Andrew has unusually broad personal and professional experience, which is reflected in his approach to his cases. He has tackled cases ranging from inquests and public enquiries, through many large criminal cases, personal injuries actions including fatal accident claims, to Professional Negligence and a Chancery Division action for the rectification of a lease.
For some years he was the non-executive chairman of a £3m turnover trading company and was the chair of a vigorous voluntary organisation assisting families in need (turnover £300,000).
Whilst he is always open to new challenges his work in recent years has largely been in the area of serious commercial fraud and regulation of financial services.
Fraud and Regulatory Work
Andrew has conducted over two dozen commercial frauds and, since taking silk, he has also advised and represented financial regulators and applied his fraud knowledge in extradition.
He is enthusiastic and practised in the use of computer systems in support of his cases including the design and use of databases and spreadsheets. He also has extensive experience in using packages for the analysis and presentation of cases, such as PowerPoint, CaseMap, Livenote, Concordance and other litigation support software. He has recently been a member of a working party set up by the Serious Fraud Office to advise on its next generation of document handling systems.
The Times featured Andrew as its Lawyer of the Week following his successful prosecution of the defendants found guilty of fraud after the collapse of Independent Insurance.
Andrew has recently advised a former Tanzanian cabinet minister in connection with an investigation by the SFO into a contract between the Tanzanian government and BAe Systems PLC for the supply of radar equipment. Click here for further details.
General Crime
As a junior Andrew had a large and wide-ranging criminal practice including large drug conspiracies and serious offences of violence and dishonesty, as well as fraud and corruption. Since taking silk has conducted several murder trials.
Attorney-General’s Reference (No. 2 of 1982) [1984] QB 624 - theft by company directors
Tringham (64 Cr. App. R. 92) - theft by company directors
R v Terry Ramsden (1993) (CCC) - share warrant fraud
R v Rees-Jones and others (1994-5) (Newport Crown Court) - fraud stopped by judge as unmanageable
R v Hinchliffe and others (1999-2001) (Two trials at the Central Criminal Court and various appeals) - fraud and corruption
R v Bright and others (2006-7) (Southwark Crown Court) - directors of Independent Insurance
R v Suleman (2008-9) (Southwark Crown Court) wine investment
R v Saghir Afzal and others (2009-11) (Southwark Crown Court) prosecuted £49 million mortgage fraud for Serious Fraud Office. 13-year sentence imposed on Afzal was third longest ever imposed in an SFO case.
General Crime
R v Cuthbertson and others (1978) (Bristol Crown Court) - Operation Julie LSD manufacture and distribution
R v Haycock and others (1981) (Winchester Crown Court) - Hell’s Angels attempted murder and affray
Hill (83 Cr. App. R. 386, HL) - administering a noxious substance with intent
Flack v Baldry (87 Cr. App. R. 130, HL) - stun guns
R v Rafiq and others (2004) (Central Criminal Court) - murder
R v Seville and others (2005) (Nottingham Crown Court) - murder
R v Jenny Henry (2005) (Central Criminal Court) - murder
Listed as a Leading Silk in Fraud: Criminal and described as a "favourite advocate of the SFO." Notable cases include the "representation of the SFO in a multi-handed mortgage fraud matter, and his involvement in the Sovcomflot case."
Chambers & Partners Client's Guide 2011
Listed as a Leading Silk in Fraud: Crime and recommended for being "exceptionally strong on getting the case up quickly and seeing the critical points".
Legal 500 Clients' Guide 2010
Andrew is listed as a leading silk in Fraud: Criminal and is described as "a rather understated performed who is particularly good at complex fraud cases by virtue of his thorough attention."
Chambers and Partners Client's Guide 2010
Andrew is recommended in Fraud: Crime for being a "smart and effective advocate”.
Legal 500 Clients' Guide 2009
9 Gough Square are always happy to help with any further enquiries
