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1979 Called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn
2002 First female Asian Silk to be appointed
2008 Appointed a Bencher of Gray’s Inn
2009 SPCP International & National Mediator (School of Psychotherapy & Counselling Psychology)

Practice

Kim Hollis QC is an award winning barrister who became the UK first female Asian QC when she took silk in 2002, and was recognised by the Society of Asian Lawyers when she was jointly awarded Most Successful Lawyer with Rabinder Singh QC.

An exclusively criminal specialist of 30 years standing, during which experience has been gained in many high profile criminal cases first as a junior and then as leading counsel.

Her career, from an early stage has spanned all levels of serious crime and she is frequently sought out on high profile fraud cases including the most recently the Pakistan Cricket Allegations. Initially retained to advise on behalf of three of those involved in the allegations of International match fixing, now representing Mohammed Amir.

Highly experienced in cases of the most violent crimes, in particular Honour Killings and Forced Marriage, with sensitivity to the cultural issues that are involved.

A specialist knowledge and understanding of cases involving serious violence and sexual offences committed towards children, in particular “baby shaking cases" where detailed forensic skills are required in court presentation.

Appears regularly in the Court of Appeal and in the Administrative Court, where she has a particular interest in crime-related judicial review.

In addition Kim Hollis QC is experienced in International Mediation and Inquest Work. She is also on the list of counsel for instruction in cases at the International Criminal Court and is also available for direct public access work.

Kim Hollis QC is associated with the following areas of expertise:

Crime
Fraud and Financial Regulation
International Criminal Law
Confiscation and Proceeds of Crime Act
Prison Law
Inquests & Public Enquiries

Cases

Fraud and Financial Regulation

  • R –v- Mohammad Amir - Instructed to represent Pakistan18 year old International bowler in the police investigation, following allegations concerning the Summer 2010 Test Match between England and Pakistan at Lords.
  • R-v- Eddishaw - Multi million pound fraud, complex issues of PII arose as the defendant had been a police informant for 20 years and insisted in his defence that he had been acting on the instructions of his police handlers.
  • R –v- Timothy McSweeney and Others -The fraudulent obtaining of luxury motor cars in the UK including a Ferrari F40 GTI valued at £1.25 million. Multi jurisdictional case including, the USA, UK Ireland and Hong Kong. 
  • R –v- Sean Smith - Conspiracy to defraud the footballer John Fashanu and other celebrities by the use of their assets.  Cross Examination of John Fashanu and the Beverley Sisters as well as other Football stars of the time.
  • R –v- Nicholas Dino - representing the “worlds greatest con man”, outstanding warrants across UK, Europe and USA  for multi million pound frauds including  fraudulently obtaining a Cartier necklace in Geneva having become engaged to Christina Onassis. His fraudulent lifestyle financed a private jet, Mayfair and New York Apartments.
  • R –v- Terry King and Others - Six month complex fraud trial, charges of Arson and Government Contract Fraud on the Property Services Agency following the fire at Windsor Castle. Representing the main defendant an International Business Man who owned  “King Air” private aircraft leasing company on charges of conspiracy to defraud by “ringing contracts “ for the work to repair the castle and substandard work.
  • R –v- Gordon Bretscher and Others   1997 2CAR 540 , Nationwide conspiracy to defraud /fraudulent trading  four month trial, acquisition of  wine and food companies and dissipation of assets over a four year period. 
  • Operation Envy/ Exact.  Fraudulent evasion of vast amounts of Vat and Duty valued in excess of £13 million on wine and beer brought into the UK from France. Defendant was the controlling figure throughout the period of the fraud whilst in the UK. Complex Confiscation hearing involving assets in the United Kingdom and Pakistan. 
  • R v Lenny Charamblous – Close Friend and Associate of pop legend George Michael accused of international credit card fraud.

Proceeds of Crime Act

  • Re: Victoria and David Beckham. Instructed to represent the interests of Victoria and David Beckham following the theft of their luggage from London Heathrow Airport 

