Richard Whittam KC

Practice Areas

Richard is a specialist regulatory and criminal practitioner with extensive experience in the most complex and high-profile criminal cases. He is consistently recognised as one of the leading criminal advocates in the UK, receiving both the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 Crime Silk of the Year awards. He is renowned for his strategic and tactical guidance and his ability to master complex legal and factual issues.

Recently, Richard led the team of experienced counsel representing Fujitsu in the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. In addition, he successfully represented an individual who was investigated by the SFO in its investigation into Glencore.

Richard has significant experience in Deferred Prosecution Agreements. He led a team of counsel over a 3-year period to achieve the Deferred Prosecution Agreement against Rolls Royce plc. At the time it was the largest single investigation carried out by the SFO.

He was instructed by third parties in relation to the Deferred Prosecution Agreements against G4S and Serco.

Having been First Senior Treasury Counsel (Crime) Richard has a wealth of experience in national security matters and has advised on, and acted in, cases where there have been a SOCPA agreements.

Richard has extensive experience in Sports Law. He is the RFU’s Independent Head of Judiciary and is a member of the World Rugby and EPCR judicial panels. In September 2024, Richard was appointed as the first independent Chair of the Cricket Discipline Panel. He also is a Legal Arbitrator for Sport Resolutions.