Martin McCarthy KC - Year of Call 1994 | Silk 2024

Specialist Defence Silk in Homicide, Drugs, Organised & Financial crime

Martin McCarthy KC is renowned as a specialist defence Barrister.

Martin McCarthy KC is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. For almost 30 years, Martin has been fighting for his clients in the most complex case such as Homicide, Fraud, Drugs, Human Trafficking, Money Laundering and Serious Organised Crime.

Martin has an easy manner and is known as a heavyweight practitioner. His tenacious cross examination and strategic thinking have made him the go to KC for serious cases.

The services Martin offer include:

  • Expert pre-charge advice from a Top Barrister and KC
  • Ongoing advice and support from a Top Fraud Barrister and Silk
  • Bail Applications by a specialist Crime KC
  • Second opinions from a specialist KC in Homicide
  • Expert advice and representation in Human Trafficking
  • Specialist expertise as a Top Drugs Silk
  • Full trial representation including Appeals
  • Pleas in Mitigation by an expert Silk

View Career Overview

Areas of Expertise

Business Crime

General Crime

Homicide

Drugs

Notable Cases

Martin has been instructed in a number of serious cases in recent years but as a guide, the following cases reflect the type of work Martin undertakes:

Fraud & Money Laundering

Drugs

People Trafficking & Modern Slavery

Homicide

Reported Cases

Awards & Accreditations

What Martin’s Clients Say

"Martin is a superb barrister. He is a wise and considered practitioner who shows great judgement in which battles to pick. He has a delightful court manner which charms judges and juries alike as well as a steely resolve. Martin is a stellar performer who was made for silk robes."

Other Key Lawyer

"Martin is an able advocate who sports good points of law, argues the point well and is clearly an adroit trial tactician."

London Bar

"Martin is absolutely brilliant. He has a really down-to-earth and direct advocacy style that judges and juries really like and is very effective."

Financial Crime UK Bar

"Martin speaks brilliantly and is very well prepared. His cross-examination is excellent because he has such a good tone of voice and deals with witnesses very well."

Crime UK Bar

"Martin is very industrious, sharp and hard-working and he is an all-round first-class counsel."

Crime UK Bar

"Martin is an exceptional practitioner who is the rare combination of a brilliant brain and an excellent advocate. He reads the room and even in the most challenging of cases ensures that the jury and judge are on board with him."

Legal 500 2024 Edition

"Martin McCarthy has an established defence practice across both crime and financial crime. He has experience of serious matters including those relating to people trafficking and terrorism. His cases regularly have cross-border elements."

Chambers and Partners 2024 edition

"Assiduous and extremely organised, his preparation for a case is excellent. He has an unrivalled sense of which direction a case is going once it's underway. He has a very good forensic mind and the ability to dial it up or down in response to the mood of the courtroom"

Chambers and Partners 2024 edition

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