Called in 1992 / Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2010
Listed in “Who’s Who.”
“First Class, I can say no more”
Martin Harvey, Partner, Angela Porters
“You’re blxxdy excellent at what you do and you do it with swag”
FC, Murder Client.
“Thorough and meticulous in preparation, a charming advocate and a joy to work with…”
Peter Woodley, Partner, St James solicitors.
“Kerim delivered, in defence of his client, one of the most powerful and eloquent closing arguments I have ever seen”
Public Defender, USA
“Kerim Fuad QC’s supreme mastery of the evidence is only surpassed by his ability to charm jurors and judges alike. He combines being the father of the house at the central criminal court with an extremely approachable and down to earth character who leaves clients with an unvarnished understanding of their predicament and a sense of relief that they are represented by the man to get them out of it.”
Sean Longley of GT Stewart Solicitors.
Kerim Fuad QC, head of Church Court Chambers, is a firm favourite of instructing solicitors who demand for their high-profile, sensitive and most difficult cases a Silk who is prepared to roll up his sleeves and fight fearlessly for their clients. His win rate is second to none. He has been described as an “ingenious” barrister with a unique ability to relate effortlessly with juries.
He has just been elected as the Leader of the South Eastern Circuit for 2017 and 2018, a reflection of the esteem with which the senior judiciary and his peers view him.
Kerim is regularly instructed in high-profile, complex and sensitive cases, for example the murder of Damilola Taylor, “the Exeter Bomber”, “the Three Cooks Bakery” murder and “the Clockwork Orange” trial.
Kerim’s extraordinary energy and compulsive attention to detail means that he enjoys great success in defending huge fraud trials, including by way of example the largest fraud against the NHS to date. He recently represented the main defendant in a 3 month fraud alleged against deaf charities.
He is currently instructed in a complex allegation of cheating the revenue matter at the Old Bailey
Since taking Silk Kerim has developed a practice of back to back murder, terrorism, serious sexual abuse and fraud trials, mostly at the Old Bailey, where he has been described by a resident judge as “the father in the house”.
Kerim has a wealth of past experience prosecuting crime (in particular sexual abuse) at all levels. This gives him a huge insight into the need to protect and understand the needs of vulnerable witnesses. His empathy and determined approach led to great success. He has spent the last year working on both National and Local Better Case Management Committees in a bid to improve the quality of the experience facing all court users. In particular those who are the most disadvantaged and who naturally can find the crown court an oppressive, daunting and scary place to appear. He hopes to help break down those boundaries.
Kerim has a huge deal of experience in dealing with and obtaining the immediate trust of young and challenging clients and prosecution witnesses. His experience of mental health cases, especially unfitness to plead, defences of insanity and diminished responsibility is second to none.
Kerim has built a first class reputation for winning. He thrives on difficult cases and securing acquittals against the odds, in the face of seemingly the strongest of evidence. He is renowned for his ability to cross-examine experts on complex forensic evidence, and is often instructed in murder cases which demand his understanding of forensic pathology and cell site analysis. He is an excellent jury advocate who has an innate ability to bring warmth and humour to even the most sensitive of cases. He is renowned for his passionate and persuasive speeches.
Kerim is highly regarded for his meticulous attention to detail and he values the importance of having Queen’s Counsel on board from the earliest opportunity and regularly insists on seeing clients in conference to reassure them even before a representation order for Silk is granted.
Kerim accepts instructions in all criminal and international matters and is often instructed by 2 of the leading magic circle firms, including Clifford Chance, to provide his criminal and regulatory expertise.
Kerim has long had an interest in international law and the benefit to be gained in learning from other legal jurisdictions and forging close cultural ties. Kerim was born in Kampala, Uganda and has lived in Hong Kong; he is of Cypriot heritage. Kerim Co- founded and Co- Chairs “the Cypriot Lawyers’ Society.” Having fled Uganda as a refugee in the 1970s, he understands better than most the difficulties displacement and isolation can bring.
He recently provided a detailed paper to assist the Law Commission on its consultation on the law of Insanity and Automatism.
He has helped in the recent response to the Law Commission’s consultation on “Misconduct in Public Office.”
In November 2016 he was the only QC in the country to be selected to visit the Scottish High Court and attend the Scottish CBA Conference.
There he gave a detailed talk on “Registered Intermediaries- The Theory in Practice in England and Wales.” He has developed strong ties with the Dean and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Advocates.
From 2012 to 2016 Kerim was an active member of the Executive of the Criminal Bar Association.
He was the appointed Chairman of the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Bar Mess from 2013 to 2016.
Kerim is a qualified advocacy trainer for the Middle Temple.
He has also been a pupil supervisor for 17 years.
Kerim Fuad QC believes that with the right positive mindset anything can be achieved.