David Birrell

Practice

David has a busy criminal practice and accepts instructions from both the defence and prosecuting authorities (including CPS, DWP, DBIS and the Probation Service) on a wide range of matters including:

-          fraud

-          drugs (supply, importation and production)

-          serious violence

-          sexual offences

-          dishonesty

He has extensive experience of Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) applications and their enforcement.  He has been involved in numerous high value contested applications.  He has a firm grasp of the law in this area which he combines with thorough preparation and keen attention to detail.

David is tenacious in Court and in his cross-examination of witnesses.  His speeches are focused and persuasive. His easy manner with the jury has attracted praise.

David has been led on numerous occasions by Silks and senior juniors in long-running and paper-heavy trials.

David understands that a modern barrister is more than a mere mouthpiece for his clients.  He is approachable and down-to-earth and, as such, maintains good relationships with both his professional and lay clients.  David is always prepared to make himself available to advise and confer outside of court hours including evenings and weekends.  He is prepared to travel, if necessary, to meet and advise clients and their families.

Please see David’s Motoring and Vehicle Crime profile for a summary of his extensive experience in this area.

What they say:

“Our barrister, David Birrell,has been brilliant throughout the various court hearings. He has always kept us in the loop as to exactly what was going on and he was extremely impressive in Court”. (Mr Walton, a client, referring to David’s representation in a fraud case.)

Recent notable cases

Operation Cortex (2012) – Conspiracy to supply large quantities of cocaine.  Drugs gang operated across the North of England.  David represented the second-named Defendant on the Indictment.

R v Campagna and others (2012) - Conspiracy to defraud financial institutions.  David represented the first named Defendant on the Indictment.

Operation Knock (2012) – Conspiracy to supply cocaine in the Warrington area

R v Cunningham (2012) – s.18 ‘slashing’ case involving complex medical issues of causation of injuries and forensic toxicology

R v Jackson (2011) – Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs - test purchase operation in North Liverpool.

R v Farrimond (2011) – section 18 wounding - throat slitting

R v  Spriggs and others (2010) – conspiracy to supply the ‘designer drug’ mephedrone/ MCAT

Operation Pin (2010) - Multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Salford

R v Wilkinson (2010) – sexual assault

R v Lee and others (2010) – ‘Crash for cash’ insurance fraud in Liverpool

Operation Palamino (2009) – Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs - drugs gang operated in Oldham

R v Ellis (2009) – Mortgage fraud

Professional

Between 2010 and 2012 David contributed to the Solicitors Journal by writing the Crime updates.  

Appointments

In 2011 David was elected as theJunior of the Northern Circuit of the Bar.  This prestigious position brings him in to regular contact with senior members of the Bar and Judiciary.

Education

Saint Edward’s College, Liverpool

University of Liverpool

L'Université Paris 1 - Panthéon-Sorbonne

Nottingham Law School

Personal

David is a keen footballer and captains a successful amateur football team in the Liverpool Old Boys’ League.  

Email: birrell@exchangechambers.co.uk