- Call 020 7936 6300 or Email
Laurence’s practice focuses on business crime. He is instructed to advise and to represent in relation to the full spectrum of issues arising in this field. His recent instructions include:
Laurence is also able to advise on a range of related matters, including the lawfulness of search warrants and associated judicial review challenges, asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the collateral use of evidence across civil and criminal proceedings, and cross-border issues such as extradition and mutual legal assistance.
Laurence is frequently instructed to advise and to appear as sole counsel in serious criminal cases. His current defence instructions include allegations of perverting the course of justice, rape, and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Trials
Operation Blushwort [2026] - Central Criminal Court
Following detailed disclosure submissions engaging issues of public interest immunity, the prosecution offered no evidence against Laurence’s client on the second day of trial, notwithstanding identification evidence from multiple undercover NCA officers. All other defendants were convicted.
R v EW [2026] – Harrow Crown Court
Defending an allegation of kidnap.
R v DC [2026] – Aylesbury Crown Court
Successful submission of no case to answer in a case alleging sexual assault of a police officer
R v HM [2025] – Peterborough Crown Court
Acquittal following trial for conveying prohibited items into prison; evidence relating to the circumstances of the defendant’s imprisonment was excluded, and the defence of duress was advanced before the jury.
Laurence is also regularly instructed as junior counsel in complex, document-heavy proceedings. Recent instructions include:
HMRC v GE [2025]
First-tier Tribunal (Tax) – instructed for the Revenue in preparation of a large-scale MTIC fraud arising out of labour market abuse.
Instructed for the first defendant in a conspiracy to import and supply 1.2 tonnes of cocaine (led by Minka Braun).
Conspiracy to import and export substantial quantities of synthetic cannabinoids (led by Jim Tilbury).
Conspiracy to supply firearms and ammunition (led by Dan Frier).
Sentencing
Laurence is regularly instructed in serious sentencing hearings, including cases involving issues of dangerousness, mandatory minimum sentences, and ancillary orders. His recent instructions include:
R v Bennett [2026] - Central Criminal Court
The defendant pleaded guilty to multiple counts of serious domestic violence. A suspended sentence was imposed by a Deputy High Court Judge sitting as a Recorder at the Old Bailey
R v McDonagh [2026] – Portsmouth Crown Court
The defendant pleaded guilty to a daylight stabbing at a railway station. The court declined to make a finding of dangerousness or to impose an extended sentence, notwithstanding a contrary recommendation from probation.
HSE v Savva [2025] – Reading Crown Court
A sole trader pleaded guilty to offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act following the collapse of a dormer extension, causing life-changing injuries and substantial property damage. The court imposed a suspended sentence and declined to make a director’s disqualification order.
R v Miah [2025] EWCA Crim 1100
Following a guilty plea to non-fatal strangulation, additional serious charges based on prison telephone calls were withdrawn after an abuse of process application concerning the unlawful review of legally privileged material. The defendant was sentenced to time served at first instance; on appeal, the Court of Appeal imposed a conditional discharge.
R v Burki [2024] – Central Criminal Court
The defendant pleaded guilty to fraud involving the use of a cloned bank card and losses of £153,000; a suspended sentence was imposed.
R v Smith [2024] – Southwark Crown Court
The defendant, with relevant previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a commercial burglary involving the theft of high-value mobile phones; the court imposed a suspended sentence.
Appeals to the Crown Court
Laurence is frequently instructed to advise and represent appellants in Crown Court appeals against conviction from the magistrates’ court. His recent instructions include:
AM v R [2026] – Kingston Crown Court
The appellant had been convicted of two counts of battery against a vulnerable care home resident. The appeal was allowed at the close of the prosecution case following a successful submission of no case to answer.
IB v R [2025] – Kingston Crown Court
The appellant had been convicted of joint enterprise robbery. The appeal was allowed at the conclusion of the Crown’s case on the basis of unreliable identification evidence.
