one paper buildings | barristers' chambers

Michael Hubbard QC

Qualifications
•	Solicitor 1966
•	Called to the Bar 1972
•	Queen's Counsel 1985

Professional Associations
•	Member of Gray's Inn
•	Western Circuit
•	Member of the Association of Commonwealth Criminal Lawyers

Appointments
•	Recorder 1984
•	Standing Counsel to the Inland Revenue 1983-1986

Specialisation
•	Serious Crime
•	Commercial Fraud

Experience
With over 25 years experience in Silk, Michael Hubbard is rightly regarded as one of the most sought after jury advocates in the country. His specialisations are serious crime, particularly murder, and commercial fraud.

He regularly appears in high profile cases across the circuits. Having started his career on the Western circuit in 1972, and achieving silk within 13 years of call, his practice is now nation-wide and he is revered as an advocate of outstanding ability. Clients have commented upon his “professional yet personable manner” and “razor-sharp intellect”. Latterly he has forged a reputation in the media as a Silk who “would leave no stone unturned” in assisting his client. [Deborah Orr, Independent newspaper, regarding the successful defence of Maxine Carr during the Soham trial]. He is highly recommended by all the legal journals and has received consistently good reviews in recent years, with comments such as:

“Shrewd tactician” Michael Hubbard QC of One Paper Buildings is an extremely experienced silk recommended in particular for his involvement in high profile murder and fraud cases.”

“Michael Hubbard QC of One Paper Buildings works nationally on heavy criminal cases, such as the Soham murder case in which he defended Maxine Carr. He also specialises in big ticket fraud cases, acting for both the defence and prosecuting on the behalf of bodies such as the SFO and the Inland Revenue.”

He has appeared in over 150 murder trials and in addition nurtured an expertise in defending serious fraud cases acting on behalf of Company Directors, Scientists, Doctors and Barristers, with a particular emphasis on Solicitor fraud, having successfully defended a number of Solicitors across the country in recent years. Partly due to his reputation and success in defending these matters and his previous experience as standing counsel, he has also successfully prosecuted big ticket fraud cases on behalf of the SFO and Inland Revenue. He has experience in terrorist cases, as well as licensing matters.

His diverse practice has included acting in the House of Lords for the late Mary Whitehouse and appearing in the commercial court in a complex shipping case. Recently he led a tax silk and junior in a case before special commissioners.

Notable and interesting high-profile cases

Appeared for first of many defendants all subsequently acquitted by Court of Appeal, based on confession evidence by the former West Midlands serious crime squad
Successfully prosecuted in the first joint prosecution by the Inland Revenue and Serious Fraud Office
Secured acquittal for defendant in City of London election fraud
Successful prosecution of directors of Swindon town football club for fraud
Secured acquittal in £11million Salvation Army fraud
Secured only acquittal in Doncaster corruption fraud
Secured acquittal for Maxine Carr in Soham murder trial
Appeared for the defence in the Hackney election fraud
Successfully defended in a series of three lengthy conspiracy to murder trials between 2005-2007 in Bristol Crown Court
Secured acquittal for defendant in the Fallon racing case at CCC in 2007

Recent notable cases – to date in 2011:

Successfully defended a Chartered Accountant after 3 month trial
Successfully defended proprietor of a Nursing Home, securing an acquittal after a 2 month murder trial.
Secured acquittal for defendant after 2 month murder trial in Sheffield
Secured acquittal for a high ranking army officer in a death by dangerous trial in Bournemouth
Represented a company director charged with fraud in Birmingham Crown Court
Appeared in the Norwich banker case – the defence of one of the two brothers charged with the murder of a wealthy banker

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Chambers & Partners have given Michael Hubbard QC their highest accolade – a ‘rated individual’ recommendation. In the 2012 directory it states: Michael Hubbard QC is joint head of the set and in his 40th year at the Bar. His key defence matters include R v Rose & Others, a case concerning an alleged murder by the owner of a nursing home. Legal500 have also recognised Michael's ability by recommending him, stating in their 2010 directory: “1 Paper Buildings’ Michael Hubbard QC handles ‘heavy-duty crime’ matters” Chambers & Partners 2011 directory states: “is consistently referred to as "the foremost silk on the Western circuit." Specialising in serious crime and commercial fraud, he is an "extremely good jury advocate, who is very focused and always goes to the heart of an issue." Chambers & Partners 2010 directory it states: Michael Hubbard QC stands out for his "unflappability, talent and easy way with the jury." This last point was at the tip of many a source's tongue: "He is an engaging and charming individual out of court, qualities that he brings in abundance to his style of advocacy." He recently led for the defence in R v Sherkle & Others, successfully representing one of the defendants in the Fallon racing corruption trial.