David Hislop K.C
“Hislop possessed calm and charm in great measure, but could strike like a cobra.”– (2015) – Mike White journalist and author of Who Killed Scott Guy.
An extensive career has allowed him to achieve expertise in a number of areas from murder and terrorism to the fine arts of fraud, cross border crime, money laundering and regulatory work.
Popular with clients he is known for his industry and ability to scythe through vast mountains of paper work drilling down to the real issues in the case. His reputation is as a persuasive jury advocate with “…a preparedness to defend the indefensible and win”. He is regularly ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
David has an extensive criminal practice. In 2016 he was involved in three high profile murder cases. He represented a man charged for the murder of his mother’s abusive partner and leading a defence attack on an “alleged bent informer” in a sex ring case He also represented a man charged with the murder of a customer in Poundland and represented a man charged with the murder of his “internet date”.
David is currently instructed in one of the first prosecutions of an individual (as opposed to a company or corporation) under the Bribery Act, allegations within the motor racing industry. He is also currently briefed in a significant investment fraud defending a trader charged with creating a false or misleading impression, contrary to section 397(3) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, carrying on a regulated activity in contravention of the general prohibition imposed by section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, contrary to section 23 of the Financial Services Act 2000 and contravening the restrictions on financial promotions imposed by section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
In addition to the above David advises on Judicial Review matters particularly within the context of criminal matters. He has recently advised on the expunging of police cautions and the challenging of the Police Commissioners decisions in respect thereof. He has also recently advised on a variety of regulatory matters including procurement and public tendering.
David is a recognised specialist in white-collar crime. He has extensive trial experience in cases of Serious Fraud, Money Laundering, MTIC fraud, Insider Trading and Banking Fraud.
He has recently trained officers from the National Crime Agency in aspects of money laundering and expert evidence. He has had notable successes in defending those charged with money laundering offences including most famously one of the Meghrabi brothers in the notorious Operation Aloof.
The author of the Fraud section on West Laws On-Line Encyclopedia for several years. He was a contributing author to The Practitioners Guide to the Law and Regulation of Financial Crime providing specialist chapters on Bribery and Corruption and Search Warrants and Production Orders. He has also authored a number of specialist articles on money laundering, banks, SARs and their customers, restraint orders, consumer protection legislation and insider trading.
The breadth of his practice can be seen in his recent caseload. He is currently instructed in one of the first prosecutions of an individual (as opposed to a company or corporation) under the Bribery Act, allegations within the motor racing industry.
He is also currently briefed in a significant investment fraud defending a trader charged with creating a false or misleading impression, contrary to section 397(3) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, carrying on a regulated activity in contravention of the general prohibition imposed by section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, contrary to section 23 of the Financial Services Act 2000 and contravening the restrictions on financial promotions imposed by section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
The end of 2016 saw him defending a man for the murder of his mother’s abusive partner and leading a defence attack on an “alleged bent informer” in a sex ring case which had followed on from a busy year wherein he successfully represented a man charged with the murder of a customer in Poundland and represented a man charged with the murder of his “internet date”.
2017 has seen the acquittal of a young man facing a murder charge, the representation of a BBC presenter on sexual allegations, defending in the Newcastle Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) case Operation Sanctuary and defending in the Oxford CSE case Operation Nautical securing acquittals on all counts.
R v Donnelly (2016) “Dating App” murder.
R v Dwayne King (2016) Murder.
R v Joyce (2016) “Poundland” murder.
R v Thaxter (2016) “No body” murder.
R v Crosdale & Ors (2017) Murder.
R v White & Ors (2017) Murder.
R v Fox & Ors (No.1)(2018) Murder.
R v Woodward & Ors (2018) Murder.
R v Fox & Ors (No.2) (2018) Murder.
R v Morgan & Ors (2015) Street Killings.
R v King (2015) Street Killings.
R v Lundy (2015) Double Murder.
R v Boswell (2014) Murder.
R v Jamar Graham & Anor (2013) Murder .
R v Jennifer Creasy & Ors (2013) Murder, Perverting the Course of Justice.
R v Andrew Parsons (2013) Murder.
R v Renata Sode (2013) Baby shaking.
R v Jovan Roberts & Co (2013) Joint Enterprise Murder the killing of his wife in front of his four year old son.
R v Andrew Parsons (2013) Murder.
R v Freaney (2013) The allegation was that Freaney murdered his partner during a bedroom domestic argument. Freaney alleged that death occurred by accident during a sex game.
R v Satpal Kaur-Singh (2011) Murder. The defendant fed her autistic son bleach.
R v Davda (2011) Manslaughter. The defendant stabbed her daughter several times before turning the knife on herself.
R v Peters & Ors (2010) Drugs related killing.
R v Laguda & Anor (2010) Drugs related killing.
R v Houston & Ors (2011) Drugs related killing.
R v Seeveratnam & Ors S was convicted of murder in 2002, the then trial counsel (QC) advised that there was no grounds of appeal. David Hidislop QC was instructed to give a second opinion, advised that there were grounds of appeal. The murder conviction was over turned in the Court of Appeal and a retrial was granted. David conducted the retrial. S was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. David advised that an appeal should be lodged. On appeal to the Court of Appeal the manslaughter conviction was over turned.
R v Lundy Privy Council appeal of double murder. Privy Council described the case for the Appellant to be “closely and persuasively argued.”
R v Hasnat Rape – Fresh Evidence.
R v Manzoor Firearms.
R v Semaj Murder – Fresh Evidence.
R v Al-Soltan & Al-Fahad Murder.
R v Biggs Child Cruelty.
R v Kearns Rape.
R v Xhepmetaj Rape.
The author of the Fraud section on West Laws On-Line Encyclopedia for several years. He was a contributing author to The Practitioners Guide to the Law and Regulation of Financial Crime providing specialist chapters on Bribery and Corruption and Search Warrants and Production Orders. He has also authored a number of specialist articles on money laundering, banks, SARs and their customers, restraint orders, consumer protection legislation and insider trading.