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Sir Ken Macdonald QC

Called 1978Silk 1997

Introduction · Expertise · CV & Downloads

Email kenmacdonald@matrixlaw.co.uk
Practice Team PracticeStaff_TeamT@matrixlaw.co.uk

Sir Ken Macdonald has returned to Matrix after five successful years as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the first leading defence lawyer to have been appointed to that post. Widely praised by commentators for combining outstanding success in prosecuting serious crime with an outspoken attachment to due process, fair trials and defendants' rights, he was described in a Times editorial on the day he stepped down as 'an exemplary figure' who had transformed his office into a 'respected public role'.

As DPP, Ken Macdonald established the Organised Crime Division, the Counter Terrorism Division, the Special Crime Division and the Fraud Prosecution Service. These quickly became world leaders with conviction rates of up to 95%. He played a major role across Whitehall in the development of criminal justice policy, especially in relation to international treaties and jurisdiction, mutual legal assistance, extradition, terrorism and grave cross border crime. He conducted highly sensitive discussions and negotiations in many countries, including with senior ministers and with heads of government.

In 2007, he was knighted for services to the law.

Prior to his appointment as DPP, Ken Macdonald was regarded as one of the country's top defence lawyers. Chambers and Partners directory repeatedly listed him as a starred silk in criminal law and fraud and described him as 'possessing terrific gravitas', and as being 'premier league' and 'completely fantastic'.

He now brings back to private practice special expertise borne of five years as the UK's most senior prosecutor and the former head of its primary prosecuting authority. In particular he has unrivalled insight into sensitive issues of criminal risk and associated prosecutorial responses. He is very familiar with the workings of prosecution agencies and governments around the world and he is uniquely placed to advise on robust responses to allegations of crime, however and wherever they occur. His practice includes the representation of professional people, as well as of companies and their directors and officers.

Particularly well known for his ability to confront complex issues of detail with concision and clarity, he specialises in business and corporate crime and associated extraditions, financial regulatory work, market offences, export control violations, terrorism, human rights and media law. His clients have included overseas governments, international news organisations, prominent British arms companies and major foreign defence corporations.

He has a special interest in emerging international criminal liabilities.

In the 2008 inaugural Times Law 100, he was listed fourth most influential lawyer in the United Kingdom, directly behind the Senior Law Lord, the Secretary of State for Justice and the Lord Chief Justice.

In 2009, he became a trustee of Index on Censorship, the leading free speech advocacy group.

He is a Visiting Professor of Law at the London School of Economics.

A founder member of Matrix Chambers, Ken Macdonald was appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2001. He was elected Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales in 2003 and became a Bencher of the Inner Temple in 2004. He was Director of Public Prosecutions for 2003-2008.

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