email: info@sgkllp.com call: 020 7734 9700
PHILIP HILL
Consultant
Email: p.hill@sgkllp.com
Secure email: p.hill@sgkllp.com.cjsm.net
Office: 020 7734 9700
Direct dial: 020 3167 6468
Philip worked for a leading criminal defence firm before joining SGK as a Salaried Partner in 2001. He became an Equity Partner and the Head of General Crime in 2004. In November 2023 he stepped down as a Partner to become a Consultant Solicitor for the firm.
“He is really supportive of clients and really good on the law.” Chambers & Partners 2024
Philip splits his practice between serious criminal matters, such as murder, fraud, money laundering, firearms, high value robberies and dishonesty offences, drugs supply and serious sexual offences. In his private practice he is particularly sought after by clients for matters which require delicate handling and judgement.
He is noted for his tactical acumen, thorough and dedicated approach to every individual’s case, and easy personal style.
Philip has a strong track record for negotiating with, and making pre-charge engagement representations to, the police and other inquisitorial bodies, which result in the investigation against his clients concluding at that early stage rather than leading to formal proceedings.
Philip continues to personally attend and represent clients in both the police station and magistrates’ courts.
“He is really supportive of clients and really good on the law.”
Chambers and Partners 2024
“I have been very impressed with partner Philip Hill. I have worked with Phil on multiple serious cases over the last ten years. Very recently we worked together on behalf of a barrister accused of forgery, in a complicated case involving a forged document served and relied upon in civil proceedings. Phil’s work on the case was highly forensic and meticulous.”
Legal 500 2024
“Philip Hill is a criminal defence practitioner who has particular experience in handling large drugs cases, as well as matters concerning violent crimes.”
Chambers and Partners 2023
“Philip is a very experienced and capable lawyer who knows the law and the courtroom in a way that puts his clients in the best position possible.”
Chambers and Partners 2023
“Philip Hill is second to none in forging a relationship of trust and confidence with his clients. He is completely client focused and a real fighter who is utterly committed to achieving the best outcome for his clients.”
Legal 500 2023
“I would always recommend Phil – you just know he will always go the right way about a matter.” “He is very personable and good with clients.”
Chambers and Partners 2022
Philip Hill is “an excellent solicitor who combines client care with forensic case preparation skills”.
Legal 500 2018
Philip Hill is recommended for his “outstanding” client care.
Legal 500 2016
Philip Hill is “praised for his sound judgement and excellent interpersonal skills”
Legal 500 2012
“I owe you my life, thank you”
“I was very happy with the way my case was handled, I always knew what was going on. I appreciate the way my family was kept informed…and cannot praise the effort and workload put into defending me enough”
“Very pleased with all the good work you have done for me, thanks”
2024 Reading Crown Court
Conspiracy to Facilitate Unlawful Immigration. Ongoing representation of an individual accused of organising a number of individuals to cross the channel from France to the UK in a RHIB. The case involves extensive mobile phone evidence and careful consideration of the extent of any participation or knowledge.
2024 Undisclosed Youth Court
Representation of a youth alleged to have raped their younger sibling. Conduct of this sensitive matter involved particularly delicate liaison with the client, his parents and the local authority in respect of whom there was a Care Order in place. Pre-trial applications included Abuse of Process and S78 exclusion. Case dismissed on the first day of trial.
2024 Undisclosed Youth Court
Ongoing representation of a youth charged with supplying Class A drugs. At the time of writing, the proceedings themselves have reached one year in duration whilst we argue and the Home Office consider whether the young man, who has special needs, is a victim of modern slavery.
2023 Southwark Crown Court
Representation of a Solicitor accused of Arranging the Commission of a Child Sex Offence and Sexual Communication of a Child. Delicate issues required sensitive communication and conduct throughout resulting in guilty pleas to limited Counts and a greatly reduced sentence than initially anticipated.
2022 Oxford Crown Court
Conspiracy to Supply Drugs and Conspiracy to Convert Criminal Property: Successful representation of the 2 main defendants of 6, an alleged OCG. Applications regarding and pursuit of disclosure issues led to the Crown offering no evidence in relation to the Drugs Conspiracy in November 2021 and a further successful application of no case to answer in relation to the ‘Money Laundering’ Conspiracy in May 2022 resulted in Not Guilty verdicts, the revocation of previously imposed Restraint Orders and all property being returned.
