Crime Abdul Iqbal QC is a favoured choice of counsel among both solicitors and lay clients. He is widely recognised for his skilful, tactical and robust advocacy in the most complex cases. He took Silk in 2014 after years of being instructed as leading counsel in high-profile cases where Queen’s Counsel had been instructed by other parties in the case. Abdul has built a very large and successful defence practice focused on the most serious criminal cases, such as homicide, high-value complex commercial fraud, serious organised crime, terrorism, and large-scale international drug trafficking. He also has specialist expertise in confiscation and deprivation of assets issues arising from these areas of criminal work. Abdul previously practised as a pharmacist, and has a particular interest in cases involving expert medical or paramedical evidence. He is noted for his ability and experience in cross-examining expert witnesses on the most complex areas of evidence. He has defended in a series of sensitive cases where professionals (solicitors, accountants, doctors, pharmacists) have been charged with criminal or regulatory offences. Abdul regularly reviews serious and complex cases and advises upon the prospects of seeking to overturn, before the Court of Appeal, potentially unsafe convictions sustained in cases where he has not appeared at first instance. He also regularly reviews serious cases and advises as to whether a sentence can be regarded as manifestly excessive so as to be successfully appealed before the Court of Appeal. Abdul is noted for his ability and judgment to quickly and reliably identify the real and decisive issues in ‘very heavy’ cases. He excels in offering clear, concise and tactically focused advice in the most complex and voluminous cases Regulatory & PublicAbdul qualified as a pharmacist and has experience of clinical practice. He represents corporate and commercial clients charged with regulatory offences and/or facing financial liability arising from breaches of regulatory law. Abdul’s pharmaceutical background and experience of serious criminal work naturally lend themselves to representing professionals charged with disciplinary breaches before regulatory bodies (General Medical Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, General Optical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Solicitors Regulation Authority, Financial Reporting Council). He is a keen sports fan. His criminal practice lends itself well to providing representation to players and clubs alike at disciplinary tribunals of governing bodies such as the FA, RFL and RFU. Abdul’s pharmacy expertise gives him additional insight into issues of doping, charges brought by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, and appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Park Square Barristers
Barristers
Family Finance Adam Wilson has very extensive experience in applications for financial orders within divorce proceedings, both at first instance and appellate level. Financial remedy applications on divorce (especially those involving the disposals of assets, assets held by limited companies, and disputes involving third parties) Civil claims, based on constructive trusts and/or proprietary estoppel, under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) Civil claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, especially claims by surviving spouses. Children Law Adam's children practice is now limited to private law proceedings, although he has extensive experience dealing with public law cases involving children. Adam has particular interest and experience in the following types of case: Cross-jurisdictional issues (including both relocation & child abduction) Serious allegations against one or more adult party Commercial & Chancery Adam has particular interest and experience in chancery cases involving: Civil claims, based on constructive trusts and/or proprietary estoppel, under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA) Civil claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, especially claims by surviving spouses.
Crime Allan specialises in serious sexual and violent offences, particularly rape, sex trafficking and historic allegations of a sexual nature. He is extremely experienced in cross-examining young and vulnerable complainants and witnesses and those with disabilities, particularly the preparation of pre-recorded cross-examination procedures (S28 hearings). Allan is renowned for employing tact and understanding, tempered with firmness and forensic examination of the issues. One particular area of specialism is the examination of accident investigators particularly driving cases involving death or serious injury. Allan has a great deal of knowledge concerning construction and use and handling characteristics of motor vehicles, given his extensive involvement in motorsport activities. One notable case concerned the Hemsworth By-Pass, which also featured cell site evidence. He secured an acquittal of one accused alleged to have participated in organised time trials on the road. Allan leaves no stone unturned, employing effective trial management tactics, is thorough and meticulously in his preparation and presentation of the case. He is considered to have a persuasive, relaxed and calm style of advocacy, which proved invaluable in sensitive and complex cases. He is also complemented for his skill in effectively dealing with vulnerable and demanding lay clients. Having achieved an illustrious and successful career in the Magistrates’ Courts Service, he was considered to be one of the top Justices’ Clerks in the Country, being appointed to a number of prestigious and important Government Committees, including the Lord Chancellor’s Project Board dealing with the Implementation of the Human Rights Act and a working party, which subsequently led to the construction and implementation of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. That experience has given Allan a deep understanding of the operation of the Courts’ system and employment of the Criminal Procedure Rules. Children Law Allan was involved in the introduction of the Children Act in the magistrates’ courts and has shown a keen interest in family law ever since. He appears for all parties in public-law proceedings, but is particularly involved in finding-of-fact hearings dealing with unexplained injuries, serious sexual offences and violence. His criminal law background equips him to approach cases with detailed forensic examination and presentation of the evidence, and a thorough examination of professional and expert witnesses. Regulatory & Public Allan deals with regulatory breaches, particularly in the areas of care homes and animal welfare issues including hunting and badger baiting cases. He has considerable experience of taxi-licensing matters, and has appeared regularly in hearings for both local authorities or applicants in complex cases concerning the grant, suspension and revocation of hackney carriage and private-hire licences. Allan will also undertake disciplinary allegations in respect of sporting organisations, including motorsport tribunal hearings (having been a motorsport competitor himself).
Children Law Anaum is regularly instructed to represent parents in private child arrangement disputes. Anaum is confident in advising and providing representation at all stages of proceedings, particularly in relation to anxious and vulnerable clients. She regularly appears in Finding of Fact and Final hearings in matters involving complex legal and factual issues. Anaum has a strong practice and frequently acts in cases involving numerous safeguarding issues, including allegations of physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse. Anaum has particular experience in the area of vulnerable witnesses and clients appreciate Anaum’s ability to tailor her approach and advocacy to the circumstances of the case. Anaum regularly acts in Family Law Act applications, including directions hearings and contested final hearings, on behalf of both applicants and respondents. Anaum observed serious and complex public law proceedings conducted by members of the Family Team at Park Square Barristers during her pupillage. This includes cases involving non-accidental injuries, serious neglect, sexual abuse allegations and a case involving concerns over forced marriage. Anaum maintains a keen interest in all aspects of public law proceedings. Anaum has acted on behalf of Local Authorities, parents and the Children’s Guardian at both case management and final hearings. Anaum is eager to build her practise in this area and welcomes new instruction. Family Finance Anaum has a developing practice and is regularly instructed in a variety of family finance matters. She is experienced in representing clients at hearings including: Interim Maintenance Applications, First Appointments, FDRs and Final Hearings. Anaum also has a strong background knowledge of divorce proceedings and child maintenance. Anaum also has experience of drafting advices and conducting legal research in relation to all areas of family finance. She is known to take a meticulous and conscientious approach in providing advice to clients. Regulatory & PublicAnaum has undertaken Tribunal work on a number of cases, including representing Applicants and the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal and the General Regulatory Chamber. Anaum has spent time providing in-house legal advice and representation to both South Yorkshire Police and Vale of York CCG in a variety of matters in both the regulatory and civil law sphere. Anaum has acted for South Yorkshire Police on a destruction of dangerous dog application, involving complex legal arguments concerning abuse of process and costs. Anaum has also drafted advices in relation to dangerous dogs. Court of Protection & Adult CareAnaum observed members of chambers in Court of Protection hearings during her pupillage. Anaum is happy to accept instruction in this area and looks to develop her Court of Protection practice.Civil Fraud Anaum undertook pupillage under the supervision of Andrew Wilson and observed all areas of civil law, with a particular focus on civil fraud. Anaum has experience of credit hire claims and is regularly instructed in relation to this, as well as liability disputes. Anaum has successfully defended a professional negligence claim on behalf of a building surveyor. Personal InjuryAnaum is regularly instructed in all areas of civil law, including personal injury and contract disputes. She acts for both claimants and defendants. Anaum accepts instruction in the following: Fast track trials Small claims trials MOJ Stage 3 Hearings and Infant Approvals Interlocutory applications Case management conferences Pre-trial reviews
Andrew Dallas has worked extensively in criminal law for over 30 years, a field in which he has specialised since 2000. He has considerable experience in work of the highest complexity, gravity and sensitivity, and has often led other juniors in large or serious cases. Andrew is regularly instructed in murder and other homicide cases, although his busy case-load also includes rape, serious sexual assault, fraud, firearms and drug trafficking. He is particularly experienced in serious driving cases (usually ‘causing death by dangerous driving’), including a number involving allegations that drivers were racing or had fallen asleep. He provided the initial advice and successfully prosecuted the driver who caused the Selby train crash. Andrew is very familiar with cases involving extensive telephone evidence (such as cell-site analysis) and has lectured other lawyers on the subject. Andrew’s work is centred around Bradford and Leeds Crown Courts, but he is happy to travel as required.
Personal InjuryAndrew Lewis QC has vast experience in all areas of personal injury and clinical negligence work, having specialised in this field since joining the Bar. According to Chambers and Partners 2016, “Andrew is exceptionally good. A modern, user-friendly silk who is very bright and very capable. He is an extremely able advocate with a very attractive way of getting a judge’s attention. Andrew’s personal-injury practice consists largely of fatal and catastrophic injury claims, particularly brain and spinal-cord injury cases. He is very experienced in work involving competing claims of exaggeration/fraud versus subtle brain injury/chronic pain/somatoform disorder. In his employer’s liability work, Andrew will also become involved in conducting inquests and defending health & safety prosecutions. Andrew Lewis QC offers vast experience in all areas of clinical negligence work. He works for claimants, the NHSLA and GPs, undertaking cases of all types up to the most serious cerebral palsy negligent-birth claims. Andrew has dealt with a wide range of claims, with particular experience of accident & emergency and orthopaedic failures, obstetric claims (cerebral palsy/shoulder dystocia), paediatric cardiac surgery, delayed diagnosis of cancer, gastro-intestinal claims and failed cosmetic surgery. Andrew’s work not only includes drafting, advising and court work but he attends a considerable number of joint settlement meetings and mediations in high-value claims. His disease work is now largely based around asbestos-induced mesothelioma claims, and he works for claimant or defendant.Civil FraudAndrew continues to be noted by instructing defendant solicitors for his expertise in claims relating to fraud, particularly high-value fraud claims. He has led juniors in the Court of Appeal in cases involving credit hire and the use and value of expert engineering evidence. In his personal-injury practice, Andrew is very experienced in work involving competing claims of exaggeration/fraud versus subtle brain injury/chronic pain/somatoform disorder. Andrew regularly lectures in his specialist fields of practice and has recently been invited to speak on judicial attitudes to fraud at the Insurance Fraud Investigators Group (IFIG) Regulatory & PublicAndrew regularly defends health & safety prosecutions, usually those involving catastrophic or fatal injury. He regularly attends coroners’ hearings, not only in respect of accidents at work but also fatalities in road traffic accidents and children in school care. He also undertakes work involving professional disciplinary tribunals.
Andrew Hall QC is consistently named as a leader in his field and has a busy and high-profile practice in serious crime. He has a strong following amongst solicitors both in London and further afield, and a particular reputation for the tenacious defence of grave, difficult and complex cases. Andrew has very extensive experience in all types of homicide, as well as large-scale drugs and other excise conspiracies. In recent years, he has been instructed in a significant number of high-profile terrorism cases, including the cases of those alleged to have conducted hostile reconnaissance of London targets for the 7/7 bombers. He led the Bar team which set up the library facilities, and provided advocacy training, at the Special Court in Sierra Leone. He has longstanding involvement with legal-sector capacity-building projects overseas, particularly in Africa, and is a winner of the Bar Pro Bono Award for this work. Human rights work overseas has included missions to Syria, Sudan and Burma. Andrew is the author and co-author of several books on criminal-justice issues and regularly lectures on advocacy and other legal topics, including terrorism and human rights, both here and abroad. He has served for a number of years as a member of the Bar Council and chair of the Remuneration Committee. Since 2010 he has been chair of the Kalisher Trust, a charity providing scholarships and other awards to talented Criminal Bar entrants who need financial support.
Andrew has been in practice for over 25 years and chose to practise exclusively in Criminal Law from a very early stage. Over the years he has developed a wide-ranging practise, and is instructed to both prosecute and defend cases, at all levels . He has significant experience of defending and prosecuting complex allegations of dishonesty, those relating to both importation and distribution of drugs, together with cases involving firearms and arson, murder and serious violence, rape and serious sexual offending. To this end, he has also been admitted onto the prosecution RASSO panel( Rape and Serious Sexual Offending). Andrew has conducted many trials involving allegations made by child victims. He is well familiar with the specialist advocacy required in such cases, and has undertaken recent trials using the s28 pilot scheme, with pre-recorded cross-examination of vulnerable child witnesses. Andrew is an accomplished and intuitive advocate and benefits from an ability to maintain a flexible approach. He has built up a particular specialism in dealing with Children and Young Offenders, usually but not exclusively who have been sent to the Crown Court upon allegations of Grave offences, or when jointly charged with an Adult. Andrew also has a wealth of experience and a clear understanding of the dynamics of Multi-Defendant cases. He fully recognises the delicate balance that can sometimes be required to robustly, but sensitively cross-examine witnesses and Co-defendants alike. Andrew prides himself on a detailed working knowledge of the increasingly complex legislation and case-law in relation to both criminal procedure and current and past sentencing guidelines. He is trained in Forensic Accountancy and his years of experience has allowed him to develop a honed and effective approach to the cross-examination of a wide range of medical and forensic experts. He is however always conscious that a pragmatic approach will usually be the most helpful approach, both in terms of advice upon strength of the case and advice on plea and sentence. Andrew is known for a clear and concise approach and for a very thorough understanding of the brief. He is therefore in a position to engage at an early stage of the trial process, to include both conferences and written advices. He will always provide proper consideration to all Interlocutory applications, applications for Dismissal and applications to Stay proceedings, as appropriate. Andrew similarly makes a point of providing Instructing Solicitors with early tactical advice for matters that will run to trial. As a Grade 3 prosecutor, Andrew has a well-established prosecution practice and has experience of prosecuting multi-handed conspiracies together with offences involving allegations of fraud, violence and organised drug-dealing. He has also prosecuted for government departments, including HMRC and the Department of Work and Pensions.
Personal InjuryFor over 20 years Ben has had a thriving and high profile practice in all aspects of personal injury litigation, fatal accidents, and coroner’s inquests.He has been involved in litigation in the Court of Appeal concerning road traffic accidents, breach of statutory duties by employers and occupiers, and duties owed by trial Judges to give detailed reasons. Ben has particular expertise involving cases of pupil injury/ deaths in schools.Commercial & ChanceryBen has a longstanding expertise in all aspects of property law, in particular residential and commercial landlord and tenant, property transfer, registration, possession actions, boundary disputes and rights of way, and disputes concerning chattels. He also has wide experience in probate and intestacy law, both litigious and non-litigious, including applications under the Inheritance Act 1975. Ben is happy to and regularly receives instructions in a direct access basis.Regulatory & Public Ben has been a specialist in all aspects of immigration law since 2000. He advises and assists clients in all areas including judicial review, asylum and human rights, entry clearance, appeals against refusal of leave to remain, family reunion and migration, visa applications and appeals, European Union/ Economic Area rights and appeals, points based system applications and appeals, administrative removal and deportation, and citizenship applications and revocation appeal hearing. Appeals by employers against civil penalty notices levied for alleged employment of workers without immigration status.
Children Law Carla Rawlinson specialises in all aspects of Family Law. Carla is a persuasive advocate who always seeks to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients. She shows real compassion, handling cases with sensitivity and skill. When in court, she uses her previous experience in Crime to execute compelling cross-examinations and to advance cogent arguments. Carla has considerable experience in privarte law of complex family conflicts within residence and contact cases, including specific-issue orders, domestic abuse cases and applications to remove children from the jurisdiction. Carla has a real understanding of the pressures involved for clients going through proceedings of this nature and is extremely sensitive. Carla receives instructions in Care Proceedings relating to sexual abuse allegations, parents with mental health problems, removal disputes and has represented parents affiliated with radical groups. She is experienced and skilled at dealing with vulnerable clients with mental health issues and learning disabilities. Carla has experience in advising West Yorkshire Police in relation to disclosure from Family Proceedings.Family FinanceCarla accepts instructions to advise and represent clients in relation to all aspects of family finance. She has experience of representing clients at First Hearings, Financial Dispute Resolution Hearings and Final Hearings.Court of Protection & Adult CareCarla accepts instructions to advise and represent clients on Court of Protection matters and is eager to build this area of her practise. She is sensitive and has experience of working with vulnerable clients.
Personal Injury & Clinical NegligenceCaroline specialises in all areas of personal injury and fatal accidents, including disease, limitation hearings and clinical negligence. She acts on behalf of both claimants and defendants in claims valued from fast track to multi track and appears in courts nationwide.Caroline has specialised in disease claims for several years. She represents both Claimants and Defendants. She is regularly instructed in noise induced hearing loss claims and is fully familiar with both the CLB Guidelines 2000 and the LCB Guidelines 2015 and also calculation of the NIL. She has experience of mesothelioma and HAVS claims up to and including trial. In addition to trials, Caroline has appeared at numerous limitation hearings, including appeals. She attends CCMC’s on those claims allocated to the Multi – track. Caroline is familiar with the caselaw in support of Defendant’s obtaining their own medical evidence in claims allocated to the fast track. She drafts part 35 questions to engineering and medical experts. Disease claims often involve historic employment. Caroline has advised and appeared at numerous interim hearings concerning the identity of the correct defendant, issues arising from insolvency of the defendant and TUPE transfers Caroline is instructed on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants, including private hospitals and Defence Unions, in relation to Clinical negligence claims. She accepts CFA instructions where appropriate. Caroline also represents interested parties at inquests into deaths in a healthcare setting, which assists with her understanding of the medical background in clinical negligence claims. She has acted pro bono for families at inquests, instructed by AvMA. As a former solicitor she is familiar with dealing with costs. Caroline provides representation at detailed assessment hearings and regularly attends CCMC’s. She has obtained orders disapplying QOCS following findings of exaggeration and fundamental dishonesty and following strike out consequent on disappearance of the claimant. She is familiar with the rules and procedure in relation to wasted costs having obtained wasted costs orders against firms where the solicitor continued acting without instructions and following non-disclosure on without notice applications.Commercial & Chancery Caroline has gained extensive experience of debt recovery / enforcement proceedings such as applications for charging orders, possession hearings, insolvency, winding up and bankruptcy. She has also provided representation in respect of contractual disputes between business and consumers, involving the Sale and Supply of Goods and Services Act and the Consumer Credit Act. She also has experience of interpleader proceedings. She finds her experience of debt recovery/ enforcement assists in giving practical, commercial advice about the merits of pursuing contractual claims. Caroline has appeared in numerous possession hearings acting on behalf of mortgagor, mortgagee and landlord and tenant. She has also acted in claims for disrepair, unlawful eviction and anti-social behaviour orders, injunctions and committals. Caroline is also instructed in professional negligence claims against other professionals arising from clinical negligence and personal injury work including issuing proceedings outside limitation, an issue with which she has vast experience as a result of dealing with disease litigation on a regular basis. Regulatory & PublicCaroline provides representation at inquests and pre – inquest reviews. She is particularly interested in inquests arising in healthcare settings, road traffic accidents and accidents at work which dovetail with her clinical negligence and personal injury practice. She is prepared to attend inquests on a CFA. Following conclusion of the inquest, but before publication of a Regulation 28 report relating to loss of JS’s CPAP machine, the trust’s representatives wrote to the Coroner challenging the making of the Regulation 28 (PFD) report. Caroline made representations that the Coroner had no authority to retrospectively withdraw the duty to make a Regulation 28 report relying, inter alia, on the case of R (Dr Siddiqui and Dr Paeprer-Rohricht) -v- Assistant Coroner for East London and the PFD was published thereafter.
