David is a specialist in Criminal advocacy and advice. A former solicitor advocate [1991], he was called to the Bar in 1998. He both prosecutes and defends in serious crime.
He is an accomplished academic lawyer and a creative, persuasive advocate. He is a member of the CPS General Crime and Rasso panels. His practice is largely on the Midlands Circuit, including Derby, Nottingham and Lincoln. He also receives instructions in his native city of Sheffield.
David has appeared as Junior to Queen’s Counsel in several cases of murder, rape and conspiracy to supply drugs. His leaders have included Mr. Justice Jeremy Baker; The Recorder of Sheffield, HHJ Richardson QC; HHJ Kelson QC, HHJ Tim Spencer QC and HHJ Shaun Smith QC.
David has appeared as Leading Junior in cases of fraud and modern slavery.
David is well-known for his imaginative approach to cross-examination and highly effective conversational closing speeches. He argues points of law in an elegant and eloquent style; focused, well researched and effective.
David is highly valued by his lay clients. He adopts a teamwork approach, both when prosecuting and defending, with the client right at the heart of decision- making. He has a substantial number of repeat clients.
David is a former external tutor in Criminal Law and Procedure for the Institute of Legal Executives. He is accredited by the Middle Temple as a pupil supervisor.
In real life, David is a shareholder and supporter of Sheffield United. He plays golf with admirable enthusiasm but no cigar. He enjoys drama, music, and art. He savours fine dining, red wine and real ale. He has a wife, two daughters [the elder a barrister] and a Border Russell named Harvey who causes him the least trouble of the four.
“I have been instructing David Webster for over 15 years. David plays a key role in our defence team. He is happy to help from the simple lesser offences to those that are complicated and difficult.
His skill as an advocate, legal knowledge and Court room presence is first class. He always goes the extra mile with all briefs sent to him and assists his instructing lawyers with advice and assistance in case preparation.
A powerful and forceful advocate who has a caring and empathetic approach to his work. He is most definitely a master of mitigation.”
Simon Stevens
Criminal Partner, Eddowes Waldron Solicitors.
“David is a trusted expert on all aspects of criminal advocacy. His smooth and uncompromising style makes him a firm favourite with juries and judges alike. A fierce proponent of his clients’ cause, David is a just the sort of barrister you want in your corner.”
Joe Harvey
Higher Courts Advocate, Elliott Mather Solicitors.
“He prosecuted many of my cases. He was incredibly thorough and committed. He has a quiet voice but the courage of a lion. A great guy to prosecute for you.
Retired Police Chief Superintendent Pat Casserly
David has been instructed as Junior Counsel for both the Crown and Defence] in several murder cases. He has also both prosecuted and defended as sole counsel in cases of attempted murder.
R v Simmonds [2011] Nottingham Crown Court
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-15211530
R v Griffiths (and Lockhart) [2014] Nottingham Crown Court.
Defence Counsel for vulnerable female charged with murder as an accomplice to the primary offender. Not Guilty verdict following plea to lesser offence of Attempting to Pervert Justice.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-26291420
R v Walker [2015] Derby Crown Court
Sole defence counsel for one of two teenagers indicted with two counts of Attempted Murder.
https://www.briefreport.co.uk/news/derby-teenager-admits-stabbing-soldier-in-vicious-and-brutal-street-attack-3492447.html
R v D [a youth] and Others [2022]. Newcastle Crown Court and subsequently Court of Appeal [Criminal Division]. Defence Junior Counsel, together with Nigel Edwards KC for teenage junior soldier, charged with murder. Multi-Defendant trial of 7 weeks duration. Forensic Footwear analysis a major issue.
Danny Humble case: Ex-junior soldier denies inflicting fatal stamp - BBC News
R v Church [2023] Lincoln Crown Court.
Defence Junior Counsel, together with Nigel Edwards KC. G plea to murder on overwhelming evidence. Subsequent apperance before Warwick Crown Court as a witness on an application to vacate plea. Described by Judge as a 'compelling' witness.
Vincent Markham death: Man admits Spalding murder - BBC News
David is instructed in cases of rape and other serious sexual offences. He is experienced in historical cases, including multiple cases involving child witnesses. He has extensive experience in dealing with vulnerable witnesses, having worked with Intermediaries for both Crown witnesses and defendants. He has also accepted instructions in a number of rape cases featuring issues of incapacity through intoxication.
R v Swindin [2016] Nottingham Crown Court
https://www.chad.co.uk/news/notts-woman-started-sexual-relationship-with-teen-boy-after-marriage-breakdown-1-7811251
Defence Counsel for young mother who pleaded guilty to sexual activity with local teenager.
