Alistair Grainger

Barrister

Alistair was called to the Bar in 1998 and has enjoyed a mixture of both employed and independent practice before joining Chambers in 2020.

He has established a strong track record as a leading junior and led junior. Alistair is a trial specialist with a wealth of experience in defence work. He is tenacious in the pursuit of his clients’ best interests.

Alistair defends at the highest levels to include murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to rape, rape, fraud, death by dangerous driving, conspiracy to supply class A drugs, blackmail, and kidnap to name just a few. He has also defended clients at Courts Martial and undertakes appellate level instructions.

A naturally gifted advocate, Alistair has an undeniable ability to connect with juries, no matter what the circumstances of the case he is presenting. He skilfully conducts examination in chief and cross examination of both professional and lay witnesses, and his speeches are always presented with the utmost care and passion. He is known for his sound judgement, objectivity, honest and straightforward advice, and these qualities are reflected in his excellent results.

Professional Memberships

South Eastern Circuit
Criminal Bar Association
British Association for Sport and Law (BASL)

Publications

Contributing author for LexisPSL Corporate Crime.
Contributing author for LexisPSL Public Law Terrorism Law and Emergency Powers.

Related Activities

Advocacy Trainer at the Inner Temple.

Testimonials

“A talented advocate who cross-examines with tact and skill.” Legal 500, 2018

Awards

Inner Temple Scholarship.
Employed Advocate of the Year 2018, Bar Council Employed Barrister Awards.

R v MW - Encro Chat drugs and firearms distribution.
R v LW - Multi handed high value drugs conspiracy. Probe evidence & covert surveillance. RIPA. VHCC.
R v DJ - Multi handed high value drugs conspiracy. Probe evidence & covert surveillance. RIPA.
R v JA - High profile threats to kill trial, involving cross examination of Nigel Farage.
R v AH - Operation Bullfinch trial at the old Bailey. The largest trial to date concerning sexual grooming and conspiracy to rape.
R v GN - Murder. Convicted serial rapist committed rape and murder on release from previous sentence.
R v JV - Murder and diminished responsibility.
R v JG - Manslaughter. Death of a 14m infant drowned in the bath.
R v NK - Operation Sabaton (Bullfinch 2) large scale sexual grooming / rape.
R v NK - Operation Silk (Bullfinch 3) large scale sexual grooming / rape.
R v WA - Multi Handed high value drugs conspiracy. Covert surveillance.
R v AS - Operation Newton. Conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in a murder case.
R v DB - Incest, rape & sexual assault.
R v MJ - Operation Marathon. Multi-handed Modern Slavery.
R v PM - High profile trial of media celebrity charged with sexual offence.
R v NW - High profile trial of serial sex offender against vulnerable complainant with acute needs.
R v SK - Operation Behest. Multi handed murder.
R v NK - Operation Silk 3. (Bullfinch 4). Multi Handed sexual grooming and conspiracy to rape.
R v JA - Operation Navigator. Multi Handed murder and conspiracy to defraud.
R v BR - Operation Kane. Murder.
R v WM - Operation Keto. Murder.

R v VH - Large money laundering multi handed matter involving multiple houses and properties. As a result of several large scale drug prosecutions, a number of individuals from the fringes of the OCG were noted to have unjust enrichment. Applications to dismiss and abuse arguments are currently being deployed in this matter. (Ongoing)
R v MA - Complex courier fraud targeting mainly vulnerable and elderly victims whereby a sophisticated fraud operated using fake police officer’s details, knowledge of the banking of the victims along with their vulnerabilities. It is so convincing that a legal professional is amongst the victims who are requested to withdraw large sums of savings from their bank and present to a courier who collects from their home. Extensive CCTV and cell site evidence brought to bear along with the challenge of the same. (Ongoing).
R v JM - Pharmacist prescription frauds perpetuated against the NHS by submitting false claims using prescriptions and never dispensing the drugs
R v THT - Multi million pounds building society fraud, defence of duress. One of several men who worked in building societies around the UK who were targeted by OCG’s and forced to transfer monies which were then believed to be used in international criminal activity. Families’ safety and that of the defendants was threatened and so convincing were the threats, the defence was left to the jury. Eventually after the first hung jury, the CPS reviewed further evidence and offered no evidence.
R v JA - Will fraud in the context of a subsequent murder where a vulnerable wealthy individual had been left to die through deliberate neglect, to include preventing family and medical professionals reaching him. D was a signatory to a false will that was used in relation to one death directly, but deprived the families from their inheritance at the time of the second death (murder).
R v LB - International fake investment scheme (ponzi) lead by N Howard QC whereby the defendant (a Fijian national) had established a charitable organisation and travelled the world meeting diplomats, politicians, high net worth individuals, famous actors and such like. She promised them significant gains if they were to invest in her scheme that was anticipated to generate $2bn. Investments were forthcoming but few returns ever made. The case had multi-jurisdictional elements to include, Fiji, Israel, France, USA, Australia. French legal experts were instructed and evidence was called from the USA, Australia, Fiji and included a former Rugby World Cup international, a former director of a Dutch merchant bank, a Bollywood supremo and a significant figure in international human rights.