He is approachable and very good at keeping instructing solicitors in the loop concerning discussions with opposing counsel."
Chambers UK 2020
Andrew has recently returned to his practice after a successful tenure as Chair of the Bar (2017).
Andrew is a criminal silk who regularly appears in cases of homicide, complex fraud and regulatory crime. He has appeared in some of the most notable cases on the Western Circuit including the Bristol trial concerning the murder of Becky Watts.
Ranked as a 'Star Silk' in Chambers 2018 Guide he is reported by them as having "...all the gravitas, demeanour and intellect that one would hope for in a QC. There is no case that he could not handle. He is passionate, persuasive, forensic and delivers in a way that most barristers can only dream of emulating."
The Legal 500 reports that 'Juries visibly enjoy his submissions, and he is as engaging as he is persuasive’ and 'He has a great judgement, and is a very persuasive advocate and a fantastic team player.'
A recent Court of Appeal Judgment made reference to his 'conspicuous skill.'
A passionate believer in trial by jury, Andrew regards appearing as a barrister in the criminal courts of England and Wales 'an immense privilege that brings with it a heavy responsibility. The only recipe is hard work.'
Over the years, Andrew has won a reputation for his ability to handle heavy and complex cases. For both defence and prosecution, he leads in mainstream serious crime, involving murder, drugs and fraud; but aspects of his career are outside the mainstream. He has prosecuted and defended some of the most serious Health and Safety fatality cases in recent years.
Andrew's environmental expertise includes the prosecution of the oil companies responsible for the Buncefield explosion and consequent pollution at the Hertfordshire Oil Depot, resulting in record fines and costs orders. He was instructed by the environment Agency in relation to this prosecution. He has also defended prosecutions brought by the Environment Agency in relation to alleged unlawful deposits of waste.
Andrew has defended and prosecuted cases brought by the HSE and the Environment Agency, for many years. These have included fatalities and high profile cases - for example, the Port Talbot Steels Work explosion in 2005 and the Buncefield explosion in 2010 and the Pembroke Oil refinery explosion in 2019.
Health & Safety
Chairman of the Bar Council and a renowned criminal silk who has extensive experience in health and safety matters. His track record includes prosecuting on behalf of the HSE and the Environment Agency as well as representing defendants in health and safety cases. He has recently been working on a number of fatality cases.
"He has unparalleled court presence and is a genuine orator." "One of the best silks in terms of trial preparation."
Recent work: Acted in a trial concerning the prosecution of company directors and employees for a range of offences including ill-treatment and neglect in care homes for those with learning disabilities.
Crime
Maintains his reputation as one of the strongest criminal practitioners on circuit. He is particularly known for his involvement as both prosecution and defence counsel in extremely high-profile, serious crime matters, including multi-handed homicides and cases of false imprisonment. He acted as Chairman of the Bar in 2017.
"He has unparalleled court presence and is a genuine orator."
Crime
‘Very experienced in homicide, complex fraud and drugs cases.’
Regulatory, Health & Safety and Licensing
‘A terrific advocate who has great judgement.’
Crime
Leading Silk - Star Individual
Maintains his reputation as one of the strongest criminal practitioners on circuit. He is particularly known for his involvement as both prosecution and defence counsel in extremely high-profile, serious crime matters, including multi-handed homicides and cases of false imprisonment. He acted as Chairman of the Bar in 2017.
Strengths: "He is one of the stand-out silks of his generation. He's hard-working, prepares well and he has an extremely nice manner."
Health & Safety
Leading Silk - Band 1
Chairman of the Bar Council and a renowned criminal silk who has extensive experience in health and safety matters. His track record includes prosecuting on behalf of the HSE and the Environment Agency as well as representing defendants in health and safety cases.
Strengths: "He has really great client care skills. He is excellent in terms of his ability to draw out client concerns."
Crime
Leading silks
‘Prosecutes and defends across a spectrum of serious crime cases.’
Health & Safety
Leading Silk - Band 1
‘Recommended for defending and prosecuting in health and safety matters.’
Crime
Leading Silk - Star Individual
Maintains his reputation as one of the strongest criminal practitioners on circuit, demonstrated by his election as Vice Chairman of the Bar Council 2016. He is particularly known for his involvement as both prosecution and defence counsel in extremely high-profile, serious crime matters, including multi-handed homicides and cases of false imprisonment.
Strengths: "Andrew brings an unparalleled level of forensic intensity to his case preparation and advocacy."
Recent work: Represented Shauna Hoare, who was jointly accused with her boyfriend of murdering Bristol teenager Becky Watts. Hoare was acquitted of murder and was instead convicted of manslaughter and other offences.
Health & Safety
Leading Silk - Band 1
A renowned criminal silk who is regularly instructed to handle heavyweight health and safety matters, including those concerning fatalities. He defends and prosecutes cases, frequently appearing for the HSE and the Environment Agency.
Strengths: "Andrew Langdon is extremely bright and extremely competent."
Crime
Leading silks
'Experienced in serious crime cases.’
Regulatory, Health and Safety, and Licensing
Leading silks
'Both defends and prosecutes health and safety cases.'
Crime
Leading Silk - Star Individual
One of the leading criminal silks on the Western Circuit. His reputation is underlined by his instruction in some of the most notable cases across the region. He defends and prosecutes serious cases and has appeared in noteworthy cases in the Court of Appeal.
Strengths: "He has all the gravitas, demeanour and intellect that one would hope for in a QC. There is no case that he could not handle. He is passionate, persuasive, forensic and delivers in a way that most barristers can only dream of emulating."