Crime Catherine Silverton prosecutes or defends, primarily in serious and high-profile crime cases in the Crown Court, including serious sexual offences, homicide and cases involving children. She has a detailed working knowledge of the complex legislation and sentencing guidelines, current and past, relating to these types of offences. Catherine is an accomplished advocate with 17 years’ experience of prosecuting or defending in jury trials. She understands the delicate balance required to robustly cross-examine while dealing with intimate or traumatic evidence, and is skilled at clearly and sensitively presenting complex or distressing material to a jury. She has made many successful applications to dismiss and submissions of no case to answer, resulting in juries being directed to acquit. She has significant experience of presenting complex legal arguments on behalf of the Crown and the defence. Catherine is trained in cross examining vulnerable witnesses and has significant experience in s28 cases. She is a qualified advocacy trainer.Catherine specialises in serious sexual and violent offences, including rape and historical offences and cases involving child victims or defendants. She is highly experienced in dealing with allegations of violence (including against babies and children), the use of firearms, arson with intent, homicide and sexual violence. Catherine is adept at interpreting medical evidence and has experience of cross-examining a very wide range of medical experts. She has considerable experience of cross-examining forensic experts including scientists and cell-site analysts. Catherine is regularly instructed to prosecute or defend in complex conspiracies. She has recently defended in conspiracies to commit murder, s.18, fraud, money-laundering, drugs offences and robbery. Catherine also is trained in forensic accountancy and is experienced in dealing with complex financial cases, large-scale money-laundering and frauds and cases involving POCA. Regulatory & Public Catherine's background is generally crime, much of which involved the prosecution or defence of financial offences, and has experience in a multitude of regulatory and disciplinary areas. She has been involved in cases brought by many specialist prosecuting authorities, including the Department for Trade and Industry (now BIS), HMRC, the Food Standards Agency, the Environment Agency and the Child Support Agency. She has prosecuted on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions since 2002, both as sole counsel and as junior. Catherine has appeared as a leading junior in a complex and wide-reaching case involving breach of VOSA regulations alongside other offences of fraud. In early 2014, she was involved in a multi-handed large-scale fraud prosecuted by the Trading Standards Agency. Catherine has had involvement with the Police Federation in her capacity defending a serving police officer from the Metropolitan Police Service for offences of grooming and indecent assault. Catherine also has experience of appearing at the Coroner’s Court.
Children LawCatherine undertakes all aspects of both public and private Children Act proceedings in all courts, representing applicants or respondents. She is a strong advocate: her submissions are often referred to as forceful and persuasive. She prepares thoroughly for trial and is effective in cross-examination. She gives realistic advice from the outset and has strong negotiation skills, enabling her to help lay clients and instructing solicitors work towards settlement rather than litigation. However, she is not afraid to challenge seemingly insurmountable evidence and she performs well in court. Catherine enjoys a challenge and has undertaken a number of unusual and high-profile cases. She prefers to follow cases through to their conclusion but is also willing to undertake shorter hearings. She prefers to work together with instructing solicitors and often advises at short notice on drafting and procedure. Catherine has a good track record of succeeding in defending care and placement applications against the recommendations of the local authority and children’s guardian. Her very good working medical knowledge enables Catherine to undertake detailed analysis of expert evidence. She has undertaken numerous cases which involve serious non-accidental injuries to children, often appearing against Queen’s Counsel. She also has a particular aptitude for analysis of facts and the testing of evidence.Family FinanceCatherine has a growing practice in financial remedies and often undertakes both the financial and Children Act private law proceedings arising out of particularly difficult and intractable relationship breakdowns. She has undertaken high-value cases involving pensions, businesses, property abroad and interests of third parties, including TOLATA applications, but equally recognises the importance of achieving an appropriate settlement where there are more modest means available for division. Her negotiation skills enable Catherine to work towards agreement, where possible, but she performs well in court and prepares thoroughly for trial. Catherine gives realistic advice from the outset to help lay clients and instructing solicitors work towards settlement rather than litigation but is not afraid to challenge seemingly insurmountable evidence when necessary. Catherine is a strong advocate, with her submissions often being referred to as forceful and persuasive. She is effective in cross-examination. Court of Protection & Adult CareCatherine has advised on Court of Protection matters and her experience dealing with child-care matters, both public and private, means she is well-attuned to the sensitivities required when conducting litigation in respect of vulnerable individuals. She enjoys a challenge and has undertaken a number of unusual and high-profile cases. She has a good track record of success when defending care and placement applications which go against the recommendations of the local authority and children’s guardian. Catherine has a very good working knowledge of medical matters, and can undertake detailed analysis of expert evidence. She has handled numerous cases involving serious non-accidental injuries to children, and has often appeared against Queen’s Counsel. She has particular skills in the analysis of facts and testing of evidence. She prefers to follow cases through to conclusion, but will undertake shorter hearings. She prefers to work with instructing solicitors, and often advises at short notice on drafting and procedure.
Charlotte Worsley is Head of our Family Team and has been a practitioner in Family Law since 2002. She handles all aspects of children work, with particular emphasis on public-law proceedings and all aspects of care and adoption proceedings. Charlotte is often instructed on behalf of local authorities, parents, extended family and children’s guardians. She has extensive experience of proceedings at all levels and has a clear understanding of issues affecting the crossover between criminal and family jurisdictions (often representing clients in both jurisdictions). She is regularly instructed in complex matters involving non-accidental injuries (including serious fractures and brain injury through shaking); sexual abuse; child sexual exploitation, chronic neglect; physical & mental disabilities; fabricated induced illness, drug & alcohol abuse and forensic computer evidence. She has a specialism in cases concerning extremism and radicalisation. Charlotte has considerable experience of complex family conflicts within residence and contact cases, including specific-issue orders, domestic abuse cases and applications to remove children from the jurisdiction.
Employment Before embarking on a career in law Chelsea was a very successful business owner. Being an employer, Chelsea developed a keen interest in Employment Law, which fuelled her ambition to join the Bar. Chelsea quickly developed experience in Employment Litigation through pro bono and consultancy work she undertook with various employment firms in Leeds before starting her pupillage at Park Square Barristers. Chelsea has been quick to develop a busy practice here at Park Square Barristers within the Employment Team and is regularly instructed on behalf of both Claimants and Respondents. She has become a main source of referral to advise on the merits of successful claims, on behalf of insurance companies. Chelsea was recently instructed in a 4-day unfair dismissal tribunal. It was a complex case involving child protection issues, and the gross misconduct of an experienced social worker, with a bundle spanning more than 1000 pages, it dealt with complex investigations and detailed safeguarding policies.Commerical & ChanceryPrior to commencing pupillage, Chelsea was employed as a Litigation Executive, where she gained extensive experience in civil, commercial and chancery litigation. Her caseload ranged from high value breach of contract claims against government bodies, high value contested probate matters, and complex bankruptcy disputes. Chelsea also grew a healthy clientele within property litigation. She has advised and represented clients in boundary disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, leasehold disputes, possession claims and housing disrepair. Recently she has successfully represented the Claimant in a complex building construction dispute where the issues involved both breach of Building Regulations and the Building Contract. She has recently appeared in the Civil Appeal Court in Leeds where she was instructed to represent the Claimant in an appeal against a Deputy District Judges decision to strike out a claim for an Abuse of Process following a claim being pursued against a non-existent company after the company was deregistered from the companies register and thereby proceedings being a nullity. Personal Injury Prior to her pupillage Chelsea gained experience of representing clients in personal injury matters in road traffic accidents, employers/occupier’s liability, holiday sickness and industrial disease claims on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in the firm where she previously worked. Chelsea has recently appeared in the Civil Appeal Court in Leeds where she was instructed to represent the Claimant in an appeal against a Deputy District Judges Decision to strike out a claim for an Abuse of Process.Regulatory & PublicChelsea undertakes a range of Police work on behalf of the Chief Constable, specialising in firearms/shotgun appeals under the Firearms Act 1968, Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Forced Marriage Protection Orders. She has also developed a healthy criminal practice. She regularly appears on behalf of both the Prosecution and the Defence and has recently been approved as a Grade 1 Prosecutor. She is quickly developing a healthy defence practice particularly for members of the Armed Forces appearing at the Court Martial.CrimeChelsea has also developed a healthy criminal practice. She regularly appears on behalf of both the Prosecution and the Defence and has recently been approved as a Grade 1 Prosecutor. She is quickly developing a healthy defence practice particularly for members of the Armed Forces appearing at the Court Martial.
Christopher Ferguson has specialised in family law for several years. His extensive experience in private and public children’s law includes representing parents, extended family members, local authorities and children via guardians, including the Official Solicitor and the National Youth Advocacy Service. Although known as a tenacious opponent, Christopher has also built a reputation for his approachable, caring and sensitive manner, repeatedly noted by solicitors with particularly vulnerable or sensitive clients. He has been described by Chambers & Partners as ‘a safe pair of hands’. Christopher has organised and spoken at seminars on subjects such as contact, shared residence, domestic violence, the judicial interviewing of children, McKenzie friends, kinship care and the role of grandparents as alternative carers or in proceedings generally.
Civil Fraud Christopher has quickly established a busy practice in civil insurance fraud. He acts for a number of major defendant insurers in relation to suspicious or fraudulent claims arising from road traffic accidents. Christopher has extensive experience of cases involving staged accidents, ‘stooge’ vehicles, low-speed impact (LSI), phantom passengers, exaggerated credit hire and exaggerated personal injury claims that require consideration of Section 57 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.He also regularly deals with fraudulent holiday sickness claims and has previously acted for Thomas Cook. Personal Injury Christopher has extensive experience dealing with claims arising from road traffic accidents, EL/PL claims (including Highways Act claims) and criminal injury compensation (CICA) claims. Christopher also has experience of dealing with diminution claims in respect of vehicle damage and is familiar with the principles derived from Coles v Hetherton. Christopher accepts instructions for the following: Trials from the Small Claims Track through to the Multi Track Disposal Hearings Case Management Conferences Costs Case Management Conferences Interlocutory Applications Pre-Trial Review He has developed a particular interest in claims involving credit hire. As an area of law which continues to develop in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, Christopher is always alive to recent developments. He regularly publishes articles and provides bespoke training on this topic.Regulatory & PublicChristopher has extensive experience of prosecuting a range of regulatory offences on behalf of HMRC, the Food Standards Agency, the Insolvency Service and various local authorities. Christopher regularly acts for police authorities, including applications for Sexual Harm Prevention Orders. He also has experience prosecuting and defending cases regarding the Animal Welfare Act 1996, in particular cases involving improper slaughter practices under the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 2015. Such cases require detailed knowledge of the European Union Directives which apply in such matters. Christopher also regularly prosecutes and defends in cases involving offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Christopher is regularly instructed for Parole Board hearings and represents prisoners in a wide range of matters including license reviews and parole reviews for those subject to indeterminate sentences. He has successfully argued for release in difficult circumstances where offenders have maintained their innocence throughout sentence.CrimeChristopher is a Grade 1 prosecutor. He successfully completed a common law pupillage under the supervision of Kama Melly QC. He regularly appears in the Crown and Magistrates courts for both the prosecution and the defence. He deals with a wide range of offences, including serious sexual and violent offences, and has experience conducting trials subject to the section 28 procedure. Christopher is particularly experienced in dealing with offences under the Road Traffic Act, particularly in respect of accidents that have caused significant injury to those involved. He is also regularly instructed to raise exceptional hardship and special reasons arguments on behalf of Defendants. Christopher has particular experience dealing with cases involving vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. He is known for his concise approach when dealing with witnesses and clients, being able to narrow issues whilst ensuring that parties have a clear understanding of the proceedings in which they are involved.
Christopher Dunn has defended or prosecuted a wide range of cases including murder, child and adult rape, attempted rape, S18, serious historical sexual offences, firearms offences, armed robberies, conspiracies to supply large amounts of Class-A drugs, conspiracies to commit Hanoi-style burglaries, conspiracies to commit armed robberies and conspiracies to commit bank fraud. Christopher’s practice largely involves litigating serious crimes for the defence or prosecution. He has significant experience of preparing large, serious and multi-handed cases, including advising on preparing defence and prosecution cases, drafting schedules and admissions, negotiating with other counsel, and undertaking Crown Court and Court of Appeal advocacy. He has been involved in many cases involving complex covert evidence, expert witnesses and financial documentation. He is on the RASSO panel. Having served as a Grade 4 CPS prosecutor, Christopher has appeared on behalf of the Crown in Proceeds of Crime Act applications and public-interest immunity applications. At the last CPS grading application process, he was granted Grade 4 prosecutor status. Christopher has conducted numerous cases under the old ex post facto scheme (now replaced by the VHCC scheme) which were listed for over 25 days. Some cases involved 5 defendants or more and involved over 10,000 pages of evidence.
Regulatory & Public Head of the Regulatory and Public Law Team at PSQB, and an A-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate, Craig appears for the prosecution or defence in a wide range of regulatory cases. His regulatory practice includes serious health and safety cases, often involving fatalities and substantial environmental crime cases. He has significant experience of fire safety and food safety cases, with a particular interest in allergens. Craig has represented both regulators and professionals in the disciplinary processes of several different professional bodies and sits as a Legally Qualified Chair in Police Misconduct Hearings. He also regularly appears in Coroners’ Courts. He is well-known for his ability to conduct highly complex cases and is often retained to appear against Queens Counsel. His depth and breadth of experience of cases involving a wide range of prosecuting authorities enables him to bring a unique perspective to cases that transcend more than one area. Craig works well as part of a team of counsel as both led and leading junior. He has been involved in many large cases with multiple defendants. He regularly deals with sensitive issues of disclosure and public-interest immunity, including covert human intelligence sources, intercept material and offenders with links to terrorism. Crime Craig’s criminal practice predominantly involves fraud and other serious and organised crime. He has extensive experience in all areas of financial offending, including applications for restraint, confiscation, compensation and the disqualification of directors. Many of his cases involve corporate defendants and the interpretation of corporate accounts. Beyond financial crime, his practice includes murder, manslaughter, rape and serious sexual assaults, people trafficking and large-scale smuggling of drugs and dutiable goods. He is well-known for his ability to conduct highly complex cases, and is often retained to appear against Queens Counsel. His depth and breadth of experience of cases involving a wide range of prosecuting authorities enables him to bring a unique perspective to cases that transcend more than one area. Craig works well as part of a team of counsel as both led and leading junior. He has been involved in many large cases with multiple defendants. He regularly deals with sensitive issues of disclosure and public-interest immunity, including covert human intelligence sources, intercept material and offenders with links to terrorism. Craig’s sympathetic approach towards clients has repeatedly been identified by legal directories. He can be relied upon to deal sensitively with clients accused of the most serious offences. Alongside his advocacy and advisory work Craig is responsible for arranging the North Eastern Circuit’s advocacy training programme. He is an accredited advocacy trainer and a facilitator of vulnerable witness advocacy training.
Darren Finlay is the head of our civil team. Commercial & ChanceryDarren’s core work includes a wide variety of contract and commercial disputes including litigation over land, boundary and neighbour disputes, chancery matters (including insolvency). He resists or applies for injunctions and associated committal proceedings and matters relating to restrictive covenants, the administration of trusts and the dissolution of or other disputes relating to partnershipsand actions on guarantees/indemnities. Darren also deals with wills and probate matters and Court of Protection or Inheritance Act claims, disputes within companies (such as claims by oppressed minorities), the sale of companies and shares and property, insolvency matters, fraud claims and export trade claims involving letters of credit and contractual claims in respect of a wide variety of matters from large commercial transactions down to faulty goods and services. Darren is fully literate with ICT and experienced in mediation and arbitration. He also deals with non-contentious matters including drafting insurance and commercial contracts and heads of agreement and business plans for well-known corporate clients. Darren’s experience of professional negligence claims includes solicitor’s negligence, accountant’s negligence, and architect’s and surveyor’s negligence claims, up to and including trial. He also deals with regulatory matters that impinge on professional conduct (including disciplinary hearings). and education tribunal matters. He also deals with contract cases, holiday claims, timeshare matters, suing for debts, and for breach of contract remedies (including injunctive relief) land disputes (boundary matters, neighbour disputes, rights of way and alike) and advises on trusts and commercial disputes, landlord and tenant and construction cases and many similar such common-law disputes.EmploymentDarren deals with unfair dismissal and discrimination cases and has experience of long trials and group litigation. Darren also has experience in professional disciplinary hearings, health & safety prosecutions and defences/mitigation, and partnership and commercial disputes including restrictive covenants. Darren has advised major local authorities and public clients on redundancies and restructuring and appeared at tribunal and EAT on discrimination, redundancy and unfair dismissal claims for claimants and respondents.Personal InjuryDarren handles cases for defendant insurers (including RTA, EL and PL, fraud, OL and disease work), as well as claimant personal injury (PI) work of all types and including deafness, vibration white finger (VWF), COPD and asbestos cases. He provides advice, paper work and advocacy for road-traffic, public liability and employer’s liability fraud cases, and has successfully defended all types of case at trial: with a significant amount of insurer backed defendant/fraud work.Civil FraudDarren's work also extends to knowledge of company law, bankruptcy/insolvency, and health & safety matters, all of which can prove useful when advising in fraud cases.
A major part of David’s practice relates to probate and inheritance matters, including those with an international dimension. He has a particular expertise in dealing with contentious probate cases, especially those concerning challenges to wills upon the grounds of lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence, in addition to those relating to claims against estates based upon constructive trust and proprietary estoppel arguments and cases concerning the interpretation of Wills.Linked with his probate work is David’s equally extensive experience of claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. He has dealt with a very large number of such cases, from those involving multi-million pound estates (Moss v Moss) to those which are much more modest. He is particularly experienced in dealing with mediations in such cases, both as representative of a party and as a mediator. David has represented many clients in trust disputes, and regularly advises and assists with drafting work in non-contentious trust/proprietary estoppel cases (including applications under the Trusts of Land & Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) and the Variation of Trusts Act 1958). In particular, he has dealt with many constructive trust/proprietary estoppel cases at all stages from initial advice through to contested trials. As a trustee of a local charity David has first-hand experience of both the law and practice relevant to the operation of a charity. He has been involved in a number of cases involving charities, including those dealing with legacies, disputes relating to property and the terms of their trust deeds. David also has extensive experience of dealing with all forms of property dispute, including those concerned with rights of way, restrictive covenants and boundaries as well as disputes relating to nuisance and property sales. He has dealt with a number of matters falling under the Party Wall, etc Act 1996. He also deals with landlord & tenant disputes relating to both commercial and agricultural property. In commercial matters, David has represented clients in a wide range of cases concerning commercial contracts, including those with an international dimension. David was a counsel in the landmark case of Hobson & Others v Ashton, Morton, Slack & Others (2006), which arose out of the government’s Mineworkers’ Compensation Scheme. He was instrumental in the successful opposition to an application for a group litigation order (under Part 19.11 of the Civil Procedure Rules) by the proposed claimants and dealt with a number of associated cases following the initial decision as well as other cases relating to the Miners Compensation Claims. David has wide experience in handling professional negligence cases involving issues within the scope of his Chancery & Commercial practice, in particular against solicitors, accountants and surveyors arising out of property, trust, inheritance and probate claims.. The length of his experience means that he is well placed to judge the standards reasonably to be expected of a professional. He is a member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association. David’s real skill is his ability to tackle the most complex legal arguments and disseminate sophisticated information for clients from all walks of life. He is equally happy tackling a public enquiry on behalf of a major company as he is applying his legal mind to rights of way causing distress for rural residents; they all feel confident in his ability and informed by his presentation. Meanwhile, judges recognise the strength of his argument and appreciate his clarity and comprehension of the legal case, and opponents respect the ferocity and conviction of his debate.
Children LawDavid Orbaum has practiced as a barrister and solicitor for over 30 years, with a busy mixed common-law practice including criminal, family and civil work. In recent years, he has specialised mostly in family law and has a comprehensive knowledge of the subject.He specialises in all aspects of private and public children’s work in the family field, representing local authorities, parents and related parties, and children’s guardians. He takes on work involving potentially dangerous parties to care proceedings where others have been reluctant to act. He has a clear understanding of issues affecting the crossover between the criminal and family jurisdictions. he acted as sole advocate (without a leader) for one of the parties in both the high-profile criminal and care proceedings arising out of a local kidnap investigation in Dewsbury, which attracted national media coverage. David has undertaken a number of cases involving difficult issues of international jurisdiction relating to children, divorce and nullity. Crime David has a solid understanding of jurisdiction and disclosure issues affecting both the criminal and family courts, and his child-care work combines well with his work on abuse cases in the criminal courts. In recent years, David has undertaken representation in cases involving serious criminal offences of all types in the Crown Court, whether as a single advocate, being led, or as a leading junior. He particularly undertakes criminal defence work with an emphasis on physical- and sexual-abuse cases David has a comprehensive and specialised knowledge of road traffic law and regulatory offences, acting for individual defendants and companies in the Magistrates Court and representing defendants facing the most serious of offences — including causing death by dangerous driving in the Crown Court. When practising as a solicitor for many years, David developed a busy mixed common-law practice including criminal, family and civil work. He developed extensive experience of advising at police stations and represented in the Magistrates and Youth Courts. As a result, he has a comprehensive grasp of the entire criminal process — a significant advantage when presenting cases in Crown Court.Regulatory & PublicDavid Orbaum has developed extensive experience of defending most aspects of regulatory work for individuals and companies, including health & safety, food hygiene, dangerous substances, and breaches of planning regulations. He is also very experienced in cases involving serious criminal offences in the Crown Court. This crossover with criminal law lends an invaluable dimension to David’s regulatory & disciplinary work. His comprehensive grasp of the entire criminal process offers a significant advantage when presenting in Crown Court.
