Andrew
Fitch-Holland
Andrew has considerable experience across the entire spectrum of Criminal Law. He is considered a natural jury advocate and is frequently the first choice particularly for the heavier cases for which he is principally recognised.
Inner Temple, Criminal Bar Association
Midland Circuit & South Eastern Circuit
Registered Pupil Supervisor
Level 4 CPS & RASSO Panel Advocate
Andrew
Fitch-Holland
Andrew was educated in the USA and England and called to the Bar in 1990. He is a highly sought-after, experienced advocate, regularly instructed in heavyweight cases across the full spectrum of criminal law. Andrew moved from leading Chambers in London to the East Midlands in 2020 and has rapidly established an excellent reputation with both local solicitors and the Judiciary.
Andrew is particularly adept in cases where there is a need to combine robust advocacy with the effective management of complex case papers and sensitive issues. Those who instruct him regularly comment upon his effectiveness before a jury, and his client management skills.
Andrew defends and prosecutes in murder, manslaughter, corporate manslaughter, health and safety offences, other crimes of serious violence, substantial drugs conspiracies, serious sexual offences, fraud, money laundering and financial crime (where his previous employment in the Investment Banking sector gives him invaluable insight and expertise). He is a level 4 advocate on the CPS panels for both general Crime and the specialist Rape and Serious Sexual Offences list. He is widely acknowledged for his sensitive and skilful handling of the most distressing RASSO matters.
Andrew has appeared at jury inquests in relation to deaths in custody and allegations of medical malpractice, instructed by Trades Unions, NHS Trusts and individuals. He has also represented professionals before their Regulatory and Disciplinary bodies, including the General Medical Council, the England & Wales Cricket Board and the Rugby Football Union.
Andrew is also regularly instructed in privately funded cases and is able to provide advice both pre and post charge. He has been instructed in cases involving historic sexual misconduct allegations, city regulatory compliance, international sporting figures as well as general criminal cases. He has also developed a niche practice in contested firearms certification and licensing matters.
Other Interests
Away from his practice, Andrew enjoys spending time with his ever growing collection of cookbooks, pottering in the garden and contemplating his choices in the unlikely event he is ever invited to be a castaway on Desert Island Discs.
Murder & Manslaughter
R v I (Nottingham 2022)
Prosecuted IA, found to be unfit to stand trial, in a fact-finding hearing, in relation to allegations of s.18 GBH and other assaults. IA was found to have done the acts as alleged.
R v B (Birmingham 2022)
Prosecuted B, charged with making multiple bomb hoax calls, who claimed to be part of an ISIS cell.
R v LS (Cambridge 2020)
Secured the conviction on a s.18 wounding charge of a youth accused of participating in a group revenge attack and stabbing of a man in Peterborough City centre. The instructing Crown Prosecutor praised this “stellar result”.
R v A (Woolwich 2016)
Successfully defended A, as junior alone, in respect of allegations of Attempted Murder and Possession of a Firearm (a Walther PPK). The case featured extensive cross-examination of the Crown’s expert firearms witness, which proved critical in securing this acquittal.
R v Sheikh & Others (Manchester 2015)
Led by Cairns Nelson QC in this multi-handed 10-week trial in relation to allegations of Conspiracy to Murder and to Pervert the Course of Justice.
R v Hoyle (Chester 2014)
Led by Anthony Metzer QC in this Murder trial featured in the BBC TV series “The Prosecutors”.
Fraud & Complex Fraud
R v A & Others (Derby 2022)
Junior alone defending A, prosecuted for a conspiracy to evade duty on illegally imported cigarettes valued in excess of £1m.
R v H (Southwark 2017)
Junior alone defending H, prosecuted for selling the same family properties to multiple purchasers and converting proceeds into bullion for transfer to Pakistan.
Op. Rampaz (Southwark 2016)
Junior alone in this 8-handed case involving the £27m hacking of Santander and Barclays Bank. successfully negotiated a basis of plea resulting in a suspended sentence.
Drugs
Operation Quartz (Lincoln 2017)
Junior alone in a 4 handed “County Lines” case (prosecuted by Richard Thatcher of 1HP), involving extensive use of evidence obtained via covert surveillance.
R v Parkin (Southwark 2017)
“Chem-Sex” case on which Andrew secured the acquittal of an award-winning music director who faced allegations in respect of the discovery of over 20 litres of GBH and large quantities of crystal meth in a hidden compartment in his bedroom.
Operation Rancor (Lincoln 2017)
Junior alone in a multi-handed 5-week trial in relation to the importation of supposedly “legal highs” from China.
Operation Wapiti (Ipswich 2011)
HMRC cases and confiscation proceedings arising from the operation of an illegal tobacco processing plant in the East Midlands. The POCA proceedings concluded in the authoritative case in Court of Appeal of R v Blackburn & James.
Rape & Serious Sexual Offences
R v CS (Nottingham 2023)
Secured the conviction after trial of CS, on multi counts of Rape and Sexual Assault of a child under the age of 13.
R v Y (Nottingham 2022)
Defended Y, charged with multiple historic and current sexual offences against 3 victims.
R v Arcari (Court of Appeal 2020)
Instructed by the CPS Special Crime Unit, in respect of the sentencing and subsequent appeal by A concerning the proper construction of offences alleging incitement or encouragement of the distribution or making of Indecent Images of Children. The Court dismissed the appeal.
R v G (Northampton 2019)
Leading junior for D1, in the prosecution of the parents of 12 children on 21 counts of Child Cruelty, Neglect and Assault. Client was acquitted on all but 2 counts.
R v W(Liverpool 2017)
Secured the acquittal of a notorious Irish Traveller bare-knuckle boxing champion on allegations of rape and false imprisonment.
Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery
R v M&R (King’s Lynn 2020)
Secured the conviction after trial of 2 youths charged with distribution of Class A drugs, who argued that they were exploited victims of trafficking using the s.45 Modern Slavery Act defence. This was the first contested trial featuring this defence to be held in Norfolk.
R v L & Others (Chelmsford 2019)
Instructed on behalf of the lead Defendant, detailed submissions as to the proper construction of ss 1-2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (also adopted by co-defendants’ counsel) secured the directed acquittal of all defendants
Regulatory
Operation Mallard - Nottinghamshire County Council v R & Others (Nottingham 2023)
Leading Luc Chignell for a defendant in this lengthy 7-handed Trading Standards prosecution arising from a BBC TV Watchdog investigation into alleged predatory sales by “energy saving” companies.
Essex County Council v Lennox (Chelmsford 2018)
Successfully defended farmers alleged to have breached livestock transport and cruelty regulations.
Peterborough City Council v L (Cambridge 2018)
Negotiated a basis of plea and deferred sentence in respect of this prosecution of a “Rogue Trader” builder who had overcharged elderly and vulnerable clients in respect of over £350,000 of unnecessary or non-existent works.
