David Sonn

David is solicitor and Higher Courts Advocate. He is a consultant at Sonn Macmillan Walker.

David founded Sonn Macmillan Walker in 1992 with a vision of turning it into one of London’s leading specialist criminal law practices. Euan Macmillan joined in 1996, and Tim Walker in 2006, before becoming a Circuit Judge in 2020. David’s vision has materialised into reality, with Sonn Macmillan Walker regularly praised by professional bodies, directories and the countless clients represented over the past three decades.  

High Profile Cases 

David is often instructed in high profile cases where clients require not only the highest level of skill, but also discretion. On many occasions, and because of his involvement, his clients are never, in fact, prosecuted. David is experienced in all areas of criminal law and has acted in and won cases at every level, from the magistrates’ court to the Supreme Court.  

Financial and White-Collar Crime  

David is an authority in financial and white-collar crime. His encyclopaedic memory of case details balanced with his ability to distil the vital information make him highly sought after in this area of criminal law. In the infamous “HBOS fraud”, a case in which there were more than 200,000 pages of served evidence, David’s client was the only defendant acquitted. In 2023, David’s client succeeded before the Supreme Court in arguing that an “administrator” appointed under the insolvency regime was not an ‘officer’ of the company and therefore could not be criminally liable for an omission of the company. 

Motor Offences  

David is a recognised expert in road traffic prosecutions. He represents clients across the full range of road traffic offences, from minor speeding offences to fatal driving offences. His comfort in front of a variety of judicial audiences means he will take cases all the way to the High Court if required. David has lectured on road traffic law and appeared in the news media on this topic.  

Breach of Planning Enforcement Notice and Confiscation Proceedings 

David has developed an expertise in the intersection of planning law and criminal law. He frequently represents and advises clients on proceedings arising from alleged breaches of planning enforcement notices. This dual expertise proves crucial in confiscation proceedings following breaches of enforcement notices. He represented the defendants in the important Knightland Foundation case. He also defends alleged breaches of the Housing Act 2004 including in relation to HMO licences, and improvement and prohibition notices.

Regulatory 

David additionally undertakes regulatory and inquest work, including Health and Safety investigations and prosecutions.