Instructing Samuel Magee KC
To instruct Samuel or for any further information please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7440 8888 or clerks@2br.co.uk.
Sam Magee KC is a highly sought after Silk, appearing in some of the most high-profile cases across the United Kingdom. With extensive experience in high profile crime, health and safety and coronial related matters, Sam appears for and advises on the most complex and sensitive cases across these areas.
Whilst instructed across the board, Magee has specific expertise in ‘heavyweight’ crime with conduct of cases of terrorism, murder, firearms offences, drug importation, serious fraud and money laundering offences. In terms of Health & Safety, he regularly deals with prosecutions for corporate manslaughter and advises organisations in respect of liability and regulations. Sam appears for individuals and organisations involved in Inquests and Public Inquiries and has experience in advising on appeals by way of Judicial Review arising from such proceedings.
Appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) by the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland in 2020, in line with the relevant reciprocal arrangements, Sam Magee KC is treated as holding the rank of King’s Counsel in England & Wales and practises across the United Kingdom*.
Samuel is a direct access qualified barrister, which means in certain cases he can be instructed without the need first to instruct a solicitor.
*Please contact our clerks regarding details of this process and relevant reciprocal arrangements if required.
Sam regularly appears before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in appeals arising from criminal, regulatory and public law matters. He advises and appears for the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland in respect of References against unduly lenient sentences. Known for his pithy and informed advocacy, he has been instructed as King’s Counsel in seminal cases at appellate level.
UK Supreme Court
Court of Appeal
Sam is experienced in the complex area of restraint and confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He is instructed regularly to deal specifically with applications for the confiscation of assets both in England & Wales and in Northern Ireland and as a consequence of his dual qualification is a position to advise authoritatively on cross-jurisidictional issues.
As an experienced trial advocate, Sam is regularly instructed to appear for individuals and organisations designated as properly interested parties in coronial proceedings. Sam’s wealth of jury trial experience lends itself to complex inquests before juries including those involving high profile deaths. His appellate experience enables him to advise on the most thorny legal issues both at first instance and in the event of appeal by way of Judicial Review.
Sam has unrivalled experience of cases arising out of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Consequently he is regularly engaged in advising in relation to inquest proceedings concerning some of the most notorious events in Northern Ireland’s recent history. He is well placed to advise and act for military personnel and civilians on inquests and public inquiries arising from atrocities which occurred during the conflict.
Re the Death of Ben Leonard (2024)
Appearing for the Safeguarding Officer of the Scouts Association in the lengthy inquest into the death of a young Scout whilst on expedition. The case involved complex issues of legal professional privilege in addition to allegations of unlawful killing and negligence by the Association.
Re. Soldier F
Advising the Director of Public Prosecutions on the impact of evidence gathered in the course of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry on a subsequent criminal prosecution.
Re. Soldier B
Advising the Director of Public Prosecutions on the impact of evidence gathered in the course of coronial proceedings on the decision to prosecute a Soldier alleged to have murdered a young boy in 1972.
Re. Soldiers A & C
Advising the Director of Public Prosecutions on the impact of evidence gathered in the course of coronial proceedings and subsequent investigations by the Historical Enquiries Team into the events of the death of an IRA member in 1972.
Whilst instructed across the board, Sam has specific expertise in ‘heavyweight’ crime with conduct of cases of murder, terrorism, firearms offences, sham marriages, corporate homicide and drug importation. Of note, Sam was instructed as prosecution counsel in the notorious Jonathan Creswell (Murder at the Stables) case. He prosecutes Soldier F, the only member of the British Army to be prosecuted arising from the events of Bloody Sunday in 1972. Sam is also instructed to prosecute John Downey (previously charged with the Hyde Park Bomb) in respect of the bomb attack on two UDR soldiers in Enniskillen in 1972 as well as James Fox for the murder of a postal worker by an alleged IRA gang in 1994. He has defended those charged with domestic murder (for example R v Mark Alexander – the Midsomer Murderer), gang murder (R v McKeown) and infanticide (R v Lee). He regularly prosecutes and defends those charged with causing death as a consequence of dangerous and careless driving and recently successfully brought a prosecution against a defendant who was the passenger in a vehicle where the driver was killed in the course of a collision.
