Michael Caplan KC

Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance

Michael is well known for having represented Augusto Pinochet in extradition proceedings. He maintains an extradition practice advising both individuals and foreign governments. Sources in Chambers and Partners 2011 say that Michael “has a phenomenal reputation in extradition“.
He also acts in requests for Mutual Legal Assistance representing both UK and foreign nationals.

Fraud and General Crime

Michael led the team that successfully defended one of the defendants in the Wickes case and continues to represent individuals under investigation for various business and financial offences. He is Chair of the City of London Law Society’s Corporate Crime and Corruption Committee.

He also maintains a general crime practice and has represented individuals in a number of high profile cases.

Professional Discipline

Michael has been the lead partner in the team conducting work on behalf of the Health Care Professions Council and conducts and advises on professional disciplinary issues. He has acted as clerk and legal adviser to the disciplinary panel of the Architects Registration Board. Michael is the Chairman of the Registration Appeals Committee for the General Pharmaceutical Council and also sits as a Deputy Chair of the Fitness to Practice Committee.

Health Safety and the Environment

Michael leads the Health, Safety and Environment team and has acted in numerous cases arising from accidents and disasters, most notably representing the master of the Bowbelle in the Marchioness disaster, where he appeared at both the Inquest and the Public Inquiry. He represents both individuals and companies in fatal and non-fatal accidents. He has written articles and lectured to various audiences, including Treasury Solicitors, on the new Corporate Manslaughter Act that came into force in April 2008

Public Law

Over his career, Michael has obtained considerable experience in acting in relation to public law issues. He has appeared as an advocate in Inquiries and in the High Court. He has been engaged in applications for Judicial Reviews in high profile cases.

Michael is Kingsley Napley’s nominated Money Laundering Officer.

Legal Directories

• “He is a sharp and gifted practitioner… continues to stand out for his advocacy skills and tactical nous” (Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2014)
• “He ‘has the ability to decipher a difficult problem and break it down into bite-sized chunks’…” (Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2011)
• “He’has a phenomenal reputation in extradition’…” (Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2011)
• “Erudite, charming and astute” (Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2010)

Professional Societies

• The Law Society
• City of London Law Society, Chairman of the Corporate Crime and Corruption Committee
• City of London Solicitors Company
• Criminal Law Solicitors Associations
• London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association
• Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates
• International Bar Association
• Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers 
• United Kingdom Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists

Publications

Author as well as being quoted on numerous articles published in national newspapers and legal journals. Recent publications below:

• Do You Need a Solicitor When Going to Court in the UK? – lawyer-monthly.com, January 2025
• The Times – Al-Bashir controversy: has standing of the ICC increased? 25 June 2015
• The Times – Televising trials: the case against 15 May 2014 (note paywall access required)
• Global News – Experts weigh in: Should we intervene in Syria’s civil war? (scroll to video) 28 August 2013
• The Times – The legal view: what happens next with Syria? 30 Aug 2013
• Telegraph – British fears grow over legal justification for Syria strike 26 August 2013
• Solicitors Journal – Televising court trials only benefits programme makers, 12 July 2013
• Commercial Litigation Journal – Extradition: the long arm of the law, November 2012

Further Information

• King’s Counsel
• Recorder and authorised to sit as a deputy high court judge
• Member of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee
• Chairman of Corporate Crime and Corruption Committee, City of London Law Society
• Former Chairman of the Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates
• Higher Courts (Criminal Proceedings) Qualification
• Solicitor to Damian Green MP
• Solicitor to General Pinochet in Spanish/UK Extradition Proceedings
• Solicitor to Gerry and Kate McCann
• Lecturer and author of several articles on international criminal law, the International Criminal Court, money laundering legislation and corporate criminal liability.
• Frequent contributor to radio and television.
• Listed in the Top 100 most powerful lawyers in the UK by the Times Online two years running.
• Listed in the 2012, 2013, 2014 editions of the International Who’s Who of Business Crime Defence Lawyers
• Included in the Fourth Edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for Criminal Practice, Fraud – Criminal and Professional Malpractice Litigation
• Member of the Sentencing Council