Rory has unique skills and experience as a leading advocate and in trial strategy and management in the most serious and complex matters. Rory has a reputation for meticulous preparation and fearless advocacy. He is particularly praised for his cross-examination and his persuasive closing speeches.
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His practice is focused on business crime, general crime, extradition and regulatory proceedings.
His business crime experience includes allegations of corruption and misconduct in public office, high value fraud, large scale international money laundering and related misconduct, including political corruption.
His general criminal experience includes homicide (murder, including multi victim gang murder, as well as attempted murder and manslaughter), high value drugs offences, including large scale importation, firearms offences, kidnap and serious sexual offending. He provides advice and advocacy in complex, substantial and sensitive cases, including those with an international element. Advice is often sought at an early stage in proceedings. He is an International Commercial Arbitrator and a Civil and Commercial Mediator.
Crime
Recent Cases
R v A D (2023)
Operation Solidago (2023) – Conspiracy to supply large quantity of class A drugs into South Wales by OCG group.
R v I M (2023)
Multiple serious sexual assaults and perverting the course of justice.
R v F M (2022)
Conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Running a drugs line. Undercover police operation.
R v J T (2022)
Conspiracy to steal in excess of £1 million of high-end cars and break them up, using sophisticated technology.
R v M B (2022)
Multi handed kidnap, grievous bodily harm with intent and robbery. Client had very significant mental health issues.
R v F D (2021)
Firearms and drugs case. Issues around access to the firearms and explanations for strong forensic evidence.
R v N A (2021)
Operation Vent. Conspiracy to supply class A drugs into the Midlands by London based OCG.
R v N R (2021)
Operation Blessed. Conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
R v E D (2021)
Operation Canterbury (2021) – sensitive case involving allegations of corruption involving an employee of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Cayman Islands relating to the unlawful concealing and deletion of prosecution files.
Extradition
A v Spain (2022)
Issues around undercover police work and allegations of police corruption
International Advisory
In 2023 Rory advised a Qatar based commercial enterprise on recovery of assets held in the UK, further to criminal proceedings in Qatar.
Other Notable Cases
R v J Z (2015)
Member of Latvian organised crime group importing £37 million class A drugs plus firearms.
Myers et al v R (2015)
Murder trial which then led to a Privy Council case considering issue of whether a police officer can be an expert witness.
Johannes Deuss v AG (2009)
Privy Council case involving extradition of JD to the Netherlands and whether the extradition was lawful.
IPOC case (2008)
Allegations of providing false information and perverting the course of justice in relation to a £1.9 billion asset result in £34 million confiscation
“Rory is plainly a skilled and experienced advocate. He doesn’t miss a question in cross-examination and gives compelling closing speeches. He is a pleasure to work with and polite and friendly at all times.” (Legal 500 – 2023)
Publications/seminars
Rory has contributed a chapter to Perspectives on Elderly Crime and Victimization edited by Peter C. Kratcoski and Maximilian Edelbacher. Rory has contributed numerous articles to legal magazines, including Counsel magazine. Rory has conducted presentations on criminal law issues all over the world and regularly speaks at the Cambridge International Economic Crime Symposium and Judges at the Vienna based Vismoot arbitration Moot.
Professional Memberships
Criminal Bar Association
South-Eastern Circuit
International Bar Association
Qualifications and Awards
Cambridge University Law Hons MA and BA
Kitchener Scholar
Civil and Commercial Mediator
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Current Associated Work
Senator of the International Association of Prosecutors
Legal panel member of WhistleblowersUK
