Oliver Glasgow KC was appointed First Senior Treasury Counsel in 2021 and is on the Attorney-General’s list of approved counsel. He has a reputation for detailed preparation, exceptional advocacy and is “an especially good cross-examiner”. He is recommended as one of the star individuals in the Chambers UK Guide and one of the leading silks in the Legal 500.
He divides his practice between working at the highest level in the criminal sphere; appearing in public inquiries and inquests where the government, the military or the security services are often involved; and specialising in complicated and serious quasi-criminal and regulatory work.
Winner of the Crime and Extradition Silk of the Year at The Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2022.
Winner of the Crime Silk of the Year at Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023.
Oliver accepts Direct Access instructions.
He has extensive experience advising and acting for companies and businesses in all areas of business crime and financial regulation.
Current Instructions:
Anon
Oliver is presently advising the SFO in connection with allegations of fraud arising out of abuse of the coronavirus loan scheme set up by the government during the pandemic.
Recent Instructions:
DA
The defendant, a successful Hong Kong tax advisor, is being investigated and prosecuted by her regulatory body in connection with her management of client funds.
RA
The defendant, who acted as an intermediary between BAE and a foreign government, is under investigation for bribery and corruption as part of an on-going SFO investigation.
SR
The defendant company, who provide services to the betting industry, has sought advice in connection with protecting their business interests and bringing a private prosecution against a rival business for infringement of their activities and defamation.
In health and safety work he has significant experience in corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter.
Current Instructions:
Condor Ferries – Op Nectar
Oliver is instructed to advise the AG of Jersey in connection with the investigation and potential prosecution in respect of the Condor Ferry disaster which saw a fishing trawler involved in a collision with a cargo ferry and which resulted in the sinking of the trawler and the loss of all lives.
Island Energy (Jersey) – Op Spire
Oliver is instructed to advise the AG of Jersey in connection with the investigation and potential prosecution in respect of the gas explosion in St. Helier which resulted in an explosion in a block of flats that left ten of the residents dead and the building completely destroyed.
Recent Instructions:
R v Geo & Primecare
Oliver was instructed to review the intended prosecution of the international management company and healthcare providor at an immigration detention centre where a detainee had died after being kept in abhorrent conditions.
Following an extensive evaluation of the available evidence and the competing duties it was determined (despite a previous public indication to the contrary) that there was insufficient evidence to continue with the case.
Oliver further advised the CPS following the outcome of the inquest and what impact the evidence called before the coroner might have, if any, upon the conclusions already reached.
R v Aster Healthcare Ltd
The care home, its manager and various staff members were prosecuted for the death of an elderly resident who was placed in a bath of scalding water.
The defendants were convicted of Corporate Manslaughter and health and safety offences, and the company was fined over £1M.
Smart Motorways
Oliver was instructed to advise the Department for Transport and the government in connection with a large number of fatalities on sections of the MI and other smart motorways. The police and HSE are currently investigating the deaths and there are linked JR proceedings challenging the validity of the strategic road network policy.
“An extraordinary talent and a man who knows his job inside out” – Chambers UK
He has extensive experience advising in connection with and appearing for interested parties in inquests and public inquires.
Current Instructions:
Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan
Oliver is counsel to the Inquiry. The inquiry, which is being chaired by Haddon-Cave LJ, is investigating allegations that UK Special Forces carried out extra-judicial killings on operations in Afghanistan, that these allegations were covered up, and that the eventual military police investigation into the allegations was not fit for purpose.
Condor Ferries – Op Nectar
Oliver is instructed to advise the AG of Jersey in connection with the investigation and potential prosecution in respect of the Condor Ferry disaster which saw a fishing trawler involved in a collision with a cargo ferry and which resulted in the sinking of the trawler and the loss of all lives. Those affected by the disaster, including ministers and politicians, have called for a public inquiry.