Recent work: Defended in R v Ian Gould, a case concerning a charge of gross negligence manslaughter against the managing director of the construction company that built a cricket stadium.
Health & Safety
Leading Silk (Band 1)
Both defends and prosecutes technically complex cases relating to injuries and fatalities at a work.
Strengths: "He's an excellent advocate, super smart and very modest. He has got a lovely jury manner."
Recent work: Defended a director charged with manslaughter following the death of a worker at Hampshire Cricket Ground.
Crime
Leading silks
'Juries visibly enjoy his submissions, and he is as engaging as he is persuasive’
Regulatory, Health and Safety, and Licensing
Leading silks
'He has a great judgement, and is a very persuasive advocate and a fantastic team player.'
In 2014, Andrew Langdon QC successfully defended a director who was charged with manslaughter and health and safety offences following the death of a builder at the Ageas Bowl cricket ground.
Crime
Leading Silk (Star Individual)
The leader of the Western Circuit. He is a heavyweight crime specialist who garners universal acclaim for his masterful prosecution and defence in heavyweight murder cases and frauds.
Expertise: "He thinks through the problems in a case in a clear-sighted, analytical way, with an eye on where he wants the case to go." "He stands out as a silk. He makes the job look effortless. He really is superb."
Recent work: Instructed in the high-profile murder case of R v James and Norris, where a man wrongly suspected of paedophilia was killed and set alight.
Health & Safety
Leading Silk (Band 1)
Handles complex cases such as major fatal accidents. He is a noted criminal silk with a mixed defence and prosecution practice.
Expertise: "He has a huge command of the technical subject area; he is just the most persuasive trial advocate." "You will not find a more charming practitioner."
Crime
Leading silks 'Prosecutes and defends in heavy, complex cases involving serious crimes such as murder, drugs and fraud’
Regulatory, Health and Safety, and Licensing
Leading silks
Crime
'A formidable intellect, commentators enthuse about his seemingly effortless ability to handle even the most complex ofcriminal cases. His authoritative and assertive manner ensures he is the first choice in heavyweight crime and regulatory cases.
Expertise: "Andrew Langdon QC is an extremely experienced criminal advocate and is particularly good at dealing with vulnerable defendants." "He is one of best silks in England, with animposing intellect and imposing advocacy; you always want him on your side if you are in court. He is just impressive."
Recent work: He successfully defended the mother of a two-year-old baby who was allegedly killed by methadone poisoning.'
Health & Safety
'A leading criminal law practitioner who wins plaudits for his authoritative command of complex and high-profile health and safety matters. His strong reputation in this area results in part from his major role in the litigation stemming from the 2005 Buncefield explosion.
Expertise: "He has a rare mix of heavyweight criminal and regulatory law experience which really shines through." '
Crime
Andrew Langdon QC is one of the undisputed stars of the Western Criminal Bar and is routinely instructed in the heaviest and most complex cases. The market is unanimous in its praise for his abilities, with interviewees commenting that he has "a very good manner with clients and solicitors."
One source attested: "Andrew is the best silk I have come across in crime - he has a fantastic mind."
Recent success: R v Corbett, concerning the issue of whether a fatal stroke suffered in the aftermath of a burglary should be treated as a case of manslaughter.
Health & Safety
Andrew Langdon QC of Guildhall Chambers is a regulatory crime specialist who both prosecutes and defends in health and safety cases. One source said that "he is really one of the best around. He is a marvellous presence in court, intelligent, and someone with bags of common sense."
Crime
Andrew Langdon QC is frequently instructed in high-profile murder cases.
Health & Safety
Andrew Langdon QC has an impressive health and safety practice.
Crime
The "first-rate" Andrew Langdon QC heads up the crime team and is widely seen as a "star turn." He turns his hand as easily to regulatory matters as he does to serious crime. Following the massive Buncefield prosecution, he acted for a police officer involved in the Lynette White murder trial.
Health & Safety
Andrew Langdon QC operates from Bristol's Guildhall Chambers. He concentrates his practice on crime and regulatory crime, and is praised by sources for his "robust style in court." He is seen as being "a strong advocate who is good with juries."
Crime
'intellectual powerhouse, extremely well thought of across the circuit.' 'His approbation as one of the most outstanding silks at the moment on health and safety matters is a matter of consensus.'
Crime
'a supreme tactician who never departs from the core issues'
Health & Safety
A noteworthy individual on the Western circuit, Andrew Langdon QC of Bristol's Guildhall Chambers is an "outstanding health and safety specialist" who acts for defendants and prosecutes for the HSE.
Crime
Andrew Langdon QC is "relatively young but extremely impressive. He gets to the point faster than anyone, has a great grasp of technical aspects and is a very good team player on larger cases." He recently appeared for the prosecution in the guideline case concerning anonymous witnesses.
Health & Safety
Andrew Langdon QC - a "formidable barrister" is on the Attorney General's a list for prosecuting advocates but can also lay claim to impressive defence practices. Langdon is often involved in market-leading cases...commentators praise his "great grasp of the technical intricacies of a case," and assert that "he's a very good team player."
Health & Safety
Andrew Langdon QC is "one of the foremost health and safety advocates at the bar."
Crime
Andrew Langdon QC prosecutes and defends serious criminal cases, and recently undertook a two-month gun crime murder trial. He is described as a "young, dynamic and personable silk with excellent analytical and forensic skills."
For further information and enquiries please contact:
Crime: Lucy Northeast
Regulatory & Discipline: Lucy Northeast
