Keith Webster


Year of call: 2006


Keith is a powerful advocate with a courtroom demeanor which belies his relatively recent call to the Bar; He is also a skilled negotiator. His ability to inspire confidence in lay clients and his efficient approach to case management and communication are highly valued by those who instruct him.

Criminal Practice

His criminal practice is evenly balanced between defence and prosecution and covers the full range of offences including regulatory offences, fraud, violence, drug dealing and importation in the Crown and Magistrates' Courts.

Business Crime

Keith maintains a particular interest in business-related crime. His depth of experience in commerce gives him an intuitive grasp of complex commercial situations as well as a detailed knowledge of business practices, financial structures and accounts. He is known for his ability to rapidly master complex facts and detailed financial evidence.

Regulatory Law

He is regularly instructed in matters relating to regulatory crime. He is a member of The Health and Safety Lawyers Association.

Employment Law

He represents Claimants and Respondents in matters involving Discrimination and Unfair Dismissal. His long experience as an employer and manager of large numbers of staff provide him with great insight into Employment Law claims.

Civil Litigation

Keith is regularly instructed in contractual disputes, personal injury claims and other tortuous disputes.

Mediation

He is an accredited Mediator. His approach combines empathy and astute commercial insight.

Career

1985/89 - Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising

1989/06 - Director of several multi-million pound companies in Advertising, Mail Order & Publishing.

2007/8 – Pupil Barrister, 18 Red Lion Court.

2009 – Barrister, 4 King’s Bench Walk.

Education & Scholarships

MBA (Warwick); PgDL; Called 2006 - Gray’s Inn.

2005 - Gray's Inn Bacon Scholarship.

Memberships

Member - Criminal Bar Association.

Member - Health & Safety Lawyers Association.

Member - Young Fraud Lawyers Association.

Member - Employment Law Bar Association.

Member - The Bar Association for Commerce, Finance & Industry.

Recent cases

R (O.AO. Kammash and others) v Secretary of State for Defence – On-going judicial review arising out of detention by UK forces in Iraq. The allegations concern the scope of Article 1 ECHR and breaches of articles 3 and 5. Instructed to advise on disclosure.

Walker v Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors: (Respondent - Disability Discrimination)

B v A : (Claimant – Unfair Dismissal, Unlawful deductions, Minimum pay).

R v P (Huntingdon Crown Court)– Prosecution – Possession with intent to supply Class C and  s.47 OAPA 1861;

R v M (Isleworth Crown Court)– Defence – Importation of Class A Drugs;

R v J (Reading Crown Court) – Defence – having custody or control of conterfeit currency.

R v H (Reading Crown Court)– Defence -  Food Hygiene Act  - 9 counts, 3 defendants;

R v K (Aylesbury Crown Court)– Defence – s.20 OAPA 1861;

R v J  (Oxford Crown Court)– Defence – s.47 OAPA 1861;