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Alaric Walmsley is an experienced lawyer who specialises in crime, fraud and regulatory matters. Mr Walmsley takes a hands-on, team oriented approach to achieving his clients' goals and routinely acts in long-running cases involving murder, sexual offences, drugs and other serious crime alongside appellate work and motoring offences. Mr Walmsley represents individuals facing allegations in connection with their conduct and competence, particularly in the spheres of medicine and healthcare. Known for his attention to detail and an ability to rapidly assimilate complex material, Mr Walmsley is able to quickly identify and analyse the critical issues in a case. Having a varied and wide-ranging practice, Mr Walmsley is instructed by both the prosecution and the defence. Crime Murder and HomicideSexual OffencesFraud and Financial Crime Drugs and Organised Crime Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering General Crime Motoring Law Military Law Regulatory Professional Discipline Trading StandardsRevenue and Customs Health and Safety Licensing
Practice Areas Family Miss Cracknell accepts instructions on behalf of local authorities, parents and guardians and is experienced in children Emergency Protection Orders, care, supervision, adoption and placement applications. Private Law Children Act proceedings including residence, contact, prohibted steps and specific issue applications. Non-molestation orders and occupation orders.
Practice Areas Crime Heavy indictable work Prosecution and Defence. ” Approachable and responsive, he gives every case his all” (Legal 500 2020) Ranked Tier 2 (Crime Leading Juniors) Areas of Practice Andrew practises in serious crime. He is routinely instructed in heavy indictable work, in particular in the presentation of very complex and difficult multi-handed prosecutions, and also to defend very grave allegations. Cases in which Mr Ford appears are frequently reported, as below: Attorney General’s Reference No.146 of 2002 (Robert Stewart) [2003] 2 Cr.App.R(S) 107 possession with intent to supply Class A drugs; where mistaken belief in nature of drugs; R v M [2006] 1 Cr.App.R(S) 110 causing death by dangerous driving; where no aggravating features; R v H [2004] 2 Cr.App.R(S) 23 defending police officer; where offer to bribe made, sentence reduced Operation Binbrook R v JG & Others ; [2004] EWCA Crim 1521; successful prosecution appeal against Terminating Ruling by trial Judge to stop the case against 6 drug traffickers; Judge reversed on Appeal, trial proceeded, 6 convictions followed. R v A [2005] EWCA Crim 1299 – dealing in Class A drugs – successfully quashed conviction upon failure of Judge to direct the jury on lies. R v G N [2005] EWCA Crim 3320 – very long sentence for kidnapping reduced, where on Licence durting sentence for previous Kidnapping offence; victim placed in pit in ground then driven 40 miles at knifepoint; R v B B & others [2012] EWCA Crim 1802, successful prosecution in the Appeal of Liverpool Norris Green gun gang, high profile armed robberies; on deterrent sentencing. Attorney General’s Reference No.35 of 2007 (Mark Hird) [2008] 1 Cr.App. R (s) 26 firearm with intent to endanger life, prosecuted at first instance, succesfully referred to Attorney General R v S T [2012] EWCA Crim 1153- sentence for street robbery reduced significantly; Recent Cases: R v B & O – Prosecuting a drugs baron and his gang who were accused of trafficking millions of pounds worth cocaine and heroin across the UK and who were caught after a complex police surveillance operation. Very long sentences imposed. R v B – Prosecuting a man accused of grooming and trying to incite an underage child into sexual activity. R v T and T – Defending the son of a lady who stole over £150,000 from her employers and passed much of the proceeds on to her son. R v M – Defending a taxi driver accused of raping a male passenger. R v K S – Successfully prosecuted manager of Care Home for the Elderly, where 90 year old frail woman found crawling naked on squalid floor; insufficiently hydrated and later died. Home run by BUPA, who instructed Queens Counsel to defend the allegations. Very High Profile Case. See the Times 17th March 2012. R v C – Prosecuting a man found guilty of possessing over 10,000 images of child abuse. R v W – Prosecution of a man who abused four young girls. Sentenced to eight years in prison at first instance, referred to the Attorney General where sentenced increased significantly. – completed April 2016 R v M and P – Conviction of two men for the sequential rapes of teenage girl in churchyard after two week trial. Recommendations ‘Approachable and responsive, he gives every case his all.’ Ranked: Tier 2 (Legal 500 2021) (Crime Leading Juniors) Singled out in Legal 500 as typifying the depth of experience and ability available in Chambers “He demonstrates excellent commitment to his clients” (Legal 500 2018) Ranked tier 1
Practice Areas Crime Practice Areas: Serious and Heavyweight Crime Murder Large-Scale Fraud Serious Sexual Crime Drugs Conspiracies Election Fraud International Crime Summary of Practice: A heavy criminal practice with a predominance of defence work. In recent years he has concentrated on murder and fraud cases although he has undertaken cases involving serious sexual crime, drug importation and conspiracies as well as election fraud. He is experienced in conducting high profile cases. He is licensed to receive instructions direct from members of the public. APPOINTMENTS Member of the Panel of Advocates at the Internaional Criminal Court Head of Chambers (9 Bedford Row) from 1999 to 2016 Chairman of Head of Chambers Committee England and Wales, 2005 -2012 Recorder of the Crown Court 1995-2005 Bencher, Gray’s Inn since 2000 Former member of The General Council of the Bar Former Secretary of the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales Areas of Practice Quotes from Directories Legal 500 (2022): “A powerful advocate-he is everything juries expect a QC to be. Articulate and a real presence. Juries love him”. Chambers and Partners (2022): “A classic old school advocate who knows his stuff backwards”. Legal 500 (2021): “A very impressive and eloquent trial advocate. His advocacy is first class and he has a wonderful manner with the jury. He is a very commanding presence in court and his ability to distil complex legal and factual issues rapidly, succinctly and persuasively is one of his very best attributes.” Chambers UK (2021): “Great at getting on with juries, he knows how to build a rapport with them” Legal 500 (2020): “A superb defence silk at the top of his game.” Chambers UK (2020): ” He has a wealth of experience and is strategic, savvy and has a very pleasing manner in front of the jury”. Legal 500 (2018): “His ability enables him to make the job look easy.” Legal 500 2017: “He has a devastating technique in cross examination and disarming charm” Legal 500 2016: “A veteran of murder cases” Chambers UK, 2016: “Offers pragmatic legal advice and demonstrates prowess in defending individuals faced with serious criminal charges including murder.” Strengths: “A doyen of the Criminal Bar who is loved by solicitors and who is able to charm jurors with his easy style” “He works incredibly hard and is really effective in court. He is very eminent” Recent work: “Acted for the defendant in a joint enterprise trial regarding the attempted murder of a rival gang member using a firearm.” Chambers UK 2015: “Regularly instructed in murder trials, often involving gang violence. He is also experienced in fraud and corruption cases”. Expertise: “He is a really polished performer. He has got many years of experience and it shows, he gets to his feet and people sit up and listen” “He is just brilliant at cross-examination and fantastic with clients” Legal 500, 2015: “Recommended for defending murder charges” Legal 500 2014: “Recognised for his experience handling murder and fraud cases” Chambers UK 2013: “Described as having an “ability to extract the answers that really matter”. Legal 500 2013: “His cross examination skills are described as ‘formidable’ ” Notable Cases Notable