Noted for his "ability to absorb information like a sponge" and praised for his "tactical sense, industry and skill", Tim is highly regarded for his expertise both in criminal fraud and crime. Once again, he is ranked as a leading silk in both specialities by Chambers & Partners (2008) and in fraud by The Legal 500 (2007). Comments include: "fantastically hard-working and extremely bright", "dedicated to the cause" and "a good choice for complex, detailed frauds requiring novel methods of interpretation and presentation".
Long regarded as a leading expert in the criminal fraud field, Tim's practice is evenly balanced between prosecution and defence work and encompasses UK and international work. Instructed by the Serious Fraud Office, Customs & Excise and CPS (HQ), Tim also frequently works with the top-tier criminal fraud firms. His prosecution work has included securing convictions in a number of notable cases, all of which were upheld by the Court of Appeal. These included the Brittania Park fraud (R v Kellard & Ors), a £70 million fraudulent trading case arising from the manipulation of financial instruments in the banking sector (R v Wallace Duncan Smith), the largest fraud on the legal aid fund (R v Robinson & Ors) and a complex corruption case involving the director of a major bank and a company director (R v Skingley and Burrett).
Tim successfully represented Kenneth Bagnall QC, a former deputy circuit judge, accused of embezzlement. He has defended in a number of other high-profile cases including the £25 million collapse of the Swithland Motors Group (R v Sharatt & Hayes) and a fraud on Prudential Insurance (R v Michael & Ors). Other defence cases have involved allegations of re-insurance fraud (R v Pearce), fraudulent foreign exchange dealing (R v Cheung) and conspiracy to defraud (R v Sawtell).
Tim is currently instructed by the Serious Fraud Office to prosecute an alleged £250 million worldwide investment fraud involving the Imperial Consolidated Group (R v Brook & Ors).
Contact Tim Barnes QC
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7242 3555
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7242 2511
Email: clerks@7br.co.uk