About
Richard Cornthwaite, a Consultant at Culbert Ellis, joined the firm in October 2026. He has more than 30 years’ experience defending individuals in serious fraud, bribery and financial crime matters. He has represented clients in over a dozen of the biggest Serious Fraud Office investigations and prosecutions, from the early days of the Guinness case to the present day. He also acts in cases brought by HMRC and the Crown Prosecution Service, and advises directors and professionals who are the subject of regulatory investigation.
Much of Richard’s most valuable work happens long before a case reaches court. He gets involved early, at the investigation stage, and has a strong record of persuading investigators to close cases without bringing charges. He acted for a vice president of BAE Systems in the SFO’s investigation into an air traffic control contract with the Tanzanian government. He represented the Managing Director of Speciality Steels, part of Tata Steel UK, in a fraud and forgery investigation. He also acted for the former secretary to the former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands in a long-running corruption inquiry. None of those clients were charged.
He regularly represents clients at interviews under caution and compelled interviews under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987. He also advises on the freezing of personal and business bank accounts and other assets.
Most of his clients have never been in trouble before. They’re senior executives, directors and professionals of good character, and for them the prospect of a court appearance, and the reputational damage that comes with it, is a serious concern. Richard understands that an investigation can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. He pairs robust representation with clear, practical guidance, so clients understand their position and options at every stage.
When cases do go to trial, Richard has defended clients in some of the most significant prosecutions of the last three decades. He acted in R v Spens (Guinness 2), one of the SFO’s first prosecutions. He also acted in Operation Holbein, then the SFO’s largest and most complex case, where the House of Lords quashed the indictment. He represented the lead defendant in the first prosecution for LIBOR manipulation. Most recently, he secured a not guilty verdict for his client in Operation Maple Lodge, a £70 million Royal Mail prosecution.
Richard’s arrival adds further depth to the firm’s Business Crime and Civil Recovery and Private Criminal Defence teams. It strengthens the firm’s ability to support clients facing investigation, prosecution and asset freezing.