Liam Walker KC

Practice Areas

Media, Defamation and Freedom of Expression

Criminal Law

Professional Discipline and Regulation

Children's Rights

Criminal Appeals

Career

A specialist in criminal, media and regulatory law, Liam Walker KC is driven by the understanding that every case in which he is instructed may have life changing consequences for those involved.

As a result of Liam’s commitment to his clients, he is regularly instructed to represent individuals with a high media profile. Liam has acted for internationally renowned recording artists, media celebrities, actors, world-class athletes and other professionals whose livelihoods and reputations depend on the outcome of a case.

In his criminal practice, Liam is regularly instructed to defend individuals charged with the most serious of offences: murder, attempted murder, terrorism, serious sexual offences and complex fraud. He is the author of Westlaw Insight’s, ‘Guide to manslaughter’ and is a contributor to Taylor on Appeals Vol 3.

Liam provides pre-charge advice to individuals and corporate entities who are known to be under investigation or face the threat of prosecution. He is able to provide multi-jurisdictional advice to those whose professional interests span beyond the UK and EU.

Liam accepts instructions via ‘direct access’ and is one of only a handful of Counsel trained to conduct litigation directly for lay clients.

Professional Memberships

Criminal Bar Association

Publications

Westlaw 'Insight guide' to manslaughter.

Industry Sector Expertise

Media

Liam is regularly instructed to advise media organisations and individuals on potential exposure to criminal offences, often relating to proceeds of crime and terrorism related legislation.

Liam represented Julian Assange upon his eviction from the Ecuadorian Embassy (read more).

Liam provides advice to film and television production companies on productions that feature a legal setting. Liam was the legal adviser for Steve McQueen’s critically acclaimed ‘The Mangrove Nine’ production.

Liam has a particular interest and specialism in defamation emanating from social media.

Homicide and Related Grave Offences

Terrorism

Liam has been instructed to advise suspects of terrorism and firearms offences in advance of trial. He is able to advise lay and professional clients on the applicability of acts alleged and the admissibility of evidence under legislation, including: Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, Counter-Terrorism Act 2008, Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, Terrorism Act 2000 & 2006.

Financial Crime

Liam has been instructed to appear as leading counsel, junior counsel and alone, in complex fraud matters prosecuted by agencies including the SFO and the CPS.

Liam retains specialist knowledge of the law of abuse of process and is often instructed to appear in cases in which applications to stay proceedings or applications to dismiss are required. Liam has also been instructed to advise at the investigatory stage.

Liam is regularly instructed on a privately funded or direct access basis. He is frequently instructed to represent high profile clients. Previous lay clients include a former England football captain, other professional international athletes, professionals in medicine, finance, entertainment, media and company directors.

Criminal Appeals

Liam is frequently instructed to advise on and conduct appeals where he did not appear at first instance. Liam is an appeals specialist and is a contributing author to the practitioner text, ‘Taylor on Appeals’ - Vol 3.

‘Protest’ Law

Sexual Offences

Liam has over two decades worth of experience in representing individuals charged with allegations of sexual misconduct. He is an expert on the law relating to sexual offences and is a speaker for Lexis Nexis on serious sexual offences. Liam was one of the first advocacy trainers qualified to train the judiciary in dealing with vulnerable witnesses.

Regulatory

Liam advises and represents those alleged to have committed professional misconduct before their regulatory bodies. He represents registrants before regulators including: The General Medical Council (GMC/MPTS), The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and The General Dental Council (GDC).

Liam has been instructed to appear and advise upon matters where misconduct of a serious criminal nature has been alleged. He has acted in matters where allegations of dishonesty, sexual impropriety or criminally negligent conduct have arisen.

Sports Law

Liam is regularly instructed to represent those alleged to have committed professional misconduct by the regulatory bodies governing their profession. Liam is often instructed at an early stage where allegations may have formed the basis of criminal charges.

Inquiries and Inquests

Liam’s background in criminal law perfectly complements his inquiry and inquest practice. Having been involved in numerous cases where corruption or negligence has been alleged, he is able to effectively direct the focus of the tribunal towards the pertinent issues.

Liam is also able to advise organisations in advance of inquiry proceedings.

Education