Brendan Kelly KC

Brendan Kelly KC is described by the leading industry directory as having “a phenomenal court presence”.

Brendan’s practice focuses on the provision of advice and advocacy in cases of fraud, serious crime, and regulatory law. As well as representing individuals, he is also sought out by regulated professionals for cases arising in the workplace. He also regularly advises and represents corporate clients, as well as their individual directors and officers (both in the UK and abroad), in all aspects of business crime.

More recently Brendan has been in considerable demand within the Civil jurisdiction representing a Russian National in The London Court of International Arbitration and latterly several Middle Eastern Clients in ongoing fraud matters which are the subject of litigation in The High Court in London.

As well as being ranked as a ‘Leading Silk’ in Crime and Financial Crime in Legal 500 and a ‘Leading Silk’ for Crime in Chambers UK, Brendan is ranked in Band 1 for Financial Crime in this years’ Chambers UK Guide where he is described as “A very measured advocate who commands considerable respect. He is a popular choice for individuals facing charges of fraud, money laundering and bribery. Of late, his focus has been on high-value tax fraud. 

Brendan has also recently been shortlisted as Financial Crime Silk of the Year in the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2023.

Recent instructions include:

• Represented Oil and Gas Associates in the recent SFO prosecution. Brendan appeared for the owner of the company charged their alleged part in the ‘Bertling Corruption’ cases concerning gas installations in the North Sea.…The owner was acquitted of all counts following a three month trial.
• Advising a North American Investment fund in respect of Investigations being conducted by the Northern Irish Parliament into the selling of NAMA assets. The matter is being investigated by the SFO.
• Representing an individual suspect in an ongoing SFO inquiry into the London Capital and Finance collapse.
• Advising the FCA on Financial Regulation and matters relating to licensing of both Building Societies and Credit Unions.
• Representing an Internet Sales Company charged for their part in a substantial mail fraud.
• Representing first defendant in Ireland’s largest VAT trial.
• Representing series of companies and further their directors in ongoing VAT investigation and forthcoming trial.
• Representing the first defendant in the UK’s largest Tax Fraud. Operation Amazon took one year to try and led the team representing the first defendant the alleged designer of the scheme in question.
• Representing the main defendant in a Money Laundering allegation involving £300 Million worth of stolen assets.
• Representing Financial Trader in forthcoming Insider Trading trial.
• Representing City Solicitor charged for his alleged part in Insider Trading Fraud.

What others say:

“He is one of the smoothest at the Bar. He can make the judges purr and juries warm to him very much.” and “Brendan is the ultimate jury silk.” – Chambers UK 2024 (Financial Crime)

“Tremendously smooth and very effective in a subtle way.” – Chambers UK 2024 (Crime)

“Brendan is a charming, urbane and likeable advocate. He is able to combine efficacy with a degree of harmony in a way many others cannot. Judges and juries like him as a result and opponents are respectful and amenable to his charms.” – Legal 500 UK 2024

“Brendan is great. He is an excellent jury advocate.” and “Lovely to work with and someone who has superb presence in court. He is also calm and understanding with clients.” – Chambers UK 2023

“Brendan is a top-notch advocate, who gets the jury on board right from the off.” – Legal 500 UK 2023

“A brilliant advocate who is great to instruct – he’s very bright, intelligent and client-friendly.” “An excellent jury advocate, he’s very smooth and urbane. He also has good relationships with the judiciary, puts clients at ease and grasps the issues quickly.” – Chambers UK 2022

“He has gravitas and an extremely strong court presence.” and “Brendan is nobody’s fool and will fight every inch of the way to get the best possible result for his client. He is a ferociously intelligent, eloquent and persuasive advocate.” – Chambers UK 2022

“Debonair and never shies away from the fight.” – Legal 500 UK 2022

“His approach with clients is excellent and he has a charming manner with the jury. He is an excellent silk.” “Delightful, he gets great results. He is loved by clients, juries and judges.” – Chambers UK 2021

“A phenomenal advocate – he’s eloquent in court and very intelligent.” “Utterly charming and juries love him.” – Chambers UK 2021

“He is charming, but never one to shy away from a fight.” – Legal 500 UK 2021

“In addition to being suave, sophisticated and charming, he is a fantastic advocate.” “Very charismatic, smooth and likeable, he has a lot of gravity with judges and a manner that juries tend to warm to very much. He’s excellent with clients as well.” – Chambers UK 2020

“Very much a team player.” – Chambers UK 2020

“Judges trust his judgement, and juries love his cross-examinations.” – Legal 500 2020

“He really gets under the skin of a case and commands the complete confidence of his audience.” – Legal 500 2017

“A man with big character who is fantastic on his feet.” – Chambers UK 2017

“Charismatic, an experienced advocate and a great lawyer.”- Legal 500 2017

“Mr Kelly is a powerful advocate whom it is a delight to work with.” – Chambers UK 2017

“Extremely unflappable.” – Chambers UK 2017

“He’s very good if you’re seeking a barrister who can handle demanding clients very well.” – Chambers UK 2017

“He is a charming and persuasive advocate.”- Chambers UK 2016

“He has great gravitas.”- Chambers UK 2016

“He’s an excellent and charming advocate. He is charismatic and persuasive, intelligent and quick to get to the issues.” – Chambers UK 2015