Ed is ranked in Chambers UK and the Legal 500 as a ‘Leading Silk’, and is described as ‘An excellent silk who remains utterly calm at all times’ Chambers UK (2022); ‘Measured, calm and determined, Edmund’s knowledge of the law is par excellence and coupled with his good judgement, he achieves excellent results for his clients. His sole focus is the best outcome for his clients’ Legal 500 (2022); ‘A talented advocate’ who ‘exudes gravitas and authority’ Chambers UK (2021); ‘He is particular about his preparation and has that talent in silk of taking points that others might dismiss on first blush and pushing them successfully through the style of his advocacy and the confidence of his understanding of the law’ Legal 500 (2021) and as having ‘a first class legal mind allied to a very charming and persuasive style’ Legal 500 (2020).
Ed is instructed in the most serious criminal cases at Crown Court, High Court and Appellate level.
Ed both defends and prosecutes in murder and organised crime cases and his skills in cross examination, dealing with experts and analysing detail has led to a growing white collar crime practice (complex fraud, money laundering and cases before the tax tribunal). Ed is regularly asked to advise companies and individuals involved in business, tax and complex fraud investigations and to advise at an early stage so that strategic decisions can be made involving matters such as voluntary disclosure, Legal Professional Privilege and confidentiality.
Ed has appeared in many high profile cases particularly at the Old Bailey (murder and organised crime) and Southwark Crown Court (London’s fraud trial centre), and has enjoyed success in cases as diverse as defending protesters storming the House of Commons, prosecuting the police in the Tuition Fees Riot in Parliament Sq, and successfully defending in the UK’s first FGM trial. With over 25 years’ experience of forensic advocacy both defending and prosecuting, Ed is instructed by a wide range of firms of City and High Street solicitors and prosecuting authorities.
Ed is a lead advocacy trainer at the Hon Soc Middle Temple and is a member of the Scholarship panel at the Inn. He is a Trustee and former treasurer of the Kalisher Trust, a charity that encourages and supports students from non-traditional backgrounds to go on to higher education and pursue a career in the Law, promoting greater diversity throughout the criminal justice system. He is currently lead trustee of the Kalisher Trust mentoring programme, pairing students with senior members of the Bar and Judiciary.
In 2021, Ed chaired the Criminal Bar Association C-21 Working Group, examining issues facing criminal practitioners in the Crown Court. The report was published in January 2022 and called for the establishment of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice without further delay. Read the report here: [Criminal Bar]
Ed regularly appears for the defence in murder cases in London (mainly the Old Bailey) and around the country. He also is instructed to prosecute in cases involving homicide. He has particular expertise in cross examining experts in the fields of pathology, histopathology and DNA.
Recent cases include:
Earlier cases include:
Since taking silk, Ed has also been instructed to prosecute murder and other complex cases.
Ed is often instructed in the most serious sexual offence cases, including ‘date rape’, paedophilia and incest. He is a specialist in cases involving vulnerable witnesses, especially those with learning or mental health difficulties and is a lead advocacy trainer for The Inns of Court College of Advocacy (handling vulnerable witnesses) and at the Middle Temple. He has particular expertise in cross examining experts on DNA, as well as psychiatrists and psychologists about mental health issues and defences. He has particular expertise in cross examining experts on DNA, as well as psychiatrists and psychologists about mental health issues and defences.
Ed has been instructed in a series of high profile organised crime cases, including the Heathrow armed robbery.
Ed is regularly instructed in complex fraud cases, where focussed preparation, the martialling of large amounts of material and early, detailed analysis of the central issues are critical.
Ed has also been privately instructed to prosecute numerous trademark fraud cases at the Magistrates Court.
Ed has vast experience in money laundering and confiscation cases and is particularly familiar with its complexities.
Ed has some experience in this field having appeared in cases of international arms dealing and money laundering linked to terrorism. Ed has trained CT prosecutors in Africa on behalf the UN and DFID. For further information please contact Mark Bennett, Practice Manager
Ed’s years’ of experience in fraud cases, his track record in cross-examining experts, forensic accountants, fraud investigators and auditors and other experts, together with his ability to identify central issues and solutions allow him to bring invaluable skills to such cases.
He is available for instruction in:
Cases include:
Ed has extensive experience advising in appeals to the High Court (Judicial Review) and Court of Appeal. He has also advised, pro bono, in capital and non-capital murder cases for death row prisoners seeking to appeal from the West Indies to the Privy Council. Relevant cases include:
Ed is available for instruction in public inquiry work and Coroners’ inquests. His has successfully represented a numismatist in a rare case of a jury inquest into treasure trove; and his knowledge of cross examining experts and vulnerable witnesses, is well suited to public enquiry work. Moreover, his negotiations with government ministers and civil servants on behalf of the criminal Bar and his involvement in preparing CBA responses to government consultations has provided him with an invaluable insight into examining and challenging government decision-making.
In 2020-21, Ed chaired CBA working group on the Criminal Justice System which produced a report on issues facing practitioners in the Crown Court; see [CBA]
In 2020-21 Ed chaired the Criminal Bar Association working group on the Criminal Justice System. The report on issues faced by practitioners in the Crown Court is here: [CBA]
Criminal Bar Association
South Eastern Circuit
Trustee and Treasurer of The Kalisher Trust – A legal charity established to encourage students from non-traditional backgrounds to develop advocacy skills and to assist them pursue a career in criminal law.
Leading Silk in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK Bar directories (see Recommendations)