Edmund Vickers KC
Call: 1993 | Silk: 2017
Call: 1993 | Silk: 2017
Edmund Vickers KC is instructed in the most serious criminal cases at Crown Court, High Court and Appellate level.
Ed both defends and prosecutes in Murder & Manslaughter, Fraud and corruption and Serious & Organised Crime cases. His skills in cross-examination, dealing with experts and analysing detail has led to a growing Business Crime & Fraud practice (complex fraud, Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime and cases before the tax tribunal).
Ed is regularly asked to advise companies and individuals involved in business, tax and complex fraud investigations and to advise at an early stage so that strategic decisions can be made involving matters such as voluntary disclosure, Legal Professional Privilege and confidentiality.
Ed has appeared in many high profile cases particularly at the Old Bailey and Southwark Crown Court, and has enjoyed success in cases as diverse as defending protesters storming the House of Commons, prosecuting the police in the Tuition Fees Riot in Parliament Sq, and successfully defending in the UK’s first FGM trial. With over 25 years’ experience of forensic advocacy both defending and prosecuting.
Ed is instructed by a wide range of firms of City and high street solicitors and prosecuting authorities. Ed is a lead advocacy trainer at the Middle Temple and is a member of the scholarship panel at the Inn. He is a trustee and former treasurer of the Kalisher Trust, a charity that encourages and supports students from non-traditional backgrounds to go on to higher education and pursue a career in the law, promoting greater diversity throughout the criminal justice system. He is currently lead trustee of the Kalisher Trust mentoring programme, pairing students with senior members of the Bar and judiciary.
In 2021, Ed chaired the Criminal Bar Association C-21 Working Group, examining issues facing criminal practitioners in the Crown Court. The report was published in January 2022 and called for the establishment of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice without further delay. Report
Since taking Silk, Ed has also been instructed to prosecute murder and other complex cases. He is currently prosecuting a complex corruption and money laundering case in the Republic of Seychelles. Press Report
― Legal 500 (2024)Edmund is very professional even when faced with very high odds. He is a very attractive and effective advocate.
― Chambers UK (2023)Handles cases with great skill even when the odds seem to be stacked against him. He impresses with his courtroom manner and his general approach.
― Legal 500 (2023)Edmund’s preparation in every case is meticulous and he develops a detailed knowledge and understanding of a case from an early stage in the proceedings. He has a calm and measured approach to both his advocacy and when communicating with clients, which instils confidence amongst all that work with him.
― Legal 500 (2022)Edmund is a fine and strong barrister. He is measured, calm and determined. He is a thoughtful and humane operator. Edmund’s knowledge of the law is par excellence and coupled with his good judgement, he achieves excellent results for his clients. His sole focus is the best outcome for his clients.
― Chambers UK (2022)An excellent silk who remains utterly calm at all times. He has a rather understated, polite persona that tends to win judges and juries over.
― Chambers UK (2022)A first-class legal mind allied to a very charming and persuasive style.
― Chambers UK (2021)A lawyer with a brilliant brain.
― Chambers UK (2021)He is a talented advocate who exudes gravitas and authority.
― Legal 500 (2021)He is particular about his preparation and has that talent in silk of taking points that others might dismiss on first blush and pushing them successfully through the style of his advocacy and the confidence of his understanding of the law.
― Legal 500 (2020)He has a first-class legal mind allied to a very charming and persuasive style.
Ed regularly appears for the defence in murder cases in London (mainly the Old Bailey) and around the country. He also is instructed to prosecute in cases involving homicide. He has particular expertise in cross examining experts in the fields of pathology, histopathology and DNA.
He has also advised, pro bono, in capital and non-capital murder cases for death row prisoners seeking to appeal from the West Indies to the Privy Council.
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Earlier cases include:
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Recent notable cases include:
Ed is often instructed in the most serious Sexual Offences cases, including ‘date rape’, paedophilia and incest. He is a specialist in cases involving vulnerable witnesses, especially those with learning or mental health difficulties and is a lead advocacy trainer for The Inns of Court College of Advocacy (handling vulnerable witnesses) and at the Middle Temple. He has particular expertise in cross examining experts on DNA, as well as psychiatrists and psychologists about mental health issues and defences.
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Ed has been instructed in a series of high profile organised crime cases, including the Heathrow armed robbery.
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Ed is regularly instructed in complex fraud cases, where focussed preparation, the martialling of large amounts of material and early, detailed analysis of the central issues are critical.
Ed has also been privately instructed to prosecute numerous trademark fraud cases at the Magistrates Court.
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Ed has vast experience in money laundering and confiscation cases and is particularly familiar with its complexities.
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Ed has some experience in this field having appeared in cases of international arms dealing and money laundering linked to terrorism. Ed has trained CT prosecutors in Africa on behalf of the UN and DFID.
Ed’s years of experience in fraud cases, his expertise in cross-examining experts including forensic accountants, fraud investigators and auditors, together with his ability to identify central issues and solutions, allow him to bring invaluable skills to such cases.
He is experienced in advising and acting on Appeals before the Tax Tribunal (he has been instructed in appeals to the First Tier and Upper Tier Tribunals (Tax) and the Court of Appeal), regulatory/disciplinary tribunals and Financial Services Regulation.
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Ed is available for instruction in public inquiry work and coroners’ inquests. He has successfully represented a numismatist in a rare case of a jury inquest into treasure trove and his knowledge of cross examining experts and vulnerable witnesses is well suited to public enquiry work. Moreover, his negotiations with government ministers and civil servants on behalf of the criminal Bar and his involvement in preparing CBA responses to government consultations has provided him with an invaluable insight into examining and challenging government decision-making.
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