2022 Unidentified Crown Court
Successful representation of a practising Barrister accused of Fraud. Crown offered no evidence following service of the Defence Statement.
2021 Unidentified Crown Court
Successful representation of a teacher, Head of Department with 30 years’ experience, accused of Assault ABH. Crown offered no evidence the evening before trial after final representations to review.
2020 Luton Crown Court
Represented third party during POCA proceedings resulting in a favourable assessment of the third party’s assets, allowing her to retain her property.
2018 Kingston Crown Court
Represented one defendant in a multi-handed case alleged to be involved in conspiracy to supply class A drugs amongst a number of disparate organised crime groups (OCRs) in the London and Luton areas.
2018 Isleworth Crown Court
Represented a man accused of stalking TV presenter Christine Lampard.
2017 Central Criminal Court
Represented the grandmother of a young man accused of murder, it being alleged she assisted him post the commission of the offence.
2017 Central Criminal Court
Successful defence of one of four defendants who faced allegations of kidnap, false imprisonment and blackmail.
2017 Newcastle Crown Court
Represented the only one of 25 defendants acquitted of all sexual offences in a complex conspiracy involving the alleged grooming and rape of vulnerable young complainants, being convicted of drug offences only. This case involved the discharge of two Juries, numerous Public Interest Applications by the Crown, interlocutory Judicial Review proceedings, and an Abuse of Process Argument which, in itself, took over four weeks. The case received widespread press attention.
2017 Unidentified Court
Represented one of an alleged organised crime group in south London involved in the large scale importation and supply of class A drugs and handling stolen goods, following a long term covert police operation, involving millions of pounds. Persuaded the Crown to withdraw the charges related to the drugs and the defendant pleaded guilty to handing stolen goods receiving a sentence of under 3 years’ imprisonment whilst co-defendants received sentences of up to 18 years.
2016 Truro Crown Court
Represented a defendant who faced three counts of conspiracy to fraudulently evade the prohibition on the importation of goods; these being component parts of prohibited weapons under the Firearms Act 1968. These proceedings derived from a multinational police operation, the Crown alleging that the parts were imported with the aid of the dark web from Germany, America and Austria. This case involved careful analysis of numerous computers and other devices, internet data, and financial evidence including bitcoins and bank accounts.
2016 Maidstone Crown Court
Represented one of a number of defendants who faced conspiracy to rob and possession/carrying a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence/cause fear of violence. The Crown alleged that organised disparate groups of people were brought together from various parts of the country, to agree, prepare and carry out a large scale attack on the occupants of a travellers’ site. This necessitated CCTV, ANPR, mobile telephone, cell site, DNA, and expert voice recognition analysis during the course of preparing this defence.
2015 Southwark Crown Court
Represented alleged “right hand man” in multi-handed conspiracy to defraud involving a company and individuals based in the City of London accused of ‘boiler room’ fraud involving the sale of non-existent diamonds. Defendant acquitted after a six week trial.
2015 Central Criminal Court
Represented a defendant accused of keeping a brothel and money laundering. Acquitted following a two week trial.
2014 Blackfriars Crown Court
Represented defendant accused of bigamy and associated offences. After extensive legal argument supported by expert advice from a family law practitioner, the Crown conceded that the criminal court had no jurisdiction to hear the bigamy allegation and the matter was left to ‘lie on the file’.
2014 Blackfriars Crown Court
Represented an alleged member of a group described as 'urban explorers', accused of conspiracy to gain illegal entry to restricted access public areas including high security vaults and the London Underground Network. Following successful legal argument for an abuse of process, the prosecution offered no evidence on the 9th day of trial and the client was acquitted.
2013 Isleworth Crown Court
Represented a defendant accused of kidnap and wounding with intent, requiring expert analysis of CCTV footage served.
2013 Wood Green Crown Court
Represented a defendant in a multi handed conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life, in alleged ‘tit for tat’ gang violence.
2012 Central Criminal Court
Represented the main defendant in multiple conspiracies to rob cash in transit security vans and associated firearm offences. As a result of 12 days of legal argument pursuing disclosure, the prosecution withdrew 14 out of the 15 counts against the defendant.