Dawn Tighe is a specialist family practitioner with 25 years’ experience in all aspects of public and private law and at all levels of the Family Court. Dawn specialises in cases concerning serious non-accidental injuries and complex medical evidence. She regularly conducts finding-of-fact hearings in public-law proceedings, and is skilled with radiological and neurological evidence, TRIAD injuries, and cross-examining pathologists. She deals with cases concerning complex infant death. She has extensive experience of cases concerning factitious disorder. Dawn accepts instructions from the Official Solicitor, parents, grandparents, local authorities and guardians. She is skilled with contested adoption applications and leave to oppose such applications. She deals with relocation cases and abduction. Dawn regularly handles Article 15, Brussels II Revised applications concerning transfer of proceedings in public-law proceedings. She has considerable experience dealing with vulnerable clients and witnesses and cases concerning allegations of sexual abuse in both public and private law.
Ed Renvoize specialises in serious criminal work. His particular focus is fraud and organised crime cases, but his broad workload encompasses murder, serious sexual offending and firearms offences. He is often instructed in cases containing a large amount of evidential material and is known for quickly mastering that material. From 2007 to 2009 Ed practised as a criminal defence attorney at a leading law firm in the Cayman Islands and has an excellent knowledge of inter-jurisdictional criminal offending.Much of his case load in the Cayman Islands was financial crime but in addition he undertook the gamut of criminal offences ranging from murder and very serious sexual offences to possession of cannabis. Ed has been regularly instructed by the complex case unit of the CPS and equally receives instructions in complex and paper heavy cases for the defence. That experience coupled with his work in the Cayman Islands has exposed him to substantial expert evidence including DNA, gun shot residue and forensic accountancy.In addition to his Crown Court and tribunal work he appears in the Court of Appeal and has been instructed on a number of occasions to pursue appeals upon referral.Ed undertakes cases alleging financial crime and/or misconduct by professionals, and accepts both privately and publicly funded instructions in such cases. He is particularly sought after for Proceeds of Crime Act matters, either following on from instructions in a criminal trial or as a separate instruction. He is well-versed in dealing with forensic accountants, whether for the prosecution or for the defence.Ed has substantial experience of dealing with vulnerable witnesses and lay clients, and has for many years undertaken cases which involve questions of mental health. He has significant experience in cases involving cross-examination of psychiatrists and other mental-health professionals and other medical evidence.For 2 years, Ed worked as an attorney in the Cayman Islands, where his work combined the duties of solicitor and advocate. As a result, he readily appreciates issues commonly facing instructing solicitors. His experience in the Cayman Islands also gave him knowledge of cross-jurisdictional matters. In the recent past, he has travelled to Nigeria to assist with developing a program for specialised anti-terrorist prosecutors.Although now based in London, Ed maintains strong links with Park Square Barristers and is always happy to travel to conduct cases where his expertise is required.
Currently not available to receive instructions. Elizabeth Withyman practises exclusively in family law proceedings concerning children. She regularly acts on behalf of a number of different local authorities in care proceedings involving all aspects of child neglect and abuse – physical, emotional and sexual. She accepts instructions from parents, grandparents and children’s guardians. She has a sympathetic manner with clients, in particular those with learning disabilities or mental-health issues. She also undertakes private-law cases including cases involving contact and residence disputes, injunctions and committals. Elizabeth first practised in the areas of family and criminal law at 32 Park Square, which became 30 Park Square. During her career break to have a family, she kept in touch with developments in family law by continuing to update the publication ‘Divorce:The Things You Thought You’d Never Need to Know’ for a number of years. On her return to the Bar in 2010, she joined Sovereign Chambers which became Park Square Barristers in 2015. Elizabeth is committed to providing continuity of care for individual clients. She accepts instructions via email; ensures she is available to discuss cases by telephone; and always provides prompt and detailed feedback for those instructing her.
Civil Fraud Fergus Currie’s long-standing background in general personal-injury work has resulted in significant exposure to the work of insurers and their panelled solicitors. This, in turn, has led to an increasing number of regular instructions defending cases of alleged civil fraud, in particular involving road traffic accidents, including staged accidents, induced/contrived accidents, low-velocity impact (LVI) and bogus passengers claims, credit-hire fraud, or exaggeration of loss. Fergus handles cases from the initial investigation stages and drafting of sometimes highly technical and complex defences all the way through to trial.Employment Fergus’ employment practice includes the staple diet of unfair and wrongful dismissal actions, together with all aspects of discrimination, equal pay, whistleblowing, collective redundancies and TUPE Regulations, as well as more general contractual disputes. Over the years since its inception he has advised in a number of cases where the Equality Act 2010 impacts on and overlaps with other areas of law, such as the provision of social housing and the membership of clubs / associations. Fergus undertakes both Claimant and Respondent work; the latter includes representing large organisations such as local authorities and national public bodies. He is happy to provide advice and guidance to individuals or companies of any size, whether that be in relation to internal procedures during employment or post-employment claims, at all judicial levels.Personal InjuryFergus' personal injury practice is broadly split between Claimant and Defendant, with particular emphasis on accidents at work given his experience in the employment law field (including industrial disease, vibration and deafness cases, as well as stress at work claims). Fergus has recently been involved in a number of claims arising out of bullying and harassment in the Armed Forces.Clinical negligence claims, predominantly Claimant work, covering all aspects of medical care, treatment and surgical procedures.Regulatory & PublicFergus’ general interest in all matters relating the relationship of the individual and the state has seen his continued involvement in proceedings for judicial review and related appearances in the Administrative Court (including actions by members of the Armed Forces seeking declaratory, injunctive and compensatory remedies), as well as article 2 ECHR-compliant jury inquests.Fergus’ general interest in all matters relating the relationship of the individual and the state has seen his continued involvement in proceedings for judicial review and related appearances in the Administrative Court (including actions by members of the Armed Forces seeking declaratory, injunctive and compensatory remedies), as well as article 2 ECHR-compliant jury inquests.
Personal Injury Fiona Ross’s background is in all areas of civil law, but she now specialises in high value personal injury, disease and commercial work and has extensive experience in all areas of motor insurance fraud. Fiona is recommended for multi-track personal injury claims and has experience for acting in cases involving life-changing injuries, both on her own and with leading Counsel. She is well known for her strong trial advocacy, particularly her forensic cross-examination style and down to earth approach when communicating the issues to clients and solicitors. Fiona has a busy, nationwide practice and undertakes the full range of personal injury work, from those of high value involving multiple and severe injuries to low value whiplash injury claims. Her experience includes numerous employer’s liability claims, including the full range of statutory duties. Public liability claims undertaken include highways claims, occupiers’ liability claims and claims against persons in positions of responsibility. She also has considerable experience of drafting schedules and counter-schedules in high value cases. Her multi track work often results in representing parties at joint settlement meetings. She has considerable experience in dealing with liability experts, both in conference and by way of cross examination, and dealing with medical experts both in conference and challenging experts by way of Part 35 questions. Fiona has experience on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in cases involving chronic pain, CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) and fibromyalgia. She deals with cases of sexual and physical abuse, including historic claims, involving both vicarious liability and alleged systematic and personal breach of duty. Fiona has experience of dealing with unlawful deprivation of liberty cases and claims under the Human Rights Act. Fiona often represents clients in claims involving psychiatric injury, both “primary” and “secondary” victim cases as well as cases of stress at work. She is experienced in the cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses at trial and with all aspects of the substantive legal issues which may arise, including limitation (including as a preliminary issue) and vicarious liability. She is also experienced in vicarious liability, including in relation to workplace assaults, on and off “work time” and work premises, claims. Fiona has also represented both Claimants and Defendants in numerous occupational disease claims, such as cases of NIHL, HAVS, VWF and in cases involving the development of skin conditions such as dermatitis and occupational asthma. She has considerable experience of representing Claimants and Defendants at applications dealing with complex procedural matters and at preliminary hearings dealing with limitation arguments. Fiona is experienced in inquests on behalf of a range of interested parties, including the family of the deceased, insurers and private clients, examples of recent cases include the death of a vulnerable adult in a care home and a death resulting from an accident at work. Fiona has a keen interest in a range of travel and foreign claims has led to a developing practice representing both claimants and defendants in claims: Under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. Aboard and concerning planes and other aircraft under the Warsaw Convention and Montreal Convention; Relating to the cancellation of flights, denied boarding and flight delays under the Denied Boarding Regulation (EC 261/2004); Aboard cruise ships and other vessels under the Athens Convention; Civil Fraud Fiona has extensive experience in all areas of civil fraud, including employer’s liability and household insurance claims, but particularly in relation to road traffic accidents and travel fraud claims. Fiona deals with cases on a weekly basis involving bogus passengers, fabricated, staged and induced accidents, low velocity impacts and exaggerated personal injury and damage. Fiona is instructed on a repeat basis by most of the country’s leading firms specialising in civil insurance fraud and many of the UK’s insurance companies. She also has experience in dealing with organised fraud rings and has a wide experience of dealing with credit hire claims, usually of a significant value. Fiona advises at the pre-proceedings stage and throughout the course of litigated cases.Commercial & ChanceryFiona Ross has a primarily civil-law background and draws upon her previous work experience in the commercial sector. She has appeared for claimant or defendant in commercial and contractual disputes, and has experience representing breweries, publicans and individuals in cases concerning breach of covenant, user clauses, purchase ties and refusals to renew tenancies. Fiona has also undertaken work concerning possession actions in respect of private and social housing, acting for local authorities and housing trusts (including mortgage possessions and anti-social behaviour order applications and breaches). Fiona has experience in property disputes ranging from trusts issues to rights of way, adverse possession, restrictive covenants and trusts.
Crime Georgina enjoys a practice prosecuting and defending in equal measure. She is a grade 3 prosecutor. Her work encompasses the spectrum of criminal offending, including serious sexual offences, drugs, fraud and serious violence. Her work increasingly focuses on serious and organised crime. Georgina is adept at condensing complex matters for simple and effective presentation to lay clients and juries. She is also noted for her patience and sensitivity with victims, lay clients and their families. Georgina has recently worked overseas. As the UK Government’s Criminal Justice Adviser to Ethiopia, she worked in region to help counter organised crime, in particular human trafficking and smuggling. Regulatory & Public Georgina has regularly prosecuted on behalf of Trading Standards. As junior to Katherine Robinson, she assisted in the prosecution of a four-handed multi-million-pound conspiracy to defraud and regulatory prosecution. As part of these proceedings and many others in her general criminal practice, Georgina also has substantial experience of confiscation proceedings. Georgina has experience prosecuting offences of copyright theft and cases involving complex computer evidence. She has also undertaken cases for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.
CrimeGiles has a growing criminal practice and he undertakes all areas of criminal law for both defence and prosecution. He is a level 3 prosecutor. He has experience of presenting trials electronically and via interpreters. Giles has also dealt successfully with sensitive cases involving vulnerable parties and defendants with learning difficulties. Giles has developed a particular interest in representing football supporters who face criminal allegations of violence and public disorder. He also enjoys a strong track record of opposing football banning order applications relating to such cases.Regulatory & PublicGiles Grant is a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate. Giles has a specialist interest in firearms and shotgun certificate appeals. He is regularly instructed to advise and represent in contested appeals as well as accepting instructions to advise and represent appellants. Building on experience working in firearms licensing has enabled Giles to develop a wider interest in public licensing law, in particular in relation to cases concerning public safety and serious allegations of misconduct. Giles has been instructed on behalf of North Lincolnshire Council, Local Safeguarding Children Boards and family members in inquests. In these proceedings Giles has gained significant experience of working with and cross examining a range of expert witnesses. He takes pride in dealing with such matters with the appropriate sensitivity and consideration whilst ensuring that the interests of his clients are fully advanced.
CrimeGlenn Parsons has a predominantly criminal practice. He defends or prosecutes in serious multi-defendant cases, including murder, rape, armed robbery and fraud.Glenn has both prosecuted and defended in sex cases that were subject to the s.28 pre-recorded cross- examination procedures which were trialed at Leeds Crown court and which will now be rolled out nationwide. He is therefore very experienced in the principles and procedures that apply and in particular, to formulating questioning in line with the protocols. He is also experienced in defending or prosecuting in proceeds of crime proceedings.Regulatory & PublicGlenn undertakes all types of proceeds-of-crime work. He also has experience of prosecution work for the General Medical Council (GMC).
Children LawHelen honed her skills as an advocate in High Court proceedings dealing with the most serious allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children. She can accept instructions involving expert evidence of complex, medical issues arising from allegations of non-accidental injury, sexual assault and psychological harm. Helen has particular skill dealing with vulnerable witnesses and court users who find proceedings challenging and has experience working with Intermediaries.CrimeHelen has been a Grade 4 prosecutor and approved to prosecute Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO). She has prosecuted and defended the most serious criminal offences including murder manslaughter, blackmail, drugs (including large scale manufacture and distribution) and all manner of sexual offences, in particular those involving children, rape, voyeurism and indecent images.
CrimeHoward defends and prosecutes the whole range of serious criminal offences, including firearms offences, serious violence and large-scale public disorder, serious drugs offences, sexual offences, arson, fraud and high value dishonesty. He has represented many appellants in the Court of Appeal and regularly appears in the Administrative Court in connection with the interpretation of legislation. He has an approachable friendly manner and is regularly complimented for his clear advice.Regulatory & PublicHoward is an A-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate. He has extensive experience of prosecuting cases involving food hygiene in slaughterhouses, meat cutting plant and other food businesses. The cases involve complex EU and national legislation and highly technical scientific evidence. He is regularly instructed by the Food Standards Agency and various local authorities. He has been involved in a number of recent leading cases on the interpretation of animal welfare legislation in the Administrative Court, whilst prosecuting cases for the CPS on behalf of DEFRA. He is highly experienced in such cases and regularly advises on complex points of law and the interpretation of EU and national legislation.
Children LawHuw was a specialist family law solicitor for 13 years before he was called to the Bar in 2010. During that time, he built up an extensive knowledge of all areas of family law and was a member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel; he also held higher rights of audience, reflecting his position as an experienced solicitor-advocate. Huw specialises in cases relating to children in both public and private law cases. He regularly represents local authorities, parents, children and grandparents. As a specialist family practitioner, Huw is regularly briefed in more serious and complex cases and he has experience in dealing with cases involving serious injuries and sexual abuse. Huw has a particular interest in cases with a jurisdictional element. He has been heavily involved in a number of complex cases relating to applications to transfer to a foreign jurisdiction under Article 15 BIIR and international adoption over the last 12 months. Huw has represented local authorities, parents, grandparents and children in lengthy multi-day (15+ days) fully contested final and finding-of-fact hearings in care proceedings. He has a reputation for giving sensible and realistic advice at all stages during proceedings and for conducting hearings in a thorough and measured way.Family FinanceHuw was a specialist family-law solicitor for 13 years before he was called to the Bar in 2010. During that time he built up an extensive knowledge of divorce law and ancillary financial proceedings. Both as a solicitor and since joining the Bar, Huw has represented clients in complex and high-net-value matrimonial finance proceedings. Huw has a reputation for providing sensible and realistic advice at all stages during proceedings, and for taking a meticulous and measured approach to hearings.Court of Protection & Adult CareHuw has dealt with a number of highly complex cases in the Court of Protection, representing parents and other family members of adults who are the subject of applications under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.Regulatory & PublicHuw has a particular interest in environmental law and has degrees in geological sciences and archaeology. He is particularly interested in issues relating to contaminated land.
Ian Shiels has 22 years’ experience in the law relating to children, ranging from neonates to teenagers, and especially in public law. This includes cases, many of them very serious, involving harm through neglect (emotional and developmental), physical abuse (including fractures, brain injury through shaking, and fabricated or induced illness [FII]), and sexual abuse (including multi-generational and historic abuse). His work also involves parenting issues such as domestic violence; learning disability; mental illness; and the abuse of drugs and alcohol. He represents local authorities, parents, grandparents and other relatives, children (by their guardians) and the Official Solicitor, as well as clients with disabilities, learning difficulties and other special needs. Ian appears in the Family Proceedings Court, County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.Whoever instructs Ian gets the most meticulous preparation and his undivided attention. His forceful cross-examination style makes Gerrie Nel look like Graham Norton.
After being admitted as a Solicitor in 1998 Ian has represented clients in almost every type of criminal case ranging from driving offences to terrorism and murder. He has vast experience in the Magistrates Court and after obtaining his Higher Rights of Audience in 2008 he has frequently appeared in Crown Courts and in the Court of Appeal. Ian brings with him a wealth of experience and has represented clients from all walks of life ranging from vulnerable adults and youths to professional business people and prominent community members. Throughout the last 18 years Ian has gained invaluable experience in representing clients at every stage in the criminal process from the police station through to the courtroom. Ian has conducted numerous multi-handed complex fraud trials in the Crown Court in addition to cases involving serious violence, drugs, sexual offences and general crime.Having worked as a solicitor for 18 years Ian fully understands the continuing burdens faced by solicitors and the need to provide the highest quality representation to those facing criminal proceedings. He has a logical and pragmatic approach and an ability to quickly gain the confidence of the most demanding clients. He is conscientious and recognised for his thorough preparation.
Personal InjuryIfzal Khan has a thriving practice in the area of criminal & personal injuries and industrial disease, having been instructed to appear in a wide range of fast-track and multi-track cases. Ifzal’s prior career as solicitor provides him with an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the Civil Procedure Rules (and of personal injury in particular). His practice currently focuses on: Occupier’s liability Employer’s liability Industrial disease Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) cases Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) cases Civil Fraud Ifzal has many years’ experience dealing with hundreds of fraud cases, especially personal injury (PI) fraud cases including low-velocity impact (LVI), credit-hire fraud, phantom passengers, staged accidents and fraud rings. Ifzal dealt with fraud cases from inception to conclusion when he practised as a solicitor prior to being called to the Bar. This background provides Ifzal with an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the Civil Procedure Rules (and of personal injury in particular), and enables him to provide pragmatic and realistic prospects on merit. He has drafted particulars to a very high standard, as well as defences, witness statements and N244 applications. He provides a fast turnaround on advices and his opinions are robust. Ifzal is instructed to attend case management conferences, application hearings and trials. He has advised in conferences before and after the commencement of formal proceedings.Commercial & ChanceryIfzal Khan has a keen interest in Inheritance Act claims and believes the skills required here are similar to those which he has developed through his civil practice. In his previous practice as a solicitor, Ifzal worked in the area of wills, trusts and administration of estates for a number of years, drafting wills, lasting powers of attorney and receiverships, etc. He also regularly advised clients on matters of mental capacity and the Court of Protection. Regulatory & Public Ifzal has a mixed immigration practice. He accepts instructions in all types of immigration cases, at all levels. His experience extends to dealing with applications for bail, asylum, deportation, human rights, entry clearance, and appeals at all levels of Asylum & Immigration Tribunal (AIT).
Children Law James Hargan is a skilled and formidable advocate with considerable and wide-ranging experience acquired over 20 years in practice. He has very substantial experience in all courts up to the level of the Court of Appeal, particularly in matters before the High Court, and regularly appears against leading counsel. He practises exclusively in civil (family, non-family and Court of Protection) work, where he has an enviable reputation for meticulous preparation and in-depth case knowledge, skilled drafting, and a polished performance in court. He is a strategic thinker with a fine eye for detail, and a trusted performer known for his sound advice and approachability. James has a particular specialism and expertise in cases concerning serious non-accidental injuries to children, and child deaths, and is very experienced in dealing with cases featuring complex medical evidence from a range of medical and scientific disciplines, including in relation to mental health issues. He regularly acts for children, local authorities, and parents. He has a particular interest in cases turning on paediatric neuro-radiology.Regulatory & Public James has over 25 years experience in work involving the factual and forensic investigation of serious injuries to children, and infant death. That experience and specialism has been extensively deployed in the Family Court, routinely at High Court level and against Leading Counsel. More recently in the Coroner’s court, where James sits as an Assistant Coroner. Whilst remaining approachable and accessible to clients, James’ court work, both written and oral, is focused and analytical, and he is a confident and formidable cross-examiner of experts.Court of Protection & Adult CareJames is highly experienced in dealing with cases featuring mental health/capacity issues. He has particular expertise in cases concerning serious non-accidental injuries to children, and child deaths, and handles cases involving complex medical evidence from a wide range of medical and scientific disciplines.
