MEET:
Adrian Waterman KC
“He’s probably the cleverest barrister I’ve ever met, he’s super bright."
Chambers & Partners
Adrian practises across a number of areas and is very highly regarded both as a lawyer and as a trial advocate. His practice areas include financial and business crime, bribery, general crime, privacy and confidentiality, sanctions and judicial review.
Solicitors told Chambers & Partners:
“He’s client-focused in all areas of work. He is a totally safe pair of hands, committed to his clients, works the jury and judge really well, and achieves fantastic results. He is wonderful to work with.”
“He’s probably the cleverest barrister I’ve ever met, he’s super bright. In one sexual offence case, he managed to come up with more legal arguments than I thought were possible.”
“He’s exceptionally good. He was outstanding in a difficult case.”
“His legal analysis is very sophisticated, but he also manages to speak to juries in a way that evokes sympathy and understanding .”
He has been instructed on behalf of the subjects of some of the most complex SFO cases.
He has been instructed in relation to private prosecutions, both on behalf of defendants or private prosecutors, both at pre-charge/investigative stage and at trial.
He has lead teams conducting internal investigations.
He recently represented a defendant at trial in relation to a charge of abuse of a position of trust fraud of a sovereign wealth fund.
He is presently instructed on behalf of one of the suspects in one of the largest and longest-standing SFO investigations.
He is presently instructed on behalf of person in relation to allegations of money laundering and breach of sanctions, where Account Freezing Orders are in place, and have been the subject of challenge.
He has been instructed in a number of corruption and bribery cases.
He is retained on an ongoing basis to advise a major media group on issues relating to bribery, or where criminal or security issues arise.
He is presently acting on behalf of a defendant in a large, high profile bribery case.
He has appeared in many cases of homicide, and he has particular experience in relation to gross negligence and corporate manslaughter.
He has represented many persons charged with sexual offences, including celebrities.
He has recently represented a very senior Chinese executive charged with blackmail and assault.
Adrian has extensive experience in inquests (both with juries and coroners alone). He typically acts for corporates (for example, in the industrial sector), the police or other state agencies. As a result of this and his wider practice (for example, criminal cases of alleged gross negligence/corporate manslaughter), he is very experienced and highly skilled at dealing with complex scientific expert evidence and at the same time dealing with lay witnesses and with juries.
He often acts on behalf of clients in relation to privacy, privilege, confidentiality, official secrets and/or contempt. Sometimes this involves cross-over with other areas of law, such as criminal law (for example hacking) or civil litigation (for example parallel or sequential proceedings in different jurisdictions, such as criminal, civil or professional discipline).
He has recently advised in relation to a major artistic work in light of its subject-matter being subject to an ongoing public inquiry.
He is presently representing a US corporate and a US citizen in relation to privacy and confidentiality issues which have arisen in the context of very large, wide-ranging and high-profile civil litigation both in the UK and in the US.
He has represented those involved in judicial review proceedings in relation to a wide range of subjects, such as inquests, Freedom of Information Act requests on behalf of the media, search warrants and Account Freezing Orders).
He recently represented a person who challenged an Account Freezing Order in the context of sanctions.
He represents those who are affected by sanctions.
He has recently represented a client in ultra-high net worth Family Proceedings, where there were issues of hacking.
He has recently represented a client in Family Proceedings in a team of barristers as the lead advocate.
- Donnygate (a series cases of corruption by local councillors).
- R v Woodgate and others (Leeds United and England footballers charged with assault on an Asian student).
- Anatomy of Crime (the first cradle to grave fly on the wall documentary of a criminal case by the BBC).
- BAE, Balfour Beatty and Rolls Royce SFO investigations.
- R v Dunlop (the first double jeopardy case following reform of the law).
- R v George O’Dowd (singer Boy George, tried for false imprisonment).
- R v Roy Harper (a folk singer charged with historical sexual offences).
"Adrian is a cerebral lawyer. He is brilliant at analysing and deconstructing black letter law, and is excellent at strategy. A polished jury advocate."
"Adrian is a brilliant jury advocate. He is a master of detail, but he is also brilliant at preparing and delivering legal arguments. Adrian is a creative and collaborative lawyer."
"Absolutely fearless, he is the sort of silk you want in a very difficult case." Adrian is an excellent advocate in front of the jury and excellent in dealing with judges." "Adrian has a very clever legal brain, with striking ingenuity, energy and industry."
He is very thorough, gives urgent advice quickly and effectively and is a brilliant court advocate. "He makes really impressive legal submissions, is highly regarded and has a collegiate manner." "Adrian is an extremely skilful advocate who conducts brilliant cross-examination."
"Adrian is a once-in-a-generation criminal silk. He is a masterful lawyer and advocate. He holds the courtroom whenever he rises to his feet, makes the best of every point that can possibly be taken and his advocacy leaves you spellbound."
"He is a walking legal encyclopaedia and as polished a courtroom performer as you could ever wish to see." "In court he has a real presence and is fantastic at preparing and conducting legal arguments." "Outrageously smart and clever, he works to the finest detail, analysing evidence and allegations with great scrutiny."
