Exchange Chambers

Criminal

Specialising in criminal advocacy and advisory work, Chris is one of the most experienced and established practitioners on the Northern Circuit. With over 25 years of experience, he has strength in all aspects of criminal practice and undertakes both defence and prosecution work.

Chris recently prosecuted in the Zholia Alemi case which made headlines around the globe.  The defendant forged medical qualification documents, misled the GMC into registering her to practice as a doctor in the UK, and then practiced the length and breadth of the UK in the NHS for more than 20 years.

He is known for his meticulous preparation of cases, his clear focus on the client’s cause, but also his relaxed and approachable style. He is a ‘no stone unturned’ barrister, who puts his back into his cases and works tirelessly for his clients.

Defence work is undertaken for a wide range of solicitors across Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. He has established a loyal following amongst senior solicitors and this work spans all aspects of serious crime. His extensive practice includes both privately funded and legal aid work.

Having previously been a member of the Attorney General’s ‘A’ List of Prosecuting Advocates for the Northern Circuit, Chris has been appointed to the CPS Advocates Panel (2016 – 20) at Grade 4, the most senior grade. He has also been appointed to the CPS specialist Rape and Child Sexual Abuse List, and to the CPS Fraud and Organised Crime Panels (including terrorism).

Prosecution work includes regular instructions received from the Crown Prosecution Service (including serious fraud and complex casework), HM Revenue and Customs, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales (formerly Environment Agency Wales). Increasingly in recent years, Chris’s prosecution work has developed a national basis.

In general crime, his experience and areas of expertise encompass serious and complex fraud (including excise, revenue, banking and oil fraud), homicide (all aspects of murder and manslaughter), cases involving serious violence, drugs and serious sexual offences. In addition, Chris is known for his expertise in relation to the proceeds of crime and asset recovery matters.

Called 1990

Criminal Bar Association Member of the Northern Circuit UKELA (UK Environment Lawyers Association) Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society

B (Hons), Class 2:1 (Liverpool) Inns of Court Certificate of Honour (Bar Finals First) Gray’s Inn McKaskie Prize Called to the bar; October - 1990