Jane Curnin is the deputy head of the Family team and has specialised in children’s cases for over 30 years. Her career began as a Solicitor at Wakefield MDC where she represented the Local Authority in all levels of Court, before moving to private practice where she quickly developed a niche representing children, parents, grandparents and other relatives, as well as Local Authorities and interveners in care proceedings. Jane has a full understanding of the implications of court proceedings for those she represents whether they be children, relatives or professionals in the case. Her wide ranging experience includes the representation of young teenage mothers and fathers, disabled children and their parents, victims of serious domestic violence as well as perpetrators, adults with mental health problems and those with drug and alcohol addiction. Throughout her career she has undertaken complex medical cases including those involving physical injury (including shaken babies and child death), sexually transmitted disease found in children, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, non-regulated artificial insemination, factitious illness and chronic neglect. She also has experience in inter-jurisdictional and Hague Convention cases. Her many years in practice as a solicitor enable her to fully understand the pressures solicitors face and what is important to them. Those instructing her will find that she can quickly develop a rapport with both professionals and the clients she represents – an essential support, particularly for vulnerable children and adults. Keen to ensure that Solicitors are kept fully informed of developments in a case, Jane will always ensure timely follow up post-hearing. Jane welcomes active discussion of cases with Solicitors, and is always ready to make herself available by phone. She is seen as the ‘go to’ person in this area of law, and is a highly regarded advocate.
Regulatory & Public Janine has vast experience in the Coroner’s Court (coroner and jury) representing interested parties in inquests involving deaths in custody, neglect, medical malpractice, mental health, substance abuse, including NPS, and road traffic accidents. She has a particular interest in cases involving children and protected parties. A significant proportion of her practice sees her acting for the State, public bodies and corporations such that she is very much aware of the wider statutory considerations that may arise in any given case. The majority of cases in which she is instructed are Article 2 and jury inquests. She is very familiar with Regulation 28 issues. My experience ranges from short, natural causes deaths to cases lasting several weeks, with a number of interested parties. The cases in which Janine is instructed often attract media interest. Janine has significant experience in this area having acted for a range of government departments, local authorities, public bodies and insurers for many years. Prior to joining chambers in 2007, she was an in-house advocate in local government for five years where she encountered a number of niche areas, including education law. In addition to appearing in the Magistrates’ Courts in relation to non-school attendance, she provided advice and training to schools and councillors on a range of legal and policy-related issues arising in an educational setting, including compliance training with the then Disability Discrimination Act. Janine also works within education law and recent instructions include representing Ofsted in a multi-day appeal against a decision to remove a child-minding licence following serious misconduct and regulatory breaches, as well as acting for local authorities, defending challenges concerning special educational needs including allegations of a failure to statement or provide an EHC Plan, failure to identify, or properly identify, a child’s needs, and a failure to provide adequate provision. Such work necessarily involves a number of medical and mental health professionals and their decisions about the extent of a child’s needs. She is also instructed to provide policy advice. Recent instructions include a bespoke provision for children with significant needs, and families caring for those children, where the local authority had been found, by the relevant regulator, to be in breach of the statutory rules and procedures. She has also advised on the provision of facilities at school for transgender pupils. Janine sits as Chair on school admissions appeals. She also has experience of acting, and acts for, parents wishing to challenge the failure to provide a school place in other local authority areas. Recent instructions include a successful appeal on the grounds of maladministration in the application of the relevant academy’s policy. Personal Injury Janine has many years’ experience in casualty work acting for Claimants and Defendants. Her practice includes injury, both bodily and psychiatric, and consequential loss arising out of clinical negligence, personal injury, employers’ liability, disease, occupiers’ liability, highways, product liability, accidents abroad, and motor claims (including MIB). She has a genuine and long-standing interest in claims involving secondary victims and nervous shock having completed her undergraduate dissertation in this field. She has experience of low value claims through to large loss actions following surgery (emergency, orthopaedic/routine and cosmetic), inadequate post-surgery care and treatment, delayed and failed diagnosis, neglect, as well as claims involving compulsory detention and mental health. Janine has a particular interest in incidents resulting in loss of life, particularly those concerning children, protected and vulnerable parties. She undertakes work at all stages from initial advice through to JSMs and trial, including inquests (coroner and jury), and fully contested multi-track trials and appeals lasting several days in the High Court. A significant proportion of Janine’s current practice includes acting for NHSLAs, insurers, local government and, since her appointment as Junior Counsel to the Crown, Regional Civil Panel, in 2010, she is regularly instructed by the Crown and various State departments, both ministerial and non-ministerial. Janine accordingly has an acute understanding of the wider, potentially lasting, implications that may arise in any given case, whether it relates to policy or because of political and media interest and scrutiny and approaches every case with such matters in mind. Commercial & Chancery Janine is regularly instructed by insurers in relation to a broad spectrum of indemnity disputes involving different types of insurance, including motor, casualty, business and property. She regularly drafts pleadings, provides advice and appears in court. Many of her cases involve indemnity concerns, policy avoidance, statutory, contractual and common law recovery, and declaratory relief, including under the Road Traffic Act. She is also experienced in the sale and supply of good and services, product liability, latent defects, consumer protection, premises liability, property damage, and nuisance. Janine has significant experience in fraudulent and suspicious claims, including all aspects of exaggeration, deceit, injuries at work, slippers and trippers, staged/contrived road accidents, including stooge and ghost vehicles, ‘slam-ons’, bogus passengers, credit hire, and low-velocity impact (LVI). She instructed across the whole spectrum of court hearings, in both the County and High Courts, dealing with a variety of issues from short applications to contested multi-track trials and appeals lasting several days.
Jeremy Hill-Baker specialises exclusively in crime. He has considerable experience in complex and serious heavyweight cases, and will act for the prosecution or the defence. He is a Grade-4 and specialist rape prosecutor, adept at dealing with young and vulnerable witnesses. Jeremy’s practice also encompasses fraud, robbery, serious violence, drugs and people trafficking. He is skilled at presenting cases in a jury-friendly manner.
John Isherwood is instructed on a regular basis for both claimant and defendant clients in complex cases involving catastrophic injury and brain damage caused by road traffic, employment/occupier-related and other accidents, with instructions and paperwork processed almost invariably within a week. He also has a breadth of experience in Industrial-disease actions including mesothelioma, vibration white finger (VWF) and hearing damage claims. Instructed by some of the UK’s biggest insurers as well as local firms, he is one of the most approachable and ‘user-friendly’ juniors on the circuit.John has a ready willingness to proceed to trial, should his habitually robust negotiation style prove ineffective, where his down-to-earth approach and formidable factual recall make him a redoubtable opponent.
CrimeOriginally from Leeds, John Batchelor has specialised in defending serious crime since 1993 when he was admitted as a solicitor. He is an effective advocate and obtained his higher rights (crime) in 2005, and has appeared regularly in the crown court since. John transferred to the bar in 2016 but has over 23 years experience in advising in cases involving serious violence, homicide, drugs, public disorder, proceeds of crime, fatal driving cases, and an array of sexual offences. He has recently been placed on the Advocate Panel 2016-20 list for general crime at level 3, for the North Eastern circuit. John has also advised in serious police enquiries of national interest, including The News International phone hacking investigation. With particular experience in advising on serious fraud cases and VHCC cases brought by the CPS and the SFO (R.v.Papworth, R.v.Grove, R.v.Mitchell) he is skilled at handling complex and large electronic cases. He has a particular interest in business crime and regulatory work. John has conducted trials involving serious violence and general crime, as well as multi-handed cases. He has been led by both silk and junior counsel and brings to the Bar his wealth of experience from advising suspects at the police station all the way through to jury trial. A number of prominent figures from public life and those that have attracted media interest have been discreetly represented by John. With experience at first hand of the changes and pressure brought to solicitors in practice, John is ideally placed to assist solicitors in looking after their lay clients from a diverse and varied background. He is an affable, approachable advocate who is plain speaking in his advice when supporting his professional and lay clients. John has recently appeared in several serious sexual offence cases, including non-recent cases and those with multiple allegations and multiple complainants of all age ranges. A number of these cases involve pre-recorded cross-examination. Recently John has represented a number of people with mental health issues or additional needs. He is used to representing those with complex communication needs. Regulatory & PublicJohn has defended large SFO cases, organised fraud and money laundering cases brought by the CPS, HMRC, DWP and other agencies. He has significant experience in defending complex multi-handed frauds including Ponzi and Boiler room frauds, and cases presented on encrypted case management software. John has case managed and planned defences in many large fraud cases and has also appeared as an advocate in similar cases including those with cross-jurisdictional issues and non-domiciled defendants. As a solicitor John advised lay clients in a number of significant fraud enquiries, including The News International phone hacking enquiry. He was a police station adviser for over 20 years as well as an advocate and has also advised and appeared in money laundering and POCA cases and has significant experience in financial crime and advising in FCA compliance issues. John has recently been instructed in food hygiene and food safety proceedings brought by the Food Standards Agency. His experience extends to RAN appeals and he is familiar with all aspects of the hierarchy of the enforcement within the food industry. John has experience in defending environmental pollution and industrial waste prosecutions, and health and safety industrial accident and criminal negligence cases, together with a number of trade licence cases. In addition he has coronial law experience and has appeared at a number of inquests in West Yorkshire for medics at different levels of their career in hospital fatalities. He has also regularly advised in police investigations for all the types of work described above. He is an affable and approachable advocate who strives to give clear, concise and structured advice to his professional and lay clients alike. Children Law John has a great amount of experience in dealing with both vulnerable clients and those who find themselves in emotionally draining circumstances. He also has experience of cases involving cultural sensitivity and conflict. John has experience of both representing and challenging those with additional needs, in particular with learning or behavioural issues. He has experience in cases with intermediaries and cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses. John has a background of dealing with both sensitive and complex cases, including those with complex medical issues or conflicting expert evidence. He also has experience in dealing with issues crossing cultural and religious boundaries. Having had a long standing interest in family law since first being actively involved in care cases when in his early years John is accepting instructions in family law, and in particular in care work.
Crime Joe is a CPS Grade 2 Prosecutor and conducts all manner of cases in the Crown Court on behalf of both the Defence and Prosecution. Joe successfully ensured an acquittal in his first Crown Court trial and continues to build on that success with his incisive analysis and relatable personality. Joe regularly deals with sensitive and serious matters in the Youth and Magistrates’ Courts, including sexual and violent offences. More specifically, he has written articles and delivered seminars on the intricacies of road traffic offences and retains a particular interest in defending in such cases. Prior to commencing pupillage, Joe worked as a legal researcher for Solomonic, a start-up data company, and as a Gateway Assessor at Chapeltown Citizens Advice Bureau. Joe combines his fine legal acumen with his grounding in the local community, having attended Roundhay High School, to provide a comprehensive service to clients. Joe has a solid academic background, having studied Law at Cambridge, French Law in Poitiers and receiving numerous prizes and scholarships on his way to finishing top of his year on the BPTC and receiving a Distinction in his LLM.Commercial & ChanceryJoe has a growing practice in these areas, having been involved in a broad range of both simple and complex applications in contractual disputes. He regularly receives instructions to complete written pieces of work either drafting advices or pleadings in commercial matters. Joe has an eye for detail which assists in efficient and incisive analysis of the intricacies of contracts. Joe also has experience of insolvency proceedings, regularly accepting instructions to appear at Winding Up Petitions across the North of England. Before coming to the Bar, Joe worked with a legal tech firm, conducting research into every case decided in the Tax and Chancery Chamber of the Upper Tribunal since its inception in 2009; this allowed great exposure to the intricacies of Chancery work. Personal Injury Joe accepts instructions in a broad range of areas of civil and personal injury law. Joe has experience in complex Fast Track matters, as well as a depth of knowledge regarding procedure and substantive law relating to claims following RTAs; specifically, he regularly deals with the finer detail in credit hire claims and is aided in that by his comprehensive understanding of the case law in that area. Joe has written advices and drafted pleadings in Employers’ and Occupiers’ Liability claims and continues to grow his strengths across the spectrum of personal injury claims. Joe responds in good time to instructions and can turn work around at short notice to meet tight deadlines, maintaining the high standard of work that he endeavours to produce at every opportunity. Regulatory & Public Joe is a member of the ‘junior junior’ panel for Government Legal Department barristers. Joe has experience in all matters which touch upon the work of the police, having spent much time on secondment at the Humberside Police and South Yorkshire Police legal departments. Moreover, Joe regularly appears at parole board hearings and is looking to grow his regulatory practice in all directions. During the first six months of his pupillage, Joe was supervised by Robert Stevenson, who gave Joe tutelage in and exposure to many areas of regulatory work including inquests and Health and Safety prosecutions.
Crime Joseph Bairstow successfully completed a common law pupillage under the supervision of Christopher Moran. Joseph both prosecutes and defends in trials in the Magistrates’ Court involving serious assaults, sexual offences and domestic violence. Joseph also accepts instructions in the Crown Court in a range of hearings including appeals against sentence and conviction. Recently, Joseph appeared in proceeds of crime proceedings on behalf of the Defendant in respect of a large drug trafficking conspiracy. Joseph also prosecutes and defends in the Youth Court and has been praised for his cross-examination of young witnesses.CivilJoseph enjoys a mixed and varied civil practice, including matters regarding personal injury, insolvency and winding-up petitions. He is regularly instructed to represent both Claimant and Defendant in applications, Small Claims and MOJ Stage 3 hearings, including matters involving credit hire. He also accepts instructions to draft pleadings and advices on quantum and/or liability in a broad range of matters, including employer’s liability, occupier’s liability and negligence. Joseph recently completed a common law pupillage under the supervision of Christopher Moran. During his pupillage, he spent time with Andrew Wilson, an experienced Civil Fraud practitioner. Family Joseph accepts instructions in all children and family proceedings. Joseph has represented clients in the Family Court in domestic abuse matters.Regulatory & PublicJoseph accepts instructions in all regulatory matters. He recently appeared on behalf of the Police in a civil application under the Dangerous Dogs legislation.
ChanceryJulia’s practice principally focuses on wills, probate, the administration of estate, family provision claims under the 1975 Act and incapacity. She is frequently instructed in multi million pound estates and trusts. She regularly advises and represents clients in the High Court on cross border succession issues particularly domicile. In 2017 she was called to the Bar in Northern Ireland to advise on domicile and jurisdiction. She has a specialist interest in advising/seeking vesting orders from the English court for property inherited by minors overseas pursuant to S53 Trustee Act 1925. She regularly advises on breach of trust issues; fraud on a power; executor and administrator removal and is very familiar with applications under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958. Julia has a depth of experience in structuring post death deeds of variation both in settlement to litigation and for tax purposes. Julia is co-author of 5th edition of Rossdale Probate and Administration of Estates; a member of STEP Central London; and an editor of the Court of Protection Law Reports- Property and Affairs.Julia frequently deals with issues of professional liability which arise after the death of the Deceased including: White v Jones issues and the duty owed to beneficiaries; failure by solicitors to execute a will expeditiously in circumstances when the Deceased is terminally ill; Failure to execute a will in contemplation of marriage. She also has a wealth of experience advising on loss incurred when the Golden Rule is not followed in the preparation of wills subject to a later challenge of invalidity on grounds of incapacity and failure to meet the Banks v Goodfellow test. Julia has acted for trustees who have relied upon negligent professional advice causing the trustees and therefore the trust to incur significant and unnecessary financial obligation and invest in overvalued property. She is experienced identifying actual loss: For example the loss caused by solicitors applying for decree absolute thereby removing a widow’s pension entitlement prior to a pension sharing order taking effect – and the consequences of mitigation of financial provision through a 1975 Act claim.CommericalJulia accepts instructions on pure company matters and has a depth of experience in advising on Unfair Prejudice applications S994 and protecting the rights of minority shareholders. The fact that Julia is an acknowledged expert in this field is recognised by the fact that since 2012 she has been the contributor and author of the Unfair Prejudice Chapter in the leading text Gore Browne on Companies. Julia has worked with leading counsel defending extensive allegations of breaches of fiduciary duty against directors in two Cayman Island Companies together with multi million pound allegations of breach of contract; fraud and conspiracy. She has presented off shore seminars in Cayman on the use and abuse of directors and shareholders powers post Eclairs v JSX Oil . Closer to home Julia regularly advises directors on fraud on a power particularly in circumstances where the directors have mixed motives and the practical realities/ parameters for shareholders of the codification of directors duties in S170 and S171 Companies Act 2006 and commercial reality.Family FinanceJulia also has considerable experience acting for companies, trustees and creditors in the Family Division in Financial Remedy proceedings. She frequently advises directors and shareholders of family businesses caught up in and intervening in matrimonial proceedings, typically on share division, income and voting rights; minority shareholdings and ownership of assets. She appears regularly in the Family Division and is comfortable with the procedure and FPR and is a member of FLBA. Julia is able to give and advocate a chancery analysis to any non – matrimonial asset in danger of being swept into a global pot. She has experience of dealing with farming partnerships and assets; third party minority shareholdings in family companies; advising trustees whether or not to submit to jurisdiction; championing the rights of the company and its creditors.Court of Protection & Adult CareJulia regularly advises on issues arising with P’s Property and Affairs. She has experience of enforcing security bonds against Deputies; the appointment, removal and control of Deputies. Julia frequently advises on the procedure for Attorneys and/or Deputies to engage in to be authorised to conduct litigation on behalf of P. Statutory wills and the attorney and deputy liability for gifts/monies received and applications for approval. Her expertise in this field is recognized by the fact that she has been an editor of the Court of Protection Law Reports for Property and Affairs since 2016. Julia has extensive experience of statutory wills being used in circumstances where a legacy in an existing will has been adeemed usually by the sale of a property to meet care home fees. As an adjunct Julia is often engaged by parties seeking expertise in what amounts to preservation of property under Schedule 2 MCA 2005 of an adeemed gift after the death of P. And chancery Division proceedings after P’s death pursuing loss on behalf of the Estate because of the Deputy’s conduct – typically self dealing or sale at an undervalue. Julia also has experience of advising on statutory wills for conservative estate planning/ tax purposes in the best interests of P.
Julian is a specialist in serious and complex crime. He is instructed for the prosecution and defence in approximately equal proportions. He appears as leading junior counsel, sole counsel, and is led by Queen’s Counsel. Julian has experience of very substantial width and depth in trial advocacy, appellate advocacy, the giving of advice and case management. He brings very thorough preparation and a firm grip on case management to every case he undertakes. Julian is fully committed to giving every case the best he possibly can and those who instruct him know their case is in trusted hands. In the current resource stripped climate he will “go the extra mile” and do whatever he personally can for CPS or SFO Lawyers, Paralegal Officers and Defence Solicitors so as to make a case ready for hearing. He takes great pride in client care, whether it be working with senior prosecution lawyers and police officers on prosecution strategy, or fulfilling the pastoral side of the job with a vulnerable defence client. Julian is firmly committed to a mixed practice of both defending and prosecuting and believes experience on each side has helped him on the other. His experience includes cases involving abuse of process, judicial review, confiscation, PII, notification hearings, RIPA/IPA, witness anonymity, third party disclosure, police texts, fitness to plead. He has a particular interest and expertise in disclosure and has recently lectured to a leading Legal 500 criminal defence firm (Lloyds PR) and to senior Metropolitan Police Service detectives on this topic. Julian also has experience in the burgeoning area of private prosecutions and is instructed by a boutique firm in this area.
Children Law Julie-Ann Elliott is a specialist family practitioner engaging in all areas of children work, with particular emphasis on public law proceedings and has extensive experience in dealing with complex care proceedings. Julie-Ann has extensive experience of proceedings at all levels up to the Court of Appeal. Julie-Ann is regularly instructed in Public Law matters which involve complex non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, incest and chronic neglect. She has particular experience of dealing with cases involving parents with disabilities and additional needs, extensive medical evidence, inter-jurisdictional issues and forensic computer evidence. Julie-Ann is instructed on behalf of local authorities, parents, extended family and children’s guardians and is therefore able to bring a wide spectrum of experience to her advocacy and advice. She has a particular interest in matters concerning local authority duties and challenges to local authority decision making by way of judicial review. Julie-Ann has had significant involvement of advising and acting in such matters. Julie-Ann also has extensive experience in applications for injunctions under the HRA involving the local authority. Julie-Ann accepts instructions in complex private law matters and has substantial experience dealing with matters involving disputed territorial jurisdiction, removal from the jurisdiction/international relocation, wardship, allegations of sexual abuse, serious domestic violence and systematic abuse including false imprisonment. Julie-Ann also has notable experience in dealing with matters involving intractable contact disputes , and those necessitating expert psychological and psychiatric evidence. Julie-Ann has a particular interest in matters which involve surrogacy and is able to accept instructions in this area. Court of Protection & Adult Care Julie-Ann has an expanding practice in Court of Protection and adult care work and is able to advise and assist in all areas of work. She has experience of dealing with matters such as deprivation of liberty, capacity, accommodation, consent to treatment and sexual relations and best interests decisions. Julie-Ann’s experience in dealing with complex medical evidence has proved of significant assistance in this area. In addition to dealing with matters under the Mental Capacity Act, Julie-Ann also has experience of dealing with matters under the Mental Health Act including applications in respect of nearest relatives. Julie-Ann also has an interest in mental health review tribunals.