MA v R [2025] – Basildon Crown Court
Tthe appellant, a company director of previous good character, had been convicted of failing to provide a specimen of breath. The appeal was allowed due to failures in compliance with the prescribed breathalyser procedure; a defence costs order was made.
Laurence is instructed in matters at the intersection of criminal and regulatory law, and advises both individuals and corporate clients across a range of sectors.
Health and Safety
Laurence advises and represents clients in respect of health and safety prosecutions at all stages, including pre-charge strategy, expert evidence, trial, and sentencing, as well as ancillary matters such as director disqualification. He recently acted unled in defence of a sole trader charged under s.33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 following the collapse of a dormer extension, which caused catastrophic injury to multiple workers and significant property damage; the court imposed a suspended sentence and made no disqualification order. Read more here.
Tax
Laurence is frequently instructed in appeals against Kittel denials before the First-tier Tribunal (Tax). He acts for both HMRC and taxpayers in cases involving alleged MTIC fraud and related issues such as VAT disqualification.
Planning and Environmental
Laurence accepts instructions in criminal proceedings arising from planning and environmental enforcement, including offences connected with unlawful development and regulatory breaches. He is also able to advise on associated public law and asset recovery issues, including judicial review and proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Financial Regulation
Laurence was retained by the Prudential Regulation Authority in connection with a large-scale investigation into governance failures at a major investment bank. He is familiar with the conduct of such investigations, including disclosure, witness interviews, and regulatory engagement, and is well placed to advise on potential challenges to regulatory decisions by way of judicial review.
Sports Regulation
Laurence has experience of disciplinary proceedings in a sporting context, including appearances before the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. He is familiar with regulatory frameworks governing integrity and anti-doping, and is well placed to advise both governing bodies and individuals in relation to disciplinary and safeguarding matters.
Private Hire Licensing
Laurence advises on all aspects of private hire and taxi licensing, including appeals to the magistrates’ court against decisions to suspend or revoke licences, and matters arising from the operation of major ride-sharing platforms.
Laurence has a particular interest in matters engaging both criminal and civil jurisdiction. He has developed particular expertise in the cross-admissibility of evidence, including the question of “collateral use” where material has been obtained pursuant to police powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. He has written on this topic for LexisNexis.
He can also advise on asset recovery, including cases involving cryptoassets, and the range of available routes under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, together with the associated jurisdictional and enforcement challenges.
Laurence has advised on applications under s.139 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 concerning the condemnation of goods by Border Force, particularly in cases involving the importation of prohibited weapons. He has also made successful applications under the Police Property Act 1897 for the return of property seized during criminal investigations.
He is regularly instructed by Chief Inspectors to advise and appear in applications for civil orders, including Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Domestic Violence Protection Orders, often which require contested hearings. He also accepts instructions on behalf of respondents to such applications, including SHPOs, DVPOs, SPOs, and CBOs.
A significant proportion of Laurence’s practice is in the field of professional discipline. He is instructed by both registrants and regulators to advise and represent in cases involving serious allegations of misconduct, including at the investigative stage, interim applications, substantive hearings, and on appeal to the High Court. He is also regularly instructed in cases where criminal and regulatory proceedings run in parallel, often giving rise to complex issues of cross-admissibility and privilege.
NMC v PG [2026] – Nursing and Midwifery Council
The registrant, a nurse, was accused of sexually inappropriate conduct towards a colleague. The panel made no finding of sexual motivation or misconduct, notwithstanding a near-contemporaneous covert recording said to contain admissions.
AA v Whyte [2025] – Police Disciplinary Tribunal
Representing a police officer facing allegations of gross misconduct arising from participation in a WhatsApp group.
MC v AB [2025] – Nursing and Midwifery Council
The registrant, a senior nurse of previous good character, faced an allegation of serious sexual assault in the workplace; the charge was found not proved following cross-examination of the complainant.
NMC v BR [2025] – Nursing and Midwifery Council
The registrant faced allegations of dishonesty in connection with a foster care application; although one allegation was found proved, the panel declined to find impairment of fitness to practise.
