The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence
The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence
Barristers
Call 1994 Silk 2025
"Tim has an ability to absorb vast quantities of information, including evidence of a technical nature, and translate that information into simple format to enable clients to fully understand the nature of the evidence in the case. This approach builds trust between client and counsel. His presentation at court is both extremely professional but also personable, sitting well with judges, opposing counsel and juries alike".
Tim Forte has for many years had one of the busiest leading junior practices in complex and serious crime specialising in heavyweight violence, fraud, drugs, terrorism and firearms offending. He took Silk in March 2025, winning his first trial as KC, Operation Privilege. This was the lengthy murder trial in Preston before Mr Justice Goose, following the execution killing of prison officer Lenny Scott.
Over those many years, he has been instructed in murder trials relating to three on-duty police officers. He has also been instructed in three prosecutions in relation to the “domestic use in the UK” of grenades, of which there have only been a handful. In addition, he has been instructed as Junior and Leader in a number of gang-related murder trials. He also is frequently instructed in Organised Crime cases as well as, increasingly, in Terrorism of all ends of the spectrum.
His computer and technological expertise means he is particularly sought after in cases involving EncroChat, telecoms and computer evidence, including probe and telephone intercept evidence and substantial telecoms data re pattern, attribution and cell site. In an article on the EncroChat system, he correctly predicted the breach and implant by French law enforcement days before the news broke.
He has been instructed in more than 80 Encro proceedings, including two major Operation Venetic Preparatory Hearings: Operations Embossed and Estevan (Manchester) and Operation Oberon (Cardiff). He can be relied upon to manage and master voluminous and complex material at pace. By the start of 2021, he had successfully secured the acquittal of two defendants in Encro cases (one in Snaresbrook for Deepak Vij at ABV Solicitors and one in Ipswich for Darren Flight at Harris Cuffaro Nicholls).
He has conducted numerous complex legal submissions, often taking the lead in and succeeding in arguments overlooked by others. As an experienced appellate advocate, he is often singled out to take over complex and substantial proceedings on appeal. He has in addition been successful in two separate Judicial Reviews relating to the liberty of the subject (CTLs and Bail).
As a fluent German speaker and with contacts in the German legal world, he has always had a keen interest in the international aspect of crime. In May 2018, he was one of a handful of English barrister delegates at the IBA Transnational Crime Conference in Krakow, and has contributed to an article on the IBA website about the current state of legal professional privilege. He has lectured and taught advocacy in the Balkans, and most recently acted as a Moot Judge for the IBA ICC Moot Court in the Hague.
Tim has for many years been ranked as a ‘Leading Junior’ in both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500.
Tim is instructed in homicide cases across the country. Cases have included the murders of serving police and prison officers, gangland killings, egg-shell skull, transferred malice, Diminished Responsibility, complex issues of causation.
Operation Privilege (Preston Crown Court) 2025
Tim’s first trial in Silk was of two defendants charged with the execution killing of prison officer Lenny Scott, involved a full-on cut-throat with the first defendant, Elias Morgan who was convicted. Tim’s client was acquitted unanimously by the jury after the 10-week trial on both counts he faced – murder and manslaughter. Substantial press coverage throughout.
Operation Perth (Liverpool Crown Court) 2023
Led junior but conducted majority of trial in absence of leader. Two month OCG related trial of 6 defendants for the murder of Ashley Dale and the conspiracy to murder her partner by Skorpion sub-machine pistol.
Operation Tennyson (Chelmsford Crown Court) ongoing
Defendant unfit to be tried for murder of his father. Successful legal arguments have already dispensed with the homicide charge on the indictment.
Operation Blandway (Central Criminal Court) ongoing
Multi-handed trial of one murders together with two attempted murders, in a North London gang related shooting.
Operation Mirato (Preston Crown Court)
trial of 10 defendants relating to four murders, four attempted murders and assorted explosives (grenades) charges. Included the two WPCs murdered by co-defendant Dale Cregan.
Operation Voyage (Wolverhampton Crown Court)
double homicide by crossbow, involving cannabis factories and raiding aggravated burglars. First death involved transferred malice manslaughter or murder. Featured in BBC documentary “Forensics: the real CSI”.
Operation Acetabulum (Central Criminal Court)
multiple North London gangland attempted murder conspiracies, involving two separate shootings of opposing gang members a year apart.
R v ED (Liverpool Crown Court)
successfully defended a trained boxer, who was a student at Liverpool University, against the charge of the murder and manslaughter of another student at the university.
R v. CW (Liverpool Crown Court)
secured acquittal of burglar on charge of murder of serving police officer, PC David Phillips.
