Simon Kealey was appointed Queens Counsel in 2017. He is an extremely popular advocate who enjoys a busy practice concentrating solely on criminal law for both defence and prosecution. Simon has been involved in a large number of the leading cases both on the North Eastern Circuit and beyond. The principal offence groups undertaken are murder and manslaughter, serious fraud, high value drug offences, people trafficking, sexual offences and driving offences resulting in fatalities.

The work undertaken by Simon often includes cases of significant factual and legal complexity and involve legal teams which Simon will lead. In addition to the work undertaken in the Crown Court Simon also has an impressive appeal practice and has been involved in many complex appeal court matters throughout his career.

Simon will accept instructions in significant cases from legally aided clients and will cover the full spectrum of criminal offences and appeal work for private clients.

All enquiries in relation to Simon’s work and availability to accept instructions should be made to the Director of Clerking, David Wright.

Murder/Manslaughter

R v Lawler – Acted for Defendant in high profile murder of elderly man, case featured on BBC’s Crimewatch.

R v Dormer – Lead advocate in murder trial & subsequent conviction appeal concerning expert evidence & recovered memory.

R v Taylor – Acted for prosecution in the trial of a man kicked to death. Case centred on expert neuropathology evidence.

R v Armstrong-Smith & Herrington – Lead advocate in attempted murder trial of elderly relative.

R v Hepworth – Acted for Prosecution in triple death by dangerous case.

R v Crane – Prosecution for manslaughter by gross negligence involving fatal accident on a farm

R v Steele & Others – Lead advocate in organised crime trial involving high value domestic burglary.

R v Ali – Commercial fraud involving £10m land transfers.

R v Friesner – Acted for Prosecution in case involving barrister stealing from his Chambers.

R v Laws – Prosecution of accountant for CPS HQ for £1.5m fraud.

“Operation Newnham” – Banking fraud involving the obtaining of customer details by bank employee & large number of accounts defrauded.

“Operation Florida” – Multi-Defendant trial involving organised criminal group targeting high value HGV containers to steal contents throughout UK & then distribute gang members. money out of the UK.

“Operation Jamesford” – International fraud & money laundering trial involving ‘cuckoo smurfing’ to transfer money out of the UK.

R v B – Senior accountant at major high street business charged with accounting fraud.

Drug Offences

R v McIntyre & Others – Acted for lead Defendant in multi handed drugs trial where organised commercial supply of Class A drugs across North of England.

R v Valli & Others – Acted as lead Advocate in highly organised conspiracy trials involving supply of Class A drugs and handling of very high value commercial goods.

R v Philpotts & Others – Series of cases involving gangs and organised drug dealing. Expertise in mobile phone analysis.

Sexual Offences

R v Burrows – Acted for Prosecution in trial of high profile church missionary accused of historic sexual offences in UK & abroad.

R v H – Acted for defence in multiple rape trial involving published book by a complainant.

R v H – Trial of police community support officer accused of multiple sexual offences.

R v D – Trial involving multiple complainants of sexual offences against teenage children involving grooming offences.

Other Crime

R v Matthews & Donovan – Acting for the prosecution as Junior to Julian Goose QC in the case concerning the kidnap of the 9-year old Shannon Matthews by her mother Karen.

R v Skidmore – Highly unusual case involving conspiracy to prevent a lawful burial by two undertakers. The only modern reported case in this area cited in Archbold and raises important issues about the scope of the offence.

R v Pitt – Elderly Defendant charged with causing death of his wife by dangerous driving. Successful defence involving scientific evidence relating to sunlight reflecting off signage.

R v Saddique – Multi-Defendant trial involving gang violence & use of a firearm R v Roddis – Defendant previously convicted of terrorist offences charged with further offences involving the possession of explosives.

R v Tunstill – Lead advocate for Defence where Defendant charged with murder of new born baby. Trial involved complicated psychiatric evidence and the defences of infanticide & diminished responsibility.

Private Client

R v Mills – HGV driver charged with death by dangerous driving where potential issue over state of vehicle & funded by employer’s insurance. Negotiated plea with prosecution to offence of death by careless driving.

R v Vaughan – Senior NHS manager charged with historic child sex offences & child cruelty. After trial, Defendant was acquitted charges save one.

Appeal Work

R v Kazantsis – Appeal relating to pressure of time upon a jury in the lead up to a public holiday.

R v Roys – Appeal against sentence involving fatal accident at a power station.

R v Potts – Appeal involving sexual offences.

R v TW – Appeal involving propriety of questions asked by Judge during trial.

R (on application of DPP) v Kipling – Case stated in respect of alibi evidence.

R v Martin – Appeal against refusal to discharge a jury following plea of co-accused.

R v Downes – Appeal involving refusal to disclose sensitive material.

R v Khan – Appeal against sentence involving indication of sentence by Judge in chambers.

R v H – Appeal against inconsistent verdicts of jury.

R v Whiteley – Appeal against life sentence for second s18 offence. Regulatory/Professional Disciplinary