Recent Cases R v F (October 2019): Client tried for Murder, the allegation being that he strangled his partner before stabbing her through the heart numerous times in the bath. Her body was only discovered three weeks later. He pleaded not guilty but changed his plea just before he was about to give evidence. (Wolverhampton Crown Court) R v U (September 2019): Defendant acquitted of Murder of a youth in a Brixton youth club. (Old Bailey) R v A (2019): Defendant faced trial for the murder of a drug dealer who had been lured to his girlfriend’s home. (St Albans Crown Court) R v BW (December 2018) Defended a head gamekeeper of a shooting estate in North Wales who was tried for manslaughter by reason of gross neglience. A semi automatic shotgun that was carried in his vehicle went off, killing another gamekeeper seated in the rear. The trial lasted several weeks. A retrial was ordered when the jury failed to agree. Caernarfon Crown Court. R v L (September to November 2018) Client faced charge of Conspiracy to cause GBH along with several others said to be members of a travellers’ community. A drugs deal with another such group went badly wrong which, late at night, led to an invasion of the second group’s camp where there were many women and children. It was claimed that L and his associates arrived brandishing and firing shotguns. One young man was shot at nearly point blank range. R v LM (July to September 2018) Defended a young man charged with murder. He was said to be a member of a Manchester gang which hunted down members of a Moss Side gang and attacked them with knives. Serious injuries were sustained and one young man was killed. LM ran the defence of alibi. Manchester Crown Court. R v O (Liverpool CC, February 2018). A dispute between rival drugs gangs in relation to a substantial importation which had gone missing, led to the victim being beaten, extensively tortured and then murdered. His mutilated body was found in a burned out car in the city. Client convicted of Assisting an Offender but was acquitted of Murder and Manslaughter. R v M (Manchester CC, December 2017) M acquitted of Murder and Manslaughter after two week trial following a stabbing on the streets of Salford. R v T (Isleworth CC, April 2017) Appeared for the first defendant in a seven handed case involving an allegation of ‘ reverse people smuggling’. Surprisingly, hundreds of people are smuggled out of the country every month, some to take up arms in the Middle East. It was alleged that T and others arranged for twice weekly batches of individuals to be transported across the channel. The investigation was conducted in the first place with undercover journalists from the Sun newspaper. The Jury was discharged after several weeks and, at the retrial, pleas were entered by the defendant which were acceptable to the Crown, thus reducing significantly the sentence he would otherwise have received on conviction. R v B (Preston CC, March 2017) Defended a young man for murder and wounding with intent to cause GBH. He was a member of a county lines Liverpool drug dealing gang and was occupying a house of a couple of users who were encouraged to sell drugs for their own supplies. He was said to have attacked them one afternoon armed with a very substantial knife. The deceased received a considerable number of knife wounds to the back of his head and his back one or two going straight through his rib cage. The pathologist suggested that these blows must have been inflicted with severe force. The lady received knife wounds to her back as well as the back of her arm. The defendant was acquitted of murder and wounding the lady with intent to cause GBH. He was convicted of manslaughter as an alternative to murder on the basis of lack of sufficient intent for murder. R v W (Bulford Court Martial Centre, February 2017) Defended a soldier serving in Germany facing four charges of rape of his wife over a two year period. When giving evidence the lady in question made further claims involving many more allegations or rape, indecent assault and serious domestic violence. The defendant was acquitted of all charges. R v F (Bulford Court Martial Centre, 2016) Represented one of two soliders facing allegation of raping a female soldier seven years earlier in barracks in Germany. Immediatley after the incident both men were told they would not be prosecuted. Years later the complainant committed suicide and, at a subsquent coroner’s hearing claims were made about the incident which were picked up by the press. Following a newspaper campaign, the new Head of Service Prosecutions instituted a further investigation which led to the rearest of the soldiers and their trial taking place before a seven member board. Both soldiers were acquitted. R v U (St Albans CC, 2015) Client acquitted of murder after a long trial in which several members of his family were tried for various offences against a vulnerable adult family member which took place over many years. R v S (Sheffield CC, 2016) Client tried for murder, possession of firearms with intent, possession of class drugs with intent to supply and threats to kill. He was allegedly the ruthless leader of a drugs gang in central Sheffield. It was said that he and others armed themselves with shotguns and pistols with the intention of hunting down members of another gang. There followed a shootout late at night in a residential district of the city where one man was killed. R v C (Liverpool CC, 2015) Represented Sicillian Sea Captain who pleaded guilty to having more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his body when arrested in charge of MV Quercianella, a ship carrying 11,000 tons of petroleum in the Manchester Ship Canal. He received a short suspended prison sentence. R v S (Old Bailey, June 2014): Client aquitted of Attempted Murder following the allegation that he and three others set out to execute a rival from another gang. The victim was lured to an open location and, at a given signal, was approached by two men on a fast driven motorbike. They stopped and, at point blank range, one of them fired a gun several times into the man’s body. The case was withdrawn from the Jury at the conclusion of the prosecution case. R v L (Liverpool Crown Court, 2014): One of seven youths charged with murder and, after an eight week trial, the only one to be acquitted. R v W (Chester Crown Court, 2014): Wagner, a German national, was tried in respect of assisting an offender in the commission of murder. Over several weeks he was said to have assisted in building a brick and mortar tomb while preparations were being made for the execution of a french national living in Ellsmere Port and, after his death, in moving the body and shoring up the tomb. He was acquitted while two other were convicted of murder. Other Significant Cases Between 2008 and 2012, instructed by the DPP of Malawi to prosecute the Vice President of Malawi for a conspiracy to murder the President and High Treason by planning to overthrow the Government by murdering members of the cabinet. The trial took place in the High Court of Malawi sitting in Blantyre. R v C (Old Bailey, 2012): The Defendant was acquitted of murder in a case in which the defendant was alleged to have shot a drug gang rival at point blank range on his doorstep. R v T (Old Bailey, 2012): The client was acquitted of murder following a gang’s pursuit of a young man after an incident at a party. R v W (Isle of Man 2010): Young woman convicted of manslaughter but acquitted of murder after stabbing boyfriend with ceremonial dagger. R v D (Bradford Crown Court 2010): The Defendant was a young woman acquitted of murder following an allegation in which she was said to have been involved in a racially motivated attack on a young man. Fraud Cases: R v S (Old Bailey 2005-2007): A number of defendants faced allegations of fraud and corruption in what became known as the Jubilee Line Case as it arose out of the construction of the most recent addition to the London Underground system. The case was extremely complex with tens of millions of pages of statements and exhibits. The case was halted after two years and the defendant acquitted on all counts.