"He is a very articulate advocate, is good at strategy and fights hard for his clients." "Adrian is an absolutely outstanding barrister. He is a very ambitious and creative lawyer." "His memory and mastery of facts is impressive. He is excellent in cross-examination and is a versatile barrister." "Adrian really thinks outside the box. He works ridiculously hard and is one of the most impressive silks out there." "He is really knowledgeable and has a great bedside manner with his clients."
"Adrian has an exceptionally engaging style of advocacy – calm and measured – so that the audience is carried along on his argument. He is incredibly diligent."
"A really dynamic lawyer who is fantastic at jury trials. He doggedly pursues his client's interests."
"""Adrian is a very skilled, technical criminal lawyer."" ""His delivery at court is very measured."" ""He is very good with clients and explains this well."" ""He is a phenomenal jury advocate."""
"Adrian is a supreme jury advocate; astute and adaptable, he also presents legal submissions very well in lower and appellate courts."
"Adrian is a master strategist. A confident advocate, he has a great manner with clients."
"A fearless and popular QC - a real star. His advice on the law and tactics are second to none. There is nothing that you could throw at him that he could not cope with."
"Adrian is an intellectual giant. He is able to identify complex points and present them with clarity, and he is fearless in court. He is a versatile lawyer and advocate and is able to turn his hand to more than one area of law. He is extremely hard-working and a pleasure to work with.. "
"He is a criminal litigation heavyweight and a master tactician." "He is phenomenally hard-working and brilliant on the details. He goes beyond the line of duty and is great with clients." "A master strategist."
"A superb advocate whose written documents are astonishingly detailed and persuasive."
"He’s client-focused in all areas of work . He is a totally safe pair of hands, committed to his clients, works the jury and judge really well, and achieves fantastic results . He is wonderful to work with."
"He’s probably the cleverest barrister I’ve ever met, he’s super bright . In one sexual offence case, he managed to come up with more legal arguments than I thought were possible."
"He’s exceptionally good. He was outstanding in a difficult case."
"His legal analysis is very sophisticated, but he also manages to speak to juries in a way that evokes sympathy and understanding."
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE:
+44 (0)20 7404 3447
“He’s probably the cleverest barrister I’ve ever met, he’s super bright."
Chambers & Partners
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Crime
- Corporate and Business Crime
- Extradition and Mutual Assistance
- Fraud and Financial Crime
- Proceeds of Crime and Asset Forfeiture
- Media and Information Law
- Court Orders affecting the Media
- Public Law
- Police, Inquests and Prison
- Commercial Public Law
Adrian Waterman KC
Contact Adrian: adrianwaterman@matrixlaw.co.uk | +44 (0)20 7404 3447
Contact Adrian's Practice Team (Team T): TeamT@matrixlaw.co.uk
Adrian practises across a number of areas and is very highly regarded both as a lawyer and as a trial advocate. His practice areas include financial and business crime, bribery, general crime, privacy and confidentiality, sanctions and judicial review.
Solicitors told Chambers & Partners:
“He’s client-focused in all areas of work. He is a totally safe pair of hands, committed to his clients, works the jury and judge really well, and achieves fantastic results. He is wonderful to work with.”
“He’s probably the cleverest barrister I’ve ever met, he’s super bright. In one sexual offence case, he managed to come up with more legal arguments than I thought were possible.”
“He’s exceptionally good. He was outstanding in a difficult case.”
“His legal analysis is very sophisticated, but he also manages to speak to juries in a way that evokes sympathy and understanding .”
Fraud and business crime
He has been instructed on behalf of the subjects of some of the most complex SFO cases.
He has been instructed in relation to private prosecutions, both on behalf of defendants or private prosecutors, both at pre-charge/investigative stage and at trial.
He has lead teams conducting internal investigations.
He recently represented a defendant at trial in relation to a charge of abuse of a position of trust fraud of a sovereign wealth fund.
He is presently instructed on behalf of one of the suspects in one of the largest and longest-standing SFO investigations.
He is presently instructed on behalf of person in relation to allegations of money laundering and breach of sanctions, where Account Freezing Orders are in place, and have been the subject of challenge.
Bribery
He has been instructed in a number of corruption and bribery cases.
He is retained on an ongoing basis to advise a major media group on issues relating to bribery, or where criminal or security issues arise.
He is presently acting on behalf of a defendant in a large, high profile bribery case.
General crime
He has appeared in many cases of homicide, and he has particular experience in relation to gross negligence and corporate manslaughter.
He has represented many persons charged with sexual offences, including celebrities.
He has recently represented a very senior Chinese executive charged with blackmail and assault.
Inquests
Adrian has extensive experience in inquests (both with juries and coroners alone). He typically acts for corporates (for example, in the industrial sector), the police or other state agencies. As a result of this and his wider practice (for example, criminal cases of alleged gross negligence/corporate manslaughter), he is very experienced and highly skilled at dealing with complex scientific expert evidence and at the same time dealing with lay witnesses and with juries.
