Top notch line-up for Maxwell trial

A ROLL call of big name silks has been lined up for the multi-million pound fraud trial of the Maxwell brothers beginning next week.

Top barristers from earlier high-profile City fraud cases will appear for the prosecution and defendants Kevin and Ian Maxwell, Larry Trachtenburg and Robert Bunn.

The trial opens on 31 May at a court specially designed for major fraud cases at Chichester Rents in Chancery Lane. Over the last two weeks, the court has been selecting a jury from a list of 700 possibles.

Kevin Maxwell faces two charges of conspiracy to defraud, while the other defendants face one count each in a hearing expected to last between six and nine months. They all pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing.

The Serious Fraud Office team is headed by Alan Suckling QC and Richard Lissack QC, with junior counsel Mark Lucraft and Kate Thirlwall.

Kevin Maxwell is represented by Alun Jones QC and Clare Montgomery, instructed by solicitors Peters & Peters.

His brother Ian's team consists of Edmund Lawson QC and Peter Doyle instructed by Kingsley Napley.

Trachtenburg's team includes Michael Hill QC and James Richardson instructed by Russell Jones & Walker; Peter Rook QC, Philip Hackett and solicitors Burton Copeland will handle Bunn's defence.

The case will be presided over by Mr Justice Phillips.