Operation Haiku (Wolverhampton Crown Court)
Operation Haiku (Wolverhampton Crown Court)
Tim has been instructed in numerous cases involving Serious Organised Crime, especially OCGs involved in substantial drug importation and supply, as well as OCG-related murders / attempted murders and police corruption. He is recognised as one of the Leading Barristers in England and Wales in EncroChat cases, instructed in more than 80 Encro cases.
Operation Reprefer (Cardiff Crown Court) ongoing
Leading for first defendant in OCG people smuggling case in Wales. NCA estimate conspiracy to smuggle up to 10,000 people from Syria, Kurdistan and similar countries. BBC programme about the case
Operation Landrace (Teesside Crown Court) ongoing
Leading in multi-handed Encrochat-based trial re multi-commodity drugs, GBH, firearms conspiracies.
Operation Butmir (Manchester Minshull Street) ongoing
Unique Encrochat conspiracy relating to reseller offering sales or subscriptions as well as repair and technical support for Encro devices involved in drug and firearm conspiracies. Substantial expert work done and ongoing, as well as successful CTL argument securing release of Defendant on bail.
Operations Winehouse & Pasadena (Lewes Crown Court) ongoing
Massive Encrochat conspiracies across South of England.
Operation Sidebones (Birmingham Crown Court) ongoing
First reseller of Encrochat said to be involved in multi-kilo importation from continental Europe.
Operation Pasadena (Manchester Crown Square) ongoing
Substantial drugs and firearms conspiracies involving multiple Encrochat handles and devices.
Operation Tartan (Liverpool Crown Court) 2023
Multi-handed police corruption centred on the North West.
Operations Embossed & Estavan (Manchester Minshull Street) 2021
Encrochat Preparatory Hearing before Dove J. and interlocutory Court of Appeal before Fulford L.J. – [2021] EWCA Crim 1447
Operation Oberon (Cardiff Crown Court) 2021
Encro Preparatory Hearing before Griffiths J.
Operation Hobart (Winchester Crown Court and Court of Appeal)
Colombian cocaine pipeline estimated at £400m every six months. Initial trial took 1 year, before success in the Court of Appeal on issues of disclosure (with Special Counsel). Secured acquittal at retrial when his legal argument, relating to admissibility of Colombian telecoms intercept and acquittals of erstwhile co-defendants, led to Crown offering no evidence.
Operation Gobbed (Bristol Crown Court)
importation by sea of 1 tonne of Cocaine.
Operation Keyhole (Bournemouth Crown Court)
Encro Class A conspiracy re 450kgs.
Operation Wizard (Swansea Crown Court)
Encro Class A and firearms importation conspiracy.
Northern Circuit (Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston)
Operations Florence, Taillight, Illinois, Aquarium, Downey, Malaga and Quebec – Encro Class A conspiracies.
Midlands Circuit (Birmingham)
Operations Scorch, Surrounding, Hakea and Absorb – Encro Class A Conspiracies.
South Eastern Circuit (Aylesbury, Ipswich, Luton, Basildon, Kingston, Croydon, Guildford)
Operations Eternal, Saco, Orochi, Syncopize, Coadminster, Guava, Mousetrap, Netty, Coast, Costello, Saffire, Shania, Maputo, Creedence and Gem – Encro Class A conspiracies.
London (Southwark, Inner London, Snaresbrook, Wood Green)
Operations Sandstone, Elapse, Cigarfish, Stranraer, Sharpener, Wulfenia, Direen, Solanum, Crinks, Soku and Sopot – Encro Class A conspiracies as well as Encro firearms and kidnap conspiracy.
Instructed over the many years to lead in a variety of fraud cases, including Welsh Assembly contract frauds, MTiCs, Carbon Credits and Legal Aid frauds.
Operation Estherville (Southwark Crown Court) ongoing
FCA prosecutions of Love Island and TOWIE stars for alleged contraventions of Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
R. v. S. et al (Manchester Minshull Street) ongoing
Insolvency Service prosecution for Directors’ Disqualification offences. 2nd Defendant out of 6, with 17 count indictment, covering offending between 2013 and 2018. Offending involving commercial property schemes and over £17m in loans.
Operation Sana (Southwark Crown Court) 2024
Leading for Solicitor Defendant acquitted after trial and retrial of Bribery, Corruption and Money Laundering allegations brought by the Insolvency Service against six defendants in relation to Keltbray Construction company activities.
Operation Larkspur (Southwark Crown Court) (Goose J.)
series of three Legal Aid fraud trials involving solicitors, barristers and part-time judges. Secured acquittal of our defendant.
Operation Midas (Cardiff Crown Court)
multi-million pound Welsh Assembly/European Union frauds. Leading Junior secured acquittal of our client.
Operation Balaban (Southwark Crown Court)
Carbon Credit and Diamond boiler room frauds, collapsed on discrediting of Crown expert.
