Christopher Quinlan QC

"A powerhouse advocate who has incredible attention to detail."
Chambers UK 2019

"He is careful, forthright and brilliant in court" and "He is very careful in his preparation and precise in his questioning."
Chambers UK 2018

Christopher is a criminal, sports and regulatory law silk. He is an accomplished and very experienced trial advocate and Crown Court Recorder. He prosecutes and defends cases of the utmost gravity, including homicide and serious sexual allegations. Together with ongoing homicide practice, recent examples of his cases include the following.

• The defendant was charged with the murder of her husband. She stabbed him to death. The case was reported daily in national newspapers and television. It became known as the “murder and squeak” murder, because she killed him after an argument about that dish. The case went viral worldwide when the judge permitted reporting of the 999 call and the police camera footage of her confessing to murder. She claimed she killed him after suffering years of domestic violence at his hands.
• This is a very serious case. Child client – 16 at the time, 17 at the time of trial - alleged to be part of a gang involved in a public assignation of rival gang members. Case against his based on association, voluntary presence and telephone records. The case against the defendant stopped by the trial Judge (and defendant was acquitted) following legal submission by Christopher, based on a close examination of the joint enterprise principles in Jogee. 
• The defendant is a grime artist known as Solo45 and part of the Boy Better Known collective.  He was alleged to have imprisoned, raped and sexually assaulted four separate women over a period of two years. He filmed much of the alleged sexual offending on mobile telephones. He was convicted of 30 counts. Following Christopher’s advice which was adopted by the Attorney General, his sentence was increased following a successful prosecution appeal. The case attracted national publicity. It involved highly sensitive decision about the playing of sexual footage, including rape in a public court, following close liaison with each of the complainants.
• Prosecuted two defendants who murdered a man in the nightclub in Bristol in a revenge attack which had its origins in a gang feud. A third defendant assisted them by taking the knives from the scene.  All three were convicted.
• Prosecuted a homicide case in which the defendants were, uncommonly, charged separately, one with murder and the other manslaughter in respect of the same victim. The defendants attacked a young soldier in Brecon. One was a highly rated amateur boxer.
• Prosecuted three defendants, a mother, her son and his girlfriend. The first two were charged with the murder of her husband and his step-father. They beat him to death in the matrimonial home after a bout of drinking. Thereafter, with the third defendant they lied about what happened. Out of those lying accounts to police, all three were charged with perverting the course of justice.
• Prosecuted to conviction one of the first slavery and servitude case brought in England and Wales. All five defendant were convicted after a three-month trial. Very substantial confiscation orders we made in consequence.
• Instructed to represent defendant charged with gross negligence manslaughter. He was an engineer alleged to have designed and supervised the building of a barn extension which he knew to be lethally dangerous. Two other defendants charged with health and safety offences. Deceased was electrocuted when his ladder touched an overhead power cable. Case involved esoteric and complicated electricity and other health and safety regulations.
• Represented an internationally renowned artist charged with historic sexual allegations as part of the 'Operation Yewtree' investigation.

 

"He is extraordinarily thorough, extraordinarily hard-working and his understanding of the issues is without parallel.”
Chambers UK 2019

"He is very astute with an extremely good knowledge of the law as it applies to sport, and he's not afraid to make difficult decisions."
Chambers UK 2018

He is a highly experienced chairman of and appears as an advocate before, numerous sport disciplinary tribunals and a member of assorted disciplinary panels. Author of the 'Quinlan Review, the Independent Review into events at Wrexham Tennis Centre, and he is the independent Chair of World Rugby's Judicial Panel and also the Independent Chair of The Football Association’s Judicial Panel. He is now firmly established as a leading member of the Sports Bar in England and Wales.

The Quinlan Review was published in September 2016. Christopher was appointed to lead a review of the structure, composition and operation of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Disciplinary Panel, Appeal Board and Licensing Committee following the Jim Best case. The resulting Quinlan Review made far-reaching recommendations in order to bring the process in line with current best practice. The Review received universal support in the industry. The BHA accepted all 24 recommendations.

