Background

Simon Kealey KC

Year of call 1991 / 2017

“Simon's advocacy is first class - a smiling assassin.”


Legal 500 2025 [Crime]

Simon Kealey KC is an extremely popular and personable advocate who enjoys a busy practice concentrating on criminal and regulatory law.

Simon’s area of expertise extends across the range of the most serious cases from homicide to terrorism, serious fraud, sexual offences and accidents at work. His homicide practice ranges from multi defendant gangland murders to cases involving complex medical evidence and gross negligence manslaughter (including accidents at work); His serious fraud work includes trials involving HMRC and government departments as well as complex confiscation hearings. Simon has extensive experience of undertaking sexual offences trials as well as experience in undertaking terrorist trials.

His recent cases include gangland murders in both Sheffield and Manchester, a complex murder involving infanticide and representing a Kurdish man accused of plotting to bomb Christmas markets.

Those instructing him describe him as ‘absolutely meticulous’, ‘thorough calm and persuasive’ and the ‘a top player in silk’.

Simon also undertakes private cases both at trial and on appeal post-conviction, particularly involving allegations of sexual misconduct.

Expertise

Multi defendant murder of man involving extensive torture of the victim .

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-51588781

Multi defendant murder of drug dealer in a gangland feud.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-48613715

Murder of new born baby by her mother in the immediate period after birth. Extensive psychiatric and psychological evidence.

Attempted murder of four children by their father who took his children from their mother, drove around the UK before hitting each of them around the head with a hammer and deliberately driving into a stone wall.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-43072412

Murder of Defendant’s own son by throwing him out of 6th floor window in a block of flats.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-44500042

Gangland murder in drugs war in Manchester.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-42707675

Prison murder of baby killer. Trial involved expert toxicological evidence relating to the ingestion of ‘spice’.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-45044604

Gross negligence manslaughter trial involving starvation of family member.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-44800390

Acted for defendant in high profile murder of elderly man. Case was featured on BBC’s Crimewatch.

Lead advocate in murder trial and subsequent conviction appeal concerning expert evidence and recovered memory.

Prosecution for manslaughter by gross negligence involving fatal accident on a farm.

Defendant charged with preparing acts of terrorism involving the use of explosives in a driverless car.

Defendant charged with a firearms conspiracy following the shooting by police of a man on M62

Acting for the prosecution as Junior to Julian Goose KC in the case concerning the kidnap of the 9-year old Shannon Matthews by her mother Karen.

Highly unusual case involving conspiracy to prevent a lawful burial by two undertakers. The only modern reported case in this area cited in Archbold and raises important issues about the scope of the offence.

Defendant previously convicted of terrorist offences charged with further offences involving the possession of explosives.

Acted for Prosecution in triple death by dangerous case.

Leading counsel in a multi handed conspiracy to defraud the Legal Aid Agency by a firm of Solicitors in Bradford.

Leading counsel in multi handed conspiracy to defraud the Government of monies obtained by grants to fund a Bradford Free School.

Lead advocate in multi handed people trafficking trial.

Acted for lead Defendant in multi handed people trafficking & fraud trial.

International fraud and money laundering trial involving ‘cuckoo smurfing’ to transfer money out of the UK.

Commercial fraud involving £10m land transfers.

Historic sexual allegations within the family.

Appeal against conviction and sentence for multiple sexual offences.

HGV driver charged with death by dangerous driving where potential issue over state of vehicle & funded by employer’s insurance. Negotiated plea with prosecution to offence of death by careless driving.

Senior NHS manager charged with historic child sex offences & child cruelty. After trial, defendant was acquitted of all charges save one.

Successful appeal against conviction for murder of new born baby. Issues raised in respect of infanticide as alternative verdict to murder where the Accused relies upon pre-existing mental condition.

Appeal against conviction involving fresh evidence and expert evidence relating to the effects of Autism on offending behaviour.

Appeal against sentence involving theft by a barrister from his Chambers.

Appeal relating to pressure of time upon a jury in the lead up to a public holiday.

Highly unusual case involving conspiracy to prevent a lawful burial by two undertakers. The only modern reported case in this area cited in Archbold and raises important issues about the scope of the offence.

Appeal against sentence involving fatal accident at a power station.

Appeal involving sexual offences.

Appeal involving propriety of questions asked by Judge during trial.

Case stated in respect of alibi evidence.

Appeal against refusal to discharge a jury following plea of co-accused.

Appeal involving refusal to disclose sensitive material.

Appeal against sentence involving indication of sentence by Judge in chambers.

Appeal against inconsistent verdicts of jury.

Appeal against life sentence for second s18 offence.

Additional Information

  • Recorder (2012)

  • Criminal Bar Association
  • North Eastern Circuit

  • Infanticide Reconsidered
  • SGC Guidelines for Sexual Offences
  • Bad Character Update
  • Rape: Preparing the case for trial

“Simon Kealey was well prepared, knew the case inside out and has an advocacy style that appeals to a jury. He is a strong, capable advocate.”


“Simon is an impressive and polished advocate.”


“He is able to present complex issues effectively and persuasively with a confidence achieved through solid preparation and mastery of the evidence.”


“A respected practitioner who is highly regarded for his advocacy in serious criminal cases. He is especially familiar with cases involving drugs conspiracy and people trafficking.”


“Simon prepares thoroughly, and has a manner that puts the clients and their families at ease. His advocacy is of the highest standard, commanding respect from opponents and the judiciary.”


“Respected and liked by the judiciary.”


“He is absolutely meticulous and really gets his points across.”


“Very hard working and a great barrister.”


“Respected practitioner who is highly regarded for his advocacy in serious criminal cases. He is especially familiar with cases involving drugs conspiracy and people trafficking.”


“He will be a top player in silk - he is the complete package.”


“A very thorough, calm and persuasive advocate.”


“His practice includes multi-defendant heavyweight criminal cases.”


Privacy Notice

Click here to view

Portfolio Builder

Select the practice areas that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

Download    Add to portfolio   
Portfolio
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download


Click here to share this shortlist.
(It will expire after 30 days.)