Simon jointly lead the Linenhall crime team with Owen Edwards. He is a very experienced barrister with over 30 years experience specialising in all aspects of criminal law both for the defence and prosecution.
He was appointed to sit as a Recorder in the Crown Court in Wales in 2013 and is authorised to deal with crime cases including Class 2, serious sex offence cases.
Simon has broad experience and undertakes all kinds of criminal case in the Crown Court but has particular experience in sex cases, organised crime, drug and immigration conspiracies and murder.
Simon is primarily based in Chester and North Wales, but also often in Liverpool and Manchester. Through sitting, Simon is also a frequent visitor to different parts of South Wales.
Simon is a leading barrister in Encrochat cases, prosecuting large numbers of cases involving the communication network used by criminals across the world.
Operation Brooklyn (2022): Leading Junior Cocaine/Heroin/Cannabis conspiracy (Prosecution)
Operation Blue Lancelot (2022): North Wales drugs conspiracy (Defence)
R v G, H and I (2022): Exportation of 70 kilos of cocaine. National Crime Agency investigation. Jurisdiction issue. (Prosecution)
Various “Encrochat” cases (2020-2022): Guilty pleas and trials. (Prosecution)
R v A (2021): Highly dangerous rapist, given life sentence. (Prosecution)
R V Jones (William Francis) (2020) EWCA Crim 1021: Major Court of Appeal case on DNA evidence following on from Operation Fullbacks. (Prosecution)
Operation Fullbacks (2019): Leading junior prosecuting conspiracy to possess explosives for an unlawful purpose and to supply cocaine. Viable hand grenade left on driveway of a family home as part of a series of revenge attacks following break up of Samurai OCG. (Prosecution)
Operation Samurai 1 and 2 (2018): Led Junior and Leading Junior prosecuting major organised crime group supplying cocaine, cannabis and prohibited weapons. (Prosecution)
Operation Zulu (2017): Prosecuting organised crime group supplying cocaine. (Prosecution)
R v W: Defence Court Martial. Alleged historical sex offending. (Defence)
Operation Pallial (2015): Serious sex offences, alleged paedophile ring prosecuted by QC and Junior. Investigated by National Crime Agency. Client found not guilty by the jury. (Defence)
R v S (2015): Sex offending taking place in South Africa. Point of law as to jurisdiction. (Defence)
R v B and W (2015): Prosecuting serious child cruelty case. (Prosecution)
R v JLD: Private client attempted rape case. Pursuit of third party material causes collapse of prosecution case. (Defence)
R v C (2014 and 2015): Serious sex offences. Problem over extradition law. (Prosecution)
R v RR: Multiple complainant rape case. (Defence)
R v K (2014): Murder. (Defence)
R v M (2012-2014): Two complainant spiked drug rape case. Non-disclosure leading to successful appeal and retrial. (Defence)
R v W (2013): Tie-up aggravated burglary conspiracy. (Defence)
R v T (2013): Double attempted murder. (Prosecution)
R v J (2012): Double murder of mother and child. (Prosecution)
R v R (2012): Murder. (Defence)
University of Birmingham (LLB)
Member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Member of the Criminal Bar Association
Recorder (2012)
Simon Mills is recommended in the Legal 500 2022 as a leading junior in Crime General & Fraud on the Wales and Chester Circuit:
“Simon is the first name on the team sheet for all serious crime in this area, including rapes, murders and conspiracies.” (Legal 500, 2022 ranked Tier 2)
