Oliver Connor

Crime, Regulatory, Civil

Oliver Connor accepts instructions in a number of areas including Crime and Regulatory.

Oliver commenced pupillage at New Park Court Chambers in September 2020 under the supervision of Adam Birkby and Geraldine Kelly, affording him the opportunity to observe highly experienced counsel in complex and serious criminal trials.

Building on this experience, Oliver regularly appears in both the Magistrates and Crown Court presenting cases which have earned him praise from his clients and the Judiciary alike.

Oliver also regularly undertakes LPP review work for governmental organisations such as HMRC and the SFO.

Additionally, Oliver is routinely instructed to act on behalf of Social Work England dealing with regulatory matters in fitness to practise hearings. Oliver now accepts instructions in the early stages of such investigations and assists with the drafting of documents and advises in relation to evidential issues and likely sanctions before presenting the cases at final hearings.

Oliver continues to develop his practice defending and prosecuting a wide range of offences in both the Magistrates and Crown Court across the North-East. His regulatory practice also continues to grow.

Crime

R v S - Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) (2022). Oliver represented a Defendant at a sentencing hearing following a guilty plea for a s.20 GBH. Following a sentence of immediate imprisonment, Oliver lodged an appeal which was referred to the Full Court by the Registrar. Oliver successfully argued for a reduction and suspension of the custodial term. R v M - Leeds Crown Court (2022). Representing a Defendant in a 2 handed committal for sentence following guilty pleas being entered in relation to multiple counts of handling stolen goods, Oliver was able to persuade the Judge to suspend the inevitable sentence of custody by carefully drawing together the most relevant and persuasive elements of the Defendant’s mitigation. R v B - Newcastle Crown Court (2022). In a trial concerning an offence of dangerous driving, Oliver was successful in persuading the jury that the Defendant’s actions did not amount to dangerous driving and they returned a not guilty verdict in relation to the same.

Regulatory

Oliver’s regulatory practice continues to grow as he routinely acts on behalf of Social Work England in Fitness to Practise investigations. Such work requires the assimilation and distillation of large volumes of documents collected from third party agencies before advising upon the merits of the case and seeking to acquire further evidence where necessary. In order to do this, Oliver must work closely with his professional client, communicating openly and clearly in order to meet tight deadlines.

Due to the sensitive nature of material involved in these cases, Oliver is adept utilising discretion in his review and presentation of the evidence. Additionally, when reviewing evidence Oliver is able to recognise with ease any further redactions that are necessary before communicating these swiftly to those instructing him.

SWE v NR - (2022). Oliver presented a case on behalf of Social Work England in relation to the fitness to practise of a Social Worker whose behaviour was found to amount to misconduct. The hearing was held via Microsoft Teams and Oliver was able to manage evidence of four live witnesses before making closing submissions before the panel of adjudicators. The panel was persuaded by Oliver’s arguments and implemented sanctions as per Oliver’s recommendations. SWE v JHW (2022). Presenting the case for an Interim Suspension Order in relation to ongoing fitness to practise investigations against a social worker. Oliver successfully persuaded the Panel to impose the order as per his submissions