Instructing Jim Sturman KC
To instruct Jim or for any further information please contact our clerks.
Clerk: John Grimmer
Telephone: +44 (0)7776 154 664
Email: Click here
Jim Sturman KC is joint Head of Chambers and is a specialist advocate in crime, business crime, fraud, global investigations and corporate advisory work including corruption, reputation management and data protection, health and safety and sports law.
In the Legal 500 2020 Jim was described as “The best criminal advocate in the business” and also observed: “In a profession where there are quite a few stellar names Jim Sturman KC is the brightest star. His experience of high profile matters is unparalleled, his knowledge of the law unequalled and his ability to nurture a jury in the palm of his hand is unrivalled. Mix in a hard work ethic, rapier wit and client charm and you have the perfect silk”.
The Legal 500 2000 also said of Jim “a ferocious advocate with remarkable subtlety when required”.
The directories have previously observed of Jim “The man you would want in your corner if you were ever up against it” (Business and Regulatory crime including Global investigations); “Simply brilliant for the innocent client” (General Crime), “His practice includes heavyweight cross-border corporate crime” (Fraud and corporate crime); “An exceptional trial advocate who is fearless and tactically astute” (health and Safety) and “A tremendous advocate with an incredible reputation” (Sport).
Jim is ranked by the legal Directories in Tier one in 5 separate practice areas, he has been ranked in the Chambers Directory in several practice areas since it was first published and is one of a mere handful of criminal barristers ranked in the “Chambers 100”. Jim was nominated as Crime Silk of the Year 2018 by the Legal 500, Health and Safety Silk of the Year 2017 by the Chambers Directory and, in 2022, was nominated as Silk of the Year by the Legal 500, as well as Crime and Extradition Silk of the Year by the Chambers Directory. He was listed in “The Lawyer” Hot 100 in 2003. Jim is one of a handful of barristers at the bar across every speciality to be ranked as a “Star individual” in more than 1 category, being ranked as a Star Individual in both Financial Crime and Crime since 2022.
Jim was lawyer of the week in The Times in 2002 and on 17 September 2020 featured in the Times article “Miss the Robing Room:” On 14 October 2021, Jim was interviewed for an article entitled “The life of a criminal defence barrister” about his practice and career to date.”: The Times – Jim Sturman QC
For decades Jim has represented celebrities, high net worth individuals (and many of their children), company directors, corporate clients and sports stars both in the UK and across the globe. The Chambers and Partners Specialist High Net Worth Guide 2020 describes Jim Sturman KC as “a fantastic barrister … he puts clients at ease” and notes that “He sees through the complex facts – he is effective and sees things with great clarity.”
You can read about Jim’s experience in more detail on his website.
In certain circumstances Jim is able to accept cases on a direct access basis. Please speak to Paul Rodgers if you require any further details.
Jim is frequently instructed to give a second opinion where he did not act in the original trial as well as to draft representations to the CCRC.
R v X
Acted for X in a successful appeal against a sentence of 34 months for the supply of Class A and Class B drugs. The sentence was reduced to 24 months on the basis that the Judge fixed the starting point too high, gave insufficient weight to the mitigation before applying the appropriate discount for a guilty plea, and also gave insufficient discount for the impact of Covid-19 on the particular appellant’s time in prison.
R v Dixon (Operation Cinema)
Conviction for drugs importation quashed because of non-disclosure by Customs and Excise.
R v L
Acted for L in her appeal (though not at trial) against her conviction for murder. The conviction was quashed and at the retrial, the Crown offered no evidence.
R v MI
Appeal against conviction on the basis of fresh evidence that the accused may have been suffering from an abnormality of mind at the time of the killing, conviction quashed.
R v MV
Appeal against conviction on the basis of non-disclosure, convictions for “diversion fraud” and ten year prison sentence quashed.
R v KS
Appeal against conviction for causing death by dangerous driving, conviction quashed as a result of a misdirection of law.
