David Whittaker KC

David Whittaker KC has for many years been acknowledged as a leading advocate in the fields of crime, financial crime, regulatory crime, private prosecutions and public inquiries and inquests.

He is recommended in two practice areas in Legal 500 UK Bar 2023: Crime (Tier 3, Leading Silks) and Fraud (Tier 1, Leading Silks); he is recommended in Chambers & Partners 2022 in Crime and Financial Crime.

David has extensive experience and he regularly appears in demanding, complex and high-profile cases. His practice is wide-ranging. He is equally as comfortable advising companies being investigated for serious crime or regulatory matters and professionals, or other hard-working individuals, accused of crime that will tarnish their reputations or ruin their lives. No matter who he represents, he prepares his cases meticulously, formulates a strategy from the outset and, above all, has excellent client-care skills.

He has been described as “conscientious and hard-working”, “personable” and “charming with clients.” In court, he “is a superb advocate”, “has a delightful manner with the jury” whose “all round performance is outstanding”.

David’s current instructions include individuals charged with fraud and other serious criminal matters; companies charged under health & safety legislation; individuals facing allegations of gross negligence manslaughter; two private prosecutions; and, he is representing the project designer for the cladding sub-contractor in the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry.

David delivers training in relation to criminal and regulatory matters and has written the UK fraud chapter for a firm of City solicitors.

He accepts Direct Access instructions and is often privately instructed through Direct Access, particularly in driving matters.

Before taking Silk David was shortlisted for the Crime Junior of the Year in the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2018.

What others say:

“David is an excellent advocate who both solicitors and clients find to be friendly and approachable. Everything he does, whether advising in conference, drafting or fighting the client’s corner inside court, is done with a great sense of control.” and “David is a fantastic jury advocate.” – Chambers UK 2023

“David is an excellent advocate and a master at identifying the important issues in any particular case.” – Legal 500 UK 2023

“David has a wonderful court manner and holds the jury’s attention in the palm of his hands.” – Legal 500 UK 2023

“He is incredibly practical, always has a solution to the problem and is very experienced.” and “An excellent jury advocate.” – Chambers UK 2022

“David is an exceptional barrister. He makes clients, who are charged with really serious offences, feel at ease and as though they are in safe hands. He has an exceptional ability to command a room and gain the attention of a jury, in an understated and endearing way. He is not afraid to make bold decisions at trial. He is forceful with client’s whilst also demonstrating great empathy and understanding. I would not hesitate to instruct David time and again.” – Legal 500 UK 2022

“David is a determined, resilient and tenacious advocate, who shows great insight into how a jury will respond. He is charming yet firm with clients.” – Legal 500 UK 2022

“A great trial advocate. He’s unflappable and always gets good results.” and “He is very analytical, gets straight to the point, is a tough advocate and is very client-friendly.” – Chambers UK 2021

“He is incredibly well respected. His strengths are that you have complete confidence in his ability to handle a case. His knowledge of the law, analytical skills, client care and advocacy skills are yet to be rivalled by any other barrister I have worked with.” – Legal 500 2021

“David is a superb advocate whose case preparation and tactical acumen is first rate. He is equally comfortable undertaking serious fraud as he is other serious crime. Greatly admired by the Bar, Solicitors and clients” – Legal 500 2021

“His strengths are his incredible knowledge of law, analytical skills, client care and presentational skills in court. His all round performance is outstanding.” and “He’s utterly charming, has a delightful manner with the jury and is forensically very strong.” – Chambers UK 2020

“Much admired by judges and his peers, he is an excellent jury advocate.” – Legal 500 2020

“Highly experienced in financial crime cases.” – Legal 500 2020

“Top notch; he’s on the ball and he gets the case home.” – Chambers UK 2020

“Simply the most capable advocate around.” – Legal 500 219

“At the top of his game and really well prepared.” – Chambers UK 2018

“A brilliant and assured junior who deals with a number of complex general criminal matters.” – Chambers UK 2018

“His solid personality gives clients a real confidence in his advice.” – Legal 500 2017

“He is extremely competent in every way.” – Chambers UK 2017

“One of the Bar’s outstanding criminal juniors. He is extremely hard-working, meticulous, and someone who has both good judgement and great presence in court.” – Chambers UK 2017

“An advocate for all seasons who is equally happy handling Court of Appeal cases as jury trials. He is extremely competent in every way.” – Chambers UK 2016

“He is sensible and has a very nice style in court – a very experienced advocate who is like a silk.” – Chambers UK 2016

“He has been consistently excellent over a number of years.” – Chambers UK 2015