Jonathan Underhill and Emily Lanham secure sole acquittal in £8 million duty evasion conspiracy trial

13th March 2026

3PB's specialist criminal and regulatory crime barrister Jonathan UnderhillJonathan UnderhillCall: 2008, leading Emily Lanham (Pump Court Chambers), secured the only not guilty verdict following a 7-week, multi defendant trial alleging a criminal conspiracy to evade duty payable on illegal cigarettes and tobacco products.

In an HMRC prosecution against 8 defendants, Jonathan and Emily's client was the sole defendant to be acquitted of his alleged role in a wide-ranging and long-running conspiracy trial, following 14 hours of jury deliberation.

Jonathan and Emily were instructed by Chris Gaiger from GPG Solicitors (Gammon Piercy & Gaiger), the largest and most active specialist criminal defence firm in Southampton.

If you wish to contact or instruct Jonathan, please email Chambers Director Stuart Pringle on [email protected] or telephone him on 01962 868 884.