Alistair MacDonald KC

Practice Profile

Chairman of the Bar in 2016, Alistair MacDonald QC has been listed by Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as a Leader of the Bar for several years.

He has a wide ranging practice covering all criminal activity including cases involving serious fraud, murder and serious drugs offences including industrial scale importations. He has particular interest in criminal offences involving complex medical or scientific issues, Infant deaths and complex arson cases are regularly conducted.

Recent Fraud Cases include: 

R-v-RD - Carlisle Crown Court

Defended company director on charges of multi-million pound fraudulent trading in relation to his car hire business. Case into fifth week when trial had to be aborted because of illness of the defendant. Intensely complex case involving minute detail of hire purchase transactions in London and the North-West.

R-v-PSK - Central Criminal Court

The defendant was bank employee alleged to have been insider assisting other defendant to commit large-scale fraud on bank.  The defendant acquitted. Co-accused convicted.

R-v-Mirzabegi - Leeds Crown Court

Prosecuted £2.5m fraud on VOSA. 28,000 MOT certificates were issued fraudulently. Became involved in case after irregularities at first trial. Defendants convicted.

R-v-M - Leeds Crown Court

Company director and his accountant charged with revenue fraud. Substantial issues between defendants and interpretation of taxation legislation. Defendant acquitted whereas accountant convicted.

Appointments

• 2015 - Chairman of the Bar Council
• 2014 - Vice Chairman of the Bar Council
• 2012 - Leader of the North-Eastern Circuit
• 2011 - Joint Head of Chambers, 16 Park Place, Leeds
• 2008 - Serious Fraud Office Panel
• 2007 - 2012 - Director of Continuing Education North-Eastern Circuit
• 2007 - Master of the Bench Gray’s Inn
• 2000 - Queens' Counsel

There are no recent cases in this practice area.