Brendan Morris undertakes work both as leader and junior for the prosecution and defence in a wide variety of cases in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal.

In recent years has specialised in dealing with organised crime investigated by SOCA, RCPO, HMRC and CPS, prosecuting cases including gangland murder, corruption, large scale drugs operations, VAT and long firm frauds.

He advises a number of prosecution agencies in large scale cases on issues relating to disclosure and privilege.

Appearance : Prosecution, leading counsel.

He advised and conducted the prosecution in one of the first of a series of cases for the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit. These cases led to the conviction of a number of different groups involved in pan-European financial and documentary frauds, allegedly designed to facilitate the movement across Europe of persons of interest to anti-terrorist law enforcement agencies in Italy, France and Spain. In advising on the preparation of the prosecution case, he liaised closely with these bodies at a very senior level and advised on then preparation of detailed and sensitive Letters of Request.

Instructed by: CPS

Appearance : Prosecution counsel

Facts : This was a four-handed case, leading to the conviction of three of the accused. It concerned a heroin distribution network dealing in excess of 1000 kgs. The drugs had been imported via Holland in lorries driven by Dutch nationals and the preparation of the case required close liaison and the submission of Letters of Request to the Dutch authorities. 

Instructed by : SOCA

Appearance : Prosecution counsel [Defended by Queens Counsel]

Facts : This was a conviction of a UK national for a multi-million pound tax evasion scheme in relation to European revenue streams held and distributed through off shore accounts. Brendan Morris was required at one stage to take evidence from bank officials in Jersey at a specially convened hearing.

Instructed : HMRC.

Case Name : 2008. R v Henry and Others.

Appearance : Prosecution leading counsel.

A prosecution resulting from an undercover operation into nine defendants who organised and operated wholesale distribution of crack cocaine throughout north London in 2007 and 2008. All the accused either pleaded or were found guilty. The trial involved calling evidence from undercover officers. The prosecution also adduced CCTV and covert video surveillance evidence and counsel was required to advise on the distillation of footage taken over four months into admissible form.

Instructed : CPS.

Appearance : Prosecution leading counsel.
Facts : A multi-handed case of international money laundering, involving £31 million, the proceeds Class A drugs dealing, laundered through legitimate businesses in the UK. Brendan Morris liaised with the Pakistani authorities and advised on the drafting of Letters of Request that produced valuable evidence. All the accused pleaded guilty.

Instructed : HMRC.

Special counsel for HMRC advising on matters of LPP in a number of large scale Revenue related investigations into professional advisors involved in complex tax evasion schemes.

Instructed in large scale operations to deal with complex issues relating to disclosure.

He conducted numerous cases on behalf of the Operation, into gangland crime in the black community including, large-scale gun factories and the attempted murder of a police officer. He is accordingly highly experienced at conducting cases that require expert ballistic evidence.

Advocacy.

RCPO /SOCA – 2006-8. Along with Andrew Marshall devised and presented advocacy training and assessment program for the RCPO advocacy unit.

CPS – 2008 - Advocacy assessor for the CPS throughout the UK.

Middle Temple – 2004-2008 trained advocacy assessor for the advocacy unit.