Michael Caplan

For Michael Caplan, music producer, see Michael Caplan (music executive).

Michael G Caplan KC (born 1953^[1] in Wandsworth, London) is an English solicitor.

Biography

Caplan read law at King's College London (LLB, AKC), before undertaking study at The College of Law in London. Articled at Lickfolds Wiley & Powles, he qualified as a solicitor in 1977 and joined law firm Kingsley Napley in 1978, where he was a partner for 30 years and now serves as a Consultant. Caplan specialises in international criminal law and regulatory work. Taking silk in 2002, he is one of eight solicitors to have been appointed as King's Counsel.^[2]

One of the first Solicitor Advocates in the United Kingdom in 2002, and the first solicitor from a criminal law background to be made a KC, Caplan was one of those who contended that solicitor advocates should be entitled to wear the same wig and gown in court as barristers.^[3]

Caplan has commented on the proposed changes to the UK's Corporate manslaughter laws.^[4] He has also contributed to The Times Legal supplement.^[5] Caplan sits as a Recorder (judge) in the Crown Court, is a chairman of the police disciplinary appeal tribunal; and used to be chairman of the Solicitors Higher Courts Advocates Association.^[5]

High-profile cases

Caplan's work has included acting for:

• Douglas Henderson - acting for the Captain of the dredger Bowbelle in the River Thames Marchioness disaster enquiry.^[5]
• Augusto Pinochet - defended the former President of Chile from extradition from the United Kingdom to Spain.^[6]
• Kate and Gerry McCann' - is advising the couple after the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine McCann.^[3][7]