Peter Wright KC is cited by Chambers UK, the Legal 500 and other industry directories as a leading Silk.
Testimonials from those guides, his instructing solicitors, and also his lay clients, describe a highly respected senior practitioner of considerable experience and gravitas. He specialises in providing advice and advocacy in cases involving crime, fraud, health and safety, as well as other forms of regulation or decisions by public bodies which affect businesses and individuals.
In 2006 the Attorney General appointed him Senior Treasury Counsel, and he was the first person ever to be directly appointed to that position, which he relinquished in 2010 to return to his defence practice. He is regularly instructed in cases of the utmost gravity and complexity, including fraud, cartel price fixing arrangements, corporate and gross manslaughter, murder and terrorism. He works in London (the Isle of Man- where he is instructed in criminal proceedings against the Attorney General) and in Crown Courts across the country. He regularly appears in the High Court and Court of Appeal arguing complex points of law. As well as advising the Crown Prosecution Service, Treasury Solicitor and Attorney General, he has extensive experience of working for and against other agencies of Government including the Serious Fraud Office and Office of Fair Trading.
His case profile includes: appearing as leading Counsel in the series of trials arising from the alleged corrupt payments to public officials by journalists known as Operation Elveden; an OFT Investigation into International Cartel and Price Fixing Arrangements in the steel abrasives industry; the LIBOR scandal; civil and criminal proceedings arising from the investigation by the SFO into breaches of the UN Oil for Food Programme to Iraq; in addition to his “mainstream” criminal work in Corporate and gross negligence manslaughter; terrorism and murder.
In addition to defending in cases of serious and complex crime, Peter also advises and represents companies and individuals who face investigation or proceedings under Health and Safety legislation, and in related cases such as fatal and other non-fatal accidents arising from incidents in the workplace.
The following cases comprise Peter Wright KC’s recent involvement in offences of Fraud and, in a wider context, “White Collar” Crime.
R v Razzaq
Murder of WPC Beshenivsky shot dead by armed robbers whilst on duty in Bradford. Client acquitted of murder.
R v S & Others
Murder of eight members of same extended family by petrol bombing of home. Client acquitted of murder.
R v PC
Represented a senior officer of HM Revenue and Customs acquitted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and misconduct in a public office arising from alleged links to organised crime, and the deception of a Circuit Judge and the Home Secretary by facilitating the early release (on wholly fraudulent grounds) of a major criminal by the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy.
In addition to defending in cases of serious and complex crime, Peter also advises and represents companies and individuals who face investigation or proceedings under Health and Safety legislation, and in related cases such as fatal and other non-fatal accidents arising from incidents in the workplace.
R v N
Instructed to defend a company director facing allegations of gross negligence manslaughter arising from a fatal accident.
R v C
Defending a company in a Health and Safety Executive prosecution arising from the fatal scalding of an elderly resident in a Residential Care Home.
R v A
Represented a nurse accused of gross negligence manslaughter for performing a circumcision for cultural reasons upon a three-week old baby boy who subsequently died.
R v Ali & Others
Terrorist plot to blow up transatlantic flights from Heathrow, known as the “liquid bomb” plot.
R v Morley, Chaytor, MacShane & Others
Prosecution of M.P’s for fraudulent claims in respect of M.P’s expenses.
R v Peter Sutcliffe (Coonan)
Represented Prosecution on Appeal by Yorkshire Ripper against Whole Life Tariff imposed for serial murder of thirteen women in 970’s and 80’s.
R v Shipman
General Practitioner charged with serial murder; fifteen whole life terms imposed.