Island Energy (Jersey) – Op Spire
Oliver is instructed to advise the AG of Jersey in connection with the investigation and potential prosecution in respect of the gas explosion in St. Helier which resulted in an explosion in a block of flats that left ten of the residents dead and the building completely destroyed. Those affected by the disaster, including ministers and politicians, have called for a public inquiry.
Recent Instructions:
Iraq Historic Abuse Litigation
Oliver represented the MoD. The MoD faced 196 combined judicial reviews in respect of the failure to investigate and prosecute allegations of torture of Iraqi nationals at the hands of British soldiers.
Smart Motorways
Oliver was instructed to advise the Department for Transport and the government in connection with a large number of fatalities on sections of the MI and other smart motorways.
The police and HSE are currently investigating the deaths and there are linked JR proceedings challenging the validity of the strategic road network policy.
Independent Jersey Care Inquiry
Oliver represented the Law Officers’ Department, the Attorney General and the four past Attorneys General. The Law Officers Department was one of the interested parties appearing at the public inquiry which examined the allegations of abuse of children whilst in care on the island. The terms of reference included claims that the prosecuting authorities had failed properly to investigate the allegations and that there had been an institutional cover up in order to protect the reputation of the island.
Southern Cross Inquest
Oliver represented the Insurance Company. The operators of a care home in West Sussex, which was said to have been one of the worst examples of its kind, were an interested party to the inquest conducted into the deaths of 19 elderly residents.
His experience as senior Treasury Counsel, which has seen him prosecute some of the most high profile and complex public prosecutions in recent years, has effectively translated to the private market.
Recent Instructions:
S
S is an international betting company whose business has been disrupted by the activities of its principal competitor and it is anticipated that the competitor will attempt to bring a private prosecution in order to secure exclusive control over the lucrative market in which they operate.
AC
The victim is a successful international businessman who has been defrauded of hundreds of thousands of pounds and who has brought a private prosecution against the fraudster who has refused to return the money. The proceedings are ongoing and it is anticipated that the trial will now take place in 2021.
In serious and organised crime his areas of expertise include murder, firearms and terrorism.
Recent Instructions:
R v Kirill Belorusov
The defendant was convicted of the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend (a French film producer), whose body he then buried in a shallow grave in her back garden before he played out a detailed deception upon her friends and family by sending messages from her mobile phone that gave the impression she was alive and well.
R v Seed & Others
The defendants were convicted of the murder of their friend and fellow gang member who died in a shoot-out they had with their rivals and was killed by a bullet fired by an unidentified member of the rival gang: it was described as a home side homicide. It was the first case of its kind ever to be prosecuted and it has attracted huge social debate and academic interest.
R v Jordan McSweeney
The defendant was convicted of the shocking murder of Zara Aleena – the young lawyer who was dragged off the street, sexually assaulted and then beaten to death. The offence attracted international media attention and his sentence and subsequent misconduct has further fueled the debate about the safety of women and the punishment of men who kill women.
R v Al-Jundi & El-Abboud
The defendants were convicted of defrauding and murdering an elderly divorcee, hiding her body and leaving a false trail of evidence for her family and friends intending to lead them to believe that she had gone overseas.
In sports law his areas of expertise include disciplinary tribunals and appeals, advising individuals and teams on doping allegations, and advising teams and companies on betting irregularities.
Current Instructions:
Anon
Oliver is representing a premiership football star in connection with allegations of criminal misconduct.
Recent Instructions:
ERB v Harlequins
The club, its director and several key players and support staff were accused of cheating in a case that became known as the infamous “Bloodgate” scandal.
RFU v A
Four players from the England touring side were accused of a serious sexual offence in New Zealand and faced allegations of bringing the game into disrepute on their return.
Congratulations to Oliver Glasgow KC, Winner of Crime Silk of the Year at the Chambers…
Oliver Glasgow KC has this week made the opening statement as counsel to the inquiry…
We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for 2 awards in the…
