William Clegg KC
- LLB, Bristol
- “One of the doyens of the criminal bar.” Chambers & Partners 2017
- “Something of a fixture in reported case.” Chambers & Partners 2017
- “He is a class act whose vast experience demands respect from everyone.” Chambers & Partners 2017
- “An astute mind.” Chambers & Partners 2017
- “Fantastic in court.” Chambers & Partners 2017
- “One of the most highly regarded practitioners in our research.” Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2017
- “He has acted for states, corporations and individuals around the world.” Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2017
- “Peers say he is “a definite standout.” Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2017
- “A fantastic reputation in the market.” Who’s Who Legal UK Bar 2017
Instructing William Clegg KC
To instruct William or for any further information please contact our clerks.
Clerk: John Grimmer
Telephone: +44 (0)7776 154 664
Email: Click here
William Clegg KC frequently advises foreign governments, international corporations, trade unions and individuals resident here and abroad in relation to all aspects of regulatory offences, compliance, corporate manslaughter, health and safety corruption and sanctions. Has acted for Balfour Beatty, B.E.A. Sainsbury, Mabey & Johnson, Barclays Bank and the Alstom Group.
Has appeared on over 125 cases in the Supreme Court, Administrative Court and Court of Appeal which can be accessed using Lexis Nexis search engine.
Frequently works in partnership with lawyers abroad and has acted with lawyers in the United States, Brunei, Dubai, Russia, The Netherlands, Spain and Bosnia.
Also practices in the field of general crime and has defended journalists employed by “The Sun” and the Head of Security at News International on charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and for paying public officials for news stories.
He also defended in numerous cases of current and historic allegations of sexual abuse, murder, manslaughter and general crime.
William Clegg has both chaired and appeared before public inquiries including the inquiry into Ashworth Special Hospital.
He wrote an article for The Big Issue examining the impact of cuts to the Legal aid budget have had on justice and appears in an article written by Catherine Baksi for the Times.
Practice Areas
William Clegg KC has wide experience in all types of criminal cases and has acted for defendants from every walk of life, politicians, company directors, professionals and others. The charges have ranged from the most serious to the comparatively minor. They have in common the importance of the case to the individual.
Notable advisory cases
The Sun
Paying public officials for stories.
News of the World
Phone hacking trial.
William Clegg KC has acted in over 125 cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Administrative Court.
Notable appeals cases
R v Ahmed & Umerji [2014] Crim 421
R v Wood Green Crown Court [2013] EWCA 1998
R v Banfield & Banfield [2013] EWCA Crim 898
Lukaszewski & District Court in Touren & Others v Secretary of State for the Home Department (2012) UKSC 20
William Clegg KC has wide experience in all types of criminal cases and has acted for defendants from every walk of life, politicians, company directors, professionals and others. The charges have ranged from the most serious to the comparatively minor. They have in common the importance of the case to the individual.
Notable crime cases
The Sun
Paying public officials for stories.
News of the World
Phone hacking trial.
William Clegg KC has been instructed to advise and defend in many of the largest fraud cases to come before the UK courts and is frequently instructed in cases prosecuted by the SFO. He is currently defending in the Barclays LIBOR case and the Alstom corruption prosecution.
William Clegg KC has been instructed to prosecute and defend in a wide variety of health and safety cases including cases where death has resulted from alleged failures.
William Clegg KC has acted in many international cases, he has acted in the ICTY Appeal Chamber in the cases of Tadic, Josipovica and Jelisic, he acted in the Privy Council in the case of Huggins from Trinidad. He has advised on cases in Iceland and Nigeria and given expert evidence in Australia and the United States.
William Clegg KC has defended many serving soldiers in the criminal courts and at Court Martial.
Notable military law cases
Private Lee Clegg
Defended Private Lee Clegg when he was acquitted of murder before a Diplock Court in Northern Ireland.
Private May
Defended Private May at Court Martial who was acquitted of murder in Iraq and Sergeant Nightingale who was convicted at Court Martial of possession of a firearm and ammunition.
William Clegg KC has defended in over 100 murder and manslaughter cases, including some of the most notorious to come before the courts in recent years. He has also defended in cases of corporate manslaughter and cases where doctors have been accused of manslaughter in relation to patients they had been treating.
Notable murder & manslaughter cases
R v Stagg
Rachel Nickell murder.
R v Stone
Russell family murder and attempted murder.
R v Barry George
Jill Dando murder.
R v Tabak
Joanna Yates murder.
William Clegg KC has defended many lawyers, bankers, doctors and other professionals before professional disciplinary bodies. He has also advised during investigations where no charges have ultimately been brought.
William Clegg KC has defended in many cases of historic and recent sexual assault where the allegations are alleged to have been committed in the UK and abroad.
