Brian O'Neill KC KC > Chambers of Jonathan Laidlaw KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Chambers of Jonathan Laidlaw KC
2 Hare Court
TEMPLE
LONDON
EC4Y 7BH
England

Position

Now in his fifteenth year in Silk, Brian specialises in private prosecutions, business crime, serious crime, regulatory crime and sports law.  His expert skills can be applied to any complex situation whether defending or prosecuting across various jurisdictions.

Private Prosecutions: Brian heads Chambers’ Private Prosecutions Group.  Brian’s expertise in criminal law and his very considerable experience in serious and complex criminal cases have led to a number of instructions in this area in which he both prosecutes and defends.

Business Crime and Financial Services: Brian has appeared in two of the most newsworthy fraud cases to have been tried in this country: the HBoS corruption scandal – R v Mills & others; and the football bribery case – R v Pagliara & others.  He is regularly instructed by both leading defence solicitors and prosecution agencies and is on the SFO’s KC Panel.

Crime: Brian is instructed in criminal cases of the utmost gravity and seriousness by leading defence solicitors and specialist units within the CPS.  His vast experience has earned him the respect of those who instruct him, his peers and the judiciary.  He is regularly instructed in high profile murder cases.

Regulatory Crime: Brian has advised a number of train operating companies in respect of their practices and procedures around alleged fare evasion.

Sports Law: Brian is regularly instructed by The Football Association, for whom he acted in the Ivan Toney case.

Career

Year of Call 1987; Grays Inn; South Eastern Circuit; Recorder 2002, Appointed King’s Counsel 2010

Memberships

  • 2020: Appointed to SFO KC Panel
  • South Eastern Circuit
  • Criminal Bar Association
  • Private Prosecution Association
  • Fraud Lawyers Association

Lawyer Rankings

London Bar > Fraud: crime

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2

Brian O’Neill KC – 2 Hare Court

London Bar > Crime

(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4

Brian O’Neill KC2 Hare Court ‘Brian is a top-notch opponent in court. He is a fierce fighter with a deadly sense of humour and comic timing. Brian is a particularly able cross-examiner, getting under the skin of difficult witnesses.’