Alistair Webster
KC
Call
Call
1976
Silk
Silk
1995
DIFC
DIFC
2025
Expertise
Criminal Defence Advocacy
Regulatory & Disciplinary
Corporate Crime
Tax Litigation & Investigations
Civil Fraud, Asset Recovery & Enforcement
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
POCA & Asset Recovery
Criminal Fraud
Alistair Webster KC is often instructed in matters relating to Fraud, Bribery and Corruption, Money Laundering, Tax Disputes (including VAT and Duty), Confiscation and Restraint, Environmental Law, Serious Crime and Private Prosecutions, and Civil Fraud.
His breadth of experience means that he has dealt with aspects of fraud not only in the criminal courts, but also in the High Court, the Administrative Court, and the tax tribunals. Added to his experience in proceeds of crime and restraint orders, he is thus able to offer a rare combination of services across the board and to advise with an eye to the consequences beyond the immediate issues presented to him.
Alistair has spent his career as a leader dealing with high profile and difficult cases, across a range of fields of practice which require the combination of intellect, analytical and courtroom skills which he deploys to such effect. He has substantial experience of prosecuting or defending, or acting for Claimants or Respondents.
He is a leader in his field and provides clients a high degree of assurance that their cases will be dealt with efficiently and effectively, with an eye kept constantly on the best way to achieve a positive outcome.
This has been supported in the legal directories over the years.
“Outstanding Intellect”
“ Exceptional Advocate”
“First class strategist and tactician”
He is on the SFO’s lists both for prosecutions and asset recovery. Alistair has been a Recorder of the Crown Court for over 30 years and is a Master of the Bench of Middle Temple.
Alistair is currently instructed in substantial and complex matters including.
Multi-million pound money laundering conspiracy for lead defendant in a case alleging currency smuggling on a vast scale.
Defending a solicitor charged in relation to an investment trust fraud
Defending a businessman charged with VAT offences.
Representing appellants in share valuation appeal.
Advising and representing financial professionals in relation to alleged income tax frauds.
Representing a PhD postgraduate charged with terrorism offences
Representing companies and director charged with large scale VAT and duty fraud in the FTT and the UTT.
Representing company and director in multi-million pound appeal in the FTT.
Advising and representing companies and directors in prosecutions brought by the EA and local authorities.
Other Language(s)
Other Language(s)
"He is quite simply top quality. His knowledge of the fine detail of complex cases is incredible."
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"He is an exceptional advocate with a commanding presence in court. Juries love him."
“His legal knowledge is second to none and he brings a case to life with so much charisma.”
“A barrister with great interpersonal skills who gets the best out of clients and the judiciary, and is noted for his attractive advocacy style." "Very user-friendly, and his advocacy shines."
"He produces excellent performances in the Court of Appeal." "He is very clever, very hard-working and he has very good judgement." "A fantastic KC."
"He's got a real range of expertise - he's great on his feet, commands the courtroom but also very, very good with clients in sensitive situations. He's always available and able to go over ideas. He's a pleasure to work with and gets great results."
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
“A barrister with great interpersonal skills who gets the best out of clients and the judiciary, and is noted for his attractive advocacy style."
"A very experienced campaigner." "Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"Extremely able and committed, good in both written argument and advocacy."
“ He is a very skilled silk.” ”He is a tactical genius”
“ A highly experienced silk who excels in complex cases involving allegations of loan, tax and pension frauds, amongst other matters…He is a very good advocate.”
“He produces excellent performances in the Court of Appeal.” “He is very clever, very hard-working and he has very good judgement.”
"He is quite simply top quality. His knowledge of the fine detail of complex cases is incredible."
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"He is an exceptional advocate with a commanding presence in court. Juries love him."
“His legal knowledge is second to none and he brings a case to life with so much charisma.”
“A barrister with great interpersonal skills who gets the best out of clients and the judiciary, and is noted for his attractive advocacy style." "Very user-friendly, and his advocacy shines."
"He produces excellent performances in the Court of Appeal." "He is very clever, very hard-working and he has very good judgement." "A fantastic KC."
"He's got a real range of expertise - he's great on his feet, commands the courtroom but also very, very good with clients in sensitive situations. He's always available and able to go over ideas. He's a pleasure to work with and gets great results."
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
“A barrister with great interpersonal skills who gets the best out of clients and the judiciary, and is noted for his attractive advocacy style."
"A very experienced campaigner." "Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"Extremely able and committed, good in both written argument and advocacy."
“ He is a very skilled silk.” ”He is a tactical genius”
“ A highly experienced silk who excels in complex cases involving allegations of loan, tax and pension frauds, amongst other matters…He is a very good advocate.”