CrimeKama Melly QC is widely recognised as one of the foremost female advocates in the North East, known for her technical ability and as a powerful advocate. She is in constant demand from both the defence and the prosecution, receiving an increasing number of private instructions. She has a reputation for achieving positive results in cases which others have assessed as hopeless. For the past 10 of her 18 years as a barrister, Kama has specialised in criminal law. She is known for dealing with serious heavyweight crime including drug conspiracy, murder and fraud, and has considerable experience of cell-site evidence, forensic evidence and abuse-of-process applications. She specialises in sexual offences including historical cases, challenging DNA evidence, child cases, marital rape, and stranger attacks. Her practice includes quasi-crimes such as issues of judicial review, habeas corpus and extradition. As part of her ‘no stone unturned’ approach Kama has succeeded in preventing prosecutions on several occasions through mounting applications of abuse of process, including in cases of drugs conspiracies and historical sexual offences. Kama specialises in cases involving child defendants as young as 10, including 11-year-olds charged with rape and a 12-year-old charged with double stabbings. Her voluntary work with young defendants provides unrivalled knowledge of youth crime, and this was recognised when the Court of Appeal described her practice with young defendants as ‘a model’.Children Law Kama practised in criminal and family law for many years as a junior barrister, including the representation of Local Authorities, before specialising in cases of rape and serious sexual offences. Her family law practice included Public Law cases including those in High Court. Kama has dealt with cases involving significant physical and sexual abuse of children and cases of the most serious non-accidental injuries including the death of children. Kama’s criminal practice has centred on issues that have a criminal/family law crossover and have focussed on child sexual and physical abuse. Kama is the highest grade of prosecutor and a member of the CPS Rape and Sexual Offences Panel. Kama has experience of cases involving ‘baby shaking’ murder, torture of children, neglect and child cruelty. In 2016 Kama conducted a case involving joint hearings of criminal and family jurisdictions, dealing with disclosure and expert instruction. The detailed knowledge Kama has of the manner of criminal prosecutions of carers and parents would be invaluable to the robust defence of a parent accused of causing harm to a child. Kama is a nationally recognised expert at dealing with vulnerable witnesses including the evidence of children. She has delivered training on this subject to The National Bar Conference, the CPS, the National Criminal Bar Association Conference and the Family Law Bar Association. Kama is an advocacy trainer for the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (previously known as the Advocacy Training Council) and for the North Eastern Circuit. Kama is an accredited teacher of advocacy trainers. Kama’s national reputation in this field has meant that she is regularly asked to provide expert commentary for the National Media. Kama has made multiple appearances on Radio5 Live, Sky News, This Morning, BBC News Channel, and BBC Breakfast.
Kate Batty is a very experienced criminal practitioner who is frequently instructed to both prosecute and defend in serious and high profile cases. She is a Grade 4 prosecutor and a member of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel. She was formerly a solicitor and, later, a partner in a large practice in Leeds before transferring to the Bar in 2011. She has been a busy trial advocate ever since. Kate has significant experience of conducting complex and serious cases, including homicide, serious violence, drugs and fraud conspiracies, sexual offences and regulatory crime. She has spent a large proportion of 2017 and 2018 prosecuting in Operation Tendersea, a complex and high profile Child Sexual Exploitation case involving multiple vulnerable complainants and multiple defendants, click here for media coverage. She is an extremely persuasive advocate and has a high success rate in trials. Instructing solicitors praise her thorough preparation, her sound tactical approach to cases, her knowledge of the law and her excellent advocacy. Kate also has significant experience in conducting regulatory work. This experience commenced when she worked as a solicitor when she frequently prosecuted trading standards and environmental offences. Since her transfer to the Bar, she has continued to conduct this type of work, both for the prosecution and defence. Her instructing solicitors in this field commend her attention to detail and meticulous approach. Kate is a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate.
Crime Katherine is a grade 4 prosecutor and is regularly instructed in all areas of criminal law, including terrorism, serious violence and sexual cases and complex conspiracies. Katherine prosecutes and defends in a range of complex cases. She is regularly instructed in serious sexual offences, Multi defendant conspiracies and violence / homicide. Katherine has particular experience of money laundering and proceeds of crime proceedings, including all aspects of confiscation. She has lectured extensively on the Proceeds of Crime Act both from a prosecution and defence perspective for a variety of audiences including the Regional Assets Recovery Team and Local Authorities. As the UK governments Criminal Justice Advisor to Somaliland, Katherine works in the Horn of Africa on Counter Terrorism.Regulatory & PublicKatherine is well-versed in matters of regulatory law, including Trading Standards and environmental matters Katherine is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend in a range of Trading Standards, DWP and other regulatory prosecutions and is currently Leading Counsel in a multi million pound conspiracy to defraud prosecution involving three companies and their directors.
Crime Khadim Al’Hassan has a heavyweight practice in Serious crime and Regulatory matters and has been practising in the UK and abroad for over 25 years. He regularly appears before the English and international courts and tribunals, and advises on issues of jurisdiction. Khadim provides specialist advice and representation in all areas of criminal and regulatory law. His strength lies in his wealth of experience and knowledge as well as a commitment to effective case management, rigorous analysis of the relevant law and procedure, and meticulous attention to detail. He is well regarded as providing strategic advice and robust representation. He is regularly instructed in cases involving serious organised crime and regulatory offences arising out of complex investigations, and advice in respect of parallel criminal investigations and prosecutions, inquests and inquiries. He advises business and individuals in relation to all regulatory compliance issues and provides comprehensive advice to clients to ensure compliance before investigations and enforcement arises.Personal InjuryKhadim is part of a PI, industrial disease and medical negligence team which prides itself on strength in depth, consistently representing claimants in cases ranging from modest claims to catastrophic injuries. On issues of quantum and appeals, Khadim advises clients internationally before the Privy Council where countries of the Commonwealth have retained it as the final court of appeal. Regulatory & Public Khadim defends in all aspects of regulatory offences and before professional disciplinary bodies His expert knowledge and formidable advocacy skills are drawn from over 2 decades in courts, committees and tribunals at every level and description in the UK and the Caribbean. Khadim also advises and appears before the First Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), and the Administrative Court throughout the country.
Kitty Colley specialises exclusively in all areas of serious crime. She is a highly skilled trial advocate of 26 years experience; prosecuting or defending in all areas of criminal law. She recently successfully prosecuted a murder trial, having been instructed as Lead Counsel.She has a thorough, analytical and adaptable approach, and is particularly skilled in the handling of young and vulnerable witnesses and defendants. She is highly personable, putting clients from all backgrounds at ease and has a high reputation as a tenacious advocate. Kitty represents both private and publically funded clients. She is instructed in“cold case” review cases for both defence and prosecution. Over the past 15 years, Kitty has become one of the most highly rated specialists in cases involving rape and other serious sexual offences. She has both prosecuted and defended serious non-recent cases. Instructions include cases of stranger and familial rape (including at gunpoint or involving extreme violence), as well as recent and non-recent complaints and those of the utmost complexity, sensitivity or public profile. She is very experienced with multi-count indictments, multiple complainant and multiple defendant cases.Kitty has been instructed in child exploitation cases from Keighley, Rotherham and Huddersfield since 2015. She was appointed as lead defence advocate in the Rotherham exploitation trial in September 2016 and was instructed in all 3 of the Huddersfield ‘grooming case, Operation Tendersea 1, heard at Leeds Crown Court in 2018. She is currently instructed in Operation Tendersea 2 2019-2020.Kitty has extensive expertise in questioning and dealing with the most vulnerable witnesses and defendants, including those with severe communication difficulties and mental-health issues. In one case, she dealt with an autistic complainant who could only communicate through drawing. She has extensive experience of pre-recorded cross examination of vulnerable witness under the section 28 pilot scheme. Kitty also accepts instructions in all other areas of crime, including offences of violence (murder/section 18, domestic violence); robbery (knife-point and armed); drugs conspiracy; burglary and conspiracy to burgle; firearms; controlling prostitution; money-laundering; driving matters, fraud and drugs conspiracies. She handles cases requiring cultural sensitivity.
Personal Injury Laura has a busy personal injury practice, acting for both Claimants and Defendants, including on conditional fee agreements where appropriate. Laura has considerable experience of claims arising from road traffic accidents, and also of claims arising from accidents involving employer’s liability, occupier’s liability (including Highways Act claims) and holiday sickness. Her involvement in such claims is not limited to trial only but includes a range of pre-trial applications and hearings. Laura also has considerable experience in credit hire claims, familiar with all of the usual arguments and all recent developments in case law, and this is an area in which she seeks to expand her practice. Laura is available for instruction on a wide range of hearings including, but not limited to: Small claims hearings Fast track trials Disposal hearings Case management conferences Costs case management conferences Interlocutory applications Stage 3 hearings Crime Laura both prosecutes and defends in trials in the Magistrates’ Court involving serious assaults, sexual offences, fraud and domestic violence. Laura also appears in the Crown Court in a range of hearings including appeals against sentence and conviction. Recently, Laura appeared to make a bail application in respect of a defendant charged with attempted murder. Recently, Laura defended in a case of dangerous driving. The defendant was said to have driven at excessive speed, whilst disqualified and without insurance, in an attempt to evade the police. This caused a collision, and the defendant’s baby was present in the back of the car. Laura secured a suspended sentence for her client. Laura has also defended a charge of possession of extreme pornography by a prison officer. She secured her client a non-custodial sentence, the defendant receiving a community order with a requirement to complete a sex offenders’ programme. Laura is also undertaking secondment work with South Yorkshire Police, which involves advising on a number of issues including those surrounding custody and bail. She has drafted various orders including sexual harm prevention orders and domestic violence prevention orders, appearing in applications for the same. Prior to commencing pupillage, Laura was selected to work with Lawyers Without Borders in their Washington, D.C. office, supporting projects primarily focused on building capacity in respect of access to justice and the rule of law worldwide. In particular, Laura worked in collaboration with Nepalese legislators for several months, aiming to eliminate child labour within Nepal. She has also volunteered with both the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Personal Support Unit, working with individuals without legal representation for civil and family matters. Civil Fraud Laura has experience of civil insurance fraud cases. She has acted in a range of matters in relation to suspicious or fraudulent claims arising from road traffic accidents in which fundamental dishonesty is pleaded. Laura is familiar with the workings of Section 57 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 and is content to robustly defend in such suspicious or fraudulent claims. Laura’s experience includes cases involving staged accidents, low-speed impact, exaggerated personal injury and exaggerated credit hire. Laura has also acted in High Court proceedings for contempt of court, resulting from a fraudulent claim. Regulatory & Public Laura accepts instructions in a variety of regulatory and public law matters. Laura both prosecutes and defends in a range of cases involving prosecutions brought by private agencies including local councils, the RSPCA and the DVLA. Laura recently assisted in training Wakefield Metropolitan District Council on how to bring successful prosecutions. Laura recently defended a commercial waste business in a Local Authority prosecution for section 34(6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Laura has also undertaken secondment work with the NHS, providing advice on a wide range of matters including conflict of interest, responsible commissioner queries and procurement queries.Commercial & ChanceryLaura’s work involves a variety of contractual and commercial disputes. She represents clients from pre-action stages through to trial and ably advises on all aspects of potential breaches and/or causes of action. Laura is also familiar with liability orders and has frequently been instructed to oppose the making of the same. Laura is also routinely instructed in chancery matters. Laura’s recent work has included representing clients in respect of insolvency proceedings, winding up petitions and bankruptcy orders.
CrimeLaura Addy undertakes criminal work at all levels in the criminal justice system. Laura’s work is predominately defence work in the Crown Court. She is routinely instructed to defend in serious criminal cases regularly dealing with conspiracies, serious violence and dishonesty as well as sexual offences whether they are historic, stranger or recent. Laura is known to have a gentle, patient and understanding manner with clients and witnesses. She regularly is briefed to represent those who have their own challenges including those who are suffering from significant mental health difficulties. Laura’s Court manner is such that she affords trust and respect from the Judges who know Laura can be relied upon to present her case carefully, thoroughly, properly and with a persuasive turn of phrase. Laura’s passion is to ensure that her clients cases are presented in the best possible way and to ensure the best outcome for each and every one. Every client’s case is given the personal touch as everybody’s case is individual and unique and Laura appreciates how significant Court cases are in the lives of her clients. Like her defence work, Laura’s prosecution work regularly sees her deal with serious offences, including child image offences, arson, serious violence and drugs offences. Most recently Laura has prosecuted six prisoners for arson at Newhall Prison when they stripped, barricaded themselves into the exercise yard and destroyed the benches within the yard and set them alight. Laura was able to deal with this case and present the evidence clearly, concisely and with ease after conducting careful analysis of the 8 hours of footage of the offence. Laura is always fully prepared, able to deal with the unexpected, she thinks quickly on her feet and the Court and her clients appreciate her ability and professionalism such that she has repeat clients that routinely ask for her to represent them again and Judges ask Laura to assist the Court where Defendants are unrepresented.Regulatory & PublicLaura has a background in general criminal. This has led her to successfully develop a practice in areas of regulatory crime. She has significant experience in prosecuting and defending in local-authority prosecutions dealing with varying matters from noise abatement appeals, environmental matters to fishing law. More recently such work has found Laura representing Defendants in a number of different cases who have faced trading standards offences and dealing with cases of judicial review.Laura also undertakes court martial work.
Having previously been in-house as a solicitor advocate at a large law firm, Lee accepts instructions a wide range of civil and commercial litigation matters. Lee specialises in banking and financial services litigation, property litigation, claims concerning mortgages, competing interests in land, charges and security (including guarantees and indemnities), asset finance, professional negligence (particularly claims involving lawyers, expert witnesses, surveyors and valuers), product defects, consumer rights, and claims concerning the sale and supply of goods and services.Lee has many years of experience of both prosecuting and defending claims against professionals. Lee has a particular interest in claims against lawyers and surveyors.
Lee is a highly experienced specialist criminal defence counsel. He has been practising for over 30 years and has built up a reputation and following amongst solicitors and lay clients alike such that he is instructed in serious criminal cases across the country. He is deeply passionate about his cases and is committed to achieving the best result for his clients. He has appeared in many serious and high profile cases from homicides and sexual cases to international financial crime. Lee began his career as a barrister practising general common law being instructed in civil, family and criminal cases. Within a short period he was committed to an exclusively criminal practice. He built a reputation as a hardworking and talented junior barrister and was instructed in many high profile and serious cases, becoming a regular at the Old Bailey.Since 2005 (taking silk in 2010), Lee’s practice has expanded from London to serious and high-profile cases in Leeds and elsewhere on the North Eastern Circuit.
Children Law Louise has specialised exclusively in family law for over 20 years, both in private and public law proceedings. She regularly undertakes work for parents, local authorities, children and extended family. She accepts work in all tiers of court as well as both private and publicly funded work. Louise conducts public law cases involving applications for care and supervision orders; contact with children in care; discharge of care orders; placement and adoption orders; kinship care and special guardianship orders. She has considerable expertise in dealing with all aspects of child abuse and neglect allegations, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse and cases involving allegations of fabricated illness. Some of Louise’s cases have involved unusual elements including ritual abuse. Louise is increasingly instructed as a leading junior on the more serious and complex cases. She has particular experience and interest in cases involving complex and technical medical matters and is frequently instructed to conduct finding of fact hearings as to causation and identification of perpetrator of injuries. She has a considerable track record of success in assisting clients towards rehabilitation. Louise also undertakes cases which involve an international element including applications to place children outside the jurisdiction within care proceedings, and has significant experience in representing parents from diverse cultural backgrounds. She also has experience of the educational system and how this impacts within care proceedings. Louise is skilled in conducting cases where her client has a learning disability or learning difficulty, or mental health issues. Louise has considerable experience in private law cases which entail complex family conflicts within child arrangement hearings, including representation of the child in some cases. She has conducted cases which involve allegations of child abuse, domestic abuse, applications to remove from the Jurisdiction and specific issue orders. She has conducted finding of fact hearings within private law proceedings. Louise has also conducted many cases involving different cultures and languages and is experienced in working with interpreters and intermediaries. She has experience of working with BSL. Recent cases have included clients from Pakistan, Iran, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Bulgaria and Romania. Court of Protection & Adult Care Following 20 years’ experience in practice, Louise Hill has undertaken training in the protection of vulnerable adults and is keen to develop further in this area. Through her work involving vulnerable adults within children’s proceedings, she has knowledge of Community Care Act assessments.
Mark McKone practises exclusively in criminal law, appearing for the defence or the prosecution. His fields of specialism include serious sexual offences, fraud, and serious violence. He is a CPS Level 4 Prosecutor and serves on rape and serious-crime panels. He is involved mainly in serious sexual offences and homicide or serious violence, including where very young children have been seriously injured and the case turns on complicated expert evidence. Mark has accountancy experience and is also involved in fraud and money laundering. He has just finished a case where millions of pounds of drugs money was ‘cleaned’ through sham asbestos companies.He is currently involved in a large scale drugs operation [Gale park] with numerous multi-handed trials taking place in 2018 and 2019, involving significant telephone evidence. He has been involved in huge drug importation by boat and plane cases. Mark has defended and prosecuted many professional people, such as teachers, care workers, scout masters, priests, Choir masters, nurses, physiotherapists, an international rugby player and prison officers charged with serious sexual offences and some violence. He has also successfully defended a number of young students charged with serious sexual offences following drunken nights out. Many of these cases, involve allegations which go back decades. He has also dealt with many of these cases as a Recorder (part-time Judge). Mark has a reputation for very early preparation, for being very hard working and for being approachable. He appreciates the importance of an early advice on evidence, including using the right expert and of conferences, so that all involved in the case are kept informed and able to contribute to the case. Mark appreciates the importance of written advocacy as well as spoken advocacy and he has much experience of preparing written documents which will persuade the Judge to allow cross-examination on bad character and previous sexual history, where this appropriate. Sometimes the pre-trial written work, especially agreed facts from unused material- has persuaded the prosecution not to continue.
Children Law Mark Saunders has a very strong track record dealing with cases involving children, both in care proceedings and disputes between parents. In public-law proceedings, Mark regularly represents a range of local authorities as well as acting for parents and the child. He has dealt with cases involving non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, issues surrounding jurisdiction of the court, parents with learning disabilities, and substance misuse. Although Mark is instructed in applications by parents for child arrangement orders, he specialises in complicated private-law proceedings. He is generally instructed in cases where there are welfare issues affecting the children, such as domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse or child abduction. He has also represented clients where there have been attempts to frustrate the time spent with a child or children. He is experienced in cases with an international element, including applications for leave to remove a child/children from the jurisdiction as well as issues that have arisen as to the jurisdiction of the English court.Family FinanceMark is regularly instructed in applications for financial provision, from smaller money cases involving complicated factual and legal issues through to cases where substantial money or complicated assets are involved. Mark has extensive experience in applications under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. In the main, he is instructed to appear in these proceedings at either the hearing for maintenance pending suit (MPS), at the FDR or at the final hearing. He has particular expertise in instructions for multiple-day final hearings where there are either significant factual issues in dispute or extensive assets (such as complicated pension assets, extensive expert reports or international elements).Court of Protection & Adult CareMark has a growing practice in the Court of Protection. He has particular interest in deprivation of liberty (DOL) issues following recent new guidance and cases involving issues related to finances.Commercial & ChanceryMark has strong experience in cases involving the Inheritance Act & TOLATA, linked to his expertise in family law applications. He has been involved in a number of cases involving children not properly provided-for by a deceased parent and cohabitation disputes over property between unmarried parties.