R v TW
Appeal against conviction for causing death by dangerous driving, conviction quashed for the improper admission of evidence and a misdirection of law.
R v MS
Conviction of a man of good character for section 18 wounding quashed as a result of non-disclosure of material that indicated another person had committed the crime.
R v D
Conviction for g.b.h quashed as a result of the judge allowing a jury to conduct “experiments” in their retiring room.
Jim has vast experience of advising corporations and individual directors in criminal (including fraud and corruption), regulatory and HSE matters (in particular corporate manslaughter). Jim has a wealth of experience in advising on sanctions matters, and acting in litigation involving sanctioned entities under appropriate licences. He has been involved in Iranian, Syrian, North Korean and Russian sanctions matters in recent years advising all over the world and in England.
Jim has often advised where a business is the victim of a crime as well as in cases where the business or its directors and management are suspects, including advising on Parliamentary Inquiries.
Jim’s breadth of experience and quality of previous instructions in this area resulted in his being named as one of the Chambers Directory “Business 100” in 2014, a rating of the top 100 QC’s across all specialities. Jim has advised in Innospec, Barclays (Qatari fund-raising), BAE, JJB and a whole host of investigations that have not featured in the public eye in the armaments, shipping, banking, insurance, oil and gas, manufacturing and sports sectors.
Jim has advised clients all over the world and has been involved in all areas of business including the sports, oil and gas, shipping, insurance, engineering, financial services, armaments, aviation and investment sectors. Many of the cases have never entered the public domain.
R v X
Jim (leading Tom Daniel) acted for X, charged with fraud by abuse of position and money laundering in a case that ran for 5 years and concluded with unanimous acquittals in June 2024. X was a trader for one of the UK’s largest private companies who was alleged to have received secret commissions in breach of trust and laundered the proceeds of a biodiesel fraud committed by a counter-party. The case involved complex international inquiries, consideration of trading practices, bad character evidence of the counter-party, complex disclosure arguments, arguments in relation to legal professional privilege, section 8 applications and dismissal arguments (one count was dismissed at the dismissal stage). By the time the case began more than 2.5 million documents had been received, analysed and deployed in the successful defence of X.
Innospec
Advised a senior executive on the Main Board re the SFO and DOJ investigation. The defendant was not charged after representations were submitted to the prosecutor.
Barclays Qatar Fund Raising
Acted for A who was interviewed and a suspect in the case. Not charged after representations that the case did not meet the public interest test were submitted to the SFO.
FIFAGATE
Jim advised corporate clients caught up in the “FIFAGATE” raids on various aspects of the investigation including advising on the DOJ’s approach to restraint of assets .
Rolls Royce
Advised a senior executive during the long running SFO investigation into Rolls Royce.
R v X
Aced for X, the Chairman of an oil and gas company, tried and acquitted of bribery in relation to contracts entered into by his business with various counterparties in the Middle East and at home.
BAE
Advised a senior executive during the investigation into BAE.
Jim is frequently instructed on behalf of families as well as corporate clients to appear at inquests after deaths in the workplace, in hospitals, prisons, as a result of drug consumption or in road traffic accidents.
Re Drayton Manor Park
Acted for the company at the inquest into the death of a young girl who had been riding on a water ride.
Re Harold Shipman
Acted in the inquest at Leeds crown Court in the inquest into the death in Wakefield prison of Harold Shipman.
Has extensive experience in murder, armed robbery and major drugs cases. Since acting for Colin Stagg (The Rachel Nickell murder), Jim has been instructed in numerous cases where there has been an element of “entrapment”. Regularly instructed to give a second opinion both upon requests from Solicitors and after referral from the Criminal Appeal Office in appeals where he did not conduct the original trial. Conducts many appeals, and drafts representations to The Criminal Cases Review Commission in cases where he did not act in the Court below. Advises “pro bono” in death row cases from Commonwealth jurisdictions.