R v Wood and Others [2018] Derby Crown Court
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-43350457
Defence Counsel for one of four Chesterfield bus drivers accused of serious sexual activity with an obsessive, vulnerable teenager. Client one of three found Not Guilty.
R v Titterton [2018] Derby Crown Court
Defence counsel for D acquitted by jury – Assault by penetration of child family member.
R v Adamson [2018] Derby Crown Court
Defence Counsel for Latvian man acquitted by jury of Assault by Penetration and Threats to Kill.
R v Bannister [2018] Shrewsbury Crown Court
Defence Counsel for D acquitted by jury of historical indecent assaults, dating back to 1983, on two child family members.
R v Atkinson [2022] (Father Terry) Lincoln Crown Court.
Sole Prosecuting Counsel. Part of Operation Redstone and the only case to proceed to trial by jury. D convicted of historical Child Sexual Abuse of multiple young and vulnerable boys. 10 day trial. D sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Former priest sentenced for historic sexual assaults on boys | Lincolnshire Police (lincs.police.uk)
R v Thomason (aka Groves) [2023]. Lincoln Crown Court.
Sole Prosecuting Counsel. Former RAF Wing-Commander convicted after trial by jury of Child Sexual Abuse offences. Sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.
Former RAF Cranwell wing commander jailed for child sex offences - BBC News
R v Higginson [2013] Leeds Crown Court
The Compass Mobility fraud. Defence Counsel for company director.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/opinion/money-opinion/p-s-investigates/compass-mobility-bosses-admit-ripping-off-282715
R v Shelley [2018] Nottingham Crown Court
Prosecution Counsel – theft of substantial sum of money from vulnerable victim in breach of trust. Defendant found unfit to plead.
R v Barthorpe-Stancil [2020] Derby Crown Court
Prosecution Counsel – Fraudulent builder confidence fraud - £44,000 systematically stolen from vulnerable victim – sentenced to 26 months upon late Guilty plea.
https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/cruel-cowboy-roofers-bully-vulnerable-4436135
R v Savidge [2021] Derby Crown Court
Defence Counsel – theft from employer of £100,000 by woman of good character. Quantum reduced by forensic analysis to £2500. Defendant conditionally discharged upon Guilty plea.
David frequently receives instructions in multi-defendant drugs conspiracy cases, notably in Derby, Nottingham and Stafford. He is experienced in cross-examination of police drug experts and forensic scientists. He has conducted numerous Proceeds of Crime Act enquiries and acted for defendants in opposition to the making of Serious Crime Orders.
R v Hamilton [2021] Teesside Crown Court.
Defence Junior Counsel with Nigel Edwards KC. Multi-defendant drugs/firearms conspiracy. D found Not Guilty by Jury after trial.
David has both defended and prosecuted cases of causing death or serious injury by dangerous driving. He represented the Championship footballer Jordan Robertson at Leicester Crown Court.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1217681/Sheffield-United-striker-Jordan-Robertson-handed-32-month-jail-sentence-admitting-causing-fatal-car-crash.html
Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
R v Ainars Pelcis and Others [2018] Nottingham Crown Court
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-46126150
Leading Junior for the first D [the “Gypsy Baron”] in an 11-defendant trial. Allegations of Conspiracy to traffick vulnerable victims from Latvia and subject them to forced labour and exploitation.
Concealment of Body
R v Griffin [2021] Lincoln Crown Court
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-44910848
Prosecution Counsel – Rarely prosecuted common law offence of Preventing the Decent Burial of a Corpse. Succeeded in written submissions opposing application to dismiss. Court substantially assisted by comprehensive sentence note. Sentenced to 21 months imprisonment.
David is a member of the Criminal Bar Association.
David Webster is a self-employed barrister regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
David is registered with the Information Commissioner (reference: Z9473893).
David holds professional indemnity insurance with Bar Mutual.
David is not registered to accept direct access cases.
GDPR Notice
Privacy Notice - General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”)
Please read the following information carefully. This privacy notice contains information about the information collected, stored and otherwise processed about you and the reasons for the processing. It also tells you who I share this information with, the security mechanisms I have put in place to protect your data and how to contact me in the event you need further information.
Who Am I?
David Webster, Barrister. I collect, use and am responsible for personal information about you. When I do this, I am the ‘controller’ of this information for the purposes of the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
If you need to contact me about your data or the processing carried out you can use the contact details at the end of this document.
What do I do with your information?
