Alisdair has been practising in serious crime and professional discipline for 30 years. He has gained recognition as one of the leading experts in sexual allegations, homicide, and fraud. He has been involved in many very high-profile cases including successfully defending the Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell and – in professional discipline – the leading case of SRA v Beckwith (Click here to read the article from The Times). He has particular experience of rape, historical sexual allegations, and cases involving child witnesses. Commentators praise his cross-examination technique and his client skills. He is a former Times Lawyer of The Week and in 2020 was The Lawyer’s Barrister of The Week. He is highly ranked as a leading silk by Chambers and Partners,  The Legal 500, and Doyle’s. He has this year been shortlisted as Public Services Silk of the Year by the Legal 500.

Recent cases include representing Jo Sidhu KC, former Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, in allegations of sexual misconduct before the Bar Tribunal (Click here to read the story). He is also instructed to represent Crispin Odey in allegations brought by the FCA (Click here). He successfully represented one of the police officers accused of Gross Misconduct in the stop of Bianca Williams (Click here). Recent cases include the successful defence of Ringo Starr’s grandson (Click here); and of a police officer accused of causing the death of Lewis Johnson by dangerous driving (Click here). He advised a well-known England footballer on assault and driving charges resulting in no further action being taken. He also represented one of the lorry drivers in the manslaughter trial arising from the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals concealed in a lorry container (Click here).  He acted in the Daniel Morgan enquiry. He successfully represented one of the lead officers in the police discipline case arising from the death of Sean Rigg. (Click here). He was instructed to defend in a claim of professional negligence against solicitors in the high profile case of footballer Ched Evans following his acquittal of rape charges. (Click here). He is also instructed in cases of murder, money laundering, and fraud around the country.

He represents legal, financial, medical, and other professionals both in proceedings in the criminal courts and before their professional bodies. He has extremely extensive experience of representing police officers in criminal, disciplinary, and coronial proceedings.

Alisdair has experience of successfully representing students in University disciplinary proceedings.

He regularly advises on, and appears in, appeals in cases in which he did not appear at first instance.

He also practises in Coronial Law and Licensing.