2 Hare Court

David Whittaker KC has for many years been acknowledged as a leading advocate in the fields of crime, financial crime, regulatory crime, private prosecutions and public inquiries and inquests.

He is recommended in three practice areas in Legal 500 UK Bar 2024: Crime (Tier 3, Leading Silks), Fraud (Tier 1, Leading Silks) and Health & Safety (Tier 2, Leading Silks); he is recommended in Chambers & Partners 2024 in Crime, Financial Crime and Health & Safety.

David has extensive experience and he regularly appears in demanding, complex and high-profile cases. His practice is wide-ranging. He is equally as comfortable advising companies being investigated for serious crime or regulatory matters and professionals, or other hard-working individuals, accused of crime that will tarnish their reputations or ruin their lives. No matter who he represents, he prepares his cases meticulously, formulates a strategy from the outset and, above all, has excellent client-care skills.

He has been described as “conscientious and hard-working”, “personable” and “charming with clients.” In court, he “is a superb advocate”, “has a delightful manner with the jury” whose “all round performance is outstanding”.

David’s current instructions include individuals charged with fraud and other serious criminal matters; companies charged under health & safety legislation; individuals facing allegations of gross negligence manslaughter; two private prosecutions; and, he is representing the project designer for the cladding sub-contractor in the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry.

David delivers training in relation to criminal and regulatory matters and has written the UK fraud chapter for a firm of City solicitors.

He accepts Direct Access instructions and is often privately instructed through Direct Access, particularly in driving matters.

David has recently been shortlisted as Financial Crime Silk of the Year in the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2025.

Appointed King's Counsel 2019; Year of Call 1986.

Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers; Criminal Bar Association; Fraud Lawyers Association; Health & Safety Lawyers Association; 2002–present: Recorder; South Eastern Circuit.

University College, London, BA (Hons); City University, Dip Law.