Information collected
When carrying out the provision of legal services or providing a reference I collect some or all of the following personal information that you provide:
Information collected from other sources
The same categories of information may also be obtained from third parties, such as other legal professionals or experts, members of the public, your family and friends, witnesses, courts and other tribunals, investigators, government departments, regulators, public records and registers.
How I use your personal information: Purposes
I may use your personal information for the following purposes:
Whether information has to be provided by you, and why
If I have been instructed by you or on your behalf on a case or if you have asked for a reference or have applied for a mini-pupillage or pupillage, your personal information has to be provided, to enable me to provide you with advice or representation, or the reference or to consider and process your application, and to enable me to comply with my professional obligations, and to keep accounting records.
The legal basis for processing your personal information
I rely on the following as the lawful bases on which I collect and use your personal information:
With whom will I share your personal information?
If you are a client, some of the information you provide will be protected by legal professional privilege unless and until the information becomes public in the course of any proceedings or otherwise. As a barrister I have an obligation to keep your information confidential, except where it otherwise becomes public or is disclosed as part of the case or proceedings.
It may be necessary to share your information with the following:
I may be required to provide your information to regulatory bodies, such as the Bar Standards Board, the Financial Conduct Authority or the Information Commissioner’s Office. In the case of the Information Commissioner’s Office, there is a risk that your information may lawfully be disclosed by them for the purpose of any other civil or criminal proceedings, without my consent or yours, which includes privileged information.
I may also be required to disclose your information to the police or intelligence services, where required or permitted by law.
Sources of information
The personal information I obtain may include information which has been obtained from:
Transfer of your information outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
This privacy notice is of general application and as such it is not possible to state whether it will be necessary to transfer your information out of the EEA in any particular case or for a reference. However, if you reside outside the EEA or your case or the role for which you require a reference involves persons or organisations or courts and tribunals outside the EEA then it may be necessary to transfer some of your data to that country outside of the EEA for that purpose. If you are in a country outside the EEA or if the instructions, you provide come from outside the EEA then it is inevitable that information will be transferred to those countries. If this applies to you and you wish additional precautions to be taken in respect of your information, please indicate this when providing initial instructions.
Some countries and organisations outside the EEA have been assessed by the European Commission and their data protection laws and procedures found to show adequate protection. Most do not. If your information has to be transferred outside the EEA, then it may not have the same protections and you may not have the same rights as you would within the EEA.
I may transfer your personal information to the following which are located outside the European Economic Area (EEA):
If I decide to publish a judgment or other decision of a Court or Tribunal containing your information, then this will be published to the world.
I will not otherwise transfer personal information outside the EEA except as necessary for providing legal services or for any legal proceedings.
If you would like any further information, please use the contact details at the end of this document.
For how long will I store your personal data?
I will normally store all your information:
Consent
As explained above, I am relying on your explicit consent to process your information in relation to particularly sensitive information. You provided this consent when you agreed that I would provide legal services/asked me to provide a reference/applied for mini-pupillage or pupillage.
You have the right to withdraw this consent at any time, but this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing activity I have carried out prior to you withdrawing your consent. However, where I also rely on other bases for processing your information, you may not be able to prevent processing of your data. For example, if you have asked me to work for you and I have spent time on your case, you may owe me money which I will be entitled to claim.
If there is an issue with the processing of your information, please contact my clerks using the contact details below.
Your Rights
Under the GDPR, you have a number of rights that you can exercise in certain circumstances. These are free of charge. In summary, you may have the right to:
If you want more information about your rights under the GDPR please see the Guidance from the Information Commissioners Office on Individual’s rights under the GDPR.
If you want to exercise any of these rights, please:
I will respond to you within one month from when I receive your request.
How to make a complaint?
The GDPR also gives you the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioners’ Office if you are in the UK, or with the supervisory authority of the Member State where you work, normally live or where the alleged infringement of data protection laws occurred. The Information Commissioner’s Office can be contacted at http://ico.org.uk/concerns/.
Future Processing
I do not intend to process your personal information except for the reasons stated within this privacy notice. If this changes, this privacy notice will be amended and placed on the website.
Changes to this privacy notice
This privacy notice was originally published in August 2021 and last updated in August 2021.
I continually review my privacy practices and may change this policy from time to time. When I do it will be placed on the website.
Contact Details
If you have any questions about this privacy notice or the information I hold about you, please contact me or my clerks.
The best way to contact me is to write to me at my Chambers address of 33 Bedford Row Chambers, 33 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4JH or contact my clerks by email at clerks@33bedfordrow.co.uk or by telephone on 020 7242 6476.