Call: 1980 CPS Fraud Panel Level 3 Practice Areas Civil Personal Injury Professional Discipline & negligence Human Rights Crime All aspects of Criminal Law Ð Defence & Prosecution Actions against Police Fraud Areas of Practice Arthur Gibson is experienced in all forms of Criminal Law and has practised at all levels. He was junior counsel in R v Dietschmann (House of Lords) the leading authority in relation to drunkenness and diminished responsibility. He has been junior counsel for the defence in a number of high profile trials including R v Morrison (historical murder). R v Claridge (large scale child abuse featured extensively in the BBC Newsnight programme). He successfully represented a Defendant in Operation Motor a £18 million carousel fraud. In recent years he has developed an extensive prosecution practice and has led for the Crown in a number of cases Ð Operation Saffron, Snare, Swan & Tiger. He has recently been awarded a commendation by the Chief Constable of Cumbria in relation to the prosecution of financial crime. He is experienced in regulatory crime with particular emphasis on regulations in the agricultural industry. In addition to criminal law Arthur Gibson is also experienced in civil action involving assault, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. He is a qualified prosectuor in relation to sexual offences and is often instructed in cases involving particular difficult issues arising for example, rape within arranged marriage in the Muslim community, and offences within members of foreign communities. He was one of the first counsel to be instructed on behalf of both prosecution and defence during the piloting of s28 (pre-trial cross-examination of victims). Following the enactment of the POCA he has developed a practice in relation to confiscation orders, being regularly instructed to advise on behalf of the defence and prosecution in relaiton to confiscation proceedings. He is presently instructed in consolidated appeals before the Court of Appeal in relation to further issues requiring resolution following the Supreme Court decisions in Waya and Ahmad.
Practice Areas Crime Prosecution Defence Assault, Robbery and other violent crime Burglary & Theft Drug Trafficking Offences Environmental Law Firearms Fraud & Money Laundering Heavy Crime Licensing Local Government Legislation Murder/Manslaughter Police Revenue & Customs Offences Serious Sex Cases Areas of Practice Bernice is a specialist criminal practitioner. She has a wide ranging experience prosecuting and defending cases at all levels. She regularly undertakes cases concerning violence, drugs, sexual offences, motoring law, dishonesty offences, burglary, fraud, harassment and public offences. In addition she has developed particular knowledge and expertise in cases involving vulnerable witnesses. She is known for her strong advocacy style which is complemented by her ability to handle the most sensitive of cases. Bernice is acutely aware that the provision of proper advice and representation requires a high level of commitment to the client as well as experience, expertise and approachability. Notable Cases R v CW Rape R v JF Kidnapping R v HJ Sexual assault on child R v AW Child grooming R v KL Ill treatment of someone with unsound mind R v WM Class A drugs conspiracy
Barrister specialising in civil law; personal injury; RTA; fatal accident litigation; employers’ liability accidents; public liability accidents; tripping claims; industrial disease; and employment law.Christopher Knagg was formerly a Solicitor and Partner in Private Practice for 12 years for a niche firm on the panel of 2 national trade unions.
Counsel with a practice in civil, family and criminal law. Immigration, personal injury, RTA, employer’s liability/occupier’s liability, claims against highways authorities. Representation of parties in private law children applications (directions/final hearings) in the County Court and the family proceedings court. Representation of parties in case proceedings in the family proceedings court. Experience of representing an intervenor in a finding-of-fact hearing in relation to non-accidental injury in the High Court.Immigration Danielle has represented the UK Border Agency as a presenting officer in the First-Tier Immigration Tribunal, where she gained particular experience in dealing with asylum law and human rights. She has also represented individuals in immigration matters in the First and Upper Tier Tribunals. Personal Injury Danielle represents Claimants and Defendants at trial and interlocutory hearings in cases allocated to the fast and multi-track, with particular experience in: RTA Employers' liability/Occupiers' liability; Claims against highways authorities. She accepts instructions to draft pleadings and advise on liability, quantum and other procedural matters and aims to return instructions swiftly.
Call: 1970 Practice Areas Civil Personal Injury David Geey is a member of the Association of PI Lawyers, Actions for Victims of Medical Accidents and the PIBA. Areas of Practice Personal Injury: Claims involving assessment of causation and quantum. Advocacy
Call: 2004 Practice Areas Civil Claimant and Defendant written work and court work All areas of personal injury work including Highways Act clams, Occupier’s Liability Act claims, Employer’s Liability claims and Road Traffic Accidents (including fraud and low velocity impact claims) Fatal Accidents HAVS/VWF/NHL industrial disease work Actions against the police Credit Hire cases Clinical Negligence PPI Implant litigation Accident abroad including jurisdiction arguments, Warsaw and Athens convention claims and Package Holidays Regulations claims Professional Negligence (including negligent conveyances, negligent surveys, negligent valuations and negligent legal advice) Advisory work in respect of procedure Costs Involved in a number of high value and high complexity personal injury actions in the County Court and High Court including actions with a value up to £1 million. Chancery/ Commercial: Claimant and Defendant written work and Court work Landlord and tenant work, including rent possession actions and business tenancy litigation Charging orders, orders for sale, mortgage possession hearings and all other enforcement hearings Injunctive proceedings including freezing injunctions Personal and corporate insolvency Drafting shareholders agreements and Articles of Association Director’s duties and rights of shareholders Restraint of trade (including injunctions) and breaches of contract of employment Intellectual Property litigation including trademarks and passing off disputes Sales of Goods and Consumer Protection cases Breach of Contract Actions Experienced in County Court and High Court Commerical and Chancery cases. Regularly instructed in cases with value of up to £1 million and experience of cases worth up to £2.5 million. Experience is settlement negotiations. Advised a large multi-national company on its restructuring including TUPE and pension requirements. Areas of Practice Education: University of Northumbria at Newcastle 2000-2004 Bachelor of Law (Bar Exempting) with First Class Honours. This is equivalent to a First Class LLB Degree together with an outstanding award in the BVC. Awarded the Baron Dr Ver Heyden De Lancey award from Middle Temple for the Highest Graduating Student (the student graduating on the BVC with the highest score)> Awarded the Linda Sykes Memorial Prize from the University of Northumbria at Newcastle for the Best Graduating Student (the student graduating from the Bar Exempting degree with the highest average mark).
CivilMiss Turner undertook a common law pupillage supervised by Daniel Rogers and is regularly instructed to appear at interlocutory hearings and trials in both Claimant and Defendant work across extensive areas of civil expertise. Miss Turner has specific experience in personal injury claims arising out of road traffic accidents, Claims involving credit hire, Occupier's and Employers' liability claims, Contracual disputes, Industrial Disease claims, specifically NIHL, cumulative back injury and repetitive strain injury claims. Miss Turner also accepts instructions to draft pleadings and advise on quantum, liability and procedure both in conference and on paper. CrimeMiss Turner regularly appears for both the Defence and Prosecution in a vast range of criminal hearings in both the Magistrates and Crown Courts, in particular POCA applications, all pre-trial hearings, trials in both the Magistrates and Crown Court and driving matters. FamilyMiss Turner is instrcuted in both private and public family law matters, appearing for Local Authorities, parents and guardians and has gained experience in a wide range of Family Law areas, most notably: Care proceedings, Special Guardianship Orders, Supervision Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders, Ancillary Relief Proceedings, Judgement Summons Applications.
