Mountford Chambers delivers a nationwide and international service to clients, who are assured quality advice, advocacy and representation at all levels.
Mountford Chambers delivers a nationwide and international service to clients, who are assured quality advice, advocacy and representation at all levels.
Charles has substantial experience of defending in all forms of serious crime. He has appeared in many homicide trials and in a number of prominent cases of terrorism.
Homicide cases include:
R v S (2021)
Another highly publicised case. Murder of Marks & Spencer employee
R v O (2021)
Highly publicised murder of railway worker
R v H (2019/20)
Complex murder trial
R v ER (2019)
Prominent allegation of murder by fire attack
R v AV (2015)
Foreman roofer accused of manslaughter by gross negligence
R v SP (2014)
Alleged murder of antiques dealer
R v KD (2013)
Polish revenge murder trial
R v Zolotovsky (2012)
Russian double murder
Forensic Medical Examiner charged with manslaughter by gross negligence following the death of a prisoner at Chelsea Police Station.
The Guardian.
R v C (2010)
Dagenham sports club killing
R v N (2010)
Low intelligence as diminished responsibility
R v C (2009)
‘Best friend’ murder case
R v Palmer (2009)
Colchester train manslaughter case
R v T (2007)
The Woodhams murder
R v P (2006)
Teenage gang murder trial
R v. Crawley (2004)
The ‘honeytrap’ murder trial
R v. Osborne (2004)
Well publicised intruder murder case
R v. P (2003)
Conspiracy to murder
R v RM (2017/8)
Supplying electronic support for acts of terrorism
Terrorism cases include:
R v MHM (2017)
Allegations of preparing serious acts of terrorism in the UK R v MD (1996) – Palestinian journalist accused of plot to bomb the Israeli embassy
Allegations of terrorism arising out of the conflict in Syria. Secondary School teacher accused of two section 5 Terrorism Act 2006 offences.
R v HF (2011)
Allegations of recruiting terrorists for Afghanistan
R v MA (2007)
21/7 terrorist case
Charles’ experience in this field is very extensive. It includes serious fraud and money laundering cases of all types, including many of the leading fraud trials of modern times.
Fraud clients include:
Large Revenue Fraud Cases include:
Other Fraud Work includes:
Charles is currently advising a range of clients who are the subject of major fraud investigations.
Charles has represented large UK companies in regulatory prosecutions relating to Health and Safety and Environmental issues
HSE v AWM Ltd (ongoing)
Prosecution arising from industrial accidents
EA v AWM Ltd
Environmental prosecution
Charles has conducted and advised in a wide range of civil cases relating to fraud and asset recovery. He is currently instructed in two of the leading account forfeiture cases.
He speaks regularly on these subjects to audiences from both the professional and financial world. He recently advised on the introduction of civil recovery regime in dependent territories and drafted legislation.
Since 2016, he has represented a US pension fund in relation to a substantial international fraud enquiry .
He is currently representing account holders in relation to a major NCA civil forfeiture case based upon allegations of political corruption in former Soviet states.
NCA v O,P and E (ongoing)
Very substantial account forfeiture case
HMRC v H (ongoing)
Account forfeiture case arising from substantial tax fraud investigation
HMRC v City Plant Ltd (2020- 21)
PDL v Alexander Gutin and Crosspoint Ltd (2019)
Sullivan and others v Briggs (2019- 21)
Burnley FC v Lloyds Bank (2017)
Trifanova v Kuznetsov (2015/16)
Charles has appeared in two public inquiries.
Charles has significant experience in international law, particularly in International Criminal Tribunals including appeals and in relation to extradition.
Charles has led teams conducting some of the largest modern private prosecutions in the area of serious fraud.
ASM Ltd v Cable and Whaley (2016 - 19)
Geraud UK Ltd v Bonnet, Burnett and another (2016-18)
Articles for Lexis
Conferences/Lectures
Charles is a regular speaker at both national and international conferences. They include:
Numerous lectures in chambers and other venues , mostly on topics related to fraud
2025
Legal 500
Crime: “Charles is fantastically quick thinking. He is able to digest a lot of material before offering robust and well-thought-out advice. He really cares about each case at hand as well as his instructing solicitors and clients.”
Ranked: Tier 4
Fraud: Crime: “Charles is brilliant in all aspects and a true gentleman to boot.”
Ranked: Tier 3
Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture
Ranked: Tier 3
2024
Chambers & Partners
“Charles is an exceptional KC with superior expertise across the board.”
Crime: Band 2
“Charles is tactically astute, a very good advocate and a good leader who thinks of all angles.”
