption, fatal and non-fatal non-accidental infant head injury, rape, serious, prolific, and historic sexual offences (including institutional abuse), and drug dealing on a massive scale. In addition, chambers has a particular specialism in cases investigated under Operation Trident or by the Flying Squad, Serious and Organised Crime Command, and the National Crime Agency.

Financial crime:  Barristers at 2 Harcourt Buildings specialise in high value and complex financial crime.  Members of chambers are well known for their advisory skills, their performance in court, and their ability to process, assimilate and present the large quantities of information often involved in such complex cases.

Members of 2 Harcourt Buildings regularly appear in fraud and financial crime cases involving allegations in all areas but particularly including multi million pound banking fraud, diversion fraud, investment and boiler room frauds, tax fraud, duty evasion, money laundering allegations, bribery and corruption charges, cyber-crime offences, and immigration fraud.  Instructions come from all areas, but particularly cases prosecuted by the Specialist Fraud Division of the CPS, the SFO and the FCA, and investigations conducted by HMRC.  Members of vhambers are experienced in conducting private prosecutions and are alert to the particular challenges such proceedings can present.  Barristers at 2 Harcourt Buildings are frequently instructed fro the outset of an investigation, providing advice pre-charge, through to the conclusion of proceedings, including dealing with restraint and confiscation.

The presentation of evidence electronically at trial is something chambers as a whole is familiar with.  Junior members of chambers often appear as junior counsel and learn by example how to present and manage complex investigations and trials.

Recent cases include: the prosecution of Feezan Hameed, responsible for the biggest vishing fraud in UK history; the first known election fraud prosecution alleging misrepresentations to voters; the prosecution of Diana Danescu, also prosecuted for and convicted of election fraud.

Professional discipline: 2 Harcourt Buildings is establishing a reputable inquests and public inquiries practice. Members of chambers act for bereaved families, medical professionals and state Interested Persons in Article 2 inquests heard before juries. Members are able to bring their expertise in criminal law to inquests involving evidence from the police, the prison service and the probation service, as well as a high standard of advocacy developed in the Crown Courts.

Last year, chambers appeared in the inquests into the inquests into the Fishmongers’ Hall Attack, acting as part of the counsel team instructed by the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Ministry of Justice. Chambers offers advice in inquests matters that crossover into public law, with members advising the Metropolitan Police Service in relation to a potential judicial review arising from whistle-blower evidence concerning a historic inquest into a sensitive police shooting, and advising on, and drafting grounds of, the judicial review of the decisions made by coroners during the course of inquests.

Members are regularly sought after to represent both the council and registrants before the General Dental Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council. Members have been instructed in the full array of proceedings including lengthy substantive hearings before the Conduct and Competency Committee, hearings before the Health Committee, restoration applications, registration appeals, and fraudulent/incorrect entry cases

Recruitment: Chambers prides itself on offering structured, challenging and fulfilling twelve-month pupillages to high quality applicants. Chambers aims to prepare all pupils for a successful career within our chambers and actively seeks to recruit junior tenants from amongst their number.

Barrister Profiles

Photo	Name	Position	Profile
	James Dawes		View Profile
	Catherine Donnelly	Specialist in homicide and child sex abuse. Criminal Defence Criminal Prosecution – Grade…	View Profile
	Mr Edward Franklin		View Profile
	Dominic Hockley	Dominic has a reputation for fearless advocacy and sound legal advice. He…	View Profile
	Mahesh Karu	Mahesh is a dedicated advocate with a drive to ensure his clients…	View Profile
	Jennifer Knight	Jennifer has a strong prosecution and defence practice in serious and complex…	View Profile
	Tom Nicholson	Tom is a leading specialist criminal barrister, whose reputation is built on…	View Profile
	Page Nyame	Page is a highly regarded junior specialising in corporate crime and public…	View Profile
	Ms Jane Osborne KC	Jane has a leading criminal practice in complex prosecution and defence work…	View Profile