Practice Areas Crime Frank Dillon is a former solicitor and Higher Courts Advocate whose professional life has been spent exclusively in the practice of Criminal Law. He has also lectured extensively to the profession at in-house seminars and on behalf of CPD providers such as Liverpool Law Society, Byrom Training and Crimeline Training. As a solicitor he regularly advised suspects at police stations, in respect of allegations ranging from relatively minor offences of theft and assualt to extremely grave and complex allegations such as rape, robbery, conspiracy to supply drugs and murder. Notable Cases In addition to preparing thousands of cases in the Magistrates' Court, Mr Dillon prepared many Crown Court cases of considerable gravity and complexity in which Counsel (and often Leading Counsel) were involved. Those serious cases in which he was involved as a litigator include the following: R -v - H & H: Aggravated Burglary and Indecent Assault. Issues of identification and forensic evidence. Acquitted. R -v- M: Murder, in a special hospital, of one patient by another. Issues of Diminished Responsibility. Reduced to Manslaughter. R -v- McH: Murder, of a customer, by a prostitute in the course of a robbery. Issues of forensic evidence, identification and intent. Reduced to Manslaughter. R -v - D: Conspiracy to Murder. Murder by shooting of a "Hell's Angel" in a drug - related feud. Case went to two re-trials. R -v- McC: Murder in the course of a street fight. Issues of self-defence and of lack of intent. Reduced to Manslaughter. R-v- C: Murder of female partner by male who found her in compromising situation with another man. Successful application for bail by Frank before Magistrates. Issues of provocation at trial. R-v- S: Murder of a 9-year-old child by a 13-year-old defendant. A case which attracted national, and indeed international, media attention. An extremely delicate and sensitive approach to the case was required over a period of many weeks until eventually sufficent trust was built up with the defendant to enable necessary instuctions to be obtained. R-v- A: Murder, in the course of a robbery in his own home, of a gay male who had been befriended by the two defendants with a view to robbing him. In the course of the robbery they placed him in a trunk and closed the lid, before leaving the premises. The victim was unable to extricate himself from the trunk and suffocated to death. Issues of lack of intent. R-v- G: The brutal murder of a widow in her eighties, in her own home, in the course of a burglary. Complicated issues relating to forensic evidence. R-v - W: Large scale conspiracy to import Class A drugs, Issues relating to disclosure and directed surveillance. R-v- A: Murder by stabbing in the course of a "drug-deal gone wrong". Issues of joint enterprise and lack of intent. Acquitted of Murder, convicted of manslaughter. Govt. of Australia -v - K: Extradition case involving the largest-ever importation of ecstasy into Australia. Complex issues involving jurisdiction, RIPA, duress and exclusion of evidence. R-v- R: Murder by stabbing of a lodger. Issues of provocation. Reduced to Manslaughter. R-v-H: Murder by stabbing in the course of apparent horseplay. Issues of lack of intent. Reduced to Manslaughter. R-v-N: Murder by a diagnosed schizophrenic. Issues of diminished responsbility. R-v-A: Murder, with a blunt instrument, by a 19-year-old, of his abusive father. Issues of diminished responsibility and attachment disorder. Reduced to manslaughter. R-v-M: Murder, with a hammer, by a 15-year-old, of his father. Issues of diminished responsbility and attachment disorder. Reduced to manslaughter. Exceptionally, the defendant was sentenced to a Supervision Order. R-v-O: Large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering. Successful application for severance to leading to acquittal. Magistrates' Court Advocacy For many years Mr Dillon defended individuals, from all walks of life, charged with a wide variety of offences, and conducted many, many trials, bail applications, sentencing hearings, committal proceedings and interim hearings. The experience of having to deal with a long list of cases on a daily basis, often with little time to prepare, has equipped him with the ability to think on his feet and to make quick decisions. Crown Court Advocacy Since aquiring the Higher Rights (Criminal) qualification in 2002 Mr Dillon has appeared for the Defence before the Crown Court on many occasions and has conducted numerous trials, plea hearings, sentences, bail applications and interim hearings. He has also appeared before the Court Of Appeal on occasions. Amongst the more notable cases in which he has appeared as advocate are the following: R-v-G: Murder. Led Junior. Stabbing in the course of a street robbery. Issues of identification and forensic evidence R-v-B: Indecent assault and theft. Acquitted R-v-D: Historic penetrative sexual abuse upon a 4-year-old victim. Successful pre-trial application to adduce evidence from a memory expert. R-v-J: Historic sexual abuse of relatives involving two complainants, male and female, making complaints independently of one another. Acquitted. R-v-W: Rape and S.47 assualt by male defendant upon long-term female partner. Issues of self-defence, bad character, corroboration, consent. Acquitted. R-v-O: Defendant charged with assualt in context of an incident giving rise to charges of murder against co-defendants. Prosecuted by Queens Counsel. Acquitted. R-v-D: Lead defendant in large-scale drugs conspiracy involving an organised team of street dealers. Complex issues of hearsay evidence and telephone attribution. R-v-C: Operation Halstead. Large-scale drugs conspiracy. Acquitted. R-v-O: Lead Defendant in 12 - defendant trial involving bank fraud. R-v-W: Operation Sabine. Led Junior in large-scale drugs conspiracy- described as "biblical"by the sentencing judge- complex issues relating to disclosure and interpretation of evidence generally. Prosecution relented in face of disclosure application and withdrew most serious charge. R-v J: Operation Redstart: Led Junior. Conspiracy to supply drugs on a huge scale, also involving a large cache of firearms and large-scale money-laundering. Prosecution withdrew most serious charge in course of negotiation. R-v-F: Murder x 2 of elderly victims, in their own homes, by a taxi-driver in the course of robberies. Led Junior. Issues of diminished responsibility and whole life/30-year tariff. R-v-B: Schizophrenic patient at special hospital accused of assualt upon staff. Acquitted. R-v-E: Lead defendant in serious firearms conspiracy involving the supply of sub-machine guns, silencers and ammunition.
