Experience Overview

Tim Coolican is a Principal Lawyer (Partner) inBusiness Crime & Regulation Birmingham’s Criminal & Misconduct team.

Tim qualified in 1998 and in the same year joined Russell Jones & Walker to set up a Criminal department in the newly opened Cardiff office. He quickly established a reputation for the successful representation of clients in complex cases, including fraud and business crime. Tim was made a Partner in 2003. In 2004 he moved to lead the team based in the Birmingham office.

Business Crime & Regulation

His practice includes the representation of clients in relation to a wide range of Business Crime and Regulatory proceedings. Tim has particular expertise representing individuals in relation to fraud, money laundering, health and safety, inquests, and professional discipline matters.

He has successfully defended clients involved in a number of high value fraud and money laundering prosecutions. He also has significant experience of representing clients in relation to restraint and confiscation proceedings.

Recent cases include; representation of an accountant charged with conspiracy to defraud and perverting the course of justice, a company director accused of money laundering, and a high profile business figure prosecuted for perverting the course of justice. 

He is regularly instructed to represent clients investigated for gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety offences, and during complex and high profile inquests. Tim was instructed in relation to the Police/HSE investigation and subsequent inquest into the fatal explosion at the Corus Steelworks in Port Talbot.

Tim has written on topics including money laundering, fraud, data protection and corporate manslaughter for a variety of publications including New Law Journal and In-house Lawyer Magazine.

Criminal & Misconduct

Tim regularly represents Police Officers facing serious Criminal and Misconduct allegations and has significant experience in a range of related proceedings including judicial review and inquests. His cases are often complex and high profile.

His expertise is recognised by both of the leading independent guides to the legal profession. Chambers & Partners 2012 describe Tim as "extremely patient." While Chambers & Partners 2011 state that Tim "has impressive interpersonal skills" and is an expert in police misconduct and regulatory matters”. The Legal 500 2011 observes that Tim is ‘bright, affable and cool under pressure’, and exercises ‘terrific judgement’.

He has particular experience of advising Officers in relation to fatalities arising from contact with the Police including; deaths in custody, firearms incidents and road traffic accidents.

Tim has also advised Police Officers in the full range of duty and non duty related allegations.  His cases have included representing officers accused of; corruption, fraud, money laundering, Misconduct in Public Office, Perverting the Course of Justice and assault. He frequently advises officers in relation to driving related offences, in particular those arising out of ‘emergency response’.

Tim has lectured to other lawyers and Police Federation representatives in relation to Misconduct procedures, including the new arrangements under the 2008 Conduct regulations. 

Tim studied History and Law at the University of Kent. He completed his professional training at the University of Westminster and the University of the West of England.