“He produces excellent performances in the Court of Appeal.” “He is very clever, very hard-working and he has very good judgement.”
"He is quite simply top quality. His knowledge of the fine detail of complex cases is incredible."
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"He is an exceptional advocate with a commanding presence in court. Juries love him."
“His legal knowledge is second to none and he brings a case to life with so much charisma.”
“A barrister with great interpersonal skills who gets the best out of clients and the judiciary, and is noted for his attractive advocacy style." "Very user-friendly, and his advocacy shines."
"He produces excellent performances in the Court of Appeal." "He is very clever, very hard-working and he has very good judgement." "A fantastic KC."
"He's got a real range of expertise - he's great on his feet, commands the courtroom but also very, very good with clients in sensitive situations. He's always available and able to go over ideas. He's a pleasure to work with and gets great results."
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
“A barrister with great interpersonal skills who gets the best out of clients and the judiciary, and is noted for his attractive advocacy style."
"A very experienced campaigner." "Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"Extremely able and committed, good in both written argument and advocacy."
“ He is a very skilled silk.” ”He is a tactical genius”
“ A highly experienced silk who excels in complex cases involving allegations of loan, tax and pension frauds, amongst other matters…He is a very good advocate.”
“He produces excellent performances in the Court of Appeal.” “He is very clever, very hard-working and he has very good judgement.”
Alistair Webster : Experience & Expertise
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Criminal Defence Advocacy
View Cases
View Quotes
R v Michael Hamer.
The murder of Joe Geeling.
R v Dean Saunders.
Successful appeal against sentence for well-known footballer / manager convicted of drink-driving offences.
R v Taylor; R v Tasleem.
Successful defences in two lengthy murder conspiracy trials.
R v Barrow Council and Beckingham.
Legionnaires disease outbreak.
R v Gibbons & othrs.
Murder of naval officer run over by his own car in a burglary.
R v Bamford.
The murder of British heiress in Zimbabwe.
R v Joshua Molnar.
Successful defence of schoolboy charged with the murder of Yussef Makki, a close friend. “You were an absolute rock for us.”
R v Park.
The Lady in the lake.
R v Grynhaus.
Sexual abuse in the ultra-orthodox community.
R v Dickenson.
Poisoning of own children by mother.
"His legal knowledge is second to none and he brings a case to life with so much charisma."
Chambers & Partners 2024, Financial Crime (UK Bar The Regions)
"Tenacious, fearless and a highly skilled cross-examiner."
Chambers & Partners 2024, Financial Crime (UK Bar The Regions)
Alistair has advised Solicitors upon their diverse duties and liabilities and advised the HSE and CPS Complex Case Unit in relation to a number of serious cases including the prosecution of various professionals for manslaughter.
View Cases
View Quotes
Representing those in tribunal and High Court cases for the GMC.
Advising The League Managers’ Association.
Acting in Rennard Enquiry on behalf of the Liberal Democrats.
Successful defence of a solicitor, stayed as an abuse of process.
Representing accountants in disciplinary procedures.
Represented senior management in the Waterhouse Enquiry.
Representing solicitor in directors’ disqualification application.
"A very experienced campaigner."
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"Hes got a real range."
View Cases
View Quotes
AB.
A prominent politician investigated for fraud and corruption. No prosecution ensued.
Whelan and others.
Successful defence of the CFO of a listed company in an FCA market offences prosecution.
Baxendale-Walker.
Advice and successful defence of leading tax adviser in relation to alleged Companies Act offences.
Long.
Advising and representing a solicitor in directors’ disqualification proceedings.
Fallon.
Successful representations avoiding restraint order against a solicitor.
Fallon.
Successful prosecution, on behalf of the SFO, of a nationwide solar panel fraud. Consequential confiscation proceedings.
R v McClintock. Northern Ireland.
Defence of property developer charged with obtaining large commercial loans fraudulently. Successful negotiations of charges and basis of plea achieving suspended sentence and short director’s disqualification. Junior: Mark Farrell (N. Ireland bar).
Kent Pharmaceuticals.
Prosecution of several in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry alleging cartel offences. Stayed as abuse of process.
Wright and Wright.
Advising former financial professionals in relation to an investigation by SFO.
Fallon.
Advising and representing solicitor charged in an investment trust conspiracy.
Black and others.
Restraint orders following convictions for large scale fraud.
Wright & Wright.
Ongoing challenge to restraint order obtained by SFO.
R v Sheehan Contractors.
Satisfactory resolution of an Environment Agency prosecution for breaches of permitting regulations.
R v Whelan (iSoft).
Successful defence of Finance Director of leading software company charged with making false statements to the market (FSA). Junior: Kevin Donnelly.
