Park Square Barristers Ltd.

Regulatory & Public Law, Inquests and Inquiries,

Michael specialises in inquests and inquiries, judicial review and police discipline.

Michael is passionate about coronial law and practice. He represents families and other interested persons in a wide range of complex and high-profile inquests involving, among others, the police, prisons, the probation service and healthcare providers. He combines a calm and sensitive manner with a tenacious, forensic approach that has proven highly effective before juries and coroners sitting alone.

Michael believes that wherever possible families should be represented at contentious inquests, particularly those involving state agencies. Aware that funding is often dependent upon a ruling that article 2 is engaged, he is happy to represent families on a pro-bono basis prior to the coroner’s ruling on that issue, in appropriate cases.

For example, Michael acted at an inquest for the family of a young man with paranoid schizophrenia and Asperger’s syndrome, who tragically took his own life while on informal leave from hospital. The case raised complex arguments around the state’s operational and systemic duties under article 2 of the ECHR. Acting initially on a pro-bono basis, Michael successfully argued that article 2 was engaged, thus enabling the family to secure Legal Aid for representation at the final hearing. His cross examination of the Healthcare Trust’s witnesses exposed issues with the Trust’s policies and processes for monitoring and assessing patients following a significant event and a deterioration in their mental health. He also exposed issues with staff training and their understanding of the Trust’s missing person’s policy.

Michael acts for claimants and public authorities in claims for judicial review. As a former practising solicitor, he has substantial experience of litigating such cases and has received judicial praise for his advocacy in the Administrative Court. He has expertise in police, regulatory related matters and prison matters. He masters the detail of each case and prepares meticulously, without losing sight of broader issues.

Michael was appointed to the Attorney General’s Regional C Panel in 2021 and has represented government departments at inquests and in claims for judicial review.

A former senior lawyer at the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Michael has particular expertise in police related matters. He has represented the IOPC at police discipline hearings, inquests and judicial reviews.

2013 - Solicitor Advocate at Howells, Sheffield

2014 - In-house Lawyer at Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Wakefield

2018 - Senior Lawyer at IOPC, Wakefield

2020 - Tenant at Bank House Chambers, Sheffield

2021 - Tenant at 33 Bedford Row, Sheffield Annex

2024 - Tenant at Park Square Barristers, Leeds

2019-2023 - Fee-paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber)

2021 to Date - Attorney General Regional C Panel (North Eastern Region)

February 2023 to Date - Assistant Coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire