Duncan Atkinson

Barrister, 6 King's Bench Walk

Scope of Practice
Appointed Junior Treasury Counsel 2009.

Appeared as leading counsel in cases of manslaughter, attempted murder and in relation to allegations of fraud and misconduct in a public office.

Appeared for the prosecution as junior counsel and as sole counsel in cases of murder, manslaughter (including gross negligence manslaughter), rape, public nuisance, prison escape, corruption, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act and for conspiracy to defraud.

Appeared as both junior counsel and sole counsel in a number of terrorism-related cases. Also have particular experience of Hi-Tech and computer-based fraud and
other forms of "cybercrime".
Appeared regularly in the Court of Appeal and in the Administrative Court.

Experience
Part of the prosecution team both at first instance and on appeal in relation to the prosecution of Omar Khyam and others for a conspiracy to cause explosions (known as the “fertiliser bomber” case). This was then the largest joint operation of UK police forces, the security services and foreign law enforcement agencies).

Junior prosecution counsel in relation to the prosecution under the Terrorism Acts of Parviz Khan and others. Khan was charged with plotting to abduct and execute a serving member of the armed forces.
Leading counsel in the prosecution of a solicitor charged with long-term fraud against the Legal Services Commission.

Junior prosecution counsel in relation to an allegation of blackmail in which the victim was a member of the extended royal family.

Junior prosecution counsel in relation to an allegation of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, the allegation being that two men received an unwarranted reduction in sentence having deceived the authorities and the court into believing that seizures of firearms which had taken place on the basis of their information related to the criminal activities of others rather than their own deliberate misconduct.