Luke is a criminal practitioner with experience of disciplinary and regulatory law.
He frequently acts for individuals and companies in all aspects of business crime, including in cases involving fraud, corruption, trademark disputes and directors’ disqualification. Money laundering work features heavily in his case-load and Luke appears in restraint, forfeiture and confiscation hearings in both the Crown Court and High Court.
Luke is very experienced in general criminal cases of the utmost gravity, including homicide, international fraud, drug trafficking and serious sexual offences.
He particularly specialises in defending in MTIC/carousel cases brought by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and other government agencies.
Disciplinary work forms a growing part of Luke's regulatory practice. He often represents medical professionals, lawyers and the players and officials of sports and games before the disciplinary committees of their regulatory bodies. He is often asked to give advice on a discreet and confidential basis before proceedings are brought. He also writes on disciplinary matters in publications such as Counsel magazine and lectures to professional clients on law and procedure.
He has also appeared on behalf of military personnel in Courts Martial.
Luke often undertakes inquest work instructed by insurers and bereaved families, particularly in relation to deaths caused by careless or dangerous driving or through breaches of health and safety regulations.
A rapidly growing area of Luke's work is the representation of either side in civil applications arising out of the traditionally criminal field such as Closure Orders, Sexual Offences Prevention Orders, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and Football Banning Orders.
Luke has extensive experience of prosecuting and defending in cases involving government authorities, especially DEFRA and the Health and Safety Executive.
Key cases
Defence of a Bridge official who was accused of altering score sheets for his own benefit. The case was heard by the appellate committee of the English Bridge Union
Defence of a senior barrister accused of filling on a crossword during a trial. After hearing mitigation no penalty was imposed by the Bar disciplinary panel
£90 million MTIC fraud against HMRC
£600,000 complex banking diversion fraud (as leading junior)
£2,800,000 Boiler-room fraud
£2,000,000 fuel duty fraud against HMRC
Contact Luke Blackburn
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7242 3555
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7242 2511
Email: clerks@7br.co.uk