David Hardstaff
UK Guide 2025
Band 5 : Crime
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 (0)20 7430 2277Share profile
Band 5
About
Provided by David Hardstaff
Practice Areas
David is a partner in BCL’s serious and general crime department, specialising in criminal litigation, professional discipline and regulatory law, and controlled drug licensing. He has particular experience representing individuals accused of sexual offences, drugs offences, and offences involving violence. He is an experienced police station representative and advocate, representing clients in a broad range of proceedings at the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, and Court of Appeal.
David regularly acts for professionals and high-profile individuals, and has a reassuring appreciation of the pressures and strains that clients face when subject to investigation. He also advises witnesses, corporates, and broadcasters involved in criminal proceedings in relation to reputation management and public relations.
In addition to his criminal practice, David advises companies and institutions in relation to applications to the Home Office for controlled drug licences, particularly in the context of research into cannabis and psychedelics. He has advised companies entering cannabis markets on due diligence, criminal liability, and proceeds of crime considerations.
Career
David graduated from the University of Dundee (LLB (Hons)) before continuing his studies in London. Prior to entering private practice, David undertook an internship at the California Appellate Project, where he assisted in the representation of defendants sentenced to death in the San Francisco Bay Area. He later trained and qualified at a busy national firm, specialising in serious criminal litigation. He joined BCL in 2015 and became a partner in 2022.
Professional Memberships
London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association
Fraud Lawyers Association
London Irish Lawyers Association (Co-chair, 2021-present)
Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers
European Criminal Bar Association
Publications
Contributor and consultant editor of The Law and Regulation of Medicines and Medical Devices (Oxford University Press, 2nd Ed. 2021)
Regular contributor to Open Access Government and Cannabis Wealth
Quoted in the Law Society Gazette and The Times
Chambers Review
UK
David Hardstaff regularly assists on complex criminal cases and has experience in representing clients from the police station all the way up to the Court of Appeal.
Contributions
Latest contributions provided by David Hardstaff
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"David Hardstaff is quietly efficient, imaginative, skilful and thoughtful. He is a class act and worthy of the highest praise."
"David is unflappable, very clever and he has excellent judgement."
"David is technically very astute."
"David is a really excellent lawyer. He is very assured, confident and a pleasure to deal with."
"David Hardstaff is quietly efficient, imaginative, skilful and thoughtful. He is a class act and worthy of the highest praise."
"David is unflappable, very clever and he has excellent judgement."
"David is technically very astute."
"David is a really excellent lawyer. He is very assured, confident and a pleasure to deal with."