Sam Magee KC has represented and prosecuted individuals charged with multiple counts of distraction burglary, conspiracy to supply wholesale quantities of prohibited drugs and the use and supply of handguns and all manner of prohibited weapons. Sam successfully defended a principal defendant charged in a conspiracy concerning the wholesale supply of cocaine from London to the West Country; all other major alleged conspirators were convicted.
Sam’s experience in complex fraud has seen him act in the most high profile cases. He has specific expertise of Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) fraud, Construction Industry Scheme fraud, Insider Dealing and money laundering offences.
Sam Magee KC regularly prosecutes and defends in both recent and historic sexual offence cases. He has recently represented a defendant charged with multiple sexual offences upon multiple independent complainants with complex issues of cross-admissibility in the context of bad character evidence.
Magee defends in high profile, privately funded, criminal cases across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Known for his fearless but forensic approach, Sam is an extremely active and highly regarded criminal silk.
R v O & Others (2025)
Instructed to lead the prosecution team prosecuting multiple accused alleged to have systematically abused patients in a mental health facility.
R v Soldier F (2025)
Prosecuting a member of the armed forces in respect of the alleged murder of multiple civilians on Bloody Sunday.
R v Downey (2025)
Prosecuting an alleged member of the IRA in respect of a double murder arising from a bomb attack on an army patrol in 1972.
R v Fox (2025)
Prosecuting an alleged member of the IRA for the alleged murder of a post office worker in the course of an armed robbery in 1994.
R v H (2025)
Prosecution counsel in respect of the gangland murder by a professional hit squad.
R v D&R (2025)
Prosecution counsel in a trial where the defendants are accused of deploying surveillance equipment for the purposes of launching a terror attacks.
R v P (2025)
Defending an accused charged with his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to import wholesale quantities of Class A drugs. The case is reliant upon the admissibility of encrochat evidence.
R v Creswell (2024)
Prosecution counsel in the notorious “Murder at the Stables” case. The defendant was charged with murdering his wife’ sister and attempting to persuade the investigating authorities that the victim had taken her own life.
R v Coyle (2024)
Prosecuted a defendant charged in connection with the attempted murder of a service police officer by way of an under-car booby-trap bomb.
R v Lenaghan (2024)
Successful prosecution of defendant who murdered his landlord in a gruesome knife attack.
R v Clift (2023)
Successfully defended a solicitor charged in connection with an international property fraud.
Much of the time, Magee defends in high profile, privately funded, criminal cases in England. As Senior Counsel, his focus is on homicide, complex fraud and serious sexual offending allegations. He is an extremely busy practitioner, known for his fearless approach.
R v P (2025)
Defending an accused charged with his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to import wholesale quantities of Class A drugs. The case is reliant upon the admissibility of encrochat evidence.
R v G (2025)
Defending an accused charged with a series of assaults on his children and lifetime of coercive control in respect of his wife.
R v Clift (2023)
Successfully defended a solicitor charged in connection with an international property fraud.
R v Slimani (2020)
Defending male charged with importation of wholesale quantities of Class B drugs.
R v S (2020)
Defending male charged with historic allegations of sexual abuse on two young girls.
R v D (2019)
Successfully defended a male, previously convicted of sexual assaults on children, with allegations of rape and sexual abuse of two young girls. Acquitted on all counts.
R v Morrow (2018)
Successfully challenged the imposition of a Confiscation Order on a Defendant charged with environmental offences.
R v G (2017)
Defending a male charged with multiple counts of sexual assault upon five children whilst employed as an au pair.
R v B (2017)
Defended a male charged with environmental offences following the operation of a large scale dumping site.
R v P (2016)
Defended School Principal charged with fraud in connection with school and authority funds.
R v S (2014)
Defendant man charged with multiple sexual offences upon his partner’s young brother.
R v M (2013)
Defended a male charged with the alleged football gang murder of male on the streets of Liverpool.
R v C (2013)
Defended the principal Defendant charged with one of the largest alleged inward diversion frauds prosecuted in the UK.
R v L (2012)
Defended male charged with murder of his four year old step-son.
R v P (2012)
Defended the principal Defendant in the Vantis Fraud prosecution. The case concerned a multi-million pound share scheme fraud and allegations of large scale money laundering.
R v M (2012)
Defended the principal Defendant charged with running a global secondary ticket marketing fraud upon The All England Tennis Club.