Martin is a highly respected and sought after Family specialist practitioner. He is regularly retained by Local Authorities, Parents and Guardians alike, in serious alleged Inflicted Injury cases because of his reputation as a tenacious advocate who will pursue his clients case leaving ‘no stone unturned’ in seeking the best outcome for them. He has considerable experience in lengthy and medically complex cases and uses his technically astute and well prepared cross examinations and presentation to full effect. Martin also has vast experience in cases involving autism, autistic spectrum disorder, abnormal illness behaviour, fragile x and fragile x pre-mutation and poisoning. He has acted in lengthy cases of many weeks as well as being much sought after and continuously busy in the Family courts day to day. He has appeared at all tiers of the Family Court system including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. In recent years Martin has also been marked out as a significant presence in developing case law, championing the causes of his client to successful outcomes in the Supreme Court case of Re J (Children) [2013] UKSC and the case of Re A ( A Child) [2015] EWFC11, before the President. Both theses cases have become regular reference points for practitioners in this area of law. In addition to the above Martin has an extremely palatable client manner being often engaged for his skills with clients, to represent misunderstood or prejudged Parties struggling in difficult cases to have their voices heard and assisting clients with learning difficulties or mental health issues. He employs a regime of team work with the solicitor and client in his cases. He is regularly retained even before issue, in order to achieve the best possible outcome. He is approachable and accessible. Martin is a member of the chartered institute of Arbitrators following training in international arbitration adding to his already extensive skill set. He retains his links to the American Bar Association, is a member of the Family Law Bar Association and The Leeds and District Medico Legal Society.
Commercial & Chancery Matthew has extensive experience and skill in commercial and chancery work, ranging from partnership, professional negligence and property disputes to indemnity. Matthew specialises in Property Disputes & Civil Fraud. Matthew heads the Property Team at PSQB with a particular interest in property related fraud. Matthew has substantial experience in Property disputes ranging from trust issues to rights of way and tracing. This includes boundary disputes, rights of way, riparian rights, adverse possession, restrictive covenants and trusts as well as commercial landlord and tenant (including the Pub Code Regulations 2016). He regularly appears on matters before the AHMLR and related matters in the High Court. Matthew is a member of PBA and regularly lectures on matters surrounding property disputes. Matthew also undertakes a lot of interim relief work including breach of trust in an employment context, freezing injunctions and delivery up. Matthew undertakes insurance indemnity work which includes first party fraud, policy avoidance together with common law and contractual recovery. In addition, 1973, 1975 and 1996 Act claims. Matthew also undertakes professional negligence work for claimant and defendants ranging from solicitors to surveyors. He developed his practice with a sabbatical in New Zealand, working for one of the top-3 commercial firms, where he played an intricate part in a successful internet case involving contingent contracts, copyright and remoteness of damage. Matthew is a member of the British-Russian Law Association and has a working knowledge of Russian. He takes an active interest in CIS litigation involving issues of cross-border fraud, litigation and arbitration disputes. He has been invited to Moscow as a keynote speaker and has written seminars and mock trials for the Bar Council as part of the Russian Exchange Programme and the Brazilian Exchange Programme. Matthew speaks some Russian, Italian, French & German and is currently available for international gaming/licensing work. Civil Fraud Matthew has extensive experience and skill in civil fraud work ranging from disease, casualty and EL/PL fraud to property and first-party fraud. Matthew co-founded the civil fraud team in Chambers and has a national reputation in this field for effective and thorough cross-examination. Matthew has extensive experience and skill in civil fraud work ranging from disease, casualty and EL/PL fraud to property and first-party fraud. Personal Injury Matthew’s PI practice involves the bringing and defending of large loss PI cases. This usually involves the drafting of Schedules and representation at JSMs. Matthew was recently part of the team that reached settlement in a case that settled for £10m and involved the drafting of complex and thorough PPOs.17 experts were involved in relation to serious head and spinal injuries to a minor. Another case involved issues of capacity and binding offers. Matthew is a member of PIBA and lectures and writes articles on large loss PI issues. He is able to bring his vast experience of exaggerated claims to the table to ensure his clients are fully advised of all the points in their case.
Crime Matthew Harding is an experienced and accomplished jury advocate, regularly instructed in serious matters including murder and attempted murder, people-trafficking, serious violence, firearms, conspiracies to supply drugs, high-value offences of dishonesty, and rape and other serious sexual offences. He also accepts instructions in all types of confiscation proceedings. Although instructed across the entire spectrum of criminal matters, Matthew regularly acts for those charged with sexual offences. He has a wealth of experience in the questioning of vulnerable and child witnesses, and well understands the skills and approach required in this particularly challenging and sensitive area. More recently, Matthew has undertaken pre-recorded cross-examination under the Section 28 pilot scheme in Leeds, a process necessitating the early identification of the issues in a particular case and requiring careful and expeditious case management. He is an experienced and accomplished jury advocate and knows well the value of meticulously prepared examination of witnesses and a well-crafted closing speech.Regulatory & Public Matthew is a specialist in sports law, having a personal interest in the sports themselves as well as their management and governance. While he is happy to advise in all aspects of sport-related law, he has a particular interest in doping and ABP cases. Matthew brings a keen forensic eye and meticulous case-management to this fast-growing area of law.
Currently not available to receive instructions. Michael Smith has prosecuted or defended in all manner of criminal cases, with an emphasis on serious crime, for over 30 years. He is a Grade-4 prosecutor and a Rape and Serious Sexual Offences panel advocate.
Michael has 20 years’ experience of prosecuting and defending all aspects of serious crime and is a Category 4 Prosecutor. Following completion of pupillage at 3 Hare Court (now 2 Bedford Row), between 1997 and 2009 Michael was in practice at the self-employed Bar both in London and Manchester where he developed an exclusively criminal, mixed prosecution and defence, practice, and was instructed in all aspects of serious crime, including violence, armed robbery, firearms offences, arson, fatal road traffic cases, drugs importation/supply, large scale public disorder, child neglect and rape and other serious sexual offences. He was enrolled on the CPS approved list of advocates in sex cases and presented lectures within chambers on topics such as third party disclosure in serious sex cases. In 2010 Michael joined Manchester Crown Prosecution Service, which is one of the busiest Crown Advocate Units in the country. As a Senior Crown Advocate he prosecuted cases of ever increasing gravity and complexity. Although engaged in the full spectrum of criminal prosecutions, he developed a considerable specialisation in rape and other RASSO work at Category 4. Michael has extensive experience of dealing with vulnerable witness and is known for his skills and sensitivity in dealing with such cases. Additionally Michael was instructed in a number of cases by the Complex Casework Unit, involving, for example, Triad gang violence, and most recently the multiple murders and mass poisonings carried out by a nurse at Stepping Hill Hospital. In preparation for the latter Michael spent a considerable period working very closely with one of the GMP Major Incident Teams, helping to build this highly complex case. He. received commendations from both the Chief Constable and DPP for his work. Having now returned to the self-employed Bar, Michael is looking forward to developing a prosecution and defence practice once more.
Crime Michael is a RASSO-accredited Grade 4 Crown Prosecutor who regularly deals with large and evidentially complex cases involving fraud, drug supply, sex and homicide. There is currently no equivalent bench mark in defence work; if there was he would inevitably have the same standing for work of that kind. He defends and prosecutes cases in equal measure, which provides an insight often lacked by acting solely for one side. As a former duty solicitor, he understands how a criminal case proceeds from the first police interview to a trial by jury.As a former partner in a large firm of solicitors specializing in publicly funded work, he understands the pressures on the profession in the current climate and can work effectively with our partners to achieve the best possible results. Michael was a solicitor for 10 years before transferring to the Bar and was a member of the Law Society panel accredited to provide representation to people detained under the Mental Health Act. He regularly represents clients with mental-health issues and has been approved by the courts to provide representation to those adjudged to be unfit to stand trial.Children LawMichael has had an interest in Care Proceedings since first qualifying as a solicitor. Having spent a number of years involved in heavy end criminal work he has refocused his practice in order ensure he does more than just “keep his hand in” in respect of family cases. He regularly represents the parents in proceedings which involve children being taken into care. His client rapport, ability to communicate with fellow lawyers and professional witnesses make him a popular choice of counsel. He is available to represent parents, the Guardian and interested parties in these proceedings. Michael has undertaken a number of courses in order to fairly and effectively cross examine vulnerable witnesses in criminal proceedings under the new s28 procedure in certain pilot Crown Courts. This has been of enormous benefit in terms of the cross over between the two disciplines and being able to better accomplish an effective cross examination either directly with the witness or via an intermediary where the witness’s ability to communicate needs that additional input. It means he has been able to adapt to the changing landscape of advocacy as the Courts begin to adapt to ensure all witnesses are treated appropriately.Regulatory & PublicMichael has been able to bring his skills from Criminal practice into this area and regularly defends individuals and companies facing prosecution by Trading Standards, the Environment Agency and other regulatory bodies.
Michael Collins is not only a “tenacious and effective advocate he is a master tactician.” He accepts instructions in a wide range of very serious and high profile cases including, murder, rape, serious assault, firearms, fatal/near fatal motoring offences and drug trafficking. Michael always works closely with Solicitors and lay clients alike to ensure the highest standards of client care. He is particularly admired for his robust and effective style of cross-examination and his persuasive and articulate closing speeches. Michael defends and prosecutes the most serious crime cases, having specialised in criminal practice since 1998. He is a Grade 4 RASSO accredited Prosecutor and accepts private-client instructions. Michael is a very strong, experienced and sought-after crime advocate with a practice extending beyond the North Eastern Circuit. He is highly regarded, having developed a solid reputation as a very effective advocate and a formidable opponent, and is frequently instructed as counsel of choice. Michael handles the full range of criminal offences including homicide, rape and other sexual offences against adults and children, drug trafficking, violence, road traffic offences and financial crime together with proceeds of crime. His practice extends to Police Disciplinary Tribunals and he has both defended and presented at Police Disciplinary Appeals in Yorkshire and beyond in respect of a number of complex and serious allegations. Michael has represented interested parties at a number of Inquests concerning deaths in Police custody and road traffic fatalities.
Regulatory & Public Nadim Bashir is an B-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate. Nadim sits as an Assistant Coroner at the Coroners Court at South Central Wales and continues to provide representation at inquests and pre inquest reviews, particularly in relation to inquests involving members of HM Armed forces. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve, Nadim is also a prosecuting officer for the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA), where he will prosecute members of any of the British Armed Forces (British Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy), anywhere in the world and has been doing so continuously for the last 20 years with prosecutions being conducted in N. Ireland, Germany, Cyprus and as far afield as Brunei. He also enjoys a healthy defence Court Martial practice. Nadim also holds the post of Legal Advisor for the UK Reserve Forces Association which promotes the efficiency of the UK Reserve Forces by providing opportunities for education, personal development and international experience. This is achieved by sharing ideas and good practise through formal channels with UK Reserve Forces in the NATO alliance. It also works with the MOD. Together with other NATO member countries, UKRFA sit on the executive council of the Inter-Allied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) and Inter-Allied Confederation of Reserve Medical Officers (CIOMR), and thus involves participating in an international arena in representing the interests of the UK Reserve Forces to the NATO alliance. Nadim also undertakes a range of Police work on behalf of the Chief Constable, specialising in firearms/shotgun appeals under the Firearms Act 1968, Cash Detention Orders and Forfeiture Proceedings under POCA 2002 and the delivery of seminars in respect of SHPO’s under the SOA 2003 as amended. Crime Nadim is a grade-4 prosecutor who sits on CPS panels for fraud, confiscation and serious organised crime. Personal InjuryNadim takes instructions from claimants or defendants for a wide range of personal injury (PI) work, including the following: All types of interlocutory hearings, including case-management conferences, allocation hearings, pre-trial reviews and applications Multi-track, fast-track and small-claims track trials and disposal hearings MOJ stage-3 hearings. Infant approval hearings All types of written advice and pleadings. Civil FraudNadim has a particular interest in claimant and defendant road traffic accidents involving allegations of fraud and personal injury, vehicle damage and credit hire. These include allegations that an accident may have been staged or contrived, or involve bogus passenger allegations, exaggerated damage or a low-velocity impact.
Personal Injury Prior to commencing pupillage, Naomi was employed as an Advocate for a multinational law firm where she regularly attended CCMCs, CMCs, application hearings, small claims and infant approvals across a variety of personal injury cases including road traffic accident claims, employer’s liability, public liability, occupiers’ liability claims and industrial disease matters. She regularly dealt with high value cases. As a result of this experience, Naomi regularly represents Claimants and Defendants in a variety of personal injury matters at all stages of proceedings. She is happy to advise on procedure and tactics at any stage of the proceedings, and is happy to consider instructions on a CFA basis. Naomi regularly delivers training to CiLex, insurers and law firms which often include legal updates, use of practical skills and tactical advice. Naomi was employed as a Fee Earner at a large national firm where she ran a caseload of Noise Induced Hearing Loss claims and assisted with other industrial disease claims including occupational stress and HAVS. As a result she has substantial experience in dealing with industrial disease matters. Naomi accepts instructions for both Claimants and Defendants in all industrial disease matters. She is able to provide advices and settle pleadings within a short period of time. Naomi regularly deals and achieves success with credit hire matters at all stages of proceedings. Naomi regularly provides bespoke external training on the topic which ensures she is up to date on the most recent developments. Naomi has experience of dealing with Qualified One Way Costs Shifting and allegations of fundamental dishonesty. She regularly deals with matters involving civil fraud, low velocity impact cases and exaggerated personal injury claims. Empolyment Naomi accepts instructions to represent clients in all employment matters. Naomi has experience of matters involving unfair dismissal and discrimination cases. As part of her work for the Government Legal Department, Naomi is involved in matters across the full spectrum of employment issues and has particular experience of cases involving the public sector.Commercial & ChanceryNaomi accepts instructions in a broad range of commercial and chancery matters. Naomi’s work involves a wide variety of contact and commercial disputes advising on all aspects of potential breaches/causes of action. Naomi has experience in advising insurers in relation to all aspects of their contractual and non-contractual obligations. She regularly provides advice and represents parties in insolvency matters. She has recently acted in a matter involving the winding up a partnership.Children LawNaomi receives instructions from all parties involved in care proceedings and repeatedly represents parties in multi-day hearings. She is instructed on a wide range of cases including matters which involve issues of sexual abuse, physical abuse, non-accidental injuries, serious neglect, parents with learning difficulties or who lack capacity, substance misuse and oral expert evidence. Naomi also delivered training to social workers at Leeds City Council. Naomi is instructed regularly to represent parents and children in private child arrangement disputes. She provides representation at all stages of proceedings including contested final hearings and finding of fact hearings. Naomi was recently successful on appeal following the making of a final order for indirect contact. The issues surrounded domestic violence and the subsequent impact on ongoing contact between her client and their child.Family FinanceNaomi observed members of chambers in financial remedies earnings including FDRs and Final Hearings during her pupillage.Regulatory & PublicNaomi has experience of prosecuting and defending in the Magistrates Courts and dealing with vulnerable witnesses and defendants. She also has experience of dealing with the whole spectrum of Road Traffic Offences at all stages of proceedings including DVLA prosecutions and matters appearing before the traffic commissioner. Whilst undertaking a secondment for South Yorkshire Police she assisted with a variety of matters and regularly made applications for orders to protect members of the public including Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Sexual Risk Orders, Notification Orders, Violent Offender Orders and Domestic Violence Protection Orders. She also provides advice in relation to a variety of legal issues arising out of work undertaken by the Police. Naomi undertakes work for the Government Legal Department in a variety of matters including a litigation trawl for the Department for Exiting the European Union. Naomi also undertakes work in the Coroner’s Court acting for a range of interested persons including the Care Quality Commission. She has also assisted with any issues of disclosure arising during the life of proceedings. She is happy to assist and advise at all stages. Naomi offers continuity of representation from inquests to civil actions for damages arising post-inquest.Court of Protection & Adult CareNaomi has recently undertaking a secondment for the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group where she regularly advised on and assists with Court of Protection matters. Naomi is very interested in this area of work and is keen to build on her current experience.
Crime Narinder Sekhon’s practice reflects a mixture of criminal matters, and he undertakes both prosecution and defence work. Throughout his career, Narinder has acquired specialised knowledge of matters involving cell-site analysis involving mobile-phone technology, scrutinising forensic accounts, DNA evidence, and analysing specialist medical reports. Often it is through his persistence in ensuring the proper service of prosecution disclosure that dismantles the heart of the prosecutions case. Narinder’s practice is exclusively serious crime and invariably acts as leading counsel due to the complexities of the matters in which he is instructed. Many of his cases have a cross border dimension and he is always willing to assist his instructing solicitors in retrieving evidence from foreign jurisdictions. Narinder has an underlying passion to ensure fairness is delivered and has a reputation for pursuing this both at first instance and at a higher level. Many of his cases have attracted media publicity.Personal InjuryNarinder practices in personal-injury matters for either claimant or defendant, and is happy to accept instructions on a conditional fee agreement. He regularly provides advice and opinions on quantum and prospects of success in road traffic claims and employer’s liability.Regulatory & PublicNarinder has acted for individual appellants in immigration and asylum matters. He has experience in handling appeals before the Immigration Appeal Tribunal as well as both advising and conducting judicial review matters.
Children Law Natalia Perrett specialises in private and public children law. Natalia has extensive experience of representing parents, children and local authorities in complex family law cases, covering issues such as serious non-accidental injury, severe sexual abuse (including historical allegations), parents with mental-health issues and learning disabilities (with and without the assistance of the official solicitor), and injunctions raising human-rights elements. With regard to her expertise in matters of jurisdiction, Natalia has successfully argued lack of jurisdiction in the High Court concerning a child born in Ireland, and successfully argued for transfer of proceedings under Article 15 BRII to Hungary. The child was subsequently repatriated to Hungary where the mother was residing. Natalia has significant experience of representing clients in complex private family cases, including serious domestic violence, implacable hostility and sexual abuse (on a number of occasions successfully securing judgments of no findings for the alleged perpetrator). She has also successfully represented parents in cases involving removal from the jurisdiction, internal relocation and temporary removal disputes. Natalia has represented CAFCASS Legal in forced-marriage proceedings in relation to a 13-year-old girl abducted to a non-Hague Convention Country in the midst of civil war. She has regularly represented parties in cases where child abduction is a key concern. Court of Protection & Adult Care Natalia's keen interest in this exciting and expanding area of law began with her dissertation in mental-health law (which earned her a first-class mark). Natalia has recently led a junior member of chambers in a complex matter which involved an examination of the rights and legislative provisions surrounding the safeguarding of vulnerable adults living in children’s homes and residential special schools. This led to the preparation of complex legal submissions within the Re X and Others (Deprivation of Liberty) [2014] EWCOP 25 litigation, in which the President of the Court of Protection, Sir James Munby, provided guidance on the practical and procedural implications for the Court of Protection following the Supreme Court’s decision in Surrey County Council v P [2014] 2 WLR 642. She has acted for clients in mental health review tribunals, including a particularly complex matter concerning the detention of a 36-week pregnant client with an unspecified eating disorder. Natalia has also appeared for the local authority in Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council v GS and Another [2014] EWCOP 46, where Holman J determined that relevant legislative provisions (regulation 17A of the Children’s Homes Regulations and para 3.19 National Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes) did not, in the case of GS, prevent the court from authorising a deprivation of liberty where such deprivation of liberty pursued a legitimate aim and was necessary, proportionate and in GS’ best interests. She also successfully contested the appointment of a health & welfare deputy, and advised and acted in contested issues concerning the residence of ‘P’ and restriction of contact.
Children Law Nicholas Stonor QC was called to the Bar in 1993 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2015. He is a family law Silk, as well as Court Recorder, specialising in cases involving children and vulnerable adults. Nicholas is regularly instructed in complex care proceedings. He has a particular interest in cases involving disputed medical evidence (including suspicious death, factitious and induced illness, shaking and sexual abuse), jurisdictional and international issues, cultural/religious issues, human rights issues, and interfaces between the Family Court and the Court of Protection. Nicholas represents family members across the spectrum of private law disputes and has a particular interest in relocation cases. Nicholas provides advice and representation, often at short notice, for NHS Trusts, local authorities and family members where the treatment plan for a child or vulnerable adult is in dispute. Nicholas provides advice and representation, again often at short notice, for local authorities and family members in cases involving alleged forced marriage. Nicholas has a particular interest in cases involving high net worth and/or hidden assets. Nicholas is regularly instructed by local authorities and other public authorities to advise on safeguarding and policy issues in connection with the discharge of responsibilities towards children and vulnerable adults. Recent instructions have involved serious case reviews, safeguarding adult reviews and financial support for family carers. Court of Protection & Adult CareNicholas represents vulnerable adults (by litigation friends including the Official Solicitor), local authorities and family members. He has a particular interest in cases where the Court of Protection jurisdiction overlaps with the care or forced marriage jurisdictions. In September 2015, Nicholas chaired the Court of Protection Practitioners Association (CoPPA) annual national conference in Leeds.