Practice Areas Civil Catastrophic Injuries Mr. Lindsay has a wide experience of Claims where injury has been caused in the workplace, public places (to encompass Highways Act and Occupiers’ Act litigation), road traffic collisions etc. and where the claim is of significant value and complexity. He has an impressive past and present caseload of claims involving catastrophic injuries instructed by both Claimant and Insurer clients. Mr Lindsay regularly represents both Claimants and Defendants on matters of significant value and complexity as shown by following recent examples; A (2017): Represented the insurer of a taxi driver who had knocked down and killed a 19-year old Claimant. The family brought a claim under the Fatal Accidents Act for the loss of the dependent care and financial support provided by the Deceased to her family. The Claim was pleaded at £200,000 and settled at mediation for £40,000; L (2019): Mr. Lindsay represented an insurer Client in a claim where the Claimant had sustained a traumatic brain injury after being knocked down by a driver who was subsequently prosecuted for dangerous driving. Due to the severity of her brain injury the Claimant sought significant past and future lost earnings from her inability to return to work in the care sector. Further claims were brought for future care and assistance and provisional damages to encompass future migraine treatment. The claim was pleaded at £500,000, but settled at the JSM for £150,000; M (2019): Represented a Claimant who suffered significant pelvis and leg injuries following a road traffic accident. The Claim settled at JSM for £180,000; and C (2020): Represented a Claimant who had sustained a significant injury to his eye that had resulted in a loss of visual field vision and an inability to perform his work as a mechanic. He had lost his Class 2 licence and could not undertake overtime to test the vehicles on which he worked. Settled at JSM for £155,000.00. (2019). Represented a Claimant who had suffered fractures to his spine and pelvis after being crushed by a reversing vehicle. The Claimant was unable to return to his previous employment and would be limited to light duties in a non-physically demanding role. The Claim settled at a JSM in the sum of £190,000.00. (2019 to Date) Representing a female Claimant in her 20s who has suffered a significant back fracture and facial scarring in a road traffic accident. The Claim is pleaded in excess of £250,000.00, as the Claimant is unable to return to her pre-accident employment and will have to retire 10-years earlier than planned. The matter is listed for trial in 2022. (2019 to Date). Representing a Claimant who was electrocuted on a building site. The case involves 4 Defendants and a liability dispute. The Claimant will not be able to return to any form of work and requires significant daily care. The Claim is pleaded in excess of £500,000.00. (2019 to Date) Representing a Claimant who has suffered a severe leg injury following a public liability accident. Liability is in dispute. The Claim is pleaded at £800,000 and is listed for a 5-day trial in 2022. (2020) Represented a Claimant who suffered a significant fracture to his dominant elbow in a workplace accident. By reason of the aforesaid, the Claimant is unable to return to his pre-accident employment as a site manager and is treated as disabled. After conference, the Claim settled for £100,000.00. (2020) Represented the applicants in a long-standing neighbour dispute at mediation. The applicants were seeking an injunction and damages under the Harassment Act following a break-down in their relationship with their neighbours, with allegations on both sides of trespass, nuisance and threats/abuse. (2020 to Date). Representing a Claimant who has suffered significant knee injuries that have necessitated a reconstruction and will require future revision. The Claimant, in his 30s, will not be able to return to work and is classified at disabled. The Claim is pleaded in excess of £300,000.00; (2020). Represented a Claimant in a chronic pain case, who was injured after what appeared to be a fairly innocuous road traffic accident. The Claim settled after conference for £50,000.00. (2020) Represented a Claimant who suffered a crush injury to her dominant right hand in a workplace accident, resulting in the loss of her thumb. The Claim settled after conference and negotiations for £120,000.00. (2020). Briefed to represent a Claimant who suffered an injury to his right dominant shoulder in a workplace accident. The matter settled in the week before the start of the 3-day trial. (2020 to Date). Representing a Claimant who as an infant was involved in a road traffic accident. The Claimant suffered a serious leg injury, which now requires him to use orthotics for life. By reason of his period of recovery/rehabilitation, the Claimant missed a significant period of schooling and did not reach his academic potential. The Claim is pleaded at £400,000.00. (2020) Represented a Claimant who suffered significant lower limb and eye injuries in a Claim against an uninsured driver. Claim settled after conference at £125,000.00. (2020) Represented a Claimant who suffered a significant crushing injury at work. The Claimant was required to retrain to allow her to work and adapt to her limitations. Claim settled for £300,000. (2021) Representing an insurer in a Claim where the Claimant contends that she is suffering with complex regional pain syndrome to the foot. The Claim is pleaded in excess of £250,000.00. The insurer is alleging that the Claimant is fundamentally dishonest. (2021 to Date). Representing the Ministry of Justice at a multi-day trial that is due to be listed in 2022. The Claim involves an alleged serious back injury that was caused by an accident at work. (2021). Represented a Claimant who suffered an injury at a building site where liability was in dispute. The Claimant will be unable to return to his pre-accident occupation and will need to retrain in a less manual role. The Claim settled after conference for £190,000.00. (2021) Represented Ministry of Justice in a Claim brought by a former employee for alleged injuries sustained at work. The Claimant alleged that he is suffering with chronic pain and will be unable to return to work. The Claim was pleaded at £1,000,000.00 and settled at a JSM for £315,000.00. Mr. Lindsay is known for his detailed Schedules of Loss, for both Claimants and Defendants and his meticulous approach to the calculation of both past and future losses. Mr. Lindsay has extensive experience working with experts to ensure the meticulous preparation of cases from Part 35 Questions to trial. Road Traffic Accidents Mr. Lindsay has a broad practice encompassing both Claimant and Insurer clients. On behalf of Claimants Mr. Lindsay is known for the careful scrutiny and testing he puts Claimants through. He has for many years acted for Claimants in circumstances where their credibility has come under severe attack by reason of an allegation of fraud and/or LVI and/or causation. In such scenarios he is trusted by those firms who instruct him to robustly test the reliability of Claimants in conference and is known for his pragmatic approach in advising both clients and Solicitors as to the likelihood of success. He has extensive experience advising multiple Claimants in circumstances where express pleadings of fraud are made. Further, he is more than capable of analysing vast amounts of data to ensure that Claimants are appropriately prepared and tested prior to trial. On behalf of his Insurer clients Mr. Lindsay has extensive experience defending claims where fraud, low velocity impact or dishonesty are alleged or suspected. He has successfully secured findings of fundamental dishonesty and the setting aside of QOCS protection to obtain an award of costs for his Insurer clients. Mr. Lindsay can be trusted to adhere to strict timetables for the production of Defences (of varying complexity), Part 35 Questions to medical and engineering experts and other necessary documentation e.g. Part 18 Requests. Prior to trial Mr. Lindsay is willing to assist with advising Solicitors and Insurers on strategy, and the success or likelihood of findings of fraud or fundamental dishonesty. Credit Hire For many years Mr. Lindsay has enjoyed a balanced practice acting for both Claimants and Defendants in cases involving substantial claims for credit hire. He is more than familiar with the necessary requirements that credit hire agreements must adhere to ensure that such are found to be enforceable by the Court. He has advised credit hire providers of deficiencies that exist in their agreements to ensure that such comply with the statutory requirements