Overview
Oliver is an experienced criminal advocate. He represents clients in the most serious and complex criminal cases. Prior to being called to the Bar, Oliver was a solicitor for 22 years and a Higher Courts Advocate for the last 10. As a result, Oliver has gained a wealth of experience that means he is ideally placed to advise solicitors on case preparation in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients.
Oliver has experience of being instructed in the full range of driving offences, particularly those involving serious injury or a fatality. He is currently instructed to defend a driver accused of causing death by dangerous driving while over the drug-drive limit.
In 2025, he successfully defended a bus driver charged with causing death by dangerous driving, when the bus he was driving collided with a bus stop. Oliver was able to show that the collision might have been caused by a mechanical defect (runaway diesel engine) rather than by any action of the driver. See the case details here.
Business Crime & Financial Regulation
Criminal Defence
Oliver is instructed in the full range of driving offences, particularly those involving serious injury or a fatality. He is currently instructed to defend a driver accused of causing death by dangerous driving while over the drug-drive limit.
In 2025, he successfully defended a bus driver charged with causing death by dangerous driving, when the bus he was driving collided with a bus stop. Oliver was able to show that the collision might have been caused by a mechanical defect (runaway diesel engine) rather than by any action of the driver. See the case details here.
Criminal Prosecutions - Private & Public
Professional Memberships
- Kent Bar Mess.
Cases of Note
In the Crown Court:
R v K - 2025
Oliver Kirk represents Stagecoach Bus Driver accused of causing death by dangerous driving. Following a trial at the Canterbury Crown Court, the bus driver was unanimously acquitted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving
R v X - 2023
Oliver Kirk, led by Edmund Burge KC are represented a Peruvian national accused of murdering his Spanish girlfriend while they were on holiday together in Peru. Highly unusual case. The case is understood to be the first to rely on the provisions of s.72 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
R v V - 2022
Instructed to defend in a 6 day trial at Basildon Crown Court. His client faced allegations of sexual assault, threats to disclose sexual photographs and 2 counts of rape. The 6 day trial involved a complex non defendant bad character application and careful cross examination of 2 vulnerable witnesses. The case also became another example of late disclosure of crucial evidence in a sexual offences case. The jury retired for less than an hour and a half, and the defendant was found not guilty of all charges.
R v M and Ors (Operation Distal) - 2019
Second on an indictment alleging car ringing and money laundering. Hove Crown Court. (Not guilty).
R v H and Ors (Operation Shirin) - 2018
Led junior - Second on indictment alleging facilitation of illegal immigration and money laundering. Woolwich Crown Court.
R v B - 2018
Allegation of S18 where the assault had resulted in catastrophic brain damage to the victim. Canterbury Crown Court. (Not guilty).
R v Z - 2018
Allegation of assisting unlawful immigration. Canterbury Crown Court.
R v A - 2018
Allegation of “County Lines” supply of Class A drugs. Canterbury Crown Court. (Not guilty).
R v M - 2017
Intervening in confiscation proceedings on behalf of an estranged wife. Canterbury Crown Court. Successfully submitted that the entire proceedings were an abuse of process (including those against the husband).
R v H - 2017
Allegation of theft of hire cars being brought to the UK through Dover. Canterbury Crown Court. (Not guilty).
R v V - 2016
Allegation of importation of 10kg cocaine by an HGV driver. Canterbury Crown Court (Not guilty).
R v DV and Ors - 2015
Multi-handed conspiracy to import 5kg of cocaine into the United Kingdom. Maidstone Crown Court (Not guilty -half time submission).
R v H and Ors - 2014
Multi-handed conspiracy to evade duty. Represented an HGV driver. Maidstone Crown Court (Not guilty).
In the Court of Appeal:
R v G
Appeal against sentence for robbery for a Youth.
R v C
Appeal against sentence for supply of class A drugs for an 18 year old.
R v W
Appeal against sentence of 9 years for violent robbery in the home.
