Esther Schutzer-Weissmann

Described as:

“She’s like a steamroller; she’s excellent, relentless and she takes no prisoners”

“Esther has this sharp-witted mind that is unbelievable. She can assess matters very quickly.”

‘Quick to grasp the essentials of a case.’

‘Passionate and dedicated; a fierce advocate.’

Recommended as a fraud specialist and a specialist in business and regulatory crime in the legal directories, Esther regularly handles high-profile, complex financial cases including those relating to allegations of investment fraud, misstatement of financial accounts and money laundering. Her practice has a notable international aspect. Esther is a highly regarded criminal advocate who is known for her sharp mind, high quality advocacy, and expertise in the conduct of complex cases. In recent years she has appeared in the most high profile cases including R v Adeboli (UBS rogue trader), R v Nadir (fraud arising from the collapse of Polly Peck PLC), R v Tesco Stores Ltd (DPA secured with Tesco), R v Rogberg and others (misstatement to the LSE by Tesco PLC). She has experience of DPAs from both sides, has been instructed in litigation relating to the wider legal ramifications of the regime. She has extensive area of global investigations and has extensive experience in issues arising out of corporate liability.

Recognised as an advocate who: “fights very hard for her clients but equally is very open and amenable to new ideas.”

Described by peers as: ‘Her advocacy makes her a formidable barrister. ’

Esther’s criminal practice is exclusively in serious and complex cases. She has been instructed in numerous murder cases including: multi-handed cut-throat revenge killing (R v Degoze and others); the killing of a vulnerable 98 year-old (R v Franklin and Cordice); murder motivated by hatred of homosexuality and shame (R v Foley); and murder within the Indian community motivated by an addiction to online gambling (R v Maulin Patel). A trained and experienced specialist in sexual cases, including high profile historic allegations (R v Rolf Harris) her cases has included of the rape of a virgin, serial paedophilia and familial rape and persistent child abuse. She is instructed in a number of allegations arising out of public inquiries into care homes and grooming. She has a particular interest in cybercrime and has experience in hacking prosecutions, Operation Ore cases, international jurisdictional considerations in cases involving data and the use and misuse of computers. She regularly presents evidence electronically. In particular she has obtained a specialism with regard to surveillance and covert policing, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, Public Interest Immunity and disclosure difficulties. Much of her work involves large organisations and the strategic issues which arise in investigations.

Esther has appeared in a number of leading cases on human rights including as a special advocate including Bank Mellat, Kamoka and Ignaoua. This represents an expanding area of her practice.

Esther frequently appears in the Court of Appeal, in relation to appeals against conviction and sentence. She has particular experience in interlocutory appeals and sentencing appeals. She successfully defended a challenge to the imposition of a financial reporting order and has conducted appeals on issues ranging from autrefois acquit to the disclosure of material obtained under mutual legal assistance by third parties, a decision that involved prior Court of Appeal authority being overturned.

Esther has detailed knowledge of both Part One and Part Two of the Extradition Act 2003, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 and its predecessor, and other international instruments governing this area. She has advised on all aspects of obtaining evidence from overseas and on extradition. She has been instructed in leading cases on both extradition and mutual legal assistance, appearing in the important judgment of CPS v Gohil [2012] EWCA Civ 1550.

Esther has a particular specialism in the operation of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004 and the protections afforded to defendants under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. She has been instructed in a number of cases before the Court of Appeal and the High Court involving negligent advice.

Esther is regularly instructed in judicial reviews involving points of statutory construction or human rights, including the successful defence of a Coroner’s decision not to hold an inquest; the construction of two conflicting provisions in the area of youth justice (Appiah); the effect of negligent advice where refugees plead guilty to immigration offences (Maalin); and defending a challenge to a decision to offer no evidence in a rape case. Esther gained invaluable experience working as a lawyer in the European Court of Human Rights and is the contributing editor of the chapter dealing with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights in the practitioner’s guide, Human Rights Practice (Sweet and Maxwell). Her practice has encompassed numerous challenges on the basis of Articles 3, 6 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in particular, but also Article 1 of Protocol 1 of the Convention.

Esther has broad and comprehensive experience of conducting confiscation and asset forfeiture litigation at first instance and on appeal. She has acted for both prosecuting authorities and defendants and is regularly instructed in cases involving high value and international restraint and confiscation proceedings. She is currently instructed in an appeal against a confiscation order dependent on statutory construction and in a separate appeal against an order relating to the operation of a restraint order.

Esther is interested in developing her experience in international criminal law beyond the ambit of cases in the UK which have a significant international aspect. She has advised in and successfully defended jurisdictional challenges.

• Standing Counsel to the Insolvency Service
• Serious Fraud Office A Panel
• Attorney General’s panel
• Special Advocate
• Treasury Counsel Monitoree
• Grade 4 Prosecutor (including specialist panels for Sexual Offences, Serious Crime, Fraud, Proceeds of Crime)
• List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law (A Panel)

Member of the Fraud Lawyers Association.

• Public Access Accredited
• Contributing Editor, Human Rights Practice, (Sweet and Maxwell)
• Contributor, EU Law in Criminal Practice (Oxford University Press)
• Basic French

University of Oxford, MA (Hons)

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