Chambers UK 2009 states that David Williams is "
recognised for the high quality work he undertakes with solicitors, noting that 'he doesn’t ever miss a trick- he’s marvellous'." Earlier editions of
Chambers UK have ranked him as a top calibre advocate noting that he is a "
powerful" advocate and that he is "
one of the few who is equally adept at prosecuting and defending". Together with Professor David Ormerod he is the co-editor of
Smith: The Law of Theft 9th ed. (OUP). Since June 2010 he has worked for
Fulcrum Chambers LLP.
He both prosecutes and defends in heavy criminal cases. His recent work on behalf of the Serious Fraud Office has included the successful prosecution of a number of internationally structured high-yield investment frauds. He has advised with regard to mutual legal assistance issues and the extradition of foreign nationals. At present, he is counsel instructed by the SFO in the ongoing investigation into the affairs of BAE Systems plc.
He has worked as a part of a team with UK-based investigators and accountants and has worked closely with senior members of the US Department of Justice, the South African prosecutorial authorities and Eastern European law enforcement agencies.
He has substantial experience in heading defence teams in cases calling for leading counsel who can quickly assimilate a large volume of material and give clear and detailed advice as to the preparation of the defendant’s case. Recent defence work includes leading briefs for principal defendants in cases involving: company fraud, industrial espionage, local government corruption, money laundering, carousel fraud, people trafficking and NHS fraud. He has experience of defending in highly sensitive cases involving terrorists and a former member of the security services.
He has defended in a number of murder trials. In these cases, he has experience of acting for defendants who are vulnerable and non-English speaking. His cross-examination experience ranges from tackling expert witnesses, senior police officers, senior corporate executives to hostile co-defendants and bereaved family members. He also has substantial experience of cross-examining young and vulnerable witnesses to whom special measure procedures apply.
He has a scientific background and is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He has considerable experience of dealing in cases involving forensic and other expert evidence. In defence of a case involving voice identification evidence, he and his team called a prominent US academic witness to successfully counter the evidence of the leading UK experts. Cases in which he has been instructed have involved a detailed understanding of complex banking and forensic accounting issues.
He has significant experience of advising in relation to the operation of sanctions tribunals at the International Financial Institutions
He was a member of CBA working groups producing papers on the Fraud Bill and the Corruption Bill and has lectured to other lawyers and police officers in relation to subjects ranging from hearsay and bad character to the Fraud Act.
Publications
Smith: The Law of Theft. 9th ed. (Oxford University Press) – co-editor with Professor David Ormerod. “A much-needed and comprehensive update of this leading work. In particular, the chapters on the Fraud Act 2006 offer a valuable analysis of that important new legislation”. – Lord Justice Hooper. Contributor to
Fraud: Law, Practice and Procedure. (LexisNexis)
Cases of Note
R v Hanna et al
27.04.2009, Maidstone Crown Court
For the first defendant in a multi-handed drugs and money laundering conspiracy. This was one of the largest SOCA operation yet mounted. A case complicate by the sorts of features which characterise allegations of large scale organised crime.
R v Davies
07.09.2009, Southwark Crown Court
For an old Etonian charged with allegations of theft. This was a Fraud Prosecution Case in which it was alleged that the defendant had stolen in excess of £1.5 million for a family charitable trust fund.
Category: Fraud
R v Marcus Siyum et al
01.06.2009, Central Criminal Court
For the second defendant in a multi-handed murder trial. This case involved a revenge gang shooting in London. Siyum was the sole defendant to be acquitted of the single allegation of murder that he faced at the conclusion of Crown case following a submission of no case. A young and vulnerable defendant.
Category: Homicide & Corporate Manslaughter
R v Nadim Kurribukus and another
16.03.2009, Kingston Crown Court
For the first defendant in a very difficult murder trial. The defendant was a young Muslim male who was accused of ambushing and then setting fire to his former boyfriend in revenge attack. Category: Homicide & Corporate Manslaughter
R v Jamal Dyce et al
14.04.2008, Central Criminal Court
For the first defendant in a multi-handed murder trial. The defence of this case was complicated by the young age of the defendant, hostile cut-throat defences run by others and the cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses.
Category: Homicide & Corporate Manslaughter
R v Yildiz
20.03.2007
The dual handed murder trial of a father and his 16 year old son. David Williams and Rufus D’Cruz acted for the father who spoke no English. The father was acquitted and the son convicted. Given the nature of the relationship between the two defendants the case called for delicate and difficult judgements.
Category: Homicide & Corporate Manslaughter
R v Adam Share
07.01.2007
David Williams acted for a company executive in this large multi-handed prosecution. The allegations revolved around the alleged use of an agency run by former police officers. The prosecution alleged that company executives used intelligence unlawfully obtained by the agency to gain commercial advantage and to interfere with investigations run by prosecuting authorities.
R v Muhareem Garip & others
15.05.2005
A multi-handed people smuggling case involving the largest investigation into human trafficking ever conducted by the Metropolitan Police. In this case David Williams and Rufus D’Cruz made successful use of the “Goodyear” procedure. Having carefully considered the strength of the case, Garip pleaded guilty, on an agreed basis and having received an indication as to sentence. He received a sentence which was very much less the other defendants who contested the trial.
Category: Organised Crime
R v Neil Lewis and others
09.02.2005
David Williams acted for Lewis, the first defendant in a large-scale “missing trader” carousel fraud. This case was stayed as an abuse of the process of the court following an application led by the team for Lewis.
Category: Fraud & Financial Crime
R v Twiss
14.10.2004
This case was brought by the Serious Fraud Office concerning a US$2.2million. The accused, Roddam Twiss was the Chief Executive of the Dragon Group, which included The Grosvenor Trust. He was estimated to have benefited to the tune of almost £540,000 and was charged with theft, conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to steal. The trial involved abuse of process arguments, breach of privilege issues (in UK and France), the use of foreign evidence, a live link from the USA and confiscation matters.
Category: Fraud & Financial Crime