In November 2016 Christopher was appointed World Rugby's Judicial Panel Chairman ('JPC'), after a worldwide selection process. It is the most senior judicial role within the sport. He is responsible, inter alia, for the worldwide appointment and management of World Rugby's Judicial Committees and Judicial Officers, including Rugby World Cup, for which he has served as judicial officer at the last three tournaments. He is primarily responsible for safeguarding the reputation of World Rugby through clear, consistent and fair decision making by disciplinary, appeal and other judicial panels which demonstrate the independence of World Rugby.

The Independent Review into events at Wrexham Tennis Centre was published in January 2019. The Lawn Tennis Association (‘the LTA’) commissioned the review into events at Wrexham Tennis Centre following the conviction and subsequent imprisonment for sexual offences of their former Head Coach in July 2017. In summary, the report concluded that Wrexham Tennis Centre failed properly to address a number of historic complaints made about the behaviour of coaches at the Centre, including the former Head Coach. Tennis Wales and the LTA were both found to have failed properly to recognise the safeguarding concerns that should have been evident at the time and to have acted inadequately in failing to initiate proper proceedings against the Head Coach prior to his arrest in 2017.

In 2020 he conducted an Independent Review for UK Athletics to evaluate its safeguarding policies and procedures. The Executive Summary and Recommendations were published in July 2020 and will be implemented in their entirety. 

Christopher frequently speaks at disciplinary, anti-doping, safeguarding and sports law conferences. He leads World Rugby's training of former international rugby players, coaches and referees who sit as members of World Rugby's Disciplinary Committees. In 2018 he led training for The FA for lawyers and newly appointed chairs and panel members.

Christopher has developed his regulatory junior practice in silk, with an expertise in Environmental Law. He has prosecuted several high-profile cases for Natural Resources Wales (and its predecessor Environment Agency Wales). Those complex cases concerned the illegal depositing of millions of pounds of waste within and without the UK.

Quinlan Review

BHA chief executive Nick Rust said, "The changes we're making mean that everyone connected with our sport will be able to have the utmost confidence in the impartiality and fairness of the BHA's disciplinary panels. As well as providing his own expert, independent view, Christopher Quinlan's report has given us the opportunity to address the concerns of our sport's participants and stakeholders and to improve their confidence in what we do and how we do it."

Welcoming the changes, Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, said: "We would like to thank Christopher Quinlan for producing such a detailed and thorough report...We therefore very much welcome the recommendations contained within it, designed as they are to address those and other concerns."

World Rugby

In welcoming his appointment World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said:

"Christopher is greatly respected within the rugby and sports environments and brings to the position a great wealth of relevant experience at the highest level. These qualities, combined with his extensive rugby knowledge and empathy for the on-field environment, mean that Christopher is perfectly skilled to drive even greater consistency and rugby playing empathy within our disciplinary processes.”

CHAMBERS UK 2022

Crime

Band 1

Sport

"He is particularly outstanding dealing with sport disciplinary hearings."

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LEGAL 500 2022

Crime (General and Fraud)

Ranked: Tier 1

Sport

Leading Silk: Tier 1

‘Christopher is particularly outstanding when dealing with sport disciplinary hearings. As Chair of World Rugby's Judicial Panel, he has an excellent feel for how a sports panel operates and as an experienced criminal QC, is first-rate at dealing with evidence and cross-examination. I was particularly impressed with his handling of and interaction with clients.’

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CHAMBERS UK 2021

Crime

Noted for his ability to handle criminal matters of the utmost seriousness, including the defence of some particularly challenging cases of murder, manslaughter and sexual violence. He receives plaudits for both his prosecution and defence work.

Strengths: "A robust and fierce barrister." "He is very determined, extremely thorough and very authoritative." "He's punchy and combative in his style, but is also a very careful and thorough practitioner."

