Dynamics of an English Murder Trial with The Honourary Professor David McLachlan K.C.

The Esteemed Speaker

From state school to King's Counsel.

On 11th March 2024, students of Brickfields Asia College were privileged to be in the presence and listen to a lecture by Professor David McLachlan, K.C. (King's Counsel). Called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in 1996, he began his academic career at the University of Essex where he lectured at, and was solely responsible for the provision of the Law of Evidence course (1996–1997).  In 1997 he commenced pupillage and thereafter tenancy on the Northern Circuit at a Chambers which specialised in criminal law. 

In 2017, he was appointed as Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel). 

Professor McLachlan has extensive experience in prosecuting and defending all types of criminal cases with particular experience in homicide, fraud, firearms and drug trafficking.  He has handled cases of the utmost complexity and seriousness in the criminal sphere and has also been commissioned as Independent Counsel to consider matters relating to Legal Professional Privilege on several significant multi-million-pound fraud operations. In the last decade, he has prosecuted and defended in many well-known murder cases in the Northwest (Liverpool, Manchester and Preston) which have attracted significant local, national and international media coverage.   

A Three-Hour Deep Dive into Prosecuting a Murder Trial

Talking to an auditorium filled with students, lecturers and the general public, Professor David McLachlan K.C. gave a 3-hour talk about the 'Dynamics of an English Murder Trial'. During his presentation, he provided in-depth insights into prosecuting, gathering evidence, and making prosecuting cases as effective as possible.

Using real murder cases that he personally prosecuted in England as examples, Professor McLachlan took the audience through the steps of the prosecuting procedure. He discussed the intricacies of approaching defendants, gathering evidence, and crafting a compelling case for prosecution. His talk was not just theoretical; it was grounded in practical examples and real-life scenarios, making it engaging and informative for the attendees.

One of the notable aspects of the talk was the interactive engagement with the audience. Professor McLachlan never hesitated to pause after making a point in order to throw out thought-provoking questions to the attendees, encouraging students to analyse the cases presented and share their perspectives on approaching defendants and asking incisive questions crucial to building a strong prosecution case.

Understanding the defendant was another topic covered in the conversation. Professor McLachlan shed light on the psychology of offenders by outlining their routines, demeanors, and strategies for hiding their crimes. He provided insightful information on the intricacies of criminal conduct by illustrating his points with vivid imagery and thorough examples through slides, all the while asking the audience on what they would do and what they thought would happen next. He engaged with everyone in an equal manner in order to make the session as interactive as possible.

Towards the end of the session, Professor McLachlan highlighted the successful prosecution of defendants in the murder trials he discussed. He shared the strategies that led to favorable outcomes, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation and persuasive presentation in the courtroom.

Professor David McLachlan K.C.'s talk on the 'Dynamics of an English Murder Trial' was a captivating and educational experience for all attendees. It provided a deeper understanding of the challenges and strategies involved in prosecuting murder cases and left the audience with a renewed appreciation for the intricacies of the legal process.

It was sincerely an incredibly engaging experience that made the three-hour session feel like a one hour one. His presence and undeniable experience certainly was a net-positive for all students who attended and as an institution, we look forward to more sessions like this.

If you are at Brickfields Asia College, you can certainly bet on more sessions like this in the future. So, stay tuned!