of the Consumer Credit Act 1974/2006. In recognition of the complexities that can surround this area of law Mr. Lindsay has delivered seminars on recent cases/developments in credit hire litigation, as well as refresher training on those common arguments that one sees in such claims. Public Liability/Occupiers Liability Mr. Lindsay is regularly instructed to represent Claimants in respect of claims emanating from accidents on the public highways. He is fully familiar with the statutory duties under the Highways Act 1980 and the leading cases in the area.Aside from straightforward tripping cases, Mr. Lindsay is commonly asked to advise in the interpretation of the duties of Local Authorities, particularly the definition of those highways deemed to be ‘maintainable at public expense’ and where McGeown Defences are raised. He has successfully pursued claims alleging breaches of the Occupiers Liability Act 1957/1984 against schools, hospitals, restaurants, supermarkets, shopping centres etc. As part of his Defendant practice Mr. Lindsay has defended claims for occupiers, including shops, supermarkets, landlords etc., in circumstances where at trial the Court has been persuaded that reasonable steps had been taken to prevent injury. Mr. Lindsay is known, not only for his knowledge of the relevant law, but also his ability to provide pragmatic advice dependent upon the individual details of each case. Employers Liability Mr. Lindsay has developed a broad practice in the field of Employers Liability claims, dealing with matters of varying complexity for both Claimants and Defendants including claims for bullying, repetitive stress injuries, vibration white finger/HAVS etc. Mr. Lindsay has represented both workers and employers in wide fields of industry. Landlord and Tenant/Housing In the field of housing Mr. Lindsay has significant experience acting for both Tenants and Landlords on possession proceedings and claims under the Defective Premises Act 1972 and the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. For many years he has represented Local Authorities and social landlords in claims of disrepair, involving personal injuries and property damage.He is known for his common sense approach to such claims and is trusted to offer sensible advice to clients. “Very amenable and approachable barrister who thinks outside the box. Excellent understanding of social landlords obligations, and very good in dealing with claims arising from alleged defective premises.” Partner BLM Housing Department. For Tenants, Mr. Lindsay is often instructed to draft pleadings in cases brought under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act. He is knowledgeable on the quantification of general damages in such cases. Mr. Lindsay has experience of claims for unlawful eviction and the quantification of losses for the same. Other Areas of Practice Mr. Lindsay has previously advised and represented clients at trial in the following areas; Claims involving consideration of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and for breaches of the implied terms of quality under the Sale of Goods/Services and Consumer Rights legislation; Holiday injuries/Package Tour Claims; Nuisance; Animals Act; Pursuing and defending claims for injunctive relief and damages under the Protection of Harassment Act 1997; Professional negligence against Solicitors following under settlement; The pursuit and defence of medical agency fees on behalf of Solicitors; and Trespass to the Person
Areas of Practice A robust and principled barrister, since her call to the bar in 2010 Gemma has cultivated a busy practice in both family and civil matters. Dealing regularly with issues involving children and finance on divorce Gemma is able to provide clients with a fully rounded service from start to finish. She is experienced in all stages of litigation from first appointment / directions hearings through to contested final hearings. She is happy to accept instructions to advise on paper or by phone and regularly attends ex-parte hearings on short notice. Gemma is qualified to accept instructions direct from the public. This can assist professional clients where conflicts of interest or funding problems arise. Children Act Gemma is regularly instructed by parents, grandparents and children in cases involving complex issues of fact or law, in particular domestic violence (current or historic). Well known for her conscientious approach to client care, Gemma’s clients can expect to be guided through the litigation process at every stage. Gemma has appeared in the High Court (including the Royal Courts of Justice) in serious and complex wardship, abduction and deprivation of liberty cases. Injunctions Things happen quickly and unexpectedly in family proceedings and Gemma makes herself available to solicitors and clients to provide advice on the making of and merits of non-molestation orders and occupation orders. She has vast experience of prosecuting and defending these applications at Court and is commended for her thorough approach. Financial Remedy Gemma accepts instructions to advise spouses in relation to their financial settlement during the divorce process. This may be in conference at the outset of the claim, maintenance pending suit applications, section 37 applications, variations, enforcement and of course final hearings. She adopts a pragmatic approach to cases and is a strong negotiator. Gemma’s background in civil litigation compliments her family practice and means she is called on to advise and represent cohabiting couples in TOLATA claims and to draft pre and post nuptial agreements.
Civil – Personal Injury– RTA– Costs Litigation– Credit Hire– Public Liability– Contract– Holiday Illness Miss Richardson has extensive experience in all areas of personal injury litigation, accepting instructions for both Claimant and Defendant work. Miss Richardson is always available for solicitors to contact her, should they need any assistance at all, throughout any stage of the litigation process. No query or question is too minor. A result for any case, no matter how big or small, is returned to solicitors within a maximum of 5 hours and no later. Miss Richardson insists on this as a rule within her practise as she is fully aware of the difficulties a failure to do so can present for instructing solicitors and the time that can be wasted in consistently having to chase counsel for the same. Written advices are always completed with a maximum 12 hour turnaround. The need for solicitors to have an urgent return on written paperwork is, in her view, highly important. Miss Richardson accepts instructions for any written paperwork and is also happy to advise informally by telephone or email if a formal, written advice is not necessary. Miss Richardson is always amenable to assisting solicitors in any way she can, particularly in terms of providing lectures, workshops or professional conferences. She is also happy to take requests in respect of the same, should any solicitors require exploration of a particular area of law. Crime Miss Richardson has extensive experience in criminal law and has been involved in a number of significant cases. She accepts instructions for both Prosecution and Defence and has particular experience in Private Prosecution work having worked closely with Wirral Borough Council for a number of years, undertaking some of their most important and notable cases. Miss Richardson has appeared in both the Crown and the Magistrates Court in cases involving the following; Murder Manslaughter Rape Sexual Assault Domestic Assault Causing Death by Careless Driving Section 18, Grievous Bodily Harm Section 47, Actual Bodily Harm Common Assault Conspiracy to Supply/Supply [of] Class A drugs Aggravated Burglary Aggravated Vehicle Taking Fraud Criminal Damage Excessive Speed Charges Offence of No Insurance Breach of a Restraining Order Public Interest Immunity
Family Miss Lappin Acts for both the Local Authority and parents in public law family matters, and for parents in private law matters. Miss Lappin joined Chambers in April 2019 following the successful completion of her pupillage.Miss Lappin is a strong communicator - both orally and in writing - and has excellent analytical skills, is highly efficient, and is fully committed to doing everything possible to deliver exceptional service to clients. Prior to pupillage Miss Lappin worked as a paralegal at Linklaters in London. Whilst completing her BPTC, Miss Lappin acted as a Fundraising Student Director for BPP Pro Bono, and volunteered with Communities Empowerment Network representing the families of excluded school children at Governors' Disciplinary Committee/ Independent Appeal Panel Hearings.
