Michael Caplan QC

Michael Caplan QC is a well-known and highly respected solicitor practising in the areas of domestic and international, criminal and regulatory law.  He is one of the few solicitors to have been appointed QC.  He has been a partner at Kingsley Napley for 30 years.  Michael has been described as one of the most formidable lawyers of his generation. He has been featured as the only criminal solicitor in the Times 100 most powerful lawyers in the UK and has been appointed to the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee chaired by the Lord Chief Justice.

Michael is a former chairman of the Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates.  He has been a part-time judge (Recorder) in the Crown Court  for many years and is authorised to sit as a Deputy High Court Judge. Michael is also a chairman of the police disciplinary appeal tribunal. He has written and lectured on a number of important topics and is regularly asked to comment on topical legal issues by the media. He is ranked in Chambers and Partners UK legal directory in the fields of Crime, Criminal Fraud and Professional Discipline, contributors to the guide describing him as "diligent", "impressive", "incredibly supportive and utterly dependable".

"He is lauded by his clients for his 'calm' approach and his ability 'to come at cases from all angles and anticipate the right moves'..." 

The International Who's Who of Business Crime, 2013

Other profiles of Michael have been featured in a number of publications including:

• Evening Standard, "The Defenders"
• BBC 4: Law in Action, "Safe pair of hands for McCanns"

While he maintains a broad-based practice Michael has specialist expertise in a number of areas.

Professional Discipline

Michael is the lead partner in the team conducting work on behalf of the Health Professions Council and conducts and advises on professional disciplinary issues. He acts as clerk and legal adviser to the disciplinary panel of the Architects Registration Board. Michael has recently been appointed Chairman of the Registration Appeals Committee for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB).

Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance

Michael is well known for having represented Augusto Pinochet in extradition proceedings. He maintains an extradition practice advising both individuals and foreign governments. Sources in Chambers and Partners 2011 say that Michael "has a phenomenal reputation in extradition".

He also acts in requests for Mutual Legal Assistance representing both UK and foreign nationals.

Health Safety and the Environment

Michael leads the Health, Safety and Environment team and has acted in numerous cases arising from accidents and disasters, most notably representing the master of the Bowbelle in the Marchioness disaster, where he appeared at both the Inquest and the Public Inquiry. He represents both individuals and companies in fatal and non-fatal accidents. He has written articles and lectured to various audiences, including Treasury Solicitors, on the new Corporate Manslaughter Act that came into force in April 2008

Fraud and General Crime

Michael led the team that successfully defended one of the defendants in the Wickes case and continues to represent individuals under investigation for various business and financial offences.

He also maintains a general crime practice and has represented individuals in a number of high profile cases.

Public Law

Over his career, Michael has obtained considerable experience in acting in relation to public law issues. He has appeared as an advocate in Inquiries and in the High Court. He has been engaged in applications for Judicial Reviews in high profile cases.

Legal Directories

• "He 'has the ability to decipher a difficult problem and break it down into bite-sized chunks'..." (Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2011)
• "He'has a phenomenal reputation in extradition'..." (Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2011)
• "Erudite, charming and astute" (Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2010)
• "Michael Caplan QC is valued for his tremendous wisdom and many years of experience." (Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2010).

Professional Societies

• The Law Society
• City of London Law Society, Chairman of the Corporate Crime and Corruption Committee
• City of London Solicitors Company
• Criminal Law Solicitors Associations
• London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association
• Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates
• International Bar Association
• International Criminal Law Association
• Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers 

Publications

Author of numerous articles published in national newspapers and legal journals, including between 2002 and 2012:

• Commercial Litigation Journal - Extradition: the long arm of the law, November 2012
• The Telegraph - Government to net £60m on new financial crime rules, 23 October 2012
• Legal Week - Negotiated justice? Pressure grows to bring plea bargaining into UK fraud cases, 27 October 2011
• Law Society Gazette, Tackling dishonesty among legal partners, 9 June 2011 (written with Richard Fox)
• The Times online, Libya and the ICC: don't all rush, 3 March 2011
• The Times, "Damian Green's arrest was a breach of his human rights," October 2009
• Solicitors Journal, "Is it extraditable or not?" March 2008 
• The Times, "Corporate Manslaughter" January 2006
• The Times, "Money Laundering" March 2005
• Solicitors Journal, "The silk road" June 2004
• New Law Journal, "Testing the PII template" co-author along with Stephen Parkinson February 2004
• Legal Week, "White Collar Crime - A call to account" June 2003
• Solicitors Journal, "Fugitives from justice - What effect will the Extradition Bill have on proceedings in the UK?"December 2002
• The Times, "It's OK, keep your wig on - the advance of the solicitor-advocate has not harmed the barrister" November 2002
• Solicitors Journal, "Justice for all" July 2002
• The Times, "ICC hopes to give peace a chance" July 2002
• The Legal Executive Journal, "The Legal Executive: A Pivotal Role" July 2002
• The European Lawyer, "An arresting development" March 2002
• The Times, "The right way to try Milosevic"
• Solicitors Journal, "No Place to Hide" February 2002

Further information

• Queen's Counsel
• Recorder
• Member of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee
• Chairman of Corporate Crime and Corruption Committee, City of London Law Society
• Former Chairman of the Solicitors' Association of Higher Court Advocates
• Higher Courts (Criminal Proceedings) Qualification
• Solicitor to the Health Professionals Council
• Solicitor to Damian Green MP
• Solicitor to General Pinochet in Spanish/UK Extradition Proceedings
• Solicitor to the Gerry and Kate McCann
• Lecturer and author of several articles on international criminal law, the International Criminal Court, money laundering legislation and corporate criminal liability.
• Frequent contributor to radio and television.
• Listed in the Top 100 most powerful lawyers in the UK by the Times Online two years running. Please click here to view Michael's most recent profile.
• Listed in the 2011 edition of the International Who's Who of Business Lawyers