Mr Neil Hawes > Crucible Chambers > LONDON, England > Barrister Profile

Crucible Chambers
CENTRAL COURT, 25 SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS
LONDON
WC2A 1AL
England

Work Department

Serious Crime, Business Crime, Regulatory, Investigations

Position

Head of Chambers

Career

Neil is the Head of Crucible. Called to be Bar in 1989, he was made a Queen’s Counsel in 2010 and has over 30 years’ experience in advising on serious criminal business and regulatory offences and investigations. Renowned for his exhaustive preparation and strategic foresight, he specialises in bribery & corruption, fraud, DPA’s, cartel investigations, and insider dealing cases. He remains well known for his down-to-earth collegiate approach with the people who work with him.

Neil is regularly instructed to lead and advise on internal corporate investigations. Instructions have included advising on warrants, documentation retention & production, privilege and strategic outcomes, including money laundering and market reporting obligations.

Neil has been consistently recognised in the legal directories before and since taking silk. Legal 500 rank him as Tier 1 leading Silk for Fraud and Business & Regulatory Crime (including Global Investigations). He is sought after by large corporations and firms alike and is regularly instructed in high profile cases brought by the SFO, FCA, CPS and CMA. During 2019 he sequentially successfully defended two Directors in SFO prosecutions; Sarclad Ltd (the XYZ DPA) and Guralp Systems Ltd (GSL DPA). In 2019, Chambers & Partners shortlisted him for Crime QC of the year.

Memberships

  • South East Circuit
  • Criminal Bar Association
  • Fraud Lawyers Association
  • Cybercrime Practitioners Association

Lawyer Rankings

London Bar > Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1

Neil Hawes KC  – Crucible Chambers ‘Very client friendly – understands the issues and can explain them in simple terms to a lay client. Quick brain on criminal procedure.’

London Bar > Fraud: crime

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2

Neil Hawes KC – Crucible ChambersNeil is an absolute powerhouse in the financial crime world. He is exceptionally hard working, and knows his cases inside and out. Juries like him as much as his clients do.’