Practice Areas Civil Privacy and the Media – injunctive and “super” injunctive relief; Pre-emptive commercial remedies including freezing and seizing orders/injunctions; Insurance disputes; Engineering issues; Product liability including pharmaceutical product liability and blood products; Acted for directors of a major airline on an issue of alleged secret profits; Professional [including solicitors’] negligence; Liability for injuries sustained during competitive sport; Alder Hey Body Parts Enquiry – acting for 400+ parents [Redfern QC was Chair to the Enquiry]; Acted for estate developer in the context of the failed foundations to a large housing estate; The law relating to lottery syndicates; Clinical negligence [particularly brain damage at birth/ cerebral palsy and any issue arising from genetics] and catastrophic injury claims [brain and spinal cord]. In this arena, he has a wide knowledge and experience of medical matters, medical expert evidence and the welfare issues that flow from catastrophic injury at all ages [e.g. adult social care]. False imprisonment, malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office; The regulatory framework for e-commerce/ e-gaming and crypto-currencies such as Bitcoin [participation in the Crypto Valley Summit on the Isle of Man in September 2014, [which was introduced by the Lieutenant Governor]. The regulatory framework for the extraction of shale gas. Crime Representation of the People Act [election fraud] His successfully prosecuting one of the earliest cases involving computerised telephone evidence. [R v Shacklady, one of the largest prosecutions brought by Preston CPS] He has a special expertise in relation to covert surveillance and phonetic interpretation, and he has developed a practice protocol for covert surveillance evidence. [R v Albattikhi , one of the largest and highest profile cases outside London in 2007/8; acquittal]. He has defended a case where the central witness for the prosecution was anonymous [under the 2008 legislation]; He successfully overcame a phalanx of pathology evidence ranged against him in a manslaugter prosecution against a club bouncer [drawing on his forensic medical experience]; He has a broad experience of human rights issues [including in the Court of Appeal]; Complex issues of ballistic evidence and DNA [he has a particular expertise in genetics] Confiscation and Proceeds of Crime, recovering for example over £2m in the Shacklady case. He deployed his expertise in child psychology [harvested from practice in the Family Division] successfully to defend an uncle charged as being part of a paedophile ring. He has a particular expertise in non-accidental head injury to babies, again harmonising his experience of the Crown Court and the Family Division. He challenged the telephone statistical evidence in one of the largest cases prosecuted by Avon and Somerset for 15 years [R v Wall and others] securing an acquittal where his client was charged with conspiracy to murder, the telephone evidence being held out by the prosecution as pointing to his client as the focal point of the 9-hander conspiracy. Lead cases in the Court of Appeal as to joint enterprise, and SOCPA agreements. Family Human Rights; Genetics (including human rights); Surrogacy; Human Fertilisation and Embryology; Public Law cases with a foreign element, [“Brussels II Revised” including Article 15 applications]; Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Muslim circumcision; Proceedings under the Forced Marriage Act; Schedule 1 Children Act claims [property and maintenance]; Media Access to the Family Courts and Reporting Restriction Orders; Factitious Induced Injury [FII “Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy”] International child abduction; Non – accidental head injury [NAHI]; Wardship post – Children Act; Inter-action of insolvency, divorce and the matrimonial home. International adoption Commitment to Diversity and Equality of Opportunity The following bibliography expresses legal principle through the prism of procedure and litigation technique [the Managing Director {Neville Cusworth} of Butterworths in the 1980s said it “broke the mould of legal publishing”]. The agenda was, and is, to secure equality of opportunity in litigation and a level playing field for all irrespective of race, gender, wealth, colour or creed]. The Bibliography Recent Publications: Commercial Litigation Ð Pre-Emptive Remedies: International Edition [General Editor: 2005 and 2nd edition January 2012, with a Foreword by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers]. Ship Sale and Purchase: [Forewords by Lords Justice Steyn, Anthony Evans, Rix and Lord Mance]. Lloyds of London Press/Informa: 1985; 6th Ed August 2012 with Clyde and Co. From the first edition, IG explored the needs of diverse stakeholders in the market throughout the world [irrespective of background etc] also to inform them in a legal context. It has been a market leader worldwide for over 30 years. This work has been formally translated into Chinese, with official approval from IGs London publishers. The initiative for such translation came from Beijing. In this context, IG was invited to the launch of the Manchester China Institute. Insurance Disputes [Informa; 1999 & 2003 & 3rd edition January 2012, with Lord Mance, Prof. Merkin and sub-editors, seeking to advance a genuine integrity and transparency in the conduct of insurance litigation and to enable litigators, irrespective of background, to achieve best practice]; PROCEDURAL LAW: Bullen and Leake and Jacob: Precedents of Pleadings 13th ed [Foreword by Lord Griffiths. 1990, with Co-Editor in Chief with Sir Jack Jacob; and sub-eds]. Pleadings: Principles and Practice [Foreword by Lord Goff. 1990, with Sir Jack Jacob. The work includes perspectives from diverse jurisdictions [Scotland, France and Germany] to broaden and enrich the context; PERSONAL INJURY: Personal Injury Litigation: Practice And Precedents [Butterworths, 1985] with Margaret de Haas and District Judge Wilkinson; Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Service with Margaret de Haas and a team; [Forewords by Lord Justice Russell and Lord Woolf BPILS-1988, now in 6 volumes, loose-leaf with sub-eds [now up to supplement 156]; this book is the vehicle through which IG pioneered and promulgated the techniques he had developed in practice further to secure equality and diversity. It has proved to be one of the most successful books in the publishers history]; *Structured Settlements with Margaret de Haas and a team; [Foreword by Mr. Justice Michael Wright. Butterworths, 1993&1996 with sub-eds; manuscript to 1st ed. contracted to be delivered in 8 weeks {as it was} when Butterworths had advertised the book but the previous authors had failed to deliver. It was a new field of procedure, which required best practice for the average high street litigator]; COMMERCE: Commercial Litigation: Pre-Emptive Remedies with a team [Forewords by Lord Justice Donaldson MR, Lord Woolf MR [x2] and Lord Phillips MR.1987 Sweet and Maxwell; now loose-leaf with sub-eds. This work synthesized over a dozen fields of commercial law to create a compendium, drawing upon fundamental principles common to each field, and was intended to enable litigators from every background to litigate with the best in this field]. FAMILY LAW: Child Case Management Practice [Jordan 2009 and 2012: With Ryder J and sub-editors]. There is a third edition of this book due out in late 2017. Media Access to the Family Courts: [Jordans 2009] Template for a Model Judgment [Family Division work] published by Jordans as a feature in Family Law February 2014. HONG KONG: Bullen and Leake and Jacob [Precedents of Pleadings] 2014: Supervisory Editor Ð there are several other contributing editors for this book. Hong Kong Commercial Litigation: December 2012 – Consulting Editor Ð again, there are several other contributing editors to this book. GENETICS: IG has been exploring the inter-face between law and genetics since 1999, and has sought to pioneer this field of jurisprudence as being central to issues of privacy and personal autonomy, particularly in an Article 8 context: Editor: Genetics Law Monitor [2000-2003] Informa Press. Editor-in-Chief: Coram Genetics Law Journal [published by IGs London chambers). This has to be seen also in the context of IGs Professorial Chair at University. Assistance to Lord Chancellor’s Department and Ministry of Justice vis a vis Diversity etc Judicial Shadowing: In 1999 Iain Goldrein responded to a request from Lord Irvine LC as to equality and diversity by volunteering what is now the Judicial Shadowing Scheme [JSS]. His concept was to advance equality of opportunity and respect for diversity by giving ethnic minorities a stake-holding in the administration of justice, and enable such minorities to secure respect, through their being immediately identified [by sitting alongside the judiciary] with the judicial process. “Woolf” reforms: In 1994 Iain Goldrein accepted an invitation to assist Lord Woolf on his Report/CPR, flowing from Lord Woolf reading Iain Goldrein’s Inaugural Professorial Paper [ibid]. This resulted in frequent liaison [1995-1998] with Amanda Finlay and Michael Kron at the LCD [Lord Chancellor’s Department; Selborne House]. Expert Evidence: In September 2010, Iain Goldrein was asked to advise the MoJ in Petty France, London, as