Experienced in taking depositions before Magistrates for the purposes of use in evidence at trials abroad. He has acted for The State of Western Australia in such proceedings as well as for individuals.
R v X
Unanimously acquitted of section 18 inflicting gbh with intent after an altercation outside a nightclub where a bottle was used.
R v X
Acted for X in a successful appeal against a sentence of 34 months for the supply of Class A and Class B drugs. The sentence was reduced to 24 months on the basis that the Judge fixed the starting point too high, gave insufficient weight to the mitigation before applying the appropriate discount for a guilty plea, and also gave insufficient discount for the impact of Covid-19 on the particular appellant’s time in prison.
R v A
Acted for A who shot a trespasser with a shotgun for which he did not hold a licence. The incident was the culmination of a campaign of intimidation of A by a group of people trespassing on his property and threatening him, A was acquitted of all charges in relation to the physical injuries and was sentenced to a suspended sentence for possession of a shotgun without a licence.
R v Gray
Acted for the alleged “kingpin” of an organisation supplying class A drugs in North Wales in an operation known as “Operation Zeus.
R v X
Acted for a woman charged with conspiracy to murder her child’s father. Acquitted after successful submission of no case to answer.
Acted for a student at Oxford University sentenced to a suspended sentence for section 20 wounding.
R v A
Acted for a young man sentenced to a suspended sentence for stabbing a relative and 2 friends after an argument at a party.
R v B
Acted for a young man on allegations of harassment and sexual offences, case dropped.
R v C
Acted for a schoolboy charged with “revenge porn”, case dropped.
R v J
Acted for one of the defendants in the “News International” prosecution for “phone hacking” and perverting the course of justice.
R v El Kurd
Acted for the owner of a bureau de change who was alleged to have laundered in excess of £100 million of money the proceeds of crime.
R v X
Acted for a businessman acquitted after a trial on allegations of abducting and threatening to kill a man over a business debt.
R v S
Alleged money laundering for “crime syndicate”.
R v VP
Acted for a man acquitted of shooting 2 police officers in Brixton.
R v Abdulla
Acted for Bilal Abdulla charged with the “Tiger Tiger” and Glasgow Airport bomb attacks.
R v Joey Barton
Jim Sturman KC represented Joey Barton in relation to an allegation of assault on Ousmane Dabo, committed whilst both players were at Manchester City FC. Mr Barton was sentenced to a suspended sentence of imprisonment.
R v X & Others
Offences under the Terrorism Act, represented a schoolboy who befriended alleged “Jihadi’s” online.
R v X
Acted for a former director of Queens Park Rangers who was alleged to have forced the then Chairman Gianni Palladini to sign over his shares in the Club at gunpoint.
R v Robert Mason
Acted in a cocaine and cannabis importation where the drugs were concealed within the trailers of a motor racing team.
R v Q
Acted for the owner of a bureau de change charged with money laundering in excess of £50 million.
Jim acts for the defence in cases in the UK and abroad, in fraud, corruption, serious crime (including homicide), health and safety and sports law. He has been rated in the legal directories ever since the directories began to be published and now features in the top band in 5 separate practice areas. Jim advises individuals as well as corporate clients and is equally at ease representing a celebrity or a vulnerable juvenile client.
Jim has extensive experience in diversion, VAT, tax and mortgage frauds. Also corruption (advised in many national and international corruption inquiries both in the UK and abroad), fraudulent trading, DTI offences and Companies Act offences, software piracy and MTIC fraud.
Has been retained by City institutions to advise on disclosure in complex “share ramping” and “insider dealing” serious frauds.
Jim is experienced in advising in data protection offences, including blagging” and has frequently advised in relation to cases investigated by the Information Commissioner including advising corporations and individuals in relation to their rights and obligations when summonsed before Regulators or Parliament.
Advises potential defendants in relation to offers to compound proceedings in order to avoid prosecution and in relation to VAT assessments where persons have been inadvertently caught up in diversion frauds. Advises Solicitors and city institutions on money laundering regulations, also considerable experience in advising in civil fraud allegations on the impact of the criminal law. Frequently instructed to advise in confiscation proceedings. Advises in FSA matters.
