Martin Edmunds QC

Year of Call: 1983

Martin Edmunds QC has a broad criminal practice, and is regularly instructed by both the prosecution and the defence in cases ranging from serious violent and sexual offences to fraud and white collar crime, confiscation and regulatory offences. His experience of violent crime spans murder and attempted murder trials, rape and sexual abuse, and includes cases of multiple offences, multiple complainants, and historic allegations. He is experienced in dealing with forensic, technical and medical evidence.

Martin is ranked as a leading Silk in crime in Legal 500 (2008/2009).

In the fraud arena, Martin has acted for the SFO in large, international investment and advance fee frauds as well as appearing for the prosecution and defence in corporate and individual fraud trials. He is regularly instructed in cases under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Martin also has an extremely active practice in the area of regulatory offences, with a particular focus on health and safety issues and the regulation of electricity distributors. Here, his successes include R v Western Power Distribution (SW) Plc, the first prosecution under Electricity Supply Regulations following the death of a member of the public. Martin’s knowledge of the UK fisheries industry is highly unusual, and he has been instructed in a number of significant cases concerning the lawfulness of UK and EU provisions effecting catch restrictions and the interpretation of regulations. He was also involved in the public enquiry into the convictions of the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven.

Martin is a member of Walnut House (The Chambers of Paul Dunkels QC) in Exeter and a door tenant at Furnival Chambers. He was appointed a Recorder in 1998, and is authorised to sit in Crime (including serious sexual offences) and Civil matters. He acts as an advocacy trainer for the Western Circuit and has lectured to it on Confiscation, Money Laundering and Bad Character.

He is also in demand as a lecturer and trainer internationally and has lectured and trained on advocacy issues for the Barristers’ Overseas Advocacy Committee and the Bar Human Rights Committee in conjunction with the British Council in Malaysia, Malawi, Mauritius and Cameroon. He is a member of the Bar Council’s Law Reform Committee (Criminal Law) and the Advocacy Training Council International Relations Committee.