2 Harcourt Buildings

2 Harcourt Buildings is an outstanding set of criminal barristers, with counsel of the highest calibre at every level. Members of chambers prosecute and defend the full range of criminal offences and are noted for their dedication, commanding courtroom presence, 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 large scale drug dealing. Chambers has a particular specialism in cases investigated under the Serious and Organised Crime Command, Operation Trident, The Flying Squad, 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, provides the junior tenants at 2 Harcourt Buildings with experience beyond their call. We frequently prosecute high profile cases attracting national and international publicity.

Recent high profile cases include the Exeter private school attempted murders and the missing head murder in Boscombe.  We have defended Members of Parliament and defend high net worth individuals.

Work undertaken
Crime: Members of 2 Harcourt Buildings regularly appear in cases involving homicide, terrorism, corruption, fatal and non-fatal injuries to infants, rape, high profile sexual offences and drug dealing on a massive scale.

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, performance in court, and the ability to process, assimilate, and present the large volume of evidence involved in such cases. Chambers is frequently instructed in complex, paper heavy cases where the evidence is presented electronically.

Members regularly appear in fraud and financial crime cases 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.  In particular we are instructed by the Specialist Fraud Division of the CPS, the SFO, the FCA, and HMRC.  Members of chambers are experienced in conducting private prosecutions and are alert to the particular challenges such proceedings present.  Barristers at 2 Harcourt Buildings are frequently instructed for the outset of an investigation, providing advice pre-charge. They will then see the case through to the final conclusion also often dealing with restraint and confiscation.

Recent cases include: Operation Elaborate, described by the Metropolitan Police as the biggest anti-fraud operation to date; Operation Maclura the highly sensitive prosecution of an ex- solicitor accused of defrauding of the LAA with links to the Iraqi War; Operation Barbados, currently the biggest MTIC carousel fraud, and Operation Volcanic, the largest benefit fraud in the country.

Professional discipline: 2 Harcourt Buildings increasingly undertakes inquests and Public Inquiries. 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 advocacy and the criminal law to such work which involves evidence from the police, the prison, and the probation services.

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.

Judicial review: Members have advised the Metropolitan Police Service on highly sensitive evidence given by a whistle blower in a historic inquest into a sensitive police shooting, and judicially reviewing decisions made by Coroners during the course of  Inquests.

Recruitment: Chambers prides itself on offering structured, challenging and fulfilling twelve-month pupillages to high quality applicants. Chambers aims to prepare pupils for a successful career and actively seeks to recruit junior tenants from amongst their number. Junior tenants are frequently led which enables them to learn how to manage and present complex investigations and trials.