David Whittaker

David Whittaker is highly regarded by the industry as a leading barrister who advises and appears in cases of serious fraud and crime.

Significant and complex fraud cases form a substantial part of David's practice.  He has extensive experience of most forms of white-collar work (VAT fraud, mortgage fraud, excise/duty diversion, banking fraud, MTIC/carousel, advance fee fraud, money laundering, boiler room fraud, "Ponzi” schemes, corruption (both domestic and international), etc).  He also has experience of ancillary proceedings, including restraint and confiscation.  He regularly advises pre-charge.

He was involved in the first prosecution of a foreign government official for corruption (R v Tumukunde & Tobiasen), and represented the main defendant in a major money laundering case involving bureaux de change (R v Montila & Ors); interlocutory appeals resulted in an important point of law being decided by the House of Lords (as was).

He has also acted in proceedings brought by what is now the Department of Business Innovation & Skills, advising on matters touching directors' disqualification, and acting as a director whilst disqualified.

Serious crime (including offences of murder, manslaughter and other non-fatal violence, drugs importation, firearms offences and armed robbery) has always formed part of David's practice, and continues to do so. He has recently been instructed privately on an appeal against a murder conviction, and to defend in a trial of allegations of death by careless driving.  He is also regularly instructed privately by high-profile individuals and professionals in motoring and other cases.

 

What others say:

"David Whittaker has gained a reputation as a "top-echelon criminal counsel”. Sources say he's their "first choice for serious Crown Court work”. Whittaker is experienced in defending cases of fraud, money laundering, corruption and drugs and "is able to master cases of enormous complexity quickly, reducing them to their key points”.  Chambers UK, 2010

Notable Cases