Operation Carnival / Chuck (Inner London Crown Court)
Leading Junior in Transport for London ticket fraud.
Operation Aldgate (Southwark Crown Court)
privately instructed for professional Accountant defendant acquitted in long firm fraud.
Operation Lithium (Sheffield Crown Court)
scrap metal MTiC fraud, collapsed after disclosure issues pressed with the Crown.
Operation Leviathan (Southwark Crown Court)
Leading Junior in RFU Hospitality ticket frauds.
Operation Casper (Liverpool Crown Court)
Leading Junior in MTiC fraud.
Operation Lantern (Woolwich Crown Court)
wine/vintner boiler room fraud.
Operation Volt (Woolwich Crown Court)
Leading Junior in multi-million pound Counterfeiting conspiracy, involving Encrochat and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Operations Ana and Nimrod (Southwark and Maidstone Crown Courts)
Medicinal Healthcare and Products Regulatory Agency, pharmaceutical frauds
Instructed in numerous cases across both England and Wales, he has acted as Leader for both alleged Islamic Fundamentalist and Right-Wing Extremist terrorists.
R. v. BA, MP and AA (Westminster Magistrates’ Court) 2025
Leading for Defendant said to have supported Hamas despite it being a Proscribed Organisation, and additionally for funding its terrorist purposes.
Operation Counterinsult (Bristol Crown Court) 2024
Defendant posting Nasheeds and other videos supportive of Islamic Fundamentalist terrorist groups.
Operation Borocaine (Winchester Crown Court) 2024
Leading for Far-right extremist terror plotter –said to be encouraging terrorism through posting on several esoteric websites – Omegle and Odysee. Over 8 terrabytes of videos and documents to be considered in wide-ranging computer-based exercise. Video of jihadi bomb-making and executions (albeit somewhat sanitized) shown to the jury during trial. Acquitted of most “intentional encouragement” counts
Operation Lithographical (Central Criminal Court) (Cheema Grubb J.) 2023
Attempted murder by erstwhile agent at GCHQ of NSA operative also working at GCHQ a short distance from GCHQ itself.
Operation Loricated (Central Criminal Court) (Hon Recorder of London)
Leading for teenager from Essex involved in conduct preparatory to acts of terror, as well as holding a digital library of terrorist literature. Leader of UK cell of variety of White Supremacist groups, planning murders by 3D-printing guns.
Operation Eelcatcher (Kingston Crown Court)
white, anti-islamic terror, planning to blow up a mosque in Surrey in revenge for death of young girl in Manchester Arena Bombing.
Operation Soleus (Cardiff Crown Court and Central Criminal Court)
Islamic fundamentalist promulgating anti-American, pro-alQaeda “nasheeds”.
Operation Harplike (Central Criminal Court) (Jay J. and McGowan J.)
Right Wing extremist/White Supremacists alleged to be members of Proscribed Organisation National Action (proscribed after murder of MP Jo Cox). Acquitted after retrial.
Instructed in POCA proceedings flowing from drugs and fraud trials that he conducted, but also frequently brought in at the confiscation stage for cases he did not act in before
Operation Star & Raptor (Basildon Crown Court) ongoing
Seven-handed POCA proceedings stemming from OCG Encrochat drugs conspiracy across South East.
Operation Aquarium (Liverpool Crown Court) ongoing
POCA proceedings stemming from OCG Encrochat drugs conspiracy across North West, with issues of constructive and resulting trusts, joint ownership and inheritance implications.
Re AH (Southwark Crown Court) 2023
instructed privately in relation to 3rd party interests in POCA proceedings.
Operation Beath II (Manchester Crown Court)
instructed in POCA proceedings only, secured reduction, after two-week litigated hearing, from figure originally sought of £5,140,000 to £340,000. Involved defeating attempts to pierce corporate veil
Operation Hobart (Winchester Crown Court)
(confiscation completed before conviction quashed) successful in restricting Crown’s DTA claim over matrimonial home and parental (mortgaged) home, and in defeating AG’s Ref – [2008] EWCA Crim 2953.
Operation Testmatch (Luton Crown Court & City of London Magistrates Court)
after acquittal in fake cigarette importation case, civil POCA seizure continued at Magistrates Court, until secured stay on the ground of Abuse of Process.
Independent Chair of England Hockey Disrepute Panel tasked with dealing with all serious breaches of England Hockey Code of Ethics and Behaviour.
Tim Forte KC leading Simon Gledhill, initially, persuaded the Crown to offer no evidence against their client on the count of Murder, having established through extensive expert medical evidence that the Crown could not prove…
For many years, Tim Forte KC has been a leading defence counsel in all areas requiring technical expertise. He was the first to predict the breach of the Encrochat system, leading to him being…
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