Recognised in Chambers & Partners Guide to the Bar 2019 as “at the top of his game and a silk that no other barrister wants to face in court.”

Ranked as Band 1 in Chambers & Partners for both Crime and Financial Crime.

Simon specialises in all aspects of criminal law, in particular homicide, serious fraud and organised crime. He has defended many high profile cases such as Dale Cregan, Arran
Coghlan, and Operation Elveden (the News International cases. He has been widely praised for his devastating cross-examinations.

He exclusively defends in serious and complex crime. His practice encompasses murder, gross negligence manslaughter, evasion of duty, MTIC and serious fraud, terrorism, complex multi-handed drugs cases and corruption.

He has appeared in many high profile cases. He defended John Hardy, a former sergeant major, in Operation Elveden who was accused of selling stories about Prince William and
Prince Harry to The Sun. He was the only source to be acquitted by a jury in those News International trials. As well as his skills as a jury advocate, he is well known for his ability
to develop complex legal arguments. He is known for his mastery of detail even in cases with voluminous quantities of evidence. He has an advanced knowledge of computing
which can assist with the management of large amounts of evidence.

He led for the defence in the first case in which an application for independent special counsel for disclosure was granted [R v Greaves]. Since then he has made several
successful applications for special counsel which led to the cases collapsing.

He has defended a number of solicitors and professionals in recent years who have found themselves charged with criminal offences.

He has advised CEOs, such as Julian Wheatland, former Chief Executive of Cambridge Analytica.

He will provide an extremely comprehensive and involved service together with a robust defence to those charged with more minor offences who wish to pay privately.

He also appears in Sport Regulatory work and has appeared before the FA Appeal Committee and the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. In 2012 he succeeded in
restoring Bradford City FC to the FA cup after they were disqualified.

“Clients warm to him very quickly and his command of the courtroom shows his expertise and experience.” – Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Financial Crime)

“He is one of the best silks in the land. He is phenomenal – he has a brain like a computer and he is a joy to watch in court.” “He is very measured and well prepared.” – Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Crime)

“The man is at the very top of the tree in his profession as a barrister. He is freakishly intelligent with an unnatural ability to absorb and remember huge amounts of evidence. He is very calm and approachable too which the clients like.”

“The defence of the client is his only concern. He is not concerned about upsetting judges with difficult and sensitive applications or cross-examination. He quite literally is the man for all seasons” Ranked: tier 1 – Legal 500, 2022

“He has a brilliant legal brain and is a top-quality advocate.” “Simon is exceptionally bright; he is a fearless advocate and has a brain like a computer. He is always in and around every serious and complex case, and is a real go-to barrister.” “He is very persistent but he really fights his corner and is a very persuasive advocate.” – Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Financial Crime)

“An extremely intelligent and strategically astute practitioner.” “He is a first-class performer who has a good knowledge of the law and is always well prepared.” “Extremely bright indeed. He is good at cross-examining experts.” – Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Crime)

“Hyper-intelligent with a huge knowledge of the law and an expert on issues of disclosure and legal privilege.” – Legal 500, 2021

“An exemplary silk with an outstanding eye for detail. He is exceptionally thorough and a fearless advocate.” “A phenomenal advocate – he’s intellectually supreme and a powerhouse in the nastiest and most difficult cut-throat cases. He’s a sheer pleasure to watch.” – Chambers and Partners,  2020 (Crime)

“He is fearless, exceptionally bright and a master tactician. He can destroy witnesses with his powerful and superb cross-examination.” “He’s frighteningly intelligent.”

“For anything involving a technical argument, he is wonderful. He’s always the cleverest man in the courtroom and clients love him.”

“He is incredibly bright and my number one silk for serious and complex crime.

“He is an exceptional jury advocate and has a great client manner.” – Chambers and Partners, 2019 (Crime)

“He is exceptionally bright and a quality advocate.” “He has a remarkable intellect and is one of the best criminal silks in the UK.” – Chambers and Partners, 2019 (Financial Crime)

“He uses his encyclopedic knowledge of the law with devastating effectiveness in defence of his clients.” – Legal 500, 2019

“A silk who oozes class.” – Legal 500, 2018

“A highly respected figure in the Criminal Defence Bar, who handles a range of complex and high-value fraud cases. Areas of strength include cases involving allegations of missing trader intra-community (MTIC) fraud…Very good on issues such as disclosure and dismissal. He is very active pre-trial, looking for anything which can bring an end to the case before it gets anywhere near a jury…Great, extremely intelligent. A very good approach to matters.…Recent work: Acted in R v Anthony O’Neill, regarding long-running allegations of missing trader fraud and income tax fraud in relation to the construction industry.” – Chambers & Partners, 2017

“A leader in his field with a national reputation; he is a formidable opponent.” – Legal 500, 2016

Legal 500 2015 Band 1: “Devastating in cross-examination.”

Ranked Band 1 Chambers and Partners 2016: “He looks into the detail thoroughly and he’s an extremely good cross-examiner.”

Legal 500 2016, Band 1: “An exceptional advocate in the most complex of cases.”

Ranked Band 1 Chambers and Partners 2015: “He is an incredibly good advocate.”