Career Overview
Karl’s first degree was in History and Politics at Newcastle University. He then undertook the CPE at City University, and has been a busy and well-respected criminal practitioner since 1993.
Karl is a hugely experienced advocate, and is instructed – often as leading counsel – in a wide range of serious criminal cases, from complex fraud to sexual offences to substantial drug conspiracies to murder. He also represents defendants in court martial hearings.
He connects with judges, juries and even the most difficult of clients. A shrewd tactician who unerringly makes astute judgment calls, he is also a renowned fighter, who has acquired a reputation for the fearlessness with which he represents the best interests of his clients.
Areas of Expertise
Karl practises in Crown Courts across the country, but primarily in London and the South East. He also appears regularly in the Court of Appeal.
His recent CV has involved several cases of alleged gang-related criminality, including homicide, firearms and large-scale drugs conspiracies. He also specialises in representing those charged with rape and other serious sexual offences.
He is quick to assimilate voluminous evidence and identify the key issues between Defence and Prosecution, and is able intuitively to isolate and expose any evidential deficiencies to the advantage of his client.
He hates losing.
Notable Cases
Recent cases have included the following:
2026:
- R v KL (Operation Bracket) Conspiracy to steal trial at Warwick CC
o Instructed by Iqbal Kang at Vienna Kang Solicitors
- R v EL (Operation Reverse) Leading counsel in £multi-million cryptocurrency fraud conspiracy trial at Leeds CC.
o Instructed by Fergus Harrington of ABV Solicitors
- R v IS (Operation Driver) Leading counsel (junior = Hannah Bentwood) in substantial sex trafficking conspiracy trial at Birmingham CC
o Instructed by Adil Khan of BCMK Solicitors
- R v MC (Operation Barolian) Defending in conspiracy to steal / defraud at Inner London CC
o Instructed by Atta Rehman at Harris Solicitors
- R v RB (Operation Lagnah) Possession of firearms with intent to endanger life trial at Kingston CC.
o Instructed by James Liasis of Caveat Solicitors
- R v AOE (Operation Filegrip) Conspiracy to supply into prisons trial at Snaresbrook CC.
o Instructed by Graham Wilkinson of Sperrin Law Solicitors
- R v AW (Operation Rambutan) Conspiracy to supply class A drugs at St Albans CC
o Instructed by Adam Hussain of Hussain Solicitors
2025:
- R v TJ £multi-million (200 kg) cocaine importation trial at Kingston CC
o Instructed by James Liasis of Caveat Solicitors
- R v KG (Operation Eternity) Conspiracy to supply into prisons trial at Bristol CC
o Instructed by Adil Khan of Mian & Co. Solicitors
- R v SW (Operation Claw) Large-scale conspiracy to supply cocaine trial at Leicester CC
o Instructed by Neeru Hutchinson of Appleby Shaw Solicitors
- R v EM (Operation Privilege) Murder of prison officer at Preston CC (led by Caroline Goodwin KC)
o Instructed by Adam Croft of Potter Derby Solicitors
- R v EC (Operation Hessmer) Conspiracy to sell firearms trial at Southwark CC
o Instructed by James Liasis of Caveat Solicitors
- R v LR (Operation Diagram) Conspiracy to supply class A drugs trial at Leeds CC
o Instructed by Arshaid Bashir at Adam Law Solicitors
2024:
- R v RB (Operation Swanwold) Armed robbery conspiracy / money laundering trial at Kingston CC
o Instructed by James Liasis of Caveat Solicitors
- R v DG (Operation Orochi) Class A drugs conspiracy trial at Snaresbrook CC
o Instructed by Arshaid Bashir at Adam Law Solicitors
- R v AH (Operation Panda) Class A drugs conspiracy / holding person in slavery trial at Leicester CC
o Instructed by Ishtiaq Sarwar at Black & Co. Solicitors
- R v VD Leading counsel in indecent images / terrorism trial at Birmingham CC
o Instructed by Karen Gudger at Vienna Kang Solicitors
- R v DL (Operation Debated) Conspiracy to supply class A drugs case at Croydon CC
o Instructed by Simon Jowett of Tank Jowett Solicitors
2023:
- R v MF (Operation Fragment) Defending in large class A drugs conspiracy case at Bolton CC
o Instructed by Arshaid Bashir of Adam Law Solicitors
- R v JF (Operation Unify) Leading counsel (junior = Nathaniel Wade) in large Encrochat class A drugs conspiracy trial at St Albans CC
o Instructed by Lokaswaran Dharshini of Bark & Co. Solicitors
- R v GP (Operation Savant) Leading counsel (junior = Verity Fowler-Rouault) in conspiracy to kidnap trial
o Instructed by Simon Jowett of Tank Jowett Solicitors
- R v MK (Operation Auchnarrow) Conspiracy to rob trial at Snaresbrook CC
o Instructed by Suraj Vasdev at MB Law Solicitors
- R v LN Leading counsel (junior = Emma Heath) in trading standards fraud conspiracy trial at Teesside CC
o Instructed by Richard Cronin of O’Keeffe Solicitors
- R v CM Kidnap / shooting trial in Liverpool CC
o Instructed by Adam Croft of Potter Derby Solicitors
- R v JH (Operation Cumin Kilo) Defending well-known Liverpool gangster in arson with intent trial at Sheffield CC
o Instructed by Max Reeves of Reeves & Co. Solicitors
2022:
- R v AE (Operation Paperweight) Conspiracy to supply class A drugs trial at Kingston CC
o Instructed by Baljit Tank of Tank Jowett Solicitors
- R v TM Attempted murder case at Carlisle CC
o Instructed by Laura Young of Potter Derby Solicitors
- R v LT (Operation Minstrel) Leading counsel in large class A drugs conspiracy at Cardiff CC
o Instructed by Baljit Tank of Tank Jowett Solicitors
- R v FM Leading counsel (junior = Tomas Quinn) in attempted murder trial at Central Criminal Court
o Instructed by Andrea Wilson of Potter Derby Solicitors
- R v CR Leading counsel (junior = Ioana Nedelcu) in substantial class A drugs and firearm conspiracy case in Warwick CC
o Instructed by Vienna Kang Solicitors
- R v MJ (Operation Jupiter) Large Encro drugs conspiracy case in Derby CC
o Instructed by Gulzar Hussain at Lewis Nedas Solicitors
- R v DC (Operation Jewelstone) Armed robbery / shooting trial at Nottingham CC
o Instructed by Vikram Singh Lalli of Bhandal Lawe Solicitors
Further notable cases can be found here.
Education
- Newcastle University BA Hons History & Politics
- City University Dip Law
Other Information
Karl Volz is a member of:
- Middle Temple
- CBA
- SE Circuit
- Essex Bar Mess
Testimonials
‘Karl's cross-examination is very incisive, and his closing speeches are extremely persuasive. He always remains calm under pressure even in the most stressful situations and when dealing with the most difficult clients. He is a fighter who hates losing and gains the respect of clients very quickly for this reason.'
Legal 500 2024 edition
