Martin Hicks KC

Martin Hicks KC

“A vastly experienced barrister." "He is a standout defence advocate." and "Unbelievably shrewd and very hard-working."

Chambers UK 2022
Year of call: 1977 KC: 2003
For enquiries please call: 020 7353 5324 or email vcard cv save

Martin Hicks KC is a leading silk who specialises in the defence of crime, fraud, both domestic and international, and business regulation.

He was involved in the 21/7 London bombing cases and represented the Jamaat al Muslimeen leader, Abu Bakr, accused of terrorism and sedition with Al Qaeda links to the JFK Pipeline Bomb Plot. Other high-profile cases include the Victoria Beckham Kidnap Plot, the trial of Hendy-Freegard (the “bogus MI5 agent kidnapper” and subject of a Channel 4 documentary), Byron Coles (the south London PCC gang as featured in the BBC series “Murder Blue”) and Operation Elveden where he represented senior editorial journalists of the Sun and Daily Mirror acquitted of making payments to public officials for news stories.

Recent instructions include securing an acquittal in a well publicised “Exorcism” killing trial, a suspended sentence for a seafood trader who smuggled £53 million of endangered (CITES) eels to the far east, appearing in the privately prosecuted Allseas multi million investment fraud and acting for a former Quindell director during a 6 year investigation by the SFO and which concluded with no criminal charges.

Martin came to prominence as junior defence counsel in R v Pryce (a 17-year old musician accused of hacking into high security computer systems belonging to the Pentagon and NASA). Through his appearances in cases brought against a range of high-profile individuals, as well as cases arising from a series of “fake sheik” stings by the News of the World, and other matters such as the series of celebrity Rolex robberies and a major mobile phone heist at Heathrow airport, he gained experience of prosecuting as well as defending.

Martin is consistently recommended by the leading industry directories Chambers UK and The Legal 500, he is routinely first choice counsel for many of the major defence firms, and he appears in courts across the UK, as well as overseas. He advises and appears for individual defendants, corporate clients, their directors and officers and national governments and agencies. He also acts on behalf of professionals such as accountants, solicitors and others who face proceedings arising out of their work.

What others say:

While in silk, Martin has been described in the legal directories as:

“He’s a very effective advocate, who’s measured and deals well with opponents.” – Chambers UK 2024 (Crime)

“A very calm, laid-back character who gave a masterful performance in court.” – Chambers UK 2024 (Financial Crme)

“A really good, bright advocate who is experienced and likeable.” and “In court he’s a smiling assassin.” – Chambers UK 2023 (Crime)

“Martin is very experienced in financial crime, he is a bright practitioner.” – Chambers UK 2023 (Financial Crime)

“Martin is a class act. His attributes include excellent ability as an advocate, great tactical and strategic skill and a deep commitment to every case he appears in.” and “With a gentle touch, gains the confidence of the client and the court.” – Legal 500 UK 2023

“Martin is a great QC who does the work and is tenacious. He has a simple manner with clients who have his full confidence and he is never afraid to speak his mind.” – Legal 500  2022

“Keeps his eye on the ball at all times and makes fantastic legal submissions. He has a gentle but firm and persuasive approach.”….”A smiling assassin.”….”One of the best silks around, he can tell you what the jury are thinking…..” – Chambers UK 2021

“He is wonderful with clients, a great jury advocate and very hard-working; he’s fantastic.” “He is a great advocate.” – Chambers and Partners 2021

“…very impressive in his commitments skills…very quick to get to grips with the issues…” – Legal 500 2021

“An impressive cross-examiner” – Legal 500 2020

“He is very charming and reassuring and gets great results…and gives clients the Rolls-Royce treatment” – Chambers & Partners 2020

“One of the best cross-examiners of witnesses in the profession” – Chambers & Partners UK 2018

“He has a very silky touch and is disarmingly languid. He is just the classic hand of steel in a velvet glove.” – Chambers UK 2017

“A fantastic workmate, who oozes charm and commands respect – he is the complete package.” – Legal 500 2017

“A no-nonsense fearless performer.” – Legal 500 2017

“Juries really like him as he’s very down to earth and can explain complicated concepts quite simply.” Chambers UK 2017

“He is a fantastic advocate. In court he’s very funny and very persuasive in his arguments.” Chambers UK 2017

“A joy to watch. He gives a compelling performance and has a lightness of touch.” Chambers UK 2016

“He gives very good speeches and he’s very clever. You can tell he’s thought about all the points he wants to make in depth.” Chambers UK 2016

“He is very robust in advocating his case, he never takes a bad point.” Chambers UK 2015

“A barrister of impeccable judgement.” Legal 500 2015

“A fantastic advocate, whom juries love, he fights relentlessly for his clients.” Chambers UK 2014

“An extremely able silk and a very accomplished advocate, who has a very pleasant manner with clients.” Chambers UK 2013

“…he has an impressive domestic and international fraud practice.” Chambers UK 2012

“Celebrated for being very hard working, calm and good with clients, highly praised for his ability to construct a watertight defence in seemingly unwinnable cases.” Chambers UK 2011

“A star.” Legal 500 2008

“A real fighter – he’ll leave no stone unturned and has great leadership qualities” with “a pleasing style of advocacy – he appears laid-back but can be lethal in cross-examination” and is “able to relate to clients from all spheres of society.” Chambers UK 2008

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