Sam Magee KC is a renowned expert in the prosecution and defence of complex fraud. He has been instructed in the most high profile frauds prosecuted in recent times including the Torex Retail Fraud (R v F, Oxford Crown Court), the multi-million pound ‘Vantis’ fraud (R v P, Blackfriars Crown Court) and secured the acquittal of a Defendant charged with one of the largest inward diversion frauds ever charged in the UK (R v C, Preston Crown Court). He was instructed to lead the prosecution team in the prosecution of persons arising out of the NAMA Northern Ireland Loan Book sale and to advise in a multi jurisdictional cryptocurrency fraud investigation.
Sam Magee KC successfully defended the principal defendant charged with an alleged worldwide secondary ticket market fraud against The All England Tennis Club (Wimbledon Championships). He successfully applied to have charges dismissed against an individual charged with a nationwide mobile telephone fraud against Phones4U; it was Magee’s application that led to all charges being dismissed against all defendants. He is currently instructed in a number of money laundering, MTIC fraud and VAT fraud prosecutions.
R v Doherty & Others (2024)
Successfully prosecuted multiple defendants in connection with their involvement in a cross-jurisdictional haulage tacograph fraud.
R v Clift (2023)
Successfully defended a solicitor charged in connection with an international property fraud.
R v C & Others (2020)
Prosecution arising from the sale of the Northern Ireland Loan Book by NAMA.
R v D & Others (2020)
Prosecution of 37 Defendants for an alleged construction industry scheme tax fraud on HMRC.
R v C & Others (2018)
Prosecution of multiple defendants in a fuel laundering fraud.
R v C (2013)
Defended and secured the acquittal of the principal Defendant charged with one of the largest alleged inward diversion frauds prosecuted in the UK.
R v W & M (2013)
Instructed to prosecute a travel agency fraud whereby customers were defrauded out of thousands of pounds and stranded in foreign destinations.
R v P (2010)
Defended the principal Defendant in the Vantis Fraud prosecution. The case concerned a multi-million pound share scheme fraud and allegations of large scale money laundering.
R v F (2010)
Defended a Financial Director in the Torex Retail Fraud prosecution.
R v M (2010)
Defended the principal Defendant charged with running a global secondary ticket marketing fraud upon The All England Tennis Club.
Sam Magee KC is regarded as one of only a handful of specialist counsel in Northern Ireland with widespread experience in defending health and safety prosecutions; as a consequence of his cross-jurisdictional practise, Magee has unrivalled experience in this emerging area of law.
Sam has been instructed in cases of Corporate and Gross Negligence Manslaughter as well as other serious injury health and safety prosecutions. He has acted for multi-national corporations in all manner of regulatory offending including food standards work. His experience in this regard means he is regularly instructed in coronial proceeings.
Cases of this nature do not always require the instruction of a solicitor. Samuel is a public access qualified barrister. Please contact our clerks room should you wish to instruct him in a case of this nature.
Inquest into the death of Ben Leonard (2024)
Representing the lead safeguarding officer following the death of a young scout on expedition.
R v Holden (2023)
Successful prosecution of member of the armed forces in respect of an act of gross negligence manslaughter following the shooting of a civilian.
Re. TRU (2020)
Advising a multinational company on trading conditions arising out of the Covid Pandemic restrictions
R v Creightons (2019)
Instructed to represent company charged in respect of health and safety offences arising from serious injury sustained by a third party contractor attending the site.
R v McKenzie (2018)
Appeared for the Director of Public Prosecutions successfully appealing the imposition of a suspended sentence on a Defendant convicted of gross negligence manslaughter arising from the death of an employee.
R v AG (2016)
Instructed to represent a global company charged with food standards offences across a range of outlets in a prominent, high turnover site.
R v Bell (2015)
Instructed to prosecute a company charged in connection with the serious injury of an employee.
R v MB (2014)
Instructed to represent a nationwide company charged in connection with the serious injury of an employee.
R v Murray (2013)
Instructed to prosecute a company charged in connection with the death of their employee.
R v WW (2012)
Instructed to prosecute a company charged in connection with the serious injury of their employee during the course of his employment.
Sam has experience of representing and prosecuting members of our Armed Forces at Courts Martial both within the United Kingdom and when on active service abroad. He has almost unrivalled experience in cases involving the prosecution of soldiers as a result of incidents which occurred during the Toubles.
R v Soldier F (2025)
Prosecution counsel in the sole prosecution arising from the events of Bloody Sunday. Soldier F is charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.
