Simon Bickler QC - Year of call: 1988

The only Queens Counsel in the last 5 years appointed on merit in both family and crime. 

Simon practices in public and private law children cases, fraud, serious crime and regulatory work.  Simon has carved an excellent reputation for client rapport, determined advocacy and a detailed and accurate presentation of his client’s case.

Professional Endorsements

"An extremely strong and persuasive advocate, exceptionally hard working and fearless in Court" 2007 Legal 500

"Very impressive member of St Pauls Chambers" 2008 Legal 500

"A highly persuasive advocate". 2009 Legal 500

"Simon Bickler is noted for his expertise in child cases involving non-accidental injury" 2010 Legal 500

"Clients also recommend Simon Bickler QC who took silk in early 2011" 2011 Legal 500

"Never fails to get the ear of the court" 2012 Legal 500

Skills and description of practice

• Expert in complex care proceedings involving medical evidence and ‘shaken baby syndrome’.
• Experienced in dealing with professional clients
• Ability to cut through voluminous information and get to the issues of a case
• Particular expertise in cross-examination of medical experts
• Business and financial experience
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Good with difficult clients
• Clear, concise and persuasive advocate in Court
• Conducted large and complex fraud trials as both leader and junior
• Defended in over 15 murder trials including two whilst in silk.

 Member of the following Associations:

• Family Law Bar Association
• Criminal Bar Association
• Health and Safety Lawyers Association
• Lectures on Family Law, Criminal Law and the interplay between the two jurisdictions
• Pupil Master, who has trained new pupil masters on Circuit
• Chambers Diversity Officer

Simon has particular expertise in complex Care Proceedings and is particularly highly regarded in cases concerning fatal or near fatal injuries to children. He has extensive experience in acting for Local Authorities, Guardians and Parents. His expertise lies in brain injuries sustained by children (shaken baby syndrome) and cross-examination of medical experts (particularly neurologists) on the issue of the causation and timing of such injuries.

He also undertakes a select number of criminal cases, particularly involving injuries to children, and specialises in cases where family and criminal jurisdictions coincide. He also has extensive experience in complex fraud trials.  His expertise and outstanding advocacy make him the natural choice of leading counsel.

Family Practice

With over 20 year’s experience, Simon’s reputation precedes him on all cases concerning child welfare. He has extensive experience when dealing with complex medical evidence and cross-examination of medical experts, with particular expertise in those cases involving shaking of infants leading to death or permanent brain damage.

Undertakes all Children Act work, both Public and Private Law

Particular experience dealing with brain injuries to children

Represents Parents, Local Authorities and Children through their Guardian

Represents parents in cases involving Jurisdiction issues concerning the taking out of or return to the Jurisdiction.

Family Law Cases

[For obvious reasons it would be inappropriate to name cases and give details].

Represented surviving child following deaths of two siblings. Overturned historical Coroner’s verdict following further pathology investigation.

Represented Local Authority in complex brain injury “baby shaking” case.

Represented father in finding of fact care proceedings concerning baby disfigured by burns sustained in boiling water. Complex medical evidence from burns experts.

Represented father in finding of fact care proceedings involving complex medical evidence of devastating head injury to 5 day old baby sustained whilst in hospital.

Represented father in finding of fact care proceedings. Life threatening rectal injury to 12 year old boy with autism and learning difficulties.

Represented father in rape and indecent assault on step-daughter aged 12 through to 15.

Appeared for father of a child who Local Authority wished to place for adoption. He had a substantial criminal record. Successfully challenged the Local Authority.

Represented father concerning the death by poisoning of a two year old boy and the physical and emotional abuse suffered by his surviving ten year old brother. Complex DNA and pathology evidence and psychiatric analysis.Represented interest of a baby found with a depressed skill fracture having been born with an unusually large head. Complex medical evidence. Numerous experts.

Acted for intended adoptive parents of two children placed for adoption following care proceedings. The children whilst living with the potential adopters suffered serious injury and claimed abuse at their hands. Complex issues concerning the potential adopters’ legal rights to prevent removal from their care.

Represented the mother of a six year old child who was on permanent dialysis having had her kidneys removed. Non compliance with strict dietary regime was potentially life-threatening. The Local Authority sought removal of this child before a transplant was to take place. Successfully resisted.

Represented a grandmother in care proceedings accused of seriously injuring her grandson.

Represented mother of a two year old who had sustained serious burn injuries to her feet. Hearing to determine causation/mechanism of injury. Expert evidence from plastic surgeon and civil engineer.

Represented grandfather accused of raping his daughter repeatedly over 20 year beginning when she was aged 4. Court concerned with his application to care for his grandchild as daughter incapacitated by mental illness. Successfully resisted all findings sought.

Represented as silk, a family member in a finding of fact accused of murder by poisoning of a young mother using paraquat.  Unique pathology and toxicology in first ever allegation of fatality by multiple small doses over several months.

Represented father in resisting mother's application to return child from Pakistan.  Complex legal arguments on Habitual Residence and Brussels Revised.

Criminal Practice

Simon has a high level of excellence expertise and experience in all areas of crime, with particular emphasis on the most serious and complex of cases including murder, manslaughter, fraud and serious organised crime.

Simon maintains a successful fraud practice. Simon covers all areas of fraud including investment fraud, credit card fraud, VAT and revenue fraud, advance fee frauds and internet frauds. He is highly adept at managing document heavy cases and managing the involvement of professional experts.

Fraud Cases:

R v Alvey

International car theft from Japan on a massive scale in conspiracy with Stolen Vehicle Squad Police Officers.

R v Zakeri

Complex Inland Revenue and Customs Prosecution involving four businesses over a period of six years.

R v Tojagic

Conspiracy to Cheat the Inland Revenue by fraudulently claiming rollover relief of Corporation Tax. The first case in the country using new Court room technology.

R v Spence

Defended man accused of conspiracy to defraud creditors by complex web of offshore companies.

R v Osborne

Complex international money laundering of £20 million of proceeds of Heroin supply.

R v Mitchell

Missing Trader Fraud - Lead defendant in 3 month trial.

Regulatory Breach Cases:

R v Denton

Health and Safety Executive Prosecution of firework supplier following a fatality.

R v Sayed

Consultant Urology Surgeon charged with Gross Negligent Manslaughter following death of patient on operating table.

General Crime Cases:

R v Allen

Conspiracy to Pervert Course of Justice (3 month trial). The only time that Jurors have been witnesses and cross-examined about their deliberations.

R v Moore

Importation of £20 million worth of Cocaine – trial lasted three months.

Murder Cases:

R v Latif

16 year old girl tortured and murdered, then buried.

R v Harris

Murder by shaking of an infant. Emphasis on interpretation of medical findings.

R v Hardaker

18 year old accused of attempted murder by drowning and indecent assault by buggery of two year old stepson whilst in the bath.

R v Lee

Defendant was accused of being contracted to kill an Asian man, by the daughter’s family.