Recent work: Prosecuted a grime artist known as Solo45 who was alleged to have imprisoned, raped and sexually assaulted four separate women over a period of two years.

Sport

Band 1

Leading criminal silk with a wide-ranging sports practice who has recognised expertise in anti-doping matters. He is frequently called upon to sit as a tribunal chair. He has been particularly active in cases concerning rugby and horse racing, and his recent work has concerned safeguarding in sport, among other issues.

Strengths: "He is excellent for disciplinary matters and has a great insight into criminal issues." "A very smart guy, very sound and sensible."

Recent work: Presided over the Disputes Committee which heard and resolved the dispute involving Scotland Rugby’s threat to bring legal proceedings against World Rugby if its final pool stage match against Japan was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis.

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LEGAL 500 2021

Crime (General and Fraud)

‘His style of advocacy is methodical yet seamlessly sensitive and direct.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Sport

Ranked: Tier 1
                                                               

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CHAMBERS UK 2020

Sport

Leading criminal silk with a wide-ranging sports practice who has recognised expertise in anti-doping matters. He is frequently called upon to sit as a tribunal chair. He has been particularly active in cases concerning rugby and horse racing, and his recent work has concerned safeguarding in sport, among other issues.

Strengths: "He commands a lot of authority and is an established expert in the area. He's also not afraid to make unpopular decisions if they are the right ones." "An absolutely outstanding advocate. His many years of criminal advocacy in the Crown Court have given him skills which are perfect for appearing in disciplinary, safeguarding and doping cases."

Recent work: Acted as chair of the FA Regulatory Commission in its investigation into allegations that the West Bromwich Albion player Jay Rodriguez used racially abusive language during a match.

Crime

Noted for his ability to handle criminal matters of the utmost seriousness, including the defence of some particularly challenging cases of murder, manslaughter and sexual violence. He receives plaudits for both his prosecution and defence work.

Strengths: An interviewee highlights his "dedication to detail and level of perseverance."

Recent work: Prosecuted two defendants accused of murdering a man in a nightclub in a deliberate revenge attack. Secured the conviction of the two defendants as well as of a third defendant charged with assisting them.

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Legal 500 2020

Regulatory, Health & Safety and Licensing

"Particularly recommended for sports disciplinary work."

Crime

"Prosecutes and defends in a wide range of serious cases."

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CHAMBERS UK 2019

Sport

"He is extraordinarily thorough, extraordinarily hard-working and his understanding of the issues is without parallel."

Crime

"A powerhouse advocate who has incredible attention to detail."

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LEGAL 500 2019

Regulatory, Health & Safety and Licensing

“He has a stellar sports regulatory practice.”

Crime

“A first-class silk.”

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CHAMBERS UK 2018

Sport
"He is very astute with an extremely good knowledge of the law as it applies to sport, and he's not afraid to make difficult decisions."

Crime
"He is careful, forthright and brilliant in court" and "He is very careful in his preparation and precise in his questioning."

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CHAMBERS UK 2017

Sport
Leading Silk, Band 1

"He's very well organised and has a fantastic work ethic."

Crime
Leading Silk

Noted for his ability to handle criminal matters of the utmost seriousness, including the defence of some particularly challenging cases of murder, manslaughter and sexual violence.

Recent work - Represented an individual charged with the murder of her new-born baby. The defendant was convicted of manslaughter and was sentenced to probation.

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LEGAL 500 2017

Construction, Planning & Environment

“He has expertise in environmental matters.”

Crime
“A top-class performer.”

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CHAMBERS UK 2016

Sport
Leading Silk - Band 1; "He is a formidable advocate who leaves no stone unturned in any case he deals with."

Recent work - Instructed by the International Sailing Federation to advise on its response to the appeal by professional sailor Dirk de Ridder.

Crime
Leading Silk - "He is extremely charming, incredibly persuasive and immaculately prepared."