R v Holden (2023)
Prosecution counsel in the successful prosecution of a soldier charged with manslaughter of a civilian who was shot in the back whilst making his way to a sporting event.
R v Soldier A & Soldier C (2021)
Prosecuting two soldiers charged with the murder of infamous IRA leader Joe McCann.
Sam Magee KC is regularly instructed to defend and prosecute in the cases of homicide; many of his cases involve allegations of terrorist related offending or arise from the Troubles in Northern Ireland. He is one of only a handful of barristers with direct experience of bringing a successful prosecution on a count of corporate manslaughter. Magee attracts high profile lay clients charged with homicide offences playing a central role at trial, particularly in the interrogation of pathology and other expert evidence.
R v H&T (2025)
Prosecution counsel in the murder of a gangland shooting. Case involves complex issues of encrochat evidence.
R v F (2025)
Prosecution for murder arising from Bloody Sunday.
R v McCourt (2025)
Prosecuting a defendant charged with murder following the disappearance of a man whose body was discovered many months later in a reservoir.
R v Jonathan Creswell (2024)
Prosecuting the notorious Murder at the Stables case, where the defendant was charged with murder following the violent death of his sister-in-law.
R v Lenaghan (2024)
Successful prosecution of man charged with the murder of his landlord. Case involved complex issues of diminished responsibility.
R v Holden (2023)
Prosecution counsel in the successful prosecution of a soldier charged with manslaughter of a civilian who was shot in the back whilst making his way to a sporting event.
R v A&C (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from The Troubles in 1972.
R v B (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from the Troubles.
R v D (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from the Troubles in 1976.
R v F (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from Bloody Sunday.
R v A&C (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from The Troubles in 1972.
R v B (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from the Troubles.
R v D (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from the Troubles in 1976.
R v B & Others (2019)
Prosecution for murder arising from terrorist related feud.
R v M & Others (2019)
Prosecution for murder arising from terrorist related feud.
R v K (2017)
Instructed to prosecute Defendant charged with murder of ex-wife’s partner.
R v D (2017)
Instructed to prosecute Defendant charged with murder of his father.
R v A (2016)
Instructed to prosecute Defendant charged with the murder of his mother.
R v Z (2015)
Instructed to prosecute Defendant charged with the attempted murder of her child.
R v B (2014)
Instructed to prosecuted Defendant charged with murder following knife attack.
R v F (2013)
Instructed to prosecute a Defendant charged in connection with a violent assault upon a male outside a nightclub.
R v Murray (2013)
Instructed to prosecute a company charged in connection with the death of their employee.
R v McKeown (2013)
Successfully defended a male charged with the alleged football gang murder of male on the streets of Liverpool.
R v Lee (2012)
Defended male charged with murder of his four year old step-son.
R v Alexander (2010)
Defended law student charged in relation to the murder of his father who was discovered buried in the grounds of the family home.
Sam is instructed in a range of Professional Discipline matters, both via solicitors and through the direct access scheme. Sam has specific expertise in medical professional tribunals and tax/accounting professional tribunals. Sam is also instructed on behalf of the professional conduct committee of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland to deal with contested disciplinary matters.
As King’s Counsel, Sam instructed to prosecute some of the most serious and high profile cases. For particular examples please see the categories above and below. Some notable cases are listed below.
R v H&T (2025)
Prosecution counsel in the murder of a gangland shooting. Case involves complex issues of encrochat evidence.
R v F (2025)
Prosecution for murder arising from Bloody Sunday.
R v McCourt (2025)
Prosecuting a defendant charged with murder following the disappearance of a man whose body was discovered many months later in a reservoir.
R v Jonathan Creswell (2024)
Prosecuting the notorious Murder at the Stables case, where the defendant was charged with murder following the violent death of his sister-in-law.
R v Lenaghan (2024)
Successful prosecution of man charged with the murder of his landlord. Case involved complex issues of diminished responsibility.
R v Holden (2023)
Prosecution counsel in the successful prosecution of a soldier charged with manslaughter of a civilian who was shot in the back whilst making his way to a sporting event.
R v F (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from Bloody Sunday.
R v A & C (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from The Troubles in 1972.
R v B (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from the Troubles.
R v D (2020)
Prosecution for murder arising from the Troubles in 1976.
R v B & Others (2019)
Prosecution for murder arising from terrorist related feud.
R v M & Others (2019)
Prosecution for murder arising from terrorist related feud.