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"Alistair picks things up exceptionally quickly, both mentally and in terms of response times. He is a fantastic advocate on his feet, well-prepared, eloquent and has a lovely manner with both clients and judges."
Alistair has dealt with numerous cases involving allegations made by HMRC and pure tax appeals. He has substantial experience of cases both civil and the criminal routes.
View Cases
Malde & Others v HMRC.
Successfully represented the Appellants in 3 month appeal against personal liability notices and penalties relating to alleged huge diversion and VAT fraud. The case involved multi-jurisdictions and companies and trusts from numerous countries.
HMRC v Windsor & Others.
Lead defendant in a 6 month trial relating to duty and VAT fraud, including issues of abuse of process, disclosure and intrusive surveillance.
Nuttall & Others v HMRC.
Representing lead appellant in Tax Tribunal dispute re: company valuations for gift aid.
Field Opportunities v HMRC.
VAT input case involving Kittel principles. Alistair was described, in the FTT’s decision, as having “acute forensic skills.”
Borough Green Sandpits.
Challenge on statutory and public law principles to multi-million pounds Landfill Tax imposition.
Mcarthur and others.
Successful appeal against disallowal of claims in relation to charitable tax relief.
Seabrook Warehouses v HMRC.
Successful challenge to withdrawal of approvals for operations relating to Bonded warehouses, including litigation in the Administrative Court, Court of Appeal and the First Tier Tax Tribunal.
View Cases
View Quotes
Direct Line v Bratch.
Civil fraud trial in which a dentist was alleged to have made a false insurance claim.
Advising, jointly with tax counsel, IFAs in relation to alleged remuneration fraud.
R v Michael Hamer.
The murder of Joe Geeling.
R v Gibbons & othrs.
Murder of naval officer run over by his own car in a burglary.
Successful defence of the former Chief of the county Fire Service charged with fraud by breach of trust.
Successful defence of solicitor arising out of a challenged will.
R v Bamford.
The murder of British heiress in Zimbabwe.
R v Dickenson.
Poisoning of own children by mother.
"He is an exceptional advocate with a commanding presence in court. Juries love him."
Legal 500, 2025
"He produces excellent performances in the Court of Appeal."
Legal 500, 2025
"Very user-friendly, and his advocacy shines."
Legal 500, 2025
View Cases
(1) Trafigura PTE LTD (2) Trafigura India PTV LTD v (1) Mr Prateek Gupta (2) Mrs Ginni Gupta [2025] DIFC CA 001
Appeal arising as to whether the DIFC Court has jurisdiction and power to issue freezing orders in aid of proceedings in a foreign court which may yield a judgment enforceable in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) and the Emirate of Dubai.
Alistair Webster : Experience & Expertise
White Collar, Crime & Investigations
Criminal Defence Advocacy
View Cases
Quotes
R v Michael Hamer.
The murder of Joe Geeling.
R v Bamford.
The murder of British heiress in Zimbabwe.
R v Dean Saunders.
Successful appeal against sentence for well-known footballer / manager convicted of drink-driving offences.
R v Joshua Molnar.
Successful defence of schoolboy charged with the murder of Yussef Makki, a close friend. “You were an absolute rock for us.”
R v Taylor; R v Tasleem.
Successful defences in two lengthy murder conspiracy trials.
R v Park.
The Lady in the lake.
R v Barrow Council and Beckingham.
Legionnaires disease outbreak.
R v Grynhaus.
Sexual abuse in the ultra-orthodox community.
R v Gibbons & othrs.
Murder of naval officer run over by his own car in a burglary.
R v Dickenson.
Poisoning of own children by mother.
"His legal knowledge is second to none and he brings a case to life with so much charisma."
Chambers & Partners 2024, Financial Crime (UK Bar The Regions)
"Tenacious, fearless and a highly skilled cross-examiner."
Chambers & Partners 2024, Financial Crime (UK Bar The Regions)
Alistair has advised Solicitors upon their diverse duties and liabilities and advised the HSE and CPS Complex Case Unit in relation to a number of serious cases including the prosecution of various professionals for manslaughter.
View Cases
Quotes
Representing those in tribunal and High Court cases for the GMC.
Representing accountants in disciplinary procedures.
Advising The League Managers’ Association.
Represented senior management in the Waterhouse Enquiry.
Acting in Rennard Enquiry on behalf of the Liberal Democrats.
Representing solicitor in directors’ disqualification application.
Successful defence of a solicitor, stayed as an abuse of process.
"A very experienced campaigner."
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"Hes got a real range."
View Cases
Quotes
AB.
A prominent politician investigated for fraud and corruption. No prosecution ensued.
Kent Pharmaceuticals.