Murder

  • R-v- Erin Cato & 4 others - Defendant charged with conspiracy to murder involving cut throat defences between main defendants. Evidence of cellsite, and identification successfully challenged on behalf of defendant.
  • R-v-Gerrard Mitchell Cotter & 11 others -Gangland joint enterprise knife murder following altercation at a teenage party - 12 defendants on trial. Defendant alleged to be a carrier of a knife potentially used in the murder. Successful challenge of DNA /blood spatter evidence and identification evidence.
  • R-v-Ololu May - Allegation of joint enterprise gang murder following gate-crashing and argument at a party.  Defendant’s affiliation to gang at issue as well as identification evidence by prosecution anonymous witnesses, all successfully challenged, by the defence
  • R-v- Amini - Defendant alleged to be part of planned night-time knife attack on rival school gang resulting in the alleged murder of one of their number and serious harm to others
  • R-v- Mohammed Wardere. July 2010 Old Bailey - serious Allegation of pre planned gangland murder at a party. Innocent victim.  Allegation that defendant was a ringleader and organizer, based on identification evidence and police induced confessions in interviews of co-defendants
  • R v Jordan Mayers – a known established authority on criminal cases involving issues of Witness Anonymity in particular lead counsel in the recent guideline case.Jordan Mayers CA 2008 EWCA Crim 1418; [2008] WLR (D) 390; CA 
  • R -v- Morris & Others – Murder and Kidnapping, victim was eventually executed in Cemetery.  
  • R -v- Comoglu & Others– Murder, firearms, possession of explosives and large scale drug importation case involving the Turkish Mafia.

Honour Crime

  • R -v- Tariq Malik – the eldest son and alleged ringleader/organiser in the kidnap, torture and murder by a Muslim family of a faith healer.
  • R -v- Rabbadia - Defending Asian girl charged with infanticide following a concealed pregnancy after she had been raped.
  • R -v- Balaknath - High profile allegation of rape, due to the defendant being a Hindu priest and the alleged victim one of his followers.

Other Serious Crime

  • R -v- Troy Alleyne - Conspiracy to supply crack cocaine valued at over £50 million: dubbed the "bling bling gang."
  • R -v- O – 32 counts of sexual assault and indecency on children.
  • R -v- Lewis – violent armed robberies, including the use of supergrass evidence.
  • R –v- Brian Mason and Others. The Rolex robbery at the CCC. 10 defendants. Mason was a member of the gang yet employed by the security company Brinks Mat and was able to tip off the gang in relation to high cash deliveries.
  • The Nodjoumi Trials – serious charges of kidnapping visiting Iranian Generals to the United Kingdom.

Judicial Review

  • Re: Mark Lilley: The first cases testing the ambit of Custody time Limits
  • Re: Stone and Johnson: A landmark disclosure case on the refusal of the prosecution to disclose undercover tape recorded conversations with officers.
  • Richmond Magistrates Court -v- Hoare Stevens - Landmark decision by High Court in relation to its powers of judicial review. The case involved a national challenge to the intoximeter breathalyser device.

Inquest and Tribunal Work

  • Standing Counsel to the Hampshire Constabulary – inquests in relation to deaths in police custody.
  • Counsel to the Soho Landlords representing them in a number of high profile landmark decisions concerning running and living on the earnings of prostitution.

Prison Work

  • During 2009/2010. Mrs Hollis was asked by the Government to specifically address the topic of women prisoners and rights. As a result she has written articles on the subject published in the UK and overseas (The Gulf Times) and been asked to speak on the topic on a number of occasions.

International Criminal Law

  • International Mediation.

Associated Work

  • Winner of the Society of Asian Lawyers' inaugural 'Most Successful Lawyer' Award; won jointly with Rabinder Singh QC (Matrix Chambers)
  • Head of the Equality and Diversity Committee for both the Criminal Bar Association and the South Eastern Circuit
  • Vice Chairman of the Bar Council’s Race & Religion Committee (one of the Equality & Diversity Committees)
  • Chair of the 25th Silver Jubilee Annual Bar Conference 2010, Vice Chair of the Bar Conference 2009
  • Chair of the Minority Lawyers Conference April 2009, Jointly held with the Law Society titled ‘Diversity - Less Talk More Action.
  • Chair of the Association of Women Barristers
  • Facilitator at “A judiciary for the 21st Century “Conference held by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.
  • Member of the Fawcett Society Working Party to address the issue of women in the criminal justice system
  • Featured in Black Letter Law as a Legal History Maker and Lawyer of the Month February 2007.
  • Gray’s Inn Bencher since 2008, Advocacy Trainer, Member of the Scholarship Awards Selection Committee.
  • Elected Member of the General Council of the Bar
  • Chair of the Equality and Diversity Committee Criminal Bar Association 2003 – Date. 
  • Member of Bar Council Trip 2009 to India
  • Invited Chair of Panel“Women’s Rights are Human Rights – Honour Crimes and Forced Marriage“ at the 17th Commonwealth Law Conference 2011 in Hyderabad India.

Languages

  • Understanding of Hindi and Punjabi

Contact

T. 020 7067 1500

E. khollis@25bedfordrow.com