Mark Ellison QC

Call 1979 Silk 2008

LLB (University of Wales)

Head of Chambers

Practice: Fraud and Crime

Mark Ellison QC is "a good communicator who brings great judgement and fine advocacy skills to any case." Although more of a criminal specialist, this ex-Treasury counsel is a fine fraud practitioner who is "an unvarnished star" at whatever he turns his hand to. - Chambers UK 2012

  Summary

 Having had many years working in serious fraud, during his time as Treasury Counsel (appointed 1994) then First Senior Treasury Counsel (appointment ended 2008) Mark Ellison gained valuable further experience acting in high-profile terrorism, serious fraud, serious crime, corruption and public law cases.

He now mixes private and public work and has recently:advised and acted for the prosecution in relation to the current pending prosecutions for the murder of Stephen Lawrence; defended in the largest ever alternative investment market prosecution; advised the SFO in their investigation around Kaupthing Bank; prosecuted the first corporate manslaughter case to be brought under the 2007 Act; acted in a private prosecution for blackmail; advised Google in relation to their streetview data capture; defended in the first OFT prosecution for a cartel offence under the Enterprise Act 2002; advised foreign nationals on immigration, extradition and domestic crime related matters; advised on employee and competitor fraud-related issues; advised in connection with investigations and disclosure issues; advised the Home Office in relation to the possible admission of intercepted communications as evidence in proceedings.

Mark has recently been instructed to advise the Serious Fraud Office team conducting a criminal investigation relating to the collapse of the Kaupthing Banking Group.

Reviews

'Mark Ellison QC is greatly appreciated for taking a "refreshing approach to his cases that combines clarity of expression with common sense." His practice is geared towards private defence work, and he recently defended the director of Dunlop Oil & Marine in the first OFT prosecution under the Enterprise Act. ' - Chambers UK (2010)

Mark Ellison "has the ability to apply high quality, practical advice in difficult situations" -Legal 500 (2010) - Fraud

'Leading new silk in Crime and in Fraud (Criminal)' - Chambers UK (2009)

'Ellison is on another level when it comes to handling complex cases' - Chambers UK (2009)

'His glittering career as a junior stands him in good stead now that he has been elevated to the higher ranks of the profession.' - Chambers UK (2009)

'Commentators praise him for being "tremendously clear-thinking and a man with a sure touch".' - Chambers UK (2009)

Recent Work

Since 2009, Mark Ellison has:

- prosecuted the first case brought under the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter Act;

- acted in a private prosecution for blackmail and fraud;

- advised Google in relation to its streetview data capture;

- advised and acted in money laundering;

- responded in CCRC references in historic corruption cases, and in R v Kenneth Noye (2011);

- acted for a director of Dunlop Oil and Marine in the first OFT prosecution for a cartel offence under the Enterprise Act 2002;

- advised UK and foreign nationals and companies in connection with investigations and disclosure issues; and

- advised the Home Office in relation to the admission of intercepted communications as evidence in proceedings.

 Career Details 

Mark Ellison was invited to become Treasury Counsel in 1994, after having advised and acted for both the defence and prosecution in a number of high-profile serious fraud cases, including Guinness and Blue Arrow; and corruption involving North Sea oil and Channel Tunnel contracts.

 He was appointed First Senior Treasury Counsel in 2006.

 As Treasury Counsel and Senior Treasury Counsel, he advised and acted in high-profile and complex terrorist, official secrets and other sensitive cases.

 His work involved:

- complex serious fraud connected to funding terrorism;

- corruption in public and private bodies;

- extradition;

- 3rd party disclosure involving UK and foreign authorities, individuals, companies and journalists;

- trial secrecy and press freedom issues;

- contempt of court;

- admissibility and gathering of foreign evidence, including intercept;

- medical and corporate manslaughter;

- advice on prosecuting members of political parties for donation offences; and

- public, international, and domestic criminal law issues connected to the alleged illegality of the war on Iraq.

 He has conducted cases at all levels in the courts and has advised on and conducted a number of professional conduct cases before the General Medical Council.

 Having gained extensive experience that is directly relevant to many private practice areas, his appointment as First Treasury Counsel ended in 2008.

Appointments

 2010

       SFO Approved Counsel List

  2010     

Deputy High Court Judge

2006 - 2008   

   First Senior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court

 2001

Senior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court 

1999  

 Recorder

1994  

Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court 

Additional Information

 Past Chairman of Bar Council Remuneration and Terms of Work Committee Bar Council Member of the Criminal Justice Council Member of the Professional Practice Committee of the Bar Council

Registered with the Bar Council - Public Access Directory Member of the Public Access Bar Association - PABA