WWL 2021 said of Jim “a brilliant silk who clients love” because he is “extremely passionate about his cases” and “always goes the extra mile.”
In The Legal 500 2017 in Business and Reg Crime the editors observed “If the client has even the faintest chance, he is your man. And in the Fraud: Crime section the same editors remarked ‘A brilliant advocate – very experienced and well-connected.’
Chambers Directory 2018 ranked Jim in Band one for fraud and observed “Incredibly hard working and has a bedside manner that gives huge confidence to clients. He is of enormous support to instructing solicitors.“ and “An exceptional jury advocate.”
Jim does not list any cases below where early advice, or representations why it was not in the public interest to prosecute, led to no charges.
Jim has acted in cases involving the oil, construction, engineering, railway, farming, education, light and heavy industry as well as Local Authorities and medical practitioners. He frequently is retained on behalf of Companies and individuals facing corporate and gross negligence manslaughter investigations. His experience includes prosecutions of residential landlords in relation to the death of tenants after carbon monoxide poisoning as well as by fire/smoke inhalation due to alleged breaches of Fire Safety and Building Regulations.
Smart Motorway Joint Venture Prosecution
Acted for a joint venture of 2 of the UK’s largest construction companies charged with breaches of the CDM regulations that were said to have caused the death of a construction worker engaged on a “smart motorway” project.
Grenfell Tower - Phase 1
Acted for a Company that fabricated cladding panels that were used in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower. Instructed by Clyde and Co.
R v T
Acted for a director prosecuted for manslaughter and HSE offences after an employee died after a fall from height, non-custodial sentence imposed.
R v H
Acted for the manager of an award winning building company charged with gross negligence manslaughter and health and Safety offences.
R v K
Gross negligence manslaughter prosecution after an accident on a building site killed a passer-by in the street.
R v X
Acted for director of a company acquitted of gross negligence manslaughter after fall from height led to the death of an employee.
R v GS
Acted for a Director charged with HSE offences after a fatality at work. Acquitted.
Re Pyranha Mouldings
Acted for the managing Director of a Company charged with offences after a fatality at work. Acquitted after a submission of no case.
R v H
Acted for the COO of a large company charged with HSE offences after a fatality at work, acquitted.
The Buncefield Prosecution
Acted for a small engineering company prosecuted for offences after the Buncefield explosion.
Jim has been ranked in Band 1 of the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific Directory for Fraud and Corporate Crime, that directory comments that Jim is highly regarded as “very robust in analysis and argument” and is “instructed on issues relating to bribery and sanctions across the Asia Pacific Region and beyond.
In June 2016 Jim was admitted to practice at The Dubai International Financial Centre Courts and travelled to Dubai to advise in bribery matters and civil fraud issues
Jim has advised and worked abroad in many jurisdictions, on behalf of UK and foreign corporations as well as individuals. Jim has advised alone but also frequently works alongside teams of lawyers from other countries.
Jim is well versed in multi-jurisdictional investigations in relation to business crime, bribery and corruption, sanctions offences and fraud. Jim has also been instructed in commercial arbitration work, advising on the criminal aspects and appearing in proceedings at The Hague to cross-examine witnesses.
Jim has also advised all over the world in regulatory matters and sports law disputes, frequently appearing before The Court of Arbitration for Sport. Jim was part of the team that represented Mohammed Bin Hammam in his successful appeal against a FIFA ethics committee verdict and ban from football.
Jim conducted a long fraud trial in the Turks and Caicos in 2015, securing the acquittal of a solicitor charged with stamp duty fraud. He advises in murder appeals from the Caribbean jurisdictions and appeared in the Turks and Caicos Commission of Inquiry into corruption.
