Robert Ellison

Practice Profile

Robert Ellison is a Criminal and Regulatory barrister renowned for his expertise in cases of Serious Fraud, Homicide, Organised Crime and Police Misconduct.

Robert Ellison is frequently instructed as a Leading Junior in complex and demanding cases. He prosecutes and defends across the whole range of criminal offences.  In recent years his work has focused on cases involving Organised Crime Networks, Serious Fraud and Regulatory work.  He is described as “adept at strategy and a skilful advocate who is liked by juries.”

He has developed particular expertise in cases involving complex Fraud, Police Misconduct, Public Interest Immunity issues and challenging Forensic evidence.  Unusual areas of his work have included HIV Transmission cases, Police Pension Forfeiture and Security Vetting Appeals.  He also handles Company Director Disqualifications and Judicial Review.

The combination of his background and academic abilityoften enable him to bring useful insights to difficult cases.  He served with the Metropolitan Police from 1981 to 1995.  He left the service as a Detective Sergeant with particular experience of covert police operations and Homicide investigations.   He was an outstanding legal scholar who received academic awards for his achievements at the University of London and the Inns of Court School of Law.

He has a keen interest in the Financial Markets and offers expertise in FCA regulated activities and trading frauds. His current cases include tax fraud using capital loss relief, ‘boiler room’ fraud, and Police Misconduct hearings.

Education

University of London: Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours)
Inns of Court; School of Law: Bar Vocational Course,
Pupil of Patrick Gibbs QC

• Operation Lunar [Birmingham] 2017

  £Multi-Million HMRC Tax Avoidance Prosecution

  Sarah Forshaw QC and Robert Ellison acted in the defence of this defendant charged with 10 others of a multi-million pound  conspiracy to cheat HMRC. The fraud centred around multiple tax avoidance schemes. The charges were dismissed against our client following legal argument. The trial on the remaining defendants is listed for 6 months in 2019. Instructed by King and Spalding LLP.

• Thames Valley Police v. R & anr 2016

  Police Misconduct

  Robert Ellison defended an officer in this Thames Valley police misconduct case.  Issues included breach of confidentiality and Data Protection regulation. Co-defending with Queen's Counsel, his client was cleared of any wrongdoing. Instructed by Cartwright King.

• R v. H & G [Snaresbrook] 2016

  Child Cruelty

  Robert Ellison successfully prosecuted this child cruelty case involving the sadistic torture of an infant. Issues included the admissibility of psychological evidence about the mother of the child.

• R v. J & ors [Isleworth] 2016

  Supply of Firearms & Ammunition

  Robert Ellison led Dickon Reid in this case involving four defendants charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of cannabis with intent to supply and with the supply of firearms and ammunition. The defendants were accused of robbing drug dealers at gunpoint of cash and drugs. 

• W v. Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime 2015

  Appeal against the forfeiture of police pension rights

  Robert Ellison acted for an officer in his appeal against the forfeiture of police pension rights.  The appellant was involved in the ‘Plebgate Scandal’.

View All Cases

Notable Cases

• Thames Valley Police v. S & ors [Disciplinary Tribunal] 2010

  Police Misconduct

  Robert Ellison represented an officer in Police misconduct proceedings at a 2 week discipline hearing invovling four officers charged with breaches of the Discipline Code involving Dishonesty and bringing the service into disrepute. The allegations were that officers were taking and supplying Class 'A' drugs. The officer was cleared of all charges.

• R v. V & ors [Southwark] 2011

  Boiler Room Fraud

  Robert Ellison defended in this "Boiler Room" high pressure, share-pushing operation from call centres in Spain. Around 1,250 investors in the UK were persuaded to buy over £7 million worth of shares. Using their "Gordon Gekko" contract notes to complete the transactions. POCA proceedings involved assets totalling £4.5m.