David Whittaker KC > Chambers of Jonathan Laidlaw KC > London, England > Barrister Profile
2 Hare Court Offices
2 Hare Court
TEMPLE
LONDON
EC4Y 7BH
England
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David Whittaker KC
Position
David Whittaker KC has considerable experience in most forms of serious crime. He frequently acts in complex, often high profile cases. He is regularly instructed to defend in fraud cases brought by the SFO and FCA; receives private instructions in general crime; and is increasingly instructed on behalf of corporate bodies and their officers in Health & Safety investigations. He conducts ancillary proceedings, including asset forfeiture, restraint and confiscation; and is also instructed in private prosecutions.
Recent cases of fraud include Operation Tabernula (representing a trader charged with insider dealing) and Operation Cotton (representing defendant in the largest land banking scheme). Current instructions include a £21 million conspiracy to cheat and a £10 million pensions fraud. In general crime he secured acquittals for two professionals charged separately with coercive and controlling behaviour in a marriage. He has been involved in a number of encrochat cases and also defends in motoring cases and death by driving.
In Health & Safety matters he recently defended in a gross negligence manslaughter and secured the acquittal of a building company charged over the death of a sub-contractor. He advises companies and individuals pre-charge in Health & Safety and conducts Inquests. He is instructed in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. He also acts for care home providers charged under the 2014 Health and Social Care Act Regulations.
His case preparation is meticulous, and he excels at client care
Career
Appointed King’s Counsel 2019
Year of Call 1986
Memberships
- Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers
- Criminal Bar Association
- Fraud Lawyers Association
- Health & Safety Lawyers Association
- 2002-present: Recorder
- South Eastern Circuit
Education
University College, London, BA (Hons); City University, Dip Law.
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Health and safety
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2David Whittaker KC – 2 Hare Court ‘He is a very efficient and persuasive advocate with an impressive jury rapport. A fair and balanced approach to cases, identifying well what points to press and which to leave.’
London Bar > Crime
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3David Whittaker KC – 2 Hare Court ‘David is a superlative silk. He is highly intelligent and both his written work and his advocacy are unbelievably good. He effortlessly comprehends complex cases and he is creative and tactful when defending.’
2 Hare Court, widely regarded as ‘one of the leading chambers in criminal law‘, continues to host a multitude of practitioners with considerable expertise and expertise. Oliver Glasgow KC prosecuted Jordan McSweeney, who was sentenced in December 2022 to life imprisonment with a minimum of 38 years for the brutal sexual assault and murder of Zara Aleena. In R v PD, Fiona Robertson successfully appealed, on behalf of the Attorney General, a sentence of three years imprisonment for sexual assault, assault by penetration and common assault – she submitted that full regard had not been paid in the first instance to the psychological harm inflicted upon the victim as well as that the judge had displayed outdated views on a husband’s entitlement to sex within a marriage and had thereby erred in mitigating the offence for this reason, and the sentence was upgraded to nine years. Acting as a sole junior, Julia Faure Walker prosecuted an individual, who was nineteen at the time, who was convicted of posting ISIS propaganda on Instagram. David Whittaker KC is representing a man bringing a private prosecution against his own son, who he alleges blackmailed him for £500,000.
London Bar > Fraud: crime
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 1David Whittaker KC – 2 Hare Court ‘David is a superb jury advocate who is highly respected by his opponents. He is charming and persuasive in court and has a caring and compassionate manner with clients.’
2 Hare Court is a ‘leading set for white-collar work’ offering ‘the cream of the crop of criminal barristers’. Jonathan Laidlaw KC is ‘simply one of the greatest advocates around’ who is regularly instructed by high-profile clients. Brendan Kelly KC remains involved in the SFO’s investigation into London Capital and Finance, which is alleged to have been a Ponzi scheme, while David Whittaker KC has recently acted alone for a consultant surgeon accused of billing insurance companies for more complex procedures than the ones he actually undertook. Private prosecutions are a key area of expertise for the set’s members.