Information – privilege, privacy, confidentiality, secrecy, contempt etc
He often acts on behalf of clients in relation to privacy, privilege, confidentiality, official secrets and/or contempt. Sometimes this involves cross-over with other areas of law, such as criminal law (for example hacking) or civil litigation (for example parallel or sequential proceedings in different jurisdictions, such as criminal, civil or professional discipline).
He has recently advised in relation to a major artistic work in light of its subject-matter being subject to an ongoing public inquiry.
He is presently representing a US corporate and a US citizen in relation to privacy and confidentiality issues which have arisen in the context of very large, wide-ranging and high-profile civil litigation both in the UK and in the US.
Judicial review
He has represented those involved in judicial review proceedings in relation to a wide range of subjects, such as inquests, Freedom of Information Act requests on behalf of the media, search warrants and Account Freezing Orders).
He recently represented a person who challenged an Account Freezing Order in the context of sanctions.
Miscellaneous
He represents those who are affected by sanctions.
He has recently represented a client in ultra-high net worth Family Proceedings, where there were issues of hacking.
He has recently represented a client in Family Proceedings in a team of barristers as the lead advocate.
Examples earlier work
- Donnygate (a series cases of corruption by local councillors).
- R v Woodgate and others (Leeds United and England footballers charged with assault on an Asian student).
- Anatomy of Crime (the first cradle to grave fly on the wall documentary of a criminal case by the BBC).
- BAE, Balfour Beatty and Rolls Royce SFO investigations.
- R v Dunlop (the first double jeopardy case following reform of the law).
- R v George O’Dowd (singer Boy George, tried for false imprisonment).
- R v Roy Harper (a folk singer charged with historical sexual offences).
Adrian's Privacy Notice
Adrian is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to his clients, including advice and representation services, Adrian needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes his client’s personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matter upon which she is instructed. To read Adrian’s privacy notice in full, please see here.
DIRECTORY RECOMMENDATIONS
"Adrian is a cerebral lawyer. He is brilliant at analysing and deconstructing black letter law, and is excellent at strategy. A polished jury advocate."
"Adrian is a brilliant jury advocate. He is a master of detail, but he is also brilliant at preparing and delivering legal arguments. Adrian is a creative and collaborative lawyer."
"Absolutely fearless, he is the sort of silk you want in a very difficult case." Adrian is an excellent advocate in front of the jury and excellent in dealing with judges." "Adrian has a very clever legal brain, with striking ingenuity, energy and industry."
He is very thorough, gives urgent advice quickly and effectively and is a brilliant court advocate. "He makes really impressive legal submissions, is highly regarded and has a collegiate manner." "Adrian is an extremely skilful advocate who conducts brilliant cross-examination."
"Adrian is a once-in-a-generation criminal silk. He is a masterful lawyer and advocate. He holds the courtroom whenever he rises to his feet, makes the best of every point that can possibly be taken and his advocacy leaves you spellbound."
"He is a walking legal encyclopaedia and as polished a courtroom performer as you could ever wish to see." "In court he has a real presence and is fantastic at preparing and conducting legal arguments." "Outrageously smart and clever, he works to the finest detail, analysing evidence and allegations with great scrutiny."
"He is a very articulate advocate, is good at strategy and fights hard for his clients." "Adrian is an absolutely outstanding barrister. He is a very ambitious and creative lawyer." "His memory and mastery of facts is impressive. He is excellent in cross-examination and is a versatile barrister." "Adrian really thinks outside the box. He works ridiculously hard and is one of the most impressive silks out there." "He is really knowledgeable and has a great bedside manner with his clients."
"Adrian has an exceptionally engaging style of advocacy – calm and measured – so that the audience is carried along on his argument. He is incredibly diligent."
"A really dynamic lawyer who is fantastic at jury trials. He doggedly pursues his client's interests."
"""Adrian is a very skilled, technical criminal lawyer."" ""His delivery at court is very measured."" ""He is very good with clients and explains this well."" ""He is a phenomenal jury advocate."""
"Adrian is a supreme jury advocate; astute and adaptable, he also presents legal submissions very well in lower and appellate courts."
"Adrian is a master strategist. A confident advocate, he has a great manner with clients."
"A fearless and popular QC - a real star. His advice on the law and tactics are second to none. There is nothing that you could throw at him that he could not cope with."
"Adrian is an intellectual giant. He is able to identify complex points and present them with clarity, and he is fearless in court. He is a versatile lawyer and advocate and is able to turn his hand to more than one area of law. He is extremely hard-working and a pleasure to work with.. "
"He is a criminal litigation heavyweight and a master tactician." "He is phenomenally hard-working and brilliant on the details. He goes beyond the line of duty and is great with clients." "A master strategist."
"A superb advocate whose written documents are astonishingly detailed and persuasive."
"He’s client-focused in all areas of work . He is a totally safe pair of hands, committed to his clients, works the jury and judge really well, and achieves fantastic results . He is wonderful to work with."
"He’s probably the cleverest barrister I’ve ever met, he’s super bright . In one sexual offence case, he managed to come up with more legal arguments than I thought were possible."
"He’s exceptionally good. He was outstanding in a difficult case."
"His legal analysis is very sophisticated, but he also manages to speak to juries in a way that evokes sympathy and understanding."