Sam has transitioned seamlessly into Silk, having been acquitted of 3 murders and a multi-handed fraud in his first year.
Sam believes the approach to any case involves hard work and meticulous preparation. He prides himself on knowing not only the strengths and weaknesses of his own case but in being equally well versed in that of his co-defendants. This makes him particularly effective in multi-handed ‘cut-throat defences’.
He sees the way through a case remarkably quickly. He knows where he needs to be in the defence case and ensures that each decision is taken to ensure that he gets there.
Sam is well known for his easy and engaging manner, allowing him to represent the most demanding clients effectively. He builds trust and rapport quickly with clients and their families.
Sam is consistently asked for his opinion by Chambers and Legal 500 in ranking other barristers. However, he does not apply to be ranked himself. Sam would prefer you to judge him by his reputation, both with those who instruct him, those who have co-defended and prosecuted him and those whom he has represented. He would say that it speaks for itself.
Sam was appointed to sit as a recorder in the Crown Court in 2019.
Criminal Defence
Overview
Sam is instructed regularly as leading counsel in cases with difficult defendants and particularly challenging defences. He is well regarded for his thorough and imaginative approach to both legal argument and tactics.
He is well known for his excellent witness handling (both in cross-examination and evidence in chief) and his imaginative and persuasive closing speeches. He has an excellent rapport with lay clients and is often instructed as a result of him being requested by defendants who have observed him in court.
Notable Cases
Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.
Notable Cases - In Silk
R v E and other (2024) - Conspiracy to murder at the CCC. Press coverage in the Daily Mail.
R v K (2024) – Murder at Snaresbrook CC
R v H and others (2024) – Multi-handed murder at CCC
R v L (2023) – Murder at Croydon CC
R v T-P (2023) – Murder at CCC
R v M (2023) – Murder at CCC
R v M and Others (2023) – Multi-handed murder at the CCC
R v T (2023) – Attempted Murder at Inner London CC
R v O (2022) – Murder at Inner London CC
R v R – (2022) - Multi-handed murder at Reading CC
R v P (2021) – Murder at Wood Green CC
R v G (2021) – Multi-handed murder Croydon CC
Notable Cases - As Junior Counsel
R v K (2020) – Murder at the Central Criminal Court
R v B and another (2020) – Murder at Kingston Crown Court
R v A and others (2019) – Leading counsel in conspiracy to supply class A at Blackfriars Crown Court
R v S and others (2019) – Leading counsel in controlling prostitution, supply of class A and possession of weapons at Harrow Crown Court
R v R and another (2018) - Murder at the Central Criminal Court
R v T and another (2018) - Murder at Central Criminal Court
R v M and Others (2017) - Leading counsel in conspiracy to pervert the course of justice at Manchester Crown Court
R v T and Others (2016) - Murder at the Central Criminal Court
R v E-S and Others (2016) - Murder at the Central Criminal Court
R v O and Others (2015) - Three counts of conspiracy to murder at the Central Criminal Court
Contact Sam
Financial Crime and Confiscation
Overview
Sam is increasingly instructed as leading counsel in ‘paper heavy’ serious and complex fraud cases.
Notable Cases
Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.
Notable Cases - In Silk
R v L and another (2022) – Fraud at Mold CC
R v S (2021) – Multi-handed Fraud at Southwark CC
Notable Cases - As Junior Counsel
R v S and others (2018) – Multi-million pound fraud at Southwark Crown Court
R v G and Others (2018) - Multi-million pound fraud at Kingston Crown Court
R v E and others (2017) - Leading counsel in multi-million pound 'boiler room' fraud at Southwark Crown Court
R v L and Others (2016) - Multi-million pound MTIC fraud at Inner London Crown Court
R v L and Others (2014) - Conspiracy to defraud at Blackfriars Crown Court
R v OT and Others (2014) - £1m defrauding of the Santander Bank at the Central Criminal Court
