SILK PROFILE

David Whittaker KC

UK Bar 2026

2 Hare Court

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Financial Crime

London (Bar)

12 years ranked

Health & Safety

London (Bar)

3 years ranked

Crime

London (Bar)

23 years ranked

About

Provided by 2 Hare Court

Practice Areas

David Whittaker KC is a leading advocate in crime, financial crime, regulatory crime, private prosecutions, and public inquiries and inquests. He is recommended in Legal 500 UK Bar 2025 in Crime (Tier 3, Leading Silks), Fraud (Tier 1, Leading Silks) and Health & Safety (Tier 2, Leading Silks), and in Chambers & Partners 2025 in Crime, Financial Crime, and Health & Safety.

He regularly appears in complex, high-profile cases, representing both companies under investigation for serious or regulatory offences and individuals facing allegations that could severely affect their reputations or lives. David is meticulous in case preparation, strategic from the outset, and known for excellent client care.

He has been described as “conscientious and hard-working”, “personable”, and “charming with clients”. In court, he “is a superb advocate” with a “delightful manner with the jury” whose “all-round performance is outstanding”.

Current instructions include individuals charged with fraud and serious criminal matters, companies facing health & safety prosecutions, allegations of gross negligence manslaughter, two private prosecutions, and acting for the project designer for the cladding sub-contractor in the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry.

David also delivers training on criminal and regulatory matters and authored the UK fraud chapter for a City solicitors’ firm. He was recently shortlisted as Financial Crime Silk of the Year in the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2025.

Career

Appointed King's Counsel 2019

Called 1986

Professional Memberships

Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers

Criminal Bar Association

Fraud Lawyers Association

Health & Safety Lawyers Association

2002-present: Recorder

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Financial Crime - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

David Whittaker KC frequently appears as leading counsel in financial crime cases as part of his well-rounded and broad criminal defence practice. He attracts market attention for his highly fluent and convincing advocacy in court and his calm demeanour. Whittaker has acted for the defence in a number of major Financial Conduct Authority insider trading prosecutions.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Health & Safety - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

David Whittaker KC represents both companies and individuals in a variety of cases, including those concerning serious and fatal incidents. He represents clients across a range of sectors, such as hospitality, transport and construction.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

David is an excellent advocate. He is empathetic on his feet and engaging. He has a really fantastic manner with juries and is extremely patient with clients.
Financial CrimeUK Bar
David is open and generous. He is fantastic with vulnerable clients.
Financial CrimeUK Bar
He has brilliant client care and attention to detail and is also very approachable.
Health & SafetyUK Bar
He has a wonderful style and I would say he's a very classic advocate.
Health & SafetyUK Bar
His commitment is astounding.
Health & SafetyUK Bar
David Whittaker KC has a calm, relaxed manner and is extremely persuasive in court. He is a brilliant advocate and is really user-friendly.
CrimeUK Bar