SILK PROFILE
Brian Altman KC

Brian Altman KC

UK Bar 2026

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Ranked in 3 practice areas

About

Provided by 2BR

Practice Areas

Brian's specialisms include public inquiry work, business crime and investigations. His practice has included advising HNWI, corporations, private clients, here and abroad, Middle Eastern royalty and the UK Government, on a wide variety of esoteric issues.

Brian is instructed for the MOD in the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan. He is also instructed to advise Boris Johnson in the Covid Inquiry. He has advised in relation to the Southport Inquiry.

Brian was leading counsel to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and to the Brook House Inquiry.

Brian was leading counsel for Post Office Ltd in the CCRC referrals to the Court of Appeal in 2020. The case is reported as R v Hamilton & Others [2021] EWCA Crim 577.

In May 2021, the Director of the SFO commissioned Brian to investigate and report into the collapse of the Serco trial of R v Woods and Marshall in 2021. His report was published by the SFO in 2022.

For more information go to: https://www.2br.co.uk/barrister/brian-altman-kc/

Career

Call to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1981. First Senior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court from December 2010 to June 2013. Senior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court from 2002 to 2013. Junior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court from 1997 to 2002. Recorder of the Crown Court since 2003. Queen's Counsel in 2008. Bencher of Middle Temple in 2010. Joint Head of Chambers at 2BR from 2019.

Professional Memberships

South Eastern Circuit. Criminal Bar Association. Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Financial Crime: Corporates - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Brian Altman KC is an experienced barrister widely recognised for his ability to handle both complex and novel issues of law. He is involved in some of the most high-profile cases regarding financial crime and fraud.

Inquests & Public Inquiries - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Brian Altman KC is a stalwart of the criminal Bar who has attracted widespread commendation for his work at the helm of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. He has additionally been instructed in other key matters, including the Brook House Inquiry.

Crime - London (Bar)

Band 2
Band 2

Individual Editorial

Joint head of chambers Brian Altman KC is known for his remarkable expertise in the most significant criminal cases. His general crime practice comprises high-profile murder cases and terrorism work, as well as fraud matters. He also has particular expertise in dealing with police officer and misconduct cases.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Brian has great gravitas and opponents really respect him.

    Financial Crime: CorporatesUK Bar
  • Brian is very detail-oriented and very focused. A very good advocate to have on your side.

    Financial Crime: CorporatesUK Bar
  • Brian Altman KC is excellent. He is at the top of his game as an overlapping criminal and inquiry specialist.

    Inquests & Public InquiriesUK Bar
  • Brian has encyclopedic knowledge of inquiry law. He has a very forensic memory for detail.

    Inquests & Public InquiriesUK Bar
  • He is really good. Altman is very detail-oriented and focused. He is very forceful and encouraging in court, and is a very good advocate to have on your side.

    CrimeUK Bar
  • Altman has great gravitas and opponents really respect him. He gets the results for good reason; he is a great lawyer and brilliant to watch on his feet.

    CrimeUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 2BR (51)

London (Bar)

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