Called in 1988
Areas of Practice
Crime, Family, Direct Public Access Barristers
We are very pleased that a number of our members have been ranked in the Legal 500 2021: Dr Onyoja Momoh as a Leading Junior for Children Law (Public and Private), Kyle Squire as a Rising Star in the same category and Antonia Halker as a Leading Junior in Property Litigation. All are highly skilled, robust advocates. To book, please contact our clerks.
The easiest way to contact our clerks is by email at clerks@5pumpcourt.com or by telephone. Please call our family clerks on 020 7632 7852 or 020 7632 7851; our civil clerk on 020 7632 7862 and our criminal clerk on 020 7632 7853. After 5.30pm please call 07976 368031.
Many courts are continuing to conduct hearings remotely. Our members have extensive experience of remote hearings, and can advise on preparation and tactics and effectively represent clients at such hearings. We are able to host hearings and conferences by Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Contact us at clerks@5pumpcourt.com for more information
5 Pump Court Chambers stands firmly against racism in any form. We are proud of the diversity of our Chambers, and believe that diversity makes us stronger. We also accept that there is always more we could do, and we are ready to listen and to learn.
Kemi Ojitiku acted in the recent case of K (Children: Placement Orders) representing a father in long and complex proceedings regarding whether care and placement orders, and adoption orders, should be made. The CA ordered that the matter be remitted to a fresh tribunal.
Nancy Williams has written for littlelaw on ongoing issues in Nigeria relating to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Jo Morris, a member of our criminal team, has written for The Times arguing that breaches of the Official Secrets Act do not need further protection.
V
With
over 30 years’ experience, Simon’s reputation precedes him on all cases
concerning child welfare. He has extensive experience when dealing with complex
medical evidence and cross-examination of medical experts, with particular
expertise in those cases involving shaking of infants leading to death or
permanent brain damage. Simon has particular expertise in serious children
cases; both private and public law. He is highly regarded in cases concerning
parental disputes over the leave to remove from the jurisdiction. He has
extensive experience in acting for Local Authorities, Guardians and Parents.
Simon has a high-level of excellence, expertise and experience in all areas of crime, with particular emphasis on complex fraud trials. He covers all areas of fraud including investment fraud, VAT and revenue fraud, advance fee fraud and internet fraud. Film tax credit fraud is a particular area of expertise for Simon. He is highly adept at managing document-heavy cases and managing the involvement of professional experts.
R v Driscoll – Southwark Crown Court
Acquittal on Film Tax Credit Fraud. Lengthy cross examination of the Revenue’s
head of the film tax unit about the Corporation Tax Act 2009 and the guidelines
that were issued by the Revenue. Simon successfully found a loop-hole in the
legislation and the jury acquitted the defendant of those charges. He was later
convicted on the vat fraud. His sentence however, was very favourable. Simon
has subsequently been instructed to advise on several film tax credit frauds
having established himself as a leading expert in the interplay between
legislation and revenue guidelines.
R v Alvey
International car theft from Japan on a massive scale in conspiracy with Stolen
Vehicle Squad Police Officers.
R v Zakeri
Complex
Inland Revenue and Customs Prosecution involving four businesses over a period
of six years.
R v Tojagic
Conspiracy to Cheat the Inland Revenue by fraudulently claiming rollover relief
of Corporation Tax. The first case in the country using new Court room
technology.
R v Spence
Defended man accused of conspiracy to defraud creditors by complex web of
offshore companies.
R v Osborne
Complex international money laundering of £20 million of proceeds of Heroin
supply.
R v Mitchell
Missing Trader Fraud – lead defendant in 3 month trial.
Simon is an astute business man. His experience in business has involved many different sectors and over the years he has managed many private clients who have faced prosecution for compliance breach. These generally include Health and Safety and Trading Standards breaches.
Professional Discipline.
Simon is instructed in discipline cases concerning the Police (including the Cross-Border case), the Fire Service, Probation Service and Customs and Excise, as well as individual corporate and charity matters. He represents individuals and advises employers.
Health and Safety.
All aspects including trading standards – Poundstretcher (unsafe clothing), and many industries including Medley (asbestos); Mather and Jackson (fireworks and explosives); Butters (Lightwater Valley amusement park); Seiles (electricity); Henry Boot (roofing); Next (warehousing and fork lift trucks); Scurr (transportation of animals spreading foot and mouth); Totty (scaffolding); Wakefield (Hydraulic lifts), management of training at work (Next). Simon prosecutes and defends.
Judicial review.
Arising from other regulatory work Simon has judicially reviewed public bodies, including witness statement only reviews and live evidence reviews. Cases include R (on application of Ashton & Fraser) v CC West Yorkshire[2005] EWHC 975 (Admin) (Chief Constable’s refusal to stop discipline proceedings after case stopped as abuse in the Crown Court); R v DPP ex p Duckenfield 1999] EWHC Admin 286 (DPP’s refusal to take over and discontinue private prosecution).
