Martin Hooper

Practice Profile

For approaching 30 years Martin Hooper has prosecuted and defended in serious criminal matters before the Crown and Appellate Courts and in related areas of law, throughout the UK but primarily in London and the South East of England.

He is an experienced and well respected advocate, noted for his calm presence and attention to detail. He has extensive experience as a leading and junior counsel in the full range of criminal offending including homicide, serious and organised crime, drugs, violence and complex fraud and financial work.

Martin's Privacy Policy can be downloaded here.

Commendations:

“We would like to thank you for all your effort over the last eight weeks... This case has been running alongside 9 others under the umbrella operation and we would like to thank you for the professional work you have done... you have been outstanding.” - DS Barker - Lead Officer Camden Crime Squad

“He has appeared before me on a number of occasions ...most recently a case alleging historical sexual abuse stretching back 30 years, and to defend such a case demands careful preparation. It is clear that had been done because the pre-trial application to exclude a highly prejudicial piece of evidence was well researched and firmly argued. It was successful. As in a lot of these cases care and tact had to be employed in cross-examining the complainant and I felt no need to intervene at any stage. The closing speech was measured, in keeping with the way in which the case had been conducted throughout ...” - HHJ Carroll, Crown Court Judge

“ Martin has worked for this firm for nearly 20 years ... his questioning of witnesses has always been firm but fair. His preparation is exceedingly thorough and he basically leaves no stone unturned. He has a high intellect ...and has always grasped both the facts of the case and the law ...” - P Smith, Instructing Solicitor

“From the first time I met Mr Hooper I was confident in his ability ... he clearly was familiar with all the facts and I had every confidence that he would secure me the right outcome, which he did...”  - D Nelson, Lay Client

News

• R v. W & ors [Bristol] 2015

  Conspiracy to Supply Drugs

  Martin Hooper led Samantha Bonner in a 13 week trial at Bristol Crown Court regarding a conspiracy to produce crystal meth, MDMA and amphetamine. The case involved disclosure and PII issues with complex legal argument regarding the police probe on which the Crown’s case was based.

• R v. Dos Santos & ors [Blackfriars] 2012

  Martin Hooper was leading counsel for the prosecution. This was an allegation of a large importation and conspiracy to distribute Crystal Meth. The trial lasted two months and resulted in convictions and sentences of up to 15 years. The case was referred to the Court of Appeal where the lord Chief Justice asked for the Crown to assist in sentencing guidelines. This is currently the leading authority on this topic. 

• R v. Rasalla & ors [Northampton] 2009

  Construction Fraud

  Martin Hooper was leading defence counsel in this building / construction fraud. As well as complex factual and technical issues there were substantial hearings about restraint of assets and confiscation proceedings.

• R v. McKenzie-Hewitt [C.C.C.] 2009

  Attempted Murder

  Martin Hooper was leading junior for a man accused of attempted murder by discharging a firearm in a crowded nightclub. The witnesses sought anonymity. This was the first case in the Country to apply the legislation implemented after R v Davis in the House of Lords

Notable Cases

• R v. Pennells & ors [Winchester] 2005

  Conspiracies to Rob

  Martin Hooper was leading junior Counsel in this case involving allegations of large scale conspiracies to rob commercial premises of high value computer equipment. They involved challenging surveillance evidence including covert bugging, communication interception and PII issues. The trials lasted two and three months, both resulting in acquittals.

• R v. Flinders [Kingston] 2005

  Murder

  Martin Hooper was junior counsel in this murder involving diminished responsibility and self induced intoxication. This was one of the first cases to follow the change in the law by the House of Lords in Dietschmann

• R v. Geir & ors [Croydon] 2008

  VAT Fraud

  Martin Hooper successfully defended in this multi-handed and sophisticated VAT fraud which centred around ‘celebrity chefs’ such as Marco Pierre-white