Oliver Saxby QC was called to the Bar in 1992 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013. Since then, he has gained a significant reputation for his robust and meticulous approach, having gained particular expertise in serious sexual allegations, joint-enterprise and other complex murder and manslaughter cases. Oliver was shortlisted for Crime Silk of the Year 2019 by both Chambers UK and the Legal 500, the only Criminal Silk to be shortlisted by both of the two definitive guides to the profession. Oliver’s experience in defending serious sexual allegations involves particular expertise in advising on the investigation and charging of multi-handed, multi-complainant sexual exploitation cases, presenting such cases before a jury, and preparing and presenting the defences of those charges with multi-complainant sexual offences. His practice has regularly involved examining in chief and cross-examining vulnerable witnesses, and he has vast experience in building a case around voluminous third party records. Oliver has extensive experience in a great variety of homicide cases. He receives regular instruction on gangland and multi-handed/joint-enterprise killings, gross negligence homicide and multiple homicide. His practice has also involved presenting defences such as loss of control, diminished responsibility and associated mental disorders/illnesses. Oliver has regularly provided opinions in areas such as ballistics/firearms and causation, specifically in the context of medical mistreatment and the administering of drugs/other substances. Niche areas on which Oliver has been instructed include DNA/blood splatter and distribution, pathology and neuropathology and baby shaking.Outside of sexual offences and manslaughter, Oliver has a successful practice in serious and complex drugs offences, serious fraud and regulatory offences. He represented the First Master of the ferry of the Pride of Bilbao on charges of ‘marine manslaughter’ arising from a high-profile fatal collision with a yacht in the Solent.
Patrick Palmer undertakes defence and prosecution work of all types, especially serious sex offences (recent, historic and institutional); murders; frauds all types (largest £25 million); corruption-related matters (including police); death by dangerous and careless driving; large conspiracies to supply drugs; and sensitive and high-profile cases. Patrick has appeared in all criminal and civil courts, including the House of Lords — but not, as yet, the Supreme Court.
CrimePaul has extensive experience in dealing with serious sexual offences, particularly cases involving vulnerable and young witnesses. His ability to handle victims and witnesses in a sensitive, thoughtful and caring manner is well regarded. He also deals with cases involving serious violence, such as Manslaughter and Attempt Murder, complex fraud and organised crime conspiracies. He prides himself on his preparation and case handling. Paul not only has prosecution experience but has extensive experience in handling the most serious of Defence cases, involving Attempt Murder, Manslaughter, S.18, Rape and complex organised crime prosecutions and frequently appears as the lead Defendant in multi handed cases. He has also been led in seven murder cases.Regulatory & PublicPaul has a keen interest and compressive knowledge of military matters and law and has regularly appeared at Court Martial hearings
Commercial & ChanceryPaul Dunn is the deputy head of the Civil Team and is frequently instructed to act on behalf of claimants or defendants, in broadly equal measure, in relation to disputes between private individuals and/or businesses which involve a wide range of areas of law (many of which are the subject of proceedings in the High Court). Paul is a former solicitor-advocate, accredited as a civil and commercial mediator both by Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and the ADR Group. He holds an Advanced Certificate of Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He has a busy practice drafting all manner of pleadings required in civil litigation, including particulars of claim, defences, counterclaims, contribution proceedings and schedules and counter-schedules of loss, often within very tight timescales. Paul advises in writing and in conference (including by telephone) on liability, causation, quantum, prospects of success, evidence, tactics and procedural matters.Paul Dunn has a keen interest in all aspects of housing and related litigation. Paul accepts instructions on behalf of both public and private landlords and tenants at all stages of proceedings, advises in writing and drafts statements of case.Civil FraudPaul previously practised as a solicitor and solicitor-advocate. He spent 10 years with one of the country’s largest law firms, acting exclusively for insurers of all sizes. In the context of his general civil insurance fraud practice, Paul has experience of dealing with holiday sickness claims at trial and witnesses giving evidence via video link. He recently has provided bespoke training to a large national firm of solicitors on this topic. Now practising as a barrister specialising in civil fraud, Paul draws on this experience when advising clients, drafting pleadings and appearing in court in relation to claims involving all forms of suspected civil fraud.Personal InjuryPaul worked as a solicitor for over 11 years before being called to the Bar. During this time, he specialised in personal-injury work including employers’, occupiers’ and public liability; industrial disease (including dermatitis, work-related upper limb disorders, noise-induced hearing loss, respiratory disease etc); and road traffic accident claims. Paul now represents claimants or defendants, in broadly equal measure, at fast- and multi-track trials, disposal (including RTA Protocol Stage 3), small-claim, infant approval, directions, allocation and application hearings, as well as case-management conferences. He also undertakes clinical-negligence work, sports and travel/holiday law and claims involving animals. He has a busy practice drafting all manner of pleadings required in civil litigation, including particulars of claim, defences, counterclaims, contribution proceedings, schedules and counter-schedules of loss, often within very tight timescales. Paul advises in writing and in conference (including by telephone) on liability, causation, quantum, prospects of success, evidence, tactics and procedural matters, and is happy to receive instructions to act under a conditional fee agreement (CFA). Paul regularly appears before tribunals in Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) cases and represents insurance companies and self-insured organisations appealing decisions made by the Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU) in terms of the recoverability of benefits in personal-injury cases.Court of Protection & Adult CarePaul has experience of representing members of the families of adults in the Court of Protection in cases involving the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
During his career as Silk; Peter has been instructed in lengthy, complex, joint-enterprise murder and manslaughter cases for the Prosecution and Defence. He has prosecuted and defended in multi-defendant international and domestic conspiracy cases. He has appeared in homicide cases involving loss of self-control, self-defence, abnormality of mental functioning, and cases involving complex medical-causation issues. He has defended regularly in multi defendant cases involving “cut – throat”defences. He is very well versed in the analysis and presentation of complex telephone evidence and able to challenge attribution and other evidence relating to the seizure and alleged use of electronic devices. Peter has defended in lengthy complex cases involving spousal and other familial homicide and in many “one punch manslaughter” cases. In November 2016 Peter was leading counsel for the Crown in his fifth multi-defendant joint enterprise murder by shooting. He has prosecuted and defended in numerous joint enterprise knife-crime homicides. Additionally, in February 2017 Peter was leading Counsel for the Prosecution in a multi defendant motor – manslaughter “cash for crash” case. In March 2017, Peter defended in a case involving the murder and serious serial physical abuse of a baby aged four and a half months. This involved the assimilation of, and challenge to, highly complex pathological, neuropathological and histo-pathological evidence. In April 2017, Peter defended in a murder case involving loss of self-control involving complex psychiatric issues. In addition to the forgoing, he is instructed regularly by the defence in a range of cases on a privately paid basis. He has successfully defended clients from the professions. Peter has recently returned from a month in Nigeria, having been invited by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office to advise Nigeria’s elite advocates on the investigation and presentation of counter-terrorism cases. Peter continues this specialist training for elite Prosecutors and Judges in Tanzania and Somaliland.
Peter works exclusively for insurers defending suspicious or fraudulent personal injury claims, usually arising out of actual or alleged road traffic accidents. This has been his sole area of practice for over a decade. He works for all the major solicitors in his practise area and is involved at each stage of the claims process, from pre-action advice and conference work through to trial advocacy. eter has extensive experience of the numerous forms of suspicious/fraudulent claims including low speed impact claims, bogus passenger claims, deliberately induced collisions, staged accidents, fabricated accidents and fraud rings. He often acts for insurers who have withdrawn indemnity from their insurer clients. Such work frequently involves special damages claims for recovery, storage, hire and rehabilitation charges. Whilst Peter retains a healthy paperwork practise, recently his workload has been focussed pre-dominantly on trial work. In relation to his trial preparation, given that very detailed analysis of the evidence is required in order to prepare to the highest standard, Peter usually ensures that at least one full day is booked out of his diary for that purpose. As a result, he self-limits the number of trials he does to a maximum of 3 per week. Peter frequently lectures to his instructing solicitors, insurers and others within the industry, on developments within his practise area. He is also an advocacy trainer for the ‘North Eastern Circuit New Practitioners Programme’. Peter’s abilities in his practise area have been recognised in both ‘The Legal 500’ and ‘Chambers & Partners’ for many years
An experienced criminal defence practitioner. Rebecca Randall is recognised for her straightforward and tenacious manner, not afraid to give difficult advice but always working in her client’s best interests. She has wide experience of multi-handed conspiracies involving drugs and violence and has and has been frequently instructed in complex, high profile cases where she has an ability to get to the heart of the matter. She has a reputation for defending in difficult and sensitive cases of a sexual nature, often dealing with vulnerable clients and witnesses with complex legal arguments. Rebecca specialises in drugs, firearms, homicide, serious violence and sexual offences.
Crime Richard Wright QC is a criminal advocate who has defended or prosecuted many of the highest-profile cases in the North of England. He was described as “the standout junior” on the North Eastern Circuit (The Legal 500, 2011) and “in the ascendant” (Chambers and Partners, 2013). He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013 and, since taking silk, has been constantly in demand to act in a series of significant and complex cases. In addition to his portfolio of legally aided cases, Richard regularly acts for companies and individuals on a private-fee basis in both criminal and regulatory cases (particularly environmental, health & safety and food-hygiene breaches). As the only QC in England and Wales currently sitting as a deputy district judge (magistrates’ courts), Richard is often retained to act on a private basis in driving cases, of which he has acquired an extensive and specialist knowledge. Regulatory & PublicDescribed in legal directories as a “born leader” and “masterful silk” he has been instructed in a wide range of regulatory cases. His regulatory practice includes Health & Safety cases, those involving Environmental Waste, Fire Safety, Food Safety (particularly food allergen cases), Food Hygiene and Animal Welfare cases brought by DEFRA and he has been instructed in the highest profile Gross Negligence Manslaughter prosecutions. Richard also has particular expertise in Trading Standards prosecutions and his keen tactical judgement has led to him often being retained at an early stage in proceedings to provide advice to individuals and companies. This often results in the successful defeat of investigations before they result in charges. Richard also acts in professional disciplinary and misconduct cases.
Richard Woolfall deals with serious sexual offences and is a specialist rape prosecutor. He appears for the Crown (as a Grade 4 Prosecutor) or for the defence, in particular and including eliciting the evidence of children and vulnerable witnesses. He also has strong experience in cases involving drugs and violence.
Clinical NegligenceRichard Paige’s background is in all areas of civil law, but he now specialises in clinical negligence, personal injury and civil insurance fraud. Richard is a contributor to Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Service (RTA, Highways, Animals, Fatal Injuries) During his MA course, Richard became familiar with many of the issues arising in medical law and has been instructed in cases against NHS trust hospitals, health authorities, prison hospitals and doctors, dentists and nurses in private practice. He has particular interest in issues relating to consent to treatment. Richard regularly advises from the very inception of a claim through to trial and has experience drafting all statements of case and comprehensive schedules and counter-schedules of loss. As well as drafting, advisory and court work he frequently attends joint settlement meetings and mediations. He conducts conferences with experts to test the strength of their evidence. He has dealt with a variety of claims including delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, failure to obtain informed consent, negligently performed surgery and negligently conducted joint replacements. Richard is experienced in conducting joint settlement meetings (JSMs), round table meetings (RTMs) and mediations on behalf of clients. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).Personal InjuryAs well as clinical negligence and civil fraud, Richard also accepts instructions in ‘standard’ personal injury claims on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants. He undertakes Fast Track and multi-track personal-injury cases involving accidents at work, highway accidents, road traffic accidents, civil-abuse claims and industrial-disease cases (including asbestos related diseases, HAVS and NIHL). He is experienced in advising at all stages of proceedings on liability, causation, evidence and quantum, as well as drafting statements of case. He has significant experience on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in cases involving chronic pain, CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome), fibromyalgia, other pain disorders and somatoform disorder where exaggeration and/or fraud are alleged. An online calculator developed by Richard to ease calculations of inflation for personal injury awards was adopted by Lawtel and now features on their website. Richard accepts instructions in all areas of professional negligence but primarily in relation to the negligent handling of personal injury and clinical negligence claims by solicitors and expert witnesses. Richard is a Committee member of the Leeds and District Medico-Legal Society Civil FraudRichard practises in civil insurance fraud. He was a founding member of the civil fraud team at Sovereign Chambers before the merger which formed Park Square Barristers. Richard is instructed by most of the country’s leading firms specialising in civil insurance fraud and many of the UK’s insurance companies. Richard has extensive experience in all areas of civil fraud including employer’s liability and public liability, but mainly in relation to road traffic accidents. He has been instructed on numerous occasions in cases involving fabricated, staged and induced (‘slam-on’) accidents, bogus passengers and phantom witnesses, low-velocity impacts (LVIs), and exaggerated personal injury and damage claims. He has expertise in dealing with individual frauds, group and family frauds, and wider criminally organised fraud rings. Richard is also the head of the holiday sickness claims team and has been at the forefront of defending such claims. He has provided training to firms and holiday companies to assist in identifying fraudulent claims and strategies to improve success rates. He regularly advises and represents many of the larger holiday companies. Richard is able to advise at the pre-proceedings stage and to conduct conferences with clients and witnesses to test the strength of their evidence in cases where credibility is crucial. He uses his extensive forensic skills when preparing and drafting the detailed defences essential in civil fraud cases, as well as appropriate part 18 requests and applications for specific disclosure. He deals with all interlocutory applications which might arise in civil fraud cases, and has defended many cases at trial both on the Fast Track and multi-track. Following the introduction of qualified one-way costs shifting (QOCS), Richard has advised and represented clients in many cases where a finding of Fundamental Dishonesty has been sought. Regulatory & PublicUsing his experience and expertise in medical law, Richard has represented the interests of many families at inquests where their loved ones have died whilst in the care of health professionals and at hospital. Richard has also regularly been instructed to attend inquests by quasi-government organisations and companies with government contracts where the deceased has died whilst in custody. Tying in with his practice in personal injury, Richard has been instructed on behalf of both families and insurance companies at inquests arising from fatal road traffic accidents. He is experienced in attending Article 2 inquests on behalf of families and state institutions Richard graduated from Oxford University in Physiological Sciences before completing a master’s in Medical Law and Ethics. He represents all healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, dentists, physiotherapists) at disciplinary tribunals where their conduct is scrutinised and their right to continue practice is at issue. Richard acts on behalf of Claimants in claims against local authorities arising from Court of Protection work often involving children and their families, such as unlawful deprivation of liberty and claims under the Human Rights Act. Richard obtained his Blue in athletics whilst at Oxford University and had a successful career competing for one of the leading athletics club in the country before hanging up his spikes. He continues to have a keen interest in athletics and many other sports including rugby, cricket, rowing, squash and croquet.
CrimeRobert has a very busy and well-respected criminal practitioner who prosecutes and defends in equal measure, dealing with serious and complex cases. He is an experienced and accomplished advocate, regularly instructed in cases of serious violence and organised crime including firearms, drugs, money laundering and people trafficking. He is an approved Fraud and RASSO prosecutor whose caseload includes large-scale financial crime, rape and other serious sexual offences. He is regularly instructed in multi-handed cases and is known for his calm, sensible and thorough approach. Robert regularly deals with sensitive issues of disclosure and public-interest immunity, including surveillance, informants, and intercept material. Robert recently received a commendation from the Home Office for ‘Excellent investigative work, demonstrating tenacity under extreme pressure to find the evidence to convict those found to have abused the immigration system’. He has prosecuted and defended in cases which have included evidence obtained from abroad and has argued jurisdictional issues, including the admissibility of such evidence and whether the case was properly prosecutable in the UK. Robert has sound judgment and is known for his honest and straightforward advice. He is a robust and effective advocate with a pleasant manner. He regularly acts for companies and individuals on a private-fee basis in both criminal and regulatory cases, in particular health & safety, road traffic and environmental cases. Regulatory & PublicRobert is an A-list Specialist Regulatory Advocate and acts for the prosecution and defence in many areas of regulatory & disciplinary law. He is an approved advocate on the list of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health & Safety and Environmental Law. Robert acts for the prosecution and defence in many areas of regulatory & disciplinary law. He is an approved advocate on the list of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health & Safety and Environmental Law. His regulatory practice includes Health & Safety, Sports Law, Trading Standards, Environmental, Road Traffic, Licensing, Food Safety cases and many more. Robert has extensive experience of Health and Safety cases, often involving fatalities or serious injury. He is also regularly instructed to appear before the Coroner’s Court in relation to inquests into death on behalf of HSE or other interested parties. He has conducted many environmental cases, including allegations involving the operation of regulated facilities without an environmental permit; keeping/treating controlled waste without a waste management licence; and other waste management offences. He has also conducted a number of water pollution cases, including the disposal of diesel and other noxious substances into the waterways. Robert has conducted numerous appeals against both conviction and sentence in the Court of Appeal and has also appeared in the High Court in a case stated appeals. As a former semi-professional footballer, Robert has an excellent understanding of all rules and regulations issued by FIFA and the Football Association. He has a keen interest in many sports which makes him the perfect choice for all types of sporting disciplinary cases. Robert also conducts appeals, and provides advice upon appeals, against Licensing Committee decisions.
Robin Frieze has over 30 years’ successful practice in criminal law in West Yorkshire. He has conducted over 700 Crown Court trials, including numerous cases of murder and serious sexual offences. Robin is particularly noted for his effective jury advocacy and sensitive handling of clients, and is regularly instructed by a wide range of solicitors.
Rukhshanda is an experienced Crown Court advocate who has defended and prosecuted all types of serious crime both as a Led Junior and as a Leading Junior. Her wide experience covers all aspects of crime includes murder cases and serious violence and multi handed conspiracies involving international drug trafficking and fraud, and has both defended and prosecuted in a number of police Operations. She specialises in serious sexual offences, such as rape, child abuse, historical sex abuse and more recently has been involved in multi handed sexual grooming cases. Rukhshanda is known for her down to earth approach and ability to communicate well with both those she represents and indeed those who instruct her. She is an effective advocate and has the skill of being both robust and sensitive when appropriate in court. Regardless of the outcome ,both her professional and lay clients are invariably extremely satisfied with the way in which she conducts their cases.
Children Law Sally Devall has specialised in family law since 1999. She undertakes all types of family work, but specialises in complex and protracted care cases involving infant deaths, serious injury, and sexual and/or physical abuse. She is equally well-versed in acting for local authorities; parents and other family members (particularly grandparents); and for children, which ensures a well-balanced and high level of expertise when it comes to advocacy. Sally has dealt with a large number of Hague Convention (and non-Hague Convention) removal-from-the-jurisdiction cases and child-abduction cases, both in the context of care cases and in the context of private law cases. She has an extremely good working knowledge of the Brussels Regulations and cross-jurisdiction recognition and enforcement. She deals with serious and complicated private law matters, including those involving significant allegations of domestic violence, implacable hostility, contact disputes and marriage nullity.Sally also deals with cases involving forced marriages and ‘honour killings’, and is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to cultural issues arising from family cases.She has particular expertise in dealing with clients with extreme learning difficulties, mental-health problems, psychological/personality disorders, and/or child/youth clients. This is greatly assisted by Sally’s background in psychology, counselling and child therapy.Sally has dealt with a number of cases involving same-sex relationships, and is well-versed in the case law relating to the difficulties faced in the family courts by same-sex couples.Family Finance Sally has been practising in financial remedies since 1999. She deals frequently and confidently with financial-remedies cases involving high-value assets, complex business structures, family trusts, and assets outside of the jurisdiction. She has experience of both foreign and domestic trusts as well as providing advice and assistance with the drafting of pre-nuptial agreements and pre- and post-separation agreements. She frequently deals with cases involving multiple parties and interveners and cases involving complex issues of conduct. She practises in all courts and has regularly been instructed in difficult high-net-worth High Court matters. In addition to financial remedies cases, Sally regularly undertakes cases relating to non-matrimonial finances such as TOLATA applications, cohabitation cases, civil-partnership issues, Inheritance Act claims, and Schedule-1 claims.Court of Protection & Adult CareSally has a background in psychology and is well-placed to accept instructions in Court of Protection and adult-care work. She accepts instruction and is prepared to act for clients in mental health review tribunals. She is known for her fresh and empathetic approach to clients and has an expanding practice in the Court of Protection/adult care arena. Sally is able to advise and assist in all areas of Court of Protection work, including best interests, deputyship, finances, property, capacity, accommodation, deprivation of liberty, contact, residence, statutory wills, consent to treatment, and consent to marriage and sexual relationships.