Laurence is also instructed on behalf of regulators in complex fitness to practise proceedings. His recent instructions include:
TRA v Caron [2025] – Teaching Regulation Authority
Acting in proceedings concerning allegations of serious sexual misconduct; the panel found the allegations proved and recommended a prohibition order.
GPhC v Adu [2025] – General Pharmaceutical Council
Acting in a case concerning the unlawful prescription of weight loss medication; the panel found the allegations proved and imposed a period of suspension.
NMC v Mukanganise [2024] – Nursing and Midwifery Council
Acting in proceedings involving the alleged financial abuse of a vulnerable patient; the panel found the allegations proved and imposed a striking-off order.
Laurence maintains a busy public law practice, with a particular focus on challenges to decisions arising within the criminal justice system, including those concerning bail, licence conditions, and the Parole Board. He is a member of the Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Junior Counsel.
He recently acted unled for the Secretary of State for Justice in the successful defence of a judicial review concerning the imposition of an exclusion zone as part of a prisoner’s post-release licence conditions (Heaton v Secretary of State for Justice [2025] EWHC 3375 (Admin)).
Laurence has represented prisoners before the Parole Board, including those serving sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP). He also advises on issues relating to prisoner transfer and the available routes of challenge to such decisions.
He has a particular interest in police law and advises on the scope and exercise of police powers.
Laurence is currently instructed to represent UK Special Forces in a public inquiry concerning alleged unlawful activity in Afghanistan, led by Brian Altman KC and Melanie Cumberland KC. Prior to pupillage, he worked as a paralegal to the CTI team at the Infected Blood Inquiry, and is therefore familiar with public inquiry procedure and practice, including issues relating to Core Participant status, Rule 9 requests, section 21 notices, and restriction orders.
Drawing on his advocacy experience in the Crown Court and in professional discipline proceedings, Laurence is well equipped to accept instructions in inquests, particularly those engaging issues of healthcare regulation or national security.
He is also able to advise on potential applications for judicial review arising out of decisions of inquiry chairs and coroners.
Laurence has a particular interest in cases with a cross-border element and accepts instructions in matters with an international dimension. At Boutique Law, he worked on UHNWI extradition cases and complex mutual legal assistance matters, including those concerning the US Department of Justice. His subsequent practice across criminal, public law, and inquiry work has developed this experience further, including in matters engaging international criminal law and questions of universal jurisdiction.
Laurence has extensive experience in summary-only matters and is regularly instructed on a private basis to advise and represent companies and professionals for whom the reputational and regulatory consequences of proceedings are profound. He has particular expertise in issues of disclosure and evidential sufficiency, and is frequently instructed at an early stage to provide strategic advice.
He was recently instructed by a US white-shoe law firm to advise and represent in relation to proceedings brought against fleet drivers of a multinational pharmaceutical company; the charges were withdrawn following defence representations made at court.
Current instructions include allegations of domestic assault and the representation of a company director in relation to an allegation of providing false information in response to a notice of intended prosecution.
GDL and BPTC– City, University of London
BA (Hons) Theology (First Class) – Clare College, Cambridge
The Queen’s Scholarship – The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Finalist, Rosamund Smith Moot – The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
City Law School Scholarship – City, University of London
Shortlisted for the Falcon Chambers Prize for Land Law – City, University of London
Astbury Scholarship – The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Theological Studies Prize – Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge
Academic Scholarship – Clare College, Cambridge
Bauckham Prize – Clare College, Cambridge
Choral Scholarship – Clare College, Cambridge
Laurence is Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has experience as a charity trustee and a school governor.
The Defendant was a sole trader retained to construct a dormer extension to a residential property. In the preliminary stages…
Laurence Harris appeared unled in a 7-day First-tier Tribunal (Tax) appeal against the Commissioners’ decisions to deny the appellant company…
Joseph Sinclair and Laurence Harris discuss the new Architects Code which comes into force on 1 September 2025. Introduction A…