Prosecution of several in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry alleging cartel offences. Stayed as abuse of process.
Whelan and others.
Successful defence of the CFO of a listed company in an FCA market offences prosecution.
Wright and Wright.
Advising former financial professionals in relation to an investigation by SFO.
Baxendale-Walker.
Advice and successful defence of leading tax adviser in relation to alleged Companies Act offences.
Fallon.
Advising and representing solicitor charged in an investment trust conspiracy.
Long.
Advising and representing a solicitor in directors’ disqualification proceedings.
Black and others.
Restraint orders following convictions for large scale fraud.
Fallon.
Successful representations avoiding restraint order against a solicitor.
Wright & Wright.
Ongoing challenge to restraint order obtained by SFO.
Fallon.
Successful prosecution, on behalf of the SFO, of a nationwide solar panel fraud. Consequential confiscation proceedings.
R v Sheehan Contractors.
Satisfactory resolution of an Environment Agency prosecution for breaches of permitting regulations.
R v McClintock. Northern Ireland.
Defence of property developer charged with obtaining large commercial loans fraudulently. Successful negotiations of charges and basis of plea achieving suspended sentence and short director’s disqualification. Junior: Mark Farrell (N. Ireland bar).
R v Whelan (iSoft).
Successful defence of Finance Director of leading software company charged with making false statements to the market (FSA). Junior: Kevin Donnelly.
"Extremely able and committed, he is good both in written argument and in his advocacy."
"Alistair picks things up exceptionally quickly, both mentally and in terms of response times. He is a fantastic advocate on his feet, well-prepared, eloquent and has a lovely manner with both clients and judges."
Alistair has dealt with numerous cases involving allegations made by HMRC and pure tax appeals. He has substantial experience of cases both civil and the criminal routes.
View Cases
Malde & Others v HMRC.
Successfully represented the Appellants in 3 month appeal against personal liability notices and penalties relating to alleged huge diversion and VAT fraud. The case involved multi-jurisdictions and companies and trusts from numerous countries.
Borough Green Sandpits.
Challenge on statutory and public law principles to multi-million pounds Landfill Tax imposition.
HMRC v Windsor & Others.
Lead defendant in a 6 month trial relating to duty and VAT fraud, including issues of abuse of process, disclosure and intrusive surveillance.
Mcarthur and others.
Successful appeal against disallowal of claims in relation to charitable tax relief.
Nuttall & Others v HMRC.
Representing lead appellant in Tax Tribunal dispute re: company valuations for gift aid.
Seabrook Warehouses v HMRC.
Successful challenge to withdrawal of approvals for operations relating to Bonded warehouses, including litigation in the Administrative Court, Court of Appeal and the First Tier Tax Tribunal.
Field Opportunities v HMRC.
VAT input case involving Kittel principles. Alistair was described, in the FTT’s decision, as having “acute forensic skills.”
View Cases
Quotes
Direct Line v Bratch.
Civil fraud trial in which a dentist was alleged to have made a false insurance claim.
Successful defence of the former Chief of the county Fire Service charged with fraud by breach of trust.
Advising, jointly with tax counsel, IFAs in relation to alleged remuneration fraud.
Successful defence of solicitor arising out of a challenged will.
R v Michael Hamer.
The murder of Joe Geeling.
R v Bamford.
The murder of British heiress in Zimbabwe.
R v Gibbons & othrs.
Murder of naval officer run over by his own car in a burglary.
R v Dickenson.
Poisoning of own children by mother.
"He is an exceptional advocate with a commanding presence in court. Juries love him."
Legal 500, 2025
"He produces excellent performances in the Court of Appeal."
Legal 500, 2025
"Very user-friendly, and his advocacy shines."
Legal 500, 2025
View Cases
(1) Trafigura PTE LTD (2) Trafigura India PTV LTD v (1) Mr Prateek Gupta (2) Mrs Ginni Gupta [2025] DIFC CA 001
Appeal arising as to whether the DIFC Court has jurisdiction and power to issue freezing orders in aid of proceedings in a foreign court which may yield a judgment enforceable in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) and the Emirate of Dubai.
News from this Barrister
News from this Barrister
News from this Barrister
Alistair Webster KC successful in defending major tax case
Tax Litigation & Investigations
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
People / Barristers
Address
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
People / Barristers
Address
For a confidential conversation please contact Chief Executive and Director of Clerking, Sam Carter.
“The clerks always go above and beyond to assist. They understand the needs of instructing solicitors, particularly in identifying suitable counsel for cases”
Chambers & Partners
“A friendly and integrated service. The clerks systems and client handling are excellent - with a can-do attitude, enabling easier planning on my side.”
Legal 500
People / Barristers
Address