Recognised for his expertise in all aspects of fraud and business crime, Philip is also known for his work on major crime cases including those involving allegations of murder and terrorism. He also appears on behalf of medical and other professionals in regulatory and disciplinary proceedings.
Financial crime forms a significant part of Philip's practice. Over the last 10 years he has been involved in cases concerning allegations of fraud, the use of offshore tax evasion schemes, money-laundering and corruption. Instructed by the leading defence firms, Philip also acts for the Serious Fraud Office, HM Revenue & Customs and the DTI. He has lectured on the applications of the proceeds of crime legislation and the law of corruption.
Philip also prosecutes and represents companies and individuals in cases involving allegations of gross negligence manslaughter and breach of health and safety legislation.
His extensive experience in general crime has seen Philip act for the crown in one of the first ever prosecutions for familial homicide. He has defended in prosecutions for honour killings and also represented a member of the UFF who planted a car bomb as part of an ongoing loyalist feud.
Recent key cases
- R v Vocaturo & Ors (2007): defending in £20 million MTIC VAT fraud
- R v Doyle & Ors (2007): defending in the trial of four people accused of attacking a man and then throwing him into the Thames to drown
- General Dental Council v Govind (2007): disciplinary proceedings for gross misconduct
- R v Kenny & R v Pearce (2005-2007): The murder of a two year old by mother's partner. One of the very first prosecutions for the offence of "familial homicide"
- R v Hudson & Ors (2005): representing the lead defendant in the trial of eight members of the same family accused of murder. Widely reported as the case of the "Family from hell"
- R v Prescott & Ors (2005): gross negligence manslaughter trial arising from a river boat accident
- R v Curry (2005): conspiracy to cause explosions. Terrorism case arising from a loyalist feud in Northern Ireland
Contact Philip Shears QC
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7242 3555
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7242 2511
Email: clerks@7br.co.uk