R v McKenzie (2018)
Appeared for the Director of Public Prosecutions successfully appealing the imposition of a suspended sentence on a Defendant convicted of gross negligence manslaughter arising from the death of an employee.
R v K (2017)
Instructed to prosecute Defendant charged with murder of ex-wife’s partner.
R v D (2017)
Instructed to prosecute Defendant charged with murder of his father.
R v M (2017)
Instructed to prosecute Defendant charged with tiger kidnapping.
R v D & Others (2017)
Instructed to prosecute multi-handed case involving complex multi-million pound VAT and Corporation tax fraud.
R v A (2016)
Instructed to prosecute Defendant charged with the murder of his mother.
R v C & Others (2016)
Instructed to prosecute multiple defendants in fuel laundering conspiracy.
R v Z (2015)
Instructed to prosecute Defendant charged with the attempted murder of her child.
R v B (2014)
Instructed to prosecuted Defendant charged with murder following knife attack.
R v O (2014)
Instructed to prosecute a male charged in relation to the historical sexual abuse of multiple family members over a 20 year period.
R v F (2013)
Instructed to prosecute a Defendant charged with murder in connection with a violent assault upon a male outside a nightclub.
R v W & M (2013)
Instructed to prosecute a travel agency fraud whereby customers were defrauded out of thousands of pounds and stranded in foreign destinations.
R v N (2013)
Instructed to prosecute a taxi driver charged with the rape of his passenger.
Instructed to prosecute a male charged with the gratuitous sexual assault of a child at his home.
Sam Magee KC is regularly instructed in the defence of and to prosecute the most serious allegations of sexual abuse. He has in-depth experience of all manner of sexual offence prosecutions. He is regularly privately instructed to represent Defendants charged in connection with allegations of rape, sexual and indecent assault as well as cases involving extreme and indecent images. Sam is a lead trainer of barristers in respect of the handling of vulnerable witnesses in Northern Ireland.
R v M (2025)
Prosecution of member of the clergy for historical sexual abuse on multiple child victims.
R v G (2025)
Defence counsel in allegations of serious domestic abuse on spouse and children over a course of many years.
R v P (2025)
Defending a young professional charged with rape and sexual assault of multiple alleged victims.
R v Hart (2024)
Successfully prosecuted taxi driver charged with raping a female passenger.
R v S (2020)
Defending male charged with historic allegations of sexual abuse on two young girls.
R v D (2019)
Successfully defended a male, previously convicted of sexual assaults on children, with allegations of rape and sexual abuse of two young girls. Acquitted on all counts.
R v G (2017)
Instructed to defend man charged with multiple sexual offences on young boys whom he cared for whilst employed as an au pair.
R v J (2017)
Instructed to prosecute man charged with second set of three sets of historic sexual offences on children.
R v W (2016)
Instructed in trial and appeal of man charged with historic sexual and physical abuse of his seven children.
R v M (2015)
Instructed to prosecute man charged with multiple historic allegations of rape and other sexual abuse.
R v O (2014)
Successfully prosecuted a male charged in relation to the historical sexual abuse of multiple family members over a 20 year period.
R v S (2014)
Successfully defended a male who was alleged to have sexually abused his partner’s younger brother over a course of years.
R v N (2013)
Successfully prosecuted a taxi driver charged with the rape of his passenger.
R v H (2013)
Successfully prosecuted a male charged with the gratuitous sexual assault of child at his home.
Sam has a lively Sports Disciplinary Law practice. He represents individuals and organisations before the RFU disciplinary Tribunal and British Boxing Board of Control in all manner of disciplinary matters. In particular Sam acted for a player charged in the Bath Rugby Club cocaine scandal case. Sam regularly delivers lectures on Sports Disciplinary Procedure to fellow lawyers.
Sam served as the Chairman of the Irish Football Association Disciplinary Committee between 2013 and 2015.
RFU v Crockett & Others (2009)
Defended the Club Captain of Bath RFC before the RFU Disciplinary Committee following a failure to submit to drug testing procedures.
Sam Magee KC has appeared before all manner of regulatory and investigative tribunals. An experienced sports disciplinary lawyer, Sam has experience of the governing bodies for Rugby Union, Association Football and British Boxing.
Magee has also experience of medco-legal tribunals having appeared before the NMC.
He has experience of prosecuting members of the legal profession before their regulatory body.