Richard Fisher

Richard Fisher specialises in Criminal Defence and has developed his experience and practice in serious and complex trials. He has been instructed in many cases of serious organised crime involving allegations of Murder, Armed Robbery, Sexual Offences, Drug Importation / Supply, Fraud and Money Laundering. In addition to trial work Richard has undertaken cases of Judicial Review in the Administrative Court and pursued Appeals in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).

Richard has appeared in a series of significant VAT Fraud and Cheating the Revenue cases - Operation Emersed (£20+ million), Operation Vitric (£100+ million), Operation Shepherd (£63+ million) and Operation D (£60+ million). In connection with these cases Richard has been consulted in matters relating to Confiscation, the Proceeds of Crime and linked Restraint Proceedings in the High Court. Richard regularly advises in relation to matters where the Proceeds Of Crime Act is engaged including the detention of criminal proceeds and the duties imposed on those in the regulated sector. Richard appeared in the case of R v NW, SW, RC & CC [2008] EWCA Crim 2 an important Court of Appeal decision in respect of money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the issue of proving 'criminal property'.

Richard is the co author (together with Edward Rees QC and Paul Bogan) of Blackstone's Guide to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Third Edition) published by Oxford University Press in April 2008. Richard has contributed to the drafting of responses from Liberty and the Criminal Bar Association in various consultation exercises. In addition he has written articles for the Solicitors Journal and has contributed to LexisNexis UK's Human Rights Updater service.

Examples of other cases Richard has been instructed in include:

• R v KALAM - The 'Forest Gate' Terrorism Act raid and shooting. Proceeds of Crime Act cash seizure and detention issues.
• R v ASLAM & Others - The National Crime Squad's largest haul of Heroin at the time, some 200kilos;
• R v SPRING - Soliciting to Murder - undercover police officer posing as contract killer;
• R v FARQUHARSON - Murder and Conspiracy to Rob;
• R v AHMED & Others - An 'Honour' killing of daughter's boyfriend;
• R v HARKINS & Others - 18 month Operation regarding the Nationwide theft of Haulage Lorries and loads;
• R v VIGUS & Others - Conspiracy to Supply 15,000 Ecstacy Tablets and 60 kilos of Cannabis;
• R v LEKA - Assisting an Offender in relation to a Murder;
• R v JALAF & Others - Credit Card Counterfeiting and distribution;
• R v DOWNIE & Others - 'Wood Green Mob' - Conspiracy to Rob;
• R v SAUNDERS & Others - Conspiracy to Kidnap;
• R v REID & Others - Banking Fraud;
• R v SEAL & Others - Perverting the course of justice involving a serving police officer;
• R v FERGUSON - Attempted Murder;
• R v OYEGNIJI - Attempted Murder of two Police Officers;
• R v W - Attempted murder - accusation involving the attempt to murder own grandmother in order to bolster a defence of duress to other allegations faced.

last updated April 2008

Year of Call

1994

Education

LLB (Hons) University of Bristol

Email Address

r.fisher@doughtystreet.co.uk

Specialist Teams

Richard Fisher is a member of the following specialist law teams:

• Criminal Law
• Human Rights
• Regulatory and Financial Crime