Professional Standards.
Simon advises firms of solicitors and accountants regarding the defaults of particular employees and has acted for entire firms alleged to have committed both disciplinary and regulatory breaches. He is instructed in the disciplinary proceedings arising from administration of the COPD scheme for miners. He drafts professional guidance for accountants and barristers. he also acts for those wishing to make complaints. Simon acts for both doctors and patients in Hospital Trust investigations.
Public and Departmental Inquiries.
Simon acted for the Humberside Police Federation in the Bichard Inquiry (Soham murders) and advised the officers in the IPCC Inquiry into the death of Christopher Alder. He also act for groups and individuals who do not necessarily require representation during the Inquiry itself (or are not allowed it) but need to make representations prior to the Report being published. He also advises local government departments and agencies into the scope of and terms of local inquiries into, for example, offences committed whilst being the subject of a Community Order
The Legal 500
Family Law
2019 “A silk at the height of his powers”
2018“A consummate silk, who builds good relationships with clients.’”
2017 “A very thorough yet approachable advocate, who gets on well with clients”
2016 “Provides impartial, professional and realistic advice“
2015 “Very good at cross-examining medical experts”
2014 “Noted for his expertise in child cases involving non-accidental injury”
The Legal 500
Fraud Law
2019 “A brilliant orator”
2018“A formidable and very astute advocate.”
2017“Highly regarded for his expertise in complex fraud cases“
2015“Never fails to get the ear of the court“
2014“A highly persuasive advocate”
2012 “An extremely strong and persuasive advocate, exceptionally hard working and fearless in Court“
Family Law
“Following
our first meeting with Simon Bickler QC it truly felt like a breath of fresh
air walking out of chambers we felt very confident that our QC wasn’t fazed by
the complexity of our case given the legal challenges ahead. The meeting was
very informative and we knew our case was time critical yet he remained very
professional, determined and confident that our case would be presented to the
court in a very thorough and persuasive manner.
Our skeletal argument was prepared flawlessly upon reading it for the first
time we felt confident with our choice in representation. Simon’s knowledge,
experience of the law and case studies he drew knowledge from was certainly
very impressive. Once our case commenced it was clear that Simon had very
strong presence in Court, we felt proud and had no doubt we had hired the right
representative.
Throughout our five day trial we watched seven witnesses cross-examined by
Simon and felt there was no stone left unturned. The information that needed extracting
‘was’. Our final outcome was for our family to be reunited following
seven long months of separation. Our two pre-adopted daughters were returned to
our care…. Our family were all overjoyed and we will be forever eternally
grateful for all the time, effort and understanding given to our case”
– Mrs Flintham-McLean
“You were very reassuring from the beginning. It was a tricky case with no shortage of emotional involvement and I felt your knowledge of the law was evident throughout. Your court room presence was very impressive and to your credit, you obtained me the outcome I needed“
– Dr Patel
“Under pressure, you did not buckle. You are well deserved of your Silk status. You have a cool head and a great manner with clients.”
– Mr Singh
Criminal Law
“I would have no hesitation in recommending Simon BicklerQC. Simon is extremely meticulous in his pre-trial preparation and what one could only describe has an absolute expert in his field. The way he commands a court room is impeccable and he had the whole jury’s attention from start to finish leading to my acquittal.”
– Mr Andrew Platts
Simon Bickler QC – Speaker at the Family Law Bar Association
“Having practised predominantly in Criminal Law it always struck me that the Family Courts adopted a completely different approach when embarking upon a forensic investigation into allegations of harm caused to a child. In the Crown Court the child’s evidence would almost always be tested. The overriding objective is to strike a balance between the complainant, the accused, witnesses etc. Rules of evidence strictly govern the forensic enquiry. In the family court the ‘Paramountsy Principle’ applies. Thus the interest of one party, the child, is promoted above an overriding objective of achieving justice. This seismic jurisprudential shift has led to a number of potentially unintended consequences. Children are rarely challenged. Decisions affecting the future of a complainant child and siblings are usually made without the accused parent being able to test the allegations. A loose approach to admissibility of evidence has further diluted the rigour of the forensic enquiry. This lecture looks at how case law has recently started to recognise that making decisions, ostensibly in the child’s best interests, may not produce the desired result. Further that the Human Rights Act has forced the family courts to reconsider its approach. This lecture sets out Recent Case Law in both Public and Private Law and seeks to draw a common theme examining how to challenge the accepted norm from a different perspective.”
5 Pump Court
Temple, London
EC4Y 7AP
Document Exchange
LDE 497 Chancery Lane
Hours
8.30 am until 7.00 pm
Urgent out-of-hours
07976 368031