“One of the leading KCs for highly complex money laundering and crime cases – nothing fazes him.”
“Charles is outstanding in every way.”
Financial Crime: Band 1
Legal 500
Crime: Tier 3
Fraud:Crime: ‘Charles is a magnificent barrister with the highest intellect imaginable. He is a kind and compassionate individual who is loved by his clients. His advocacy is remarkable and he is instructed nationally and internationally. There is no one better than Charles.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture
Ranked: Tier 3
2023
Chambers & Partners
Financial Crime: “Charles is a remarkable lawyer.”
“He is a superb advocate and one of the finest silks at the Criminal Bar.”
Ranked: Band 1
Crime: “A technically brilliant advocate who is very insightful and sees things that other KCs don’t see.”
Ranked: Band 2
Legal 500
Crime: Tier 3
Fraud:Crime: Charles is brilliant at cross-examination. Magisterial with difficult clients’
Ranked: Tier 3
Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture
Ranked: Tier 3
2022
Chambers & Partners
Financial Crime: “He is a Rolls-Royce silk; one of the most experienced financial crime silks. His knowledge and immediate understanding of a fraud case is incredible.” “He has excellent communication skills and is very clever.”
Ranked: Band 1
Crime: “A robust and exceptionally experienced barrister.”
Ranked: Band 2
Legal 500
Crime: “An excellent silk.”
Ranked: Tier 3
Fraud:Crime: “Charles is extremely bright, very thoughtful and combines academic excellence with incisive and persuasive advocacy. He is undoubtedly in the top echelon of silks.”
Ranked: Tier 3
Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture: “He is extremely bright, very thoughtful and combines academic excellence with incisive and persuasive advocacy. He is very patient and caring towards all his lay clients. He is undoubtedly in the top echelon of silks. Anyone who instructs him would agree he is a truly outstanding barrister.”
Ranked: Tier 3
2021
Chambers & Partners
Financial Crime: “A very careful and considered advocate. He works very hard and knows his case very well.” “Immensely talented as an advocate, on paper and with clients.” “Sharp and personable in equally high measures.”
Ranked: Band 1
Crime: “Really client-friendly and someone who finds new angles to cases by thinking outside the box.” “A man with a burning intellect, he is a good jury advocate.” “Charles is a good tactician whose advocacy is considered and precise. He has incredible experience of dealing with some of the most serious and infamous cases.”
Ranked: Band 2
Legal 500
Crime: “Clever but with a really lovely touch in front of a jury. Just effortless in being able to distil down complex factual and legal issues in a way that appeals to juries.”
Ranked: Tier 3
Fraud:Crime: “Still rightly viewed as one of the top Silks to defend in complex fraud. Clever but with a really lovely touch in front of a jury. Just effortless in being able to distil down complex factual and legal issues in a way that appeals to juries.”
Ranked: Tier 3
Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture: “Very experienced in civil recovery and confiscation cases.”
Ranked: Tier 3
2020
Chambers & Partners: “A top draw silk, who is sharp witted and personable in equal measure. He has the nicest manner with clients …works tirelessly.”
2019
Chambers & Partners: “He has an extraordinary intellect and is a magnificent advocate. His written work is second to none…He is extremely bright and a good tactician… A very effective performer… brilliant and charming in the courtroom.”
2018
Chambers & Partners: “Immensely impressive …and tremendously hard-working.”
2017
Chambers & Partners: “A lawyer with a brilliant mind and understated advocacy approach.” “He’s a devastating talent in and out of court.’”
Legal 500: “..he has a very attractive and understated way with the jury.”
2016
Chambers & Partners: “A popular choice of silk for the defence of a variety of financial criminal charges, including those relating to rate manipulation, tax fraud and corruption.”
2015
Chambers & Partners: “His attention to details marks him out, as does his measured style in court.’” “A highly regarded criminal silk who focuses his practice on serious fraud defence. Instructing solicitors value his adept handling of complex cases.”
Legal 500: “His closing speeches leave you in awe.” “He fights like hell for his clients because he really cares about them.”
2014
Chambers & Partners: “A great strategist, with an exceptionally bright mind and great attention to detail.” “He’s incredibly clever and hard-working.”
2013
Chambers & Partners: “He ‘has a truly original mind and is destined to leave his mark at the Criminal Bar.”
On 18 July 2024, after a three-week trial in the High Court of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Andy Morrell,…
Charles Bott KC has been listed in the esteemed 13th edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom™, achieving…
Charles Bott KC has been listed in the esteemed 12th edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom™, achieving…