Crime Shufqat is a very experienced criminal barrister who is regularly instructed in the most serious cases. He is very highly regarded and is known for his thorough approach and his ability to identify and concentrate on the essential issues involved in achieving the best outcome. Shufqat is approachable and has an easy going manner with clients. This is complemented by a firm and robust approach in court. In recent years he has concentrated on and developed an enviable defence practice. Regulatory & Public Shufqat has been instructed in regulatory and disciplinary cases including food safety and hygiene, licensing and environmental waste. He represents both companies and individuals on a private fee basis. He has extensive experience in dealing with all aspects of confiscation and forfeiture proceedings. He has advised professional clients on money laundering, corruption and fraud.
Simon has practised in the field of healthcare regulatory law for over a decade and joins the Bar and Chambers to develop his advocacy experience and skills in this practice area. Simon is an accomplished inquest advocate with his inquest experience involving the representation of individual healthcare professionals of all disciplines and specialities and healthcare corporates – urgent care centres/ out of hours’ service providers, care homes, pharmacies – in traditional inquests. Simon also has substantial experience in representing Health in Justice providers in enhanced inquests engaging Article 2 ECHR and heard by a Coroner sitting with a jury. His inquest practice extends nationally. In addition to his inquest work, Simon is significantly experienced in advising and representing healthcare professionals in criminal investigations and proceedings. His criminal law experience has involved advising clinicians under investigation in relation to offences such as gross negligence manslaughter, sexual assault, wilful neglect, fraud, perjury and perverting the course of justice and in regulatory investigations brought by the CQC. Simon is often instructed to represent clients in investigations and proceedings arising from the inquests or criminal investigations in which he has been involved and prosecuted by national (GMC/ GDC/ GPhC/ GOsC) and local (NHS England) regulators in which a practitioner’s right to continue in practice is in issue. Simon’s experience also includes the representation of professionals involved in employment disciplinary investigations and proceedings (MHPS). He has a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework governing the conduct of such matters which he has deployed in successfully and favourably concluding many disciplinary investigations. Simon has also advised in healthcare related information law, public law and human rights cases. Simon’s healthcare regulatory practice is rooted in his extensive medical knowledge, his in-depth understanding of the social and political realities of the practice of medicine in all of its guises and also the legal structures in and under which practitioners and providers operate.
Personal InjurySimon is a leading name in employers’ liability personal injury claims on the North Eastern Circuit. He is especially well regarded for his enthusiasm and proficiency in the niche discipline of occupational stress. Renowned as a fearless trial advocate, he has achieved successful outcomes in claims arising from psychiatric injuries caused by breaches of contract, bullying, discrimination, harassment (both s.26 Equality Act 2010 and Protection from Harassment Act 1997 claims), nervous shock, overwork and protected disclosures. As well as psychiatric injury claims, Simon is known for his interest in chronic pain conditions that typically involve a psychological component, such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (C.R.P.S.), Fibromyalgia, Somatic Symptom Disorder, neuropathic pain and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). In particular, he has considerable experience of effectively adopting a multidisciplinary approach both to establishing and challenging chronic pain claims, including the identification of exaggerated or false claims. Simon is popular with claimants and is noted for his excellent client care skills, particularly with individuals who have suffered life-altering psychological harm. Whether in conference or cross-examination, engaging with forensic psychiatric experts comes as second nature, as likewise does drafting high-value schedules of loss that span the remainder of a person’s working and pensionable life. Having background in both personal injury and employment law makes Simon especially well-suited to advise on jurisdictional issues including limitation, alternative causes of action, cause of action and issue estoppel, damages and costs. As a training provider he delivers seminars for solicitors specialising in psychiatric injury litigation, and has hosted stress related health and safety courses for managers in the public sector and in industry. He is instructed nationally by leading disease firms. Occupational stress aside, he has a strong practice in other disease claims including pulmonary and skin conditions, hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). For many years he successfully defended public liability housing, highways and occupiers’ claims. Simon is viewed as an expert on limitation in the context of personal injury litigation, and is naturally proficient in all areas of civil procedure.EmploymentSimon’s employment law practice encompasses all aspects of individual employment litigation, including contractual disputes, unfair and wrongful dismissal, redundancy, the transfer of undertakings, protected disclosures and equality claims. He has also been involved in professional disciplinary hearings and local-authority health & safety notice appeals.Simon is highly regarded for his ability in claims relating to discrimination, victimisation, bullying and harassment. A complementary background in personal injury law also enables him to offer comprehensive practical and tactical advice in the specialist field of occupational stress. He is experienced in managing lengthy multi-party tribunal hearings featuring complex issues of fact and law, conflicting expert medical evidence, high-value schedules of loss, and jurisdictional points. Simon has had High Court involvement in executive-pay claims and the enforcement of post-termination restrictive covenants, including obtaining interim injunctive relief. He has notably acted for solicitors threatened with proceedings in the tort of conspiracy resulting from recruitment. Simon has also been involved in claims based in contract and misrepresentation for losses sustained as a consequence of an employee’s breach of the implied duty to take care.
Currently not available to receive instructions. Simon Haring has defended or prosecuted criminal cases at all levels.
Civil Fraud Simon specialises in representing insurance companies in claims where fraud is suspected or explicitly alleged. He also undertakes contempt proceedings on behalf of insurance companies when cases are of such gravity that a prison sentence should follow. His multi-track fraud work includes road traffic claims, employer liability, travel sickness and occupier liability. Simon regularly acts in high-value credit high litigation and also in complex fraud-ring cases. Simon’s caseload also includes operations in which hire companies and claims management companies are added to proceedings.Regulatory & PublicSimon is specialist Regulatory Advocate (B List) Simon prosecutes and defends in serious cases brought by Fire & Rescue Authorities, the Environment Agency, Health & Safety Executive and local authorities. He often provides pre-charge advice in relation to complex and large-scale operations which lead to proceedings in the Magistrates, Crown and High Court Since 2012 he has been a panelist advocate for both the EA and HSE. Simon has experience of private prosecutions and is often instructed to advise upon the merits of potential prosecutions at an early stage. Simon also undertakes inquest work, and his cases have included: Driver in police pursuit killed in multi-vehicle RTA Death of dockworker due to health & safety failures of employer Teenager misdiagnosed by GP. CrimeSimon is a very popular and busy junior practitioner who is regularly instructed in cases of serious and complex fraud as well as murder and violence. He is a Grade-4 prosecutor and is regularly instructed by a number of prosecuting authorities, such as the CPS (including the Department of Rural, Health and Welfare), HMRC, Central Fraud Group North, the Health & Safety Executive, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and the Environment Agency. Simon also specialises in confiscation proceedings and is instructed by the Proceeds of Crime Unit.Personal InjurySimon is a popular and busy practitioner who is regularly instructed in high value and complex cases. His role on the Attorney General’s list of advocates has seen Simon undertake further employer and occupier liability work as well as non-freezing cold injuries. He also undertakes cases based purely on arguments about costs. He regularly provides training to insurers and law firms on a range of PI and related topics.
Crime:Stephen Spence has considerable experience both prosecuting and defending in all aspects of serious crime, particularly sexual offences, fraud, Internet crime, murder and cases involving historic child abuse. He has acted as leading counsel in a number of high profile cases including recently prosecuting would be serial killer Alex Palmer. Stephen is a grade 4 and RASSO list prosecutor and vulnerable witness training trainer/facilitator.Stephen is a former Board member of the British Bobsleigh Association, and the Special Advisory Committee of the FIBT (Federation International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing). He has advised a number of sports governing bodies on disciplinary procedures and drug testing, appearing in numerous disciplinary tribunals involving a variety of sports Stephen has sat as Chairman in both sports disciplinary proceedings and Olympic selection appeals. Stephen is on the Sports Disputes Resolutions panel of approved lawyers to provide pro bono advice to athletes who are accused of anti-doping or other disciplinary offences.Personal Injury Stephen is recognised for his specialist aviation practice. An RAF trained pilot with flying experience ranging from gliders to fast jets and rotary he has an enviable reputation for defending aviation related prosecutions. These have ranged from regulatory issues to allegations of gross negligence manslaughter. His clients have included aircraft engineers, pilots (private and commercial), aviation businesses and international airlines. He acted as leading counsel for Internet giant Amazon in their recent prosecution for shipping dangerous goods by air. He is currently instructed in the Shoreham Air Show crash prosecution. Stephen is instructed in Inquests and in High Court civil claims arising out of aircraft accidents. He is able to advise on aircraft leasing and operating agreements. He has written for a number of aviation publications on legal topics and was a guest speaker, at a Royal Aeronautical Society legal conference, on the admissibility of AAIB reports in legal proceedings.
Taryn Turner is a specialist criminal-defence advocate. She is a Legal 500 ‘Leading Individual’ and in 2001 was appointed to sit as a Recorder in the Crown Court. Taryn has a wealth of experience handling cases involving allegations of violent crime, including murder, attempted murder and assault; drugs; dishonesty (including robbery, fraud and burglary); kidnap; and sex offences including rape and other types of sexual assault. Determined, industrious and effective, Taryn has a strong court presence. She has considerable experience of handling cases involving people with vulnerabilities, including those with learning difficulties or mental-health issues. Taryn handles the most complex and sensitive cases, and is regularly instructed to represent those charged with sex offences. She has extensive experience in the cross-examination of children and vulnerable witnesses in such cases. Taryn Turner has a particular interest in scientific and medical issues, and is instructed to represent defendants charged with offences which turn on the interpretation of expert opinion.
Crime Timothy Jacobs is a mature and confident advocate with twenty years experience in a broad range of criminal work including sexual offences, complex financial crime and offences of serious violence. He is noted for his ready grasp of material and for the attention to detail which comes from thorough preparation. He is able to establish a good rapport with young and vulnerable defendants and witnesses and has extensive experience of cases dealt with under the s28 procedures. As a former solicitor and partner in a large Leeds criminal practice Timothy has first-hand experience of dealing with cases from first arrest and interview at the police station through all levels of court proceedings from the Magistrates’ and Youth Courts up to and including a number of successful appearances before the Court of Appeal. This breadth of experience means that he has a thorough understanding of the pressures placed upon defendants at each stage and can help to put clients at ease. Timothy’s work covers both prosecution and defence. He is able to bring his customary professionalism to both sides and has been praised for his sensitive handling of difficult witnesses. He is a committed advocate who is prepared to fight hard for his client to obtain the best possible results.Regulatory & PublicTimothy is a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate. As a solicitor of 20 years’ experience Timothy has handled a wide range of regulatory work including both prosecution and defence. He has been involved in cases concerning financial irregularities, rogue traders, food standards, and vehicle and taxi licensing. He has been instructed by West Yorkshire Trading Standards and Leeds City Council.
Prior to pupillage Tom worked for Leeds City Council Social Services, as a paralegal for Sugaré & Co. Solicitors, as a volunteer on behalf of Leeds-based charity Stop Hate U.K. and is an Elected Youth Officer and Youth Delegate for a local constituency party branch, engaging with and representing young people at a local level. A skilful communicator, Tom has a developed practice in the Magistrates’ Court and his fearless approach to trials sees him regularly instructed by both the CPS and defence solicitors to act on their behalf. Tom’s role as a Grade 2 Prosecutor for the CPS sees him conducting hearings for the CPS in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. He has conducted a variety of mentions and appeals in the Crown Court as prosecution and defence counsel. Tom regularly deploys his specialist knowledge in applications on matters of law, in hearsay applications, s.78 PACE applications and those adducing or resisting bad character evidence at trial. Tom has a raft of experience in the Youth Courts, from defending particularly vulnerable youth offenders to prosecuting complex multi-handers. These are delivered with great care and the application of the skills and practice required in Crown Court trials. Whether acting in matters of theft, domestic violence, assault, sexual offences or driving offences, Tom’s down to earth nature and emotional intelligence ensures a tactful manner with young offenders and vulnerable witnesses and his skilful handling of those on the bench helps to achieve the best possible result for his client. Born and raised in Leeds, Tom has a strong connection with the local community and experience of working with regional firms and of life in the city. Inquests Tom has experience in conducting inquests in the Coroner’s Court. He is happy to assist and advise at all stages. His experience in personal injury law means Tom is well-placed to offer continuity of representation, from inquests to civil actions for damages arising post-inquest. Other regulatory Tom has also undertaken a secondment with and continues to be instructed by the South Yorkshire Police. This involves drafting applications for protective public orders, such as Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Domestic Violence Protection Orders. He appears in court on the hearing of such matters and prosecuting such breaches. Tom also provides specific advice on issues arising out of work undertaken by the police, which has included making recommendations of local police force regulations. Tom’s previous experience working with Leeds Children’s Social Work Services and Leeds Adult Social Care gives him a good understanding and grounding in regulatory bodies and their duties, as well as a sensitive manner, which helps when instructed on inquests. Private Tom is instructed on a range of private family law matters, from applications for child arrangements orders to occupation orders and non-molestation orders and more. He is comfortable delivering support and advice in difficult circumstances and is regarded for his fearless approach on behalf of his lay clients and for his skilful written work. Public Tom is also instructed on public family law matters, appearing on a number of contested ICO hearings for the Local Authority and parents. His meticulous approach to his written work is positively received by clients and benches alike. Tom provides a quick turnaround with such work, facilitating his availability to be instructed on contested ICOs. As a family law paralegal with Sugare and Co. and with time spent working at Leeds Children’s Social Work Services before joining the Bar, Tom is experienced in all stages of family law, which shows in his work and his sensitive handling of clients. Tom enjoys a mixed civil practice and is regularly instructed on small claims matters in the county courts where he has been noted for handling matters with cool grace and determination. He has developed a busy practice conducting credit hire cases, which has been helped by his keen case preparation and substantial knowledge of the case law. Tom’s familiarity with civil applications sees him regularly deal with relief from sanctions applications, and in particular a number of cases concerning abuse of process. He also appears regularly on MOJ Stage 3, infant approval and disposal hearings and has experience in winders lists in the county cour
Victoria (Vicki) James was a solicitor in private practice for 19 years, specialising in family law (principally public-law care proceedings and adoption), prior to being called to the Bar. She held higher rights of advocacy and was a member of the Children Panel for many years. Vicki practises exclusively in the area of child law. Her practice includes both public- and private-law proceedings and placement and adoption applications. She is regularly instructed by local authorities, parents and children, and has been instructed by the official solicitor to represent parents who lack capacity. Vicki regularly acts in complex cases, including those involving child death; significant non-accidental injuries where there has been complex medical evidence; cases with difficult issues of international jurisdiction; and sexual abuse, including multi-generational abuse.
Crime Vince Blake-Barnard has a broad criminal practice in which he represents both prosecution and defendant. He is a Grade 2 prosecutor, regularly instructed on many matters by local authorities throughout Yorkshire in both the magistrates’ and crown courts. In particular, Vince has vast experience and clients in all matters linked to local-authority work, including benefit fraud, environmental health, food safety, and issues linked to housing and licensing infringements and anti-social behaviour. In addition to his local-authority practice, Vince has undertaken defence work for a number of business against the Health and Safety Executive, the Security Industry Authority and fire authorities.Personal InjuryVince has a developing practice in personal injury (PI work), professional negligence and industrial diseases. He will advise on liability and quantum, and regularly appears in small-claim, fast-track and multi-track hearings. Commercial & ChanceryVince has advised and represented social landlords and local authorities in a wide range of housing-related work including possessions, demotions, injunctions and anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs). He also has experience in homelessness appeals. He brings vast experience of local authorities to bear in matters relating to planning enforcement, building regulations and housing enforcement.Regulatory & PublicVince has an extensive regulatory and coroner’s practice. He specialises in the licensing of the sale of alcohol and of taxis; planning, housing & construction; sports and swimming clubs; and coroners’ inquests. Vince has an extensive practice representing taxi drivers in West Yorkshire against decisions to refuse, suspend or revoke their taxi licenses. Besides representing at appeal, Vince undertakes the initial hearing before the licensing committee – an area in which he excels, having advised such committees for over 10 years in his role as a local-government solicitor. The majority of his clients instruct Vince through Public Access, making representation more affordable. In East Riding of Yorkshire Council v Dearlove [2012] EWHC 278 (Admin), Vince acted in a successful case stated against Beverley Magistrates with regards to test-purchase operations by the licensing authority against unlicensed taxi drivers. Vince has been heavily involved with a number of amateur sporting clubs in relation to their investigations and policies. He regularly represents swimming clubs before the Amateur Swimming Association.He is regularly instructed to represent police and families in both Article 2 Middleton or narrower Jamieson inquests. Following Mr Barnard experience within Local Authorities, he has an all round insight in the workings or both Local Authority and Police structures. He has experience of dealing with fire arm / sexual harm prevention orders appeals for the police and taxi licencing appeals for both private individuals and Local Authorities. Vince is largely instruct by the Police and other Public Bodies such as HMRC, he also undertakes independent Counsel advisory work, in the capacity of “special counsel” in matters relating to Public Internets Immunity and Legal Professional Privilege. Cases often involve large scale operations which spans months rather weeks which include VAT and other frauds. Dealing with both high profile and sensitive cases involving the above as well as special procedure search warrants and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
William represents local authorities, parents, children and interveners in care proceedings and other public law proceedings. William has an approachable and friendly manner and he is able to give clear advice. William is often instructed in cases involving serious allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. William has acted with a leader in several High Court cases involving complex injuries and numerous medical experts. He has experience in representing vulnerable clients, those with learning difficulties and clients without capacity. William has experience of representing deaf clients in care proceedings and he often represents clients for whom English is not their first language. William has appeared as a guest lecturer at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. William represents parents and children in a variety of private law matters. William has represented parents in cases involving complex and intractable contact disputes and cases with allegations of implacable hostility. William has experience of representing parents in private law finding of fact hearings and in cases involving serious allegations of physical and sexual abuse. He has experience of representing parents in applications for Specific Issue Orders including disputes over the correct type of school provision or applications to change a child’s surname. William is instructed in Family Law Act applications including contested applications for occupation orders, non-molestation orders and committal applications. William also has experience in cases involving injunctions under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. William has extensive experience of claims involving the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. He advises and represents clients in claims under the 1995, 2001, 2008 and 2012 schemes. He has experience of representing clients who have suffered severe injuries including cases involving historical sexual and physical abuse. William is regularly instructed in cases with claims for significant loss of earnings, claims for the cost of care, special expenses and private health treatment. William is often instructed to draft re-opening applications in historical claims made under previous schemes and he has represented clients in pre-tariff award cases before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board William has appeared in judicial review applications in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) and in the High Court (Administrative Court) arising out of decisions of the First-Tier Tribunal.
Children LawWilliam Tyler QC is a specialist children law barrister appearing in high-profile public and private law children cases. His extensive public law Children Act practice sees him litigating complicated and serious cases around the country, principally in the High Court. He has particular expertise in cases involving very serious injury and death, sexual abuse or international and jurisdictional difficulties. His private law practice comprises the most serious, the most complex or the most sensitive cases, and very often those involving difficult international issues (abduction, relocation etc.), serious denied allegations or questions relating to parenthood and child arrangements after surrogacy or gamete donation. He frequently appears in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Court of Protection & Adult Care William Tyler QC has a busy Court of Protection practice, appearing in many cases, generally involving deprivations of liberty or significant dispute between the parties. He is the head of the Court of Protection Team at his London chambers.
Yunus Valli practices exclusively in criminal defence. His practice covers the full spectrum of offences, but he specialises in serious and organised crime; fraud; murder; armed robberies; conspiracies to supply class-A, B and C drugs; conspiracy to burgle; money laundering; missing-trader fraud (MTEC) fraud; and serious sexual offences. Yunus has many years’ experience of defending multi-handed cases.
Zarah Dickinson is a criminal specialist with a practice covering a wide spectrum of offences. She prosecutes and defends serious and complex cases, frequently involving allegations of sexual abuse. She is a Specialist Rape Prosecutor (CPS) and Grade 3 Prosecutor (CPS) and regularly provides pre-charge advices for the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit (CPS). Zarah is experienced in confiscation matters and regularly prosecutes on behalf of a number of local authorities. Local authority work includes benefit fraud, counterfeit goods offences, and offences under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. She also advises local authorities on judicial review. She prosecutes on behalf of the National Probation Service. She has appellate experience and provides second-opinion advice in appeals against conviction and sentence.Zarah has developed a specialism in driving matters, ranging from driving with excess alcohol to death by dangerous driving cases, and so has experience in advising on expert evidence and inquiries. Zarah was Crown Counsel with the Attorney General’s Chambers in the Cayman Islands in 2008. In 2006, she was a Pegasus Scholar in Washington DC. She worked with Steptoe and Johnson in a 7-week bribery and fraud trial (USA v Jemal). She also gained experience at the District Attorney’s Office and assisted the prosecution in a murder trial at the circuit court.