Silk: 2010
Recorder: 2006
Cairns Nelson Q.C. *
Practice
· General Crime
· Fraud & Financial Crime
· Corporate Crime and Financial Regulatory
Crime
The “unflappable and charismatic” Cairns is a seasoned advocate praised by Chambers & Partners for his “great ability to convey his client’s case with gravitas”. He recently led for the Crown in three prominent murder trials (R v Mazza, R v Scamp and R v Williams), as well as prosecuting a customs officer accused of stranger rape in the high-profile R v Bennett. Other highlights include three separate prosecutions for alleged breaches of arms embargoes involving Iran and Iraq.
Recent cases include:
2009
R v Sarig and Freckleton
Lead prosecution counsel in a case attracting much public interest.Two arms dealers were found guilty of brokering illegal arms deals to a number of destinations including Sri Lanka; an estimated £2m of weapons including bombs and heavy ammunition was traded since 2005. BBCNews report.
R v N and others
Instructed to prosecute a high profile case concerning alleged shipments of military aircraft parts to Iran .
2008
He was prosecution counsel in the much publicised case of R v Batchelor (the murder of a house intruder). Additionally, he is instructed to advise and lead in three separate prosecutions involving alleged breaches of arms embargoes involving Iran and Iraq. In (R v B) [2008] Cairns defended a case involving allegations of possession of machine guns and in (Mills) [2007] he defended an asset stripping fraud in Birmingham Crown Court.
2006
He has advised both SOCA and NCIS in relation to RIPA issues 2006-2008
Disclosure counsel across all LCB related appeals 2003-2006.
2005
Leading Junior in murder case of Williams (Maidstone Sept 2005) Leading Junior in major multi-handed drug supply case of Sankey and others (Maidstone May 2005)
Advised NCIS on generic and historic CHIS handling issues 2005.
Currently instructed in the Faversham Abbey Street double murder and in a baby manslaughter case.
Fraud & Financial Crime
With his “court presence and a great ability to convey his client’s case with gravitas”, Cairns is ranked by Chambers & Partners as a leading fraud expert. His impressive track record includes the re-trial of the high profile R v El Kurd, a £70 million money laundering case, and R v Sayers, the prosecution of a well-known crime family for tax evasion. He also recently reviewed the safety of convictions in over 60 money laundering cases for the Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office. Cairns has been standing counsel to the RCPO since 2006.
Recent cases include:
2009
R v K (CACD) Matrimonial proceedings: privilege against self-incrimination
Times Law Report - 19th August 2009
R v Sayers An Al Capone prosecution of tax evasion in relation to the illicit income of the organisation.
2008
R v H Prosecution of two company directors for breaching a disqualification.
2007
R v El Kurd Disclosure counsel in the re-trial of this well publicised money laundering case valued at £70 million.
Corporate Crime and Financial Regulation
Cairns Nelson has built a strong reputation with this field and is highly ranked in the current edition of the Chambers & Partners legal directory. He appears for both the defence and prosecution and is regularly sought to provide advice on matters of a highly complex and confidential nature.
Recent Case overview:
R v Brophy and others - Dome corruption case; defended a lighting contractor on allegations of making corrupt payments to the Head of Lighting at the Dome
R v P and others - allegation of corruption against BT Police employees in the award of contracts- lead counsel for the Crown. Trial later this year
R v R – Defending allegations of insider dealing by FSA; a company director selling shares allegedly with inside knowledge.
R v K - City solicitor accused of tax evasion in relation to his off shore income in Lichtenstein and Switzerland. Appeared for the Revenue. This is the most recent and leading case on the scope of the decision in Saunders, the admissibility of material obtained by compulsion in Family Ancillary Relief proceedings and alleged admissions made in a “without prejudice” setting.
R v S others - An Al Capone prosecution of organised crime family in North East of England for tax evasion in relation to their profits from pubs, clubs etc.
AG v M (Jersey case) - Advising defendant lawyer in relation to allegations of perverting the course of justice in respect of the alleged dissipation of assets from a money launderer
MFC Finance; Led for the SFO in the prosecution of an investment fraud by an IFA.
Currently advising the SFO on a mortgage fraud investigation
Appointments
2010 Appointed Queen's Counsel
SFO’s Panel of Advocates – List A
2006 Appointed Standing Counsel to the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office
2006 Crown Court recorder
Professional Memberships
Criminal Bar Association
Education
King's College, University of London, LLB (Upper Second) 1986