Jim has advised in Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Slovakia, The Czech Republic, Russia, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, The Democratic Republic of The Congo and Dubai, Iran, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bermuda, The Bahamas, The Turks and Caicos Islands, Uruguay, Italy, Ireland and Gibraltar. Jim is admitted to the Bar in Gibraltar and has conducted a trial in that jurisdiction as well as advising.
Jim has acted in many other homicide cases, involving issues of self-defence, provocation, diminished responsibility, alibi and all other conceivable issues.
R v Wayne Couzens
Jim acted for Wayne Couzens in the Central Criminal Court in September 2021 and in the Court of Appeal in June 2022 on charges of the murder, rape and false imprisonment of Sarah Everard
R v Arthur Simpson Kent
Acted for the defendant charged with killing his partner (a former East Enders actress) and their two children.
R v Tania Clarence
Acted for a mother who killed 3 of her children. Pleas of guilty to manslaughter led to a Hospital Order.
R v MI
Acted in appeal against conviction on the basis of “fresh evidence” and at the retrial.
R v P
Acted for a man charged with a “contract killing”.
R v Nudds:
Murder trial where the body of the deceased was never recovered.
R v G
Client acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter on the basis of provocation after a former boyfriend was beaten to death after blackmailing G.
Appeared for the defence. At appeal and at the retrial. (Although not at first instance). Man wrongly convicted on the basis of his purported “earprint” found at the scene of the murder of a 94 year old lady. Later disclosures, including DNA testing, proved the “earprint” could not have been the defendant’s.
R v SL
Acted at the appeal (but not at the original trial) of SL who had been convicted of the murder of her partner. Conviction quashed for non-disclosure and no evidence was offered at the retrial.
R v JS
Acted for JS on a murder allegation where the defence was self-defence/provocation.
R v Ian Kay
Junior Counsel for the defence in the “Woolworths” murder trial.
R v McGovern
Junior Counsel in murder trial, now reported on Sections 76/78 of P.A.C.E.
R v X
Acted for the defendant who was acquitted of the attempted murder of two police officers who had been shot in Brixton.
R v Colin Stagg
Junior Counsel in the infamous Rachel Nickell murder trial. Mr Stagg was acquitted and was subsequently completely exonerated of the crime.
Jim has advised in relation to persons summonsed to appear before Public Inquiries and before parliamentary committees frequently over the past 15 years. He advises corporate clients as well as individuals in relation to matters as diverse as data protection and corruption.
Acted in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (Phase 1), The Shipman Inquiry, the Turks and Caicos Inquiry into corruption and has advised witnesses and corporate clients in a large number of other inquiries both in the UK and abroad.
Many of the sexual offences in which Jim has acted are of enormous sensitivity to the defendant and unless the case was reported extensively at the time it is not Jim’s practice to identify the case, further details can be obtained from the clerks of Jim’s extensive experience in this nature of offence, Jim has acted in rape cases, “revenge porn” and other offences of indecency, acting for a number of household names who have faced such allegations.
R v E
Acted for a former teacher also acquitted of historic sex allegations in another “Operation Care” trial.
R v J
Acted for the former head master of a care home acquitted of historic sex allegations. Case part of the “Operation Care” series of trials.
Jim is ranked in Tier one as a sports lawyer. In 2025 the Chambers Directory said “Jim’s knowledge and cross-examination skills are great. If you want someone to get stuck into a heavy case he’s the one.”
Jim acts for clubs and individuals brought before regulatory and disciplinary tribunals across a range of sports.
Over the last 15 years Jim has been instructed in numerous cases involving bribery and corruption in a range of sports across the globe. Those cases include the IAAF investigation into doping offences committed by Russian Sports Federations, investigations into FIFA elections and television rights, match fixing in football, tennis and horse racing and the full gamut of doping offences across sports ranging from athletics to motor racing.
He acted for Millwall FC who were fined £10,000 by the FA and ordered to implement an action plan for a failure to prevent a number of fans from engaging in a discriminatory chant during an FA cup fixture against Everton In January 2019. For further information see The Guardian.
