Will Hayes

Will is a barrister in the criminal litigation team and represents individuals and corporate clients in a range of criminal cases. 

He was called to the Bar in 2013 and completed pupillage at a leading criminal set, during which he appeared in the magistrates’ court, youth court and crown court for trials, sentencing and other hearings on a daily basis.

Will has represented clients in cases covering the full spectrum of general crime, from road traffic, public order and drug offences, to allegations of serious violence, sexual misconduct and dishonesty. Although he predominately represents suspects and defendants, Will has also acted for complainants in ‘sextortion’ and blackmail cases.

Will has a strong interest in cases with an international dimension and represents clients defending extradition requests and challenging Interpol red notices. His financial and white-collar crime experience includes investigations and prosecutions brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and HMRC, SFO interviews with witnesses and internal investigations conducted by organisations into suspected criminality.

Will has extensive experience of all stages of a criminal case, both in court and outside of court, from interviews under caution at the commencement of a criminal investigation right through to matters before the Court of Appeal.

Will has a particular interest in legal professional privilege (LPP) and has developed a comprehensive understanding of the law and its practical application. Prior to joining Kingsley Napley, he was instructed as independent counsel by the SFO to carry out an LPP review in connection with a bribery investigation. Since then he has written extensively on the topic and is often called upon to advise on cases involving complex LPP issues.

Recent cases

• Currently acting for a client whose extradition is sought by the US in respect of alleged violations of US sanctions against Iran and associated fraud offences.
• Represented a client charged with assisting an offender and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, whose alleged co-conspirators (who were additionally charged with murder) were tried alongside him. The client was acquitted following a five-week trial.
• Successfully persuading Interpol to delete a red notice which had been published at the request of India in respect of alleged terrorism offences. The red notice had been in place for 14 years before it was removed.
• Represented a client who received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to making in excess of 82,000 indecent images of children, and subsequently assisting him with a successful challenge in the Court of Appeal of the length and terms of his sexual harm prevention order.  
• Represented a broker prosecuted by the SFO for conspiring to manipulate LIBOR, found not guilty at the conclusion of his trial.
• Worked as part of the defence team for Rebekah and Charlie Brooks in the phone-hacking trial.

Publications, Press Highlights, Speaking Engagements & Blogs

• In-house lawyers and general counsel take note: will your communications be privileged? - February 2020
• Pre trial cross examination of sexual offence complainants - June 2019
• Rape victims will be allowed to give evidence in advance - Quoted in The Times, June 2019
• Victims of blackmail: will your identity be protected? - February 2019
• Indecent images: are the police about to embark upon a new approach - November 2018
• The SFO's privilege battles reaches the Court of Appeal - July 2018
• Litigation Privilege: The Court of Appeal endorses ENRC - February 2018
• Privilege, Confidentiality and the challenge of modern technology - July 2017
• Flares, fireworks and festivals - April 2017
• New measures to support victims of sex crime should not be rushed into - March 2017
• Is a conditional caution the way forward for dealing with and rehabilitating those accused of viewing indecent images of children? - March 2017

Professional Societies and Memberships

• Criminal Bar Association (CBA)
• Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum (DELF)
• London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association (LCCSA)
• Young Fraud Lawyers Association (YFLA)