No5 Barristers' Chambers

Criminal law.

Specialises in criminal law; solid defence practice, including leading junior work in complex fraud and very high costs cases and a well established prosecution practice. Notable cases include: R v Hanson, Gilmour & Pickstone [2005] Cr App R 21 – was the first reported case on the new bad character provisions under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and remains the leading case on propensity; R v Love [1998] – a long running case in Bolton Crown Court which became the subject of a Channel 4 documentary and a precursor to the amendment of the Sexual Offences Act 1967, resulting in the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000; led in several murder and other serious cases and has an established practice in police disciplinary proceedings; as a solicitor’s clerk Phil was involved with the final appeal of R v Hunter & Others (the ‘Birmingham Six’) and had sole responsibility for the running of R v Brown (A) [1994] 1 AC,212,HL concerning consent in assault cases; unashamedly uncompromising and a passionate advocate but believes strongly in a non-patronising, practical and sensitive approach to his clients and their families – whether defendants or complainants.

Called 1993; 1 Pump Court, London; 3 Fountain Court 1997. Previously had a variety of jobs (ranging from demolition labourer to fence erector); trainee legal executive at a small legal aid solicitors’ office, Walsall; became the managing clerk and sat the Common Professional Examination before eventually deciding to study for the Bar Finals.

Liverpool Polytechnic (2(1) Hons Politics).