He has acted for Chelsea Football Club, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Watford FC, West Ham United, Newcastle United FC, Nottingham Forest FC, Wigan, Millwall, Wimbledon AFC, Charlton Athletic, Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich City, CSKA Moscow, The Ocean City Noreasters (US PDL league) and numerous individual players and management including: Joe Jordan, Andre Villas Boas, Jermain Defoe, Eden Hazard (re ballboygate) John Obi Mikel, Gary Cahil Yohan Cabaye, Joe Kinnear, Alan Pardew, Graeme le Saux, Jimmy Hasselbaink, Frank Lampard, Kieron Dyer, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Gus Poyet, Mauricio Taricco, Jose Mourinho, Asier Del Horno, Carlo Cuddicini, Michael Essien, Mido, Robbie Savage, Emre Belozoglu, Duncan Ferguson, Jens Lehmann, Peter Cech, Casper Ankergren, Robbie Keane, Michael Dawson, Jermaine Jenas, Mateja Kezman, Didier Zakora, Etienne Capoue, Andre Gray, Troy Deeney, Dele Alli and Eric Dier.
He also acted for the Football Association in relation to charges brought against Roy Keane (for his autobiography) and charges against various players and Arsenal FC, arising out of a match at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Arsenal. Acted for Marcel Desailly before UEFA Appeals Tribunal in Geneva, and before UEFA Disciplinary Commission on behalf of Chelsea FC, Jose Mourinho, Steve Clarke and Les Miles in relation to the Barcelona v Chelsea Champions League fixture in 2004. Also represented CSKA Moscow before UEFA opposing Parma’s protest against the result of the 2004/2005 UEFA Cup Semi-final. Has advised players and UEFA on doping cases. Jim Sturman appeared before the CAS on behalf of Wigan FC in a landmark case to determine the level of compensation to be awarded when a player terminates his contract with a club outside the ‘protected period’ (A.17 FIFA Regs). Represented Chelsea FC before FIFA appeals committee and has advised National Associations in relation to FIFA disputes. Has advised in FIFA DRC cases. Acted for Graeme le Saux in relation to an incident with Robbie Fowler, Chelsea Football Club and Dennis Wise in relation to an alleged incident in the tunnel after a Premiership game in 2000. For Chelsea FC on allegations of mass dissent and failure to control their players, and before the FA and UEFA in relation to charges of failure to control fans, Millwall FC for failing to control their players and AFC Wimbledon for a similar allegation, Has advised in doping cases in a range of different sports. He has acted for numerous clubs on charges of failing to control their fans. He has acted for the FA, in relation to charges against Roy Keane of Manchester United that were brought as a result of the publication of that player’s autobiography. Also instructed by the FA in relation to misconduct charges brought against Dennis Bergkamp and Graham Souness. Acted for Clubs and players in relation to charges of “racism”, including acting for a Chelsea groundsman in a case that became known as “Mowergate” after an incident between Chelsea groundstaff and Patrice Evra of Manchester United. He represented Dennis Wise in relation to his case against Leicester City Football Club before the F.D.C. (Football Disciplinary Commission) and then before the F.L.A.C. (Football League Appeals Committee). Has represented Premiership Football players in libel and false attribution actions against national newspapers. Frequently advises clubs in PFCC cases and acted for Dan Gosling in his action seeking a declaration that he was entitled to a “free transfer” in July 2010.
He has advised numerous clubs including: Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest FC, Wigan FC, Millwall, Brighton, AFC Wimbledon, Crawley Town FC, Charlton Athletic FC, Norwich City, Grays Athletic, Ocean City FC (USA) and CSKA Moscow. Has also advised national football associations in the UK, Europe, Asia and South America.
Jim appears before the FIA and other sporting disciplinary tribunals. Jim also sits as Chairman of RFU disciplinary panels. Jim is also a Panel Chairman for PGA disciplinary appeals and has sat in EFL arbitrations involving Financial Fair Play.