
Mukul Chawla KC
‘He is an appealing advocate and a master of the craft.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
Mukul Chawla KC
‘He is an appealing advocate and a master of the craft.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
YEAR OF CALL 1983. APPOINTED KC 2001
Education/Awards/Prizes
LL.B (Hons) University College, London 1982
Appointments
Standing Counsel to HM Customs & Excise (1996 – 2001)
Master of the Bench at Gray’s Inn (since 2004)
Recorder of the Crown Court (since 2007)
Head of Chambers (2012 – 2018)
Master of Advocacy at Gray’s Inn (2014 – 2015)
Visiting Professor of Advocacy at BPP University Law School (since 2022)
Memberships
Criminal Bar Association
Fraud Lawyers Association

Overview of Practice
Mukul is a recognised leader in complex financial litigation of a criminal and regulatory nature.
Mukul was shortlisted for Crime Silk of the Year 2012 by Chambers Directory and, in 2015, was winner of that award.
He has experience in prosecuting and defending the most serious allegations of fraud, corruption and allegations of insider dealing; and of advising companies and individuals on a wide range of criminal and regulatory matters including Financial Services, compliance with the Bribery Act 2010, internal investigations, export and trade control compliance and anti money-laundering compliance.
He has been instructed in disciplinary proceedings instigated by the Financial Reporting Council in relation to accountants and actuaries.
He has acted in International Arbitration proceedings conducted in the London Court of International Arbitration for a Global oil services provider where corruption by an agent formed the basis for successfully defending a multi-million dollar claim.
He undertakes, whether as defender or prosecutor, all types of criminal cases including homicide and health and safety cases.
From October 2018 to January 2022, Mukul was a Partner and Head of the White Collar group in the London office of International law firm, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. During that time, he advised companies and individuals in all areas of financial crime compliance, conducted investigations for companies around the world and represented companies and individuals in investigations conducted by the FCA, HMRC and the police. Since his resignation as a Partner, he retains a Consultancy position at BCLP.
‘He is extremely organised, charming and effective.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
‘He is an appealing advocate and a master of the craft.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
‘He is so well-prepared that everything looks utterly effortless. Down to the very last detail, it is beautifully presented. He has a beautiful style and really embodies the best of the criminal Bar.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
‘He’s an excellent advocate – particularly in the courtroom, where he has real gravitas and presence.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
‘He is really smooth on his feet and really commands the court.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
‘He can speak the language of financial service institutions.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
‘Mukul Chawla KC is v responsive and clear and his oral advocacy is very high quality. He’s an excellent advocate ‒ particularly in the courtroom, where he has real gravitas and presence.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
‘Mukul is good at representing individuals but especially corporates. He can speak the language of financial service institutions. He is really smooth on his feet and really commands the court.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
‘He is hugely experienced and a very impressive advocate. He is very calm but very deadly.’
Chambers and Partners (2025)
Practice Areas
Notable Cases
R v Peters (April 2018) – Prosecuted the father of a seven year old daughter who committed murder by strangling her.
R v Skansen Interiors Ltd (March 2018) – Defended in the first contested trial for failing to prevent bribery.
R v Oliver-Rowland and others (January to March 2018) – Prosecuted 5 defendants for the murder of a 15 year old boy.
International Arbitration at LCIA (2017) – Represented a Global oil-services provider successfully defending a multi-million dollar claim on the basis of illegality.
R v Tappuni (May to July 2017) – Prosecuted a consultant to the World Bank for corruption of healthcare contracts in Eastern Europe and Central Asia with a value of some £43million.
R v R and others (September 2015 to January 2016) – Prosecuted, for the SFO, 6 interdealer brokers at ICAP, R P Martin and Tullett Prebon charged with LIBOR manipulation.
R v Hayes (May 2015 to August 15) – Prosecuted, for the SFO, trader at UBS and Citi charged with LIBOR manipulation. This was the first prosecution, worldwide, of an individual charged with LIBOR manipulation.
R (on the application of Al Fawwaz) v Sec of State for the Home Department (December 2014) – Acted for the Home Secretary in the first case to be heard and concluded under the provisions of Part 2 of the Justice and Security Act 2013.
Financial Reporting Council v Mazars and Karmel (Summer 2014) – Acted for Executive Counsel of the FRC in proceedings relating to arrangements to substitute an Employee Pension Scheme. Proceedings settled shortly before the hearing of the complaint.
R v Hyde (October 2012) – Prosecuting an arms dealer charged with the illegal brokering of 80,000 semi-automatic firearms and 32,000,000 rounds of ammunition from China to Nigeria. Defendant convicted.
R v H (April 2012 to June 2012) – Defended Head Trader of Blue Index (a derivatives brokerage) charged with Insider Dealing. Only the second case prosecuted by the FCA in which Defendants have been acquitted of Insider Dealing. (The first was in 2010 (R v M) in which he also defended.)
R v S (March 2012) – Defended General Secretary of the Union of Democratic Mineworkers on allegations of theft from a Miners charity of which he was a trustee. Defendant acquitted.
R v Rybak and others (September 2011 to January 2012) – Prosecuted 5 defendants for the SFO for corruption in relation to oil and gas engineering contracts in Iran, Egypt, Russia, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. Contracts corrupted valued at £70m. 4 of 5 defendants convicted, jury unable to agree on the 5th.
R v B (Jan 2011 to June 2011) – Represented the Head Trader of a company involved in £120million VAT contra trading MTIC fraud. Defendant acquitted.
R v M (2010) – defended a solicitor charged by the FSA with insider dealing. This was the first criminal prosecution for insider dealing in which the defendants were acquitted.
R v Nik and others (2009) – prosecuted three businessmen based in the United Kingdom who sent military aviation components to Iran both from the United Kingdom and from the United States of America via third countries in breach of international embargoes.
R v Bright and others (2007) – defended the Finance Director of Independent Insurance which collapsed in 2001.
R v W and others (2003 to 2005) – defended one of the principal Defendants in the Jubilee Line Fraud and Corruption trial.
NEWS STORIES
Mukul Chawla KC has been ranked in Chambers & Partners
FCsewAmi9bell2023-11-23T15:22:36+00:00November 21st, 2023|
Mukul Chawla KC leads for defendant acquitted of conspiracy to commit bribery
FCsewAmi9bell2023-11-14T13:45:25+00:00November 14th, 2023|
Mukul Chawla KC and Rose Slowe prosecute murder trial where the defendant was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years.
FCsewAmi9bell2023-11-07T13:03:17+00:00June 13th, 2023|
Mukul Chawla QC rejoins Foundry Chambers
FCsewAmi9bell2023-11-07T22:44:41+00:00December 10th, 2021|
Mukul Chawla QC: Reflections from my years at the independent Bar
FCsewAmi9bell2023-11-08T22:32:31+00:00October 31st, 2018|
John McGuinness QC to take over as Head of Foundry Chambers
FCsewAmi9bell2023-11-08T22:46:41+00:00July 18th, 2018|
Mukul Chawla QC and Paul Sharkey prosecuted Wassim Tappuni, a medical procurement expert, for offences of conspiracy to corrupt
FCsewAmi9bell2023-11-08T23:39:48+00:00July 27th, 2017|