to how to achieve more cost-effective use of expert evidence in family proceedings and in the course of such advice, he proposed extending the Judicial Shadowing Scheme to embrace experts, to achieve greater opportunity for all experts irrespective of race, sex, colour or creed. Lecturing Etc Experience of people: He has extensive experience of chairing and lecturing for major national conferences [including for the Law Society and Bar Council] affording a very wide experience of people. His audiences have ranged from several hundred to small syndicate groups. Training of solicitor advocates: At the invitation of the national Law Society, he assisted in training the first tranche of Higher Court Advocates. Hong Kong: In Hong Kong he has lectured to several hundred litigators and academics on their new CPR Code [2009] with particular reference to equality and a level playing field. Lloyds List in September 2009 published a feature about his work via a vis the HK CPR and ADR. Areas of Practice Off Shore Legal Services: Please download details of Iain Goldrein QC’s Off Shore Legal Services here Mediation: Qualified Mediator in Commerce and Family matters: Accredited by the Academy of Experts [1991] and the ADR Group [2009 and 2010] Invited to provide the Foreword to the Asia Mediation Handbook [2015]; His assistance with a leading book on mediation published in HK [“The Hong Mediation Handbook” 2010] is expressly acknowledged in that work by the Editor. Panel Member of: Academy of Experts Consensus Mediation ADR Group Belief in Mediation and Arbitration (BIMA – expressly aimed at achieving harmony in the context of diversity) Other Memberships: Civil Mediation Council and the Association of Northern Mediators. University of West London: He has provided assistance to Ealing Law School as to the launching of a mediation course. Judicial Appointments: Panel Deemster: Isle of Man from 2012. Deputy High Court Judge [Family Division] from 2008. Recorder with authority to sit in: Crime [from 1995]; Civil [from 1998]; Family [from 1998]. Queen’s Counsel [1997] Member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal [Restricted Cases Panel] 1999 – 2002. Professional Chairs: – Honorary Professor [2017]: Nottingham Trent University – Visiting Professor [The Sir Jack Jacob Chair in Litigation], Nottingham Law School [1993] Iain Goldrein QC was offered this Chair because the Law-School Professors perceived from his publishing that he shared their agenda of achieving greater equality and diveristy in litigation, to which end he assisted in setting up the Centre of Advanced Litigation and also in drafting the LLM course in Advanced Litigation. The Chair is explicitly in Procedural Law. Mr Goldrein’s Inaugural Professional Paper [1993] was entitled ” Issue! Issue! – or we all fall down.” It argued for the levelling of the litigation playing field by reference to the following: Proactive judicial case management, to a timetable, by reference to defined issues, transparently, proportionately to a budget, on the basis that the entirety of procedural law should be underpinned expressly by ” The Pursuit of Justice”. – Visiting Professor [2016]: Chair in Law and Genetics, Bolton University. – Honorary Doctorate in law at Bolton University. – Companion of the Academy of Experts Appointed by Lord Slynn for assistance to the Academy, the aim being to level the playing field for litigator, litigant and expert irrespective of background [Iain Goldrein’s chapter on the practice and principles of expert evidence in the Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Service was, he believes, the first such treatise in the UK in the field of common law]; – Advisory Editor: Hong Kong Civil Procedure [The Hong Kong “White Book”] – International Advisory Editor: Malaysian Civil Procedure [The Malaysian “White Book”] – Foreword to the Singapore Edition of Bullen and Leake and Jacob’s Precedents of Pleadings. – Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. – Advisory Council, Centre for Opposition Studies, Westminster. – Fellow of the Institue of Advaned Legal Studies. Council / Advisory Board Membership – Chair and Trustee of the Liverpool Cornerstones Foundation charity. The purpose of this charity [registered with the Charity Commission] is to provide an open future to the most vulnerable children [children in care and on the edge of care], by way of competitive awards, sponsorship, mentoring, work experience an apprenticeships, to empower these children to become the cornerstones of Liverpool. [The original concept and initiative was Iain Goldrein’s, flowing from Psalm 118: “The stone which the builder rejected has become the cornerstone”]. – Advisory board – Distinguished Peace Builders. – International Advisory Board, Centre for Islamic Finance, Bolton University. – [Liverpool] Mayoral Commission on Environmental Sustainability: One of 6 members. Chambers: – 7 Harrington Street Chambers, Liverpool, L2 9YH [Joint/ Deputy Head 1999 – 2012] – KCH Chambers, Nottingham – Coram Chambers, 9 – 11 Fulwood Place, London, WC1V 6HG – Door Tenant – Garden Chambers, London Voluntary Service Etc: Current Member of the Following: – Muslim – Jewish Forum [to achieve harmony in relationships between Muslim and Jew] – Bar Pro Bono Panel – Association of Northern Mediators Council Member: Faith in the Future Past Member of: – Young Barristers’ Committee – Bar Technology Committee – Northern Circuit Commerical Bar Association – Bar Council Law Reform Committee – Some-time Inner Temple Representatie in Liverpool Papers Delivered Chairing and speaking at a Major conference on Law and Genetics in Nottingham on 9th June 2014, which Iain Goldrein also delivered at the Royal College of Medicine in 2015. Chairing and speaking on Family Public Law cases with a foreign element; analysis of recent case law in this rapidly evolving arena. Addressing the Isle of Man Law Society in December 2017 on judicial case management, expert evidence and “hot-tubbing”.
Practice Areas Civil Personal Injury James has considerable experience of all types of Personal Injury litigation. He is regularly instructed to act in high value claims concerning employers and occupiers liability and as a result he has been placed on the approved counsel panel for J Sainsbury plc and is regularly instructed to represent them in complex and high value multi-track cases. James also acts for both Claimants and Defendants in Product Liability cases, including but not limited to, breaches of Sections 2 and 3 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 arising out of defective consumer and commercial products. James deals with cases from the advisory stage, pleadings, the interlocutory stage (including costs-case management) through to trial. He is happy to consider acting on a conditional fee basis and can arrange to turn papers around on short notice on request. Regulatory James has attended interim hearings in serious and fatal accident cases, representing both corporate and individual defendants. He has assisted leading Counsel by providing both research and advice in relation to gross negligence manslaughter and corporate manslaughter charges. James grounding in personal injury litigation, combined with his increasing experience of regulatory work, has made him very familiar with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the statutory regimes it has introduced. Inquests James represents companies, public bodies and individuals at inquests. He has extensive experience of cases that arise out of accidents at work and road traffic accidents as well as dealing with Article 2 inquests. Notable Cases Personal Injury Neary & Neary v Bedspace Resource Ltd (2015): James acted on behalf of both Claimants. This case raised the novel question as to whether each Claimant was entitled to an award of fixed costs under CPR 45.29B, or are they limited to one award of fixed costs between them? His Honour Judge Pearce ruled that where there are multiple successful Claimants within the same claim, their legal representative is entitled to the equivalent number of fixed fees and trial advocacy fees. James was therefore able to recover costs for each Claimant. Pickard v Wincanton Group Limited & J Sainsbury Plc: James represented J Sainsbury Plc who were the second Defendant in a multi-track case in which the Claimant had been crushed during a HGV delivery. The Claimant withdrew his case against J Sainsbury plc following James submissions in relation to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Baljit Singh Mann v J Sainsbury Plc: James represented J Sainsbury plc who were the Defendants in a very high value multi-track case which involved a Claimant who, as a result of the Defendants negligence, was alleging he had developed Complex Pain Syndrome. Mr Stephen Storr v (1) Opus Industrial Services Limited (2) AMEC Group Plc: Represented second Defendant in a scaffolding collapse matter in which the Claimant was injured. Matter settled against the second Defendant following James submissions in relation to whether the Claimant was carrying out Construction Work within the meaning of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 at the relevant time and if said regulations applied to the second Defendant. Mrs Karen Hipkiss v West Midlands Travel Limited: Acted on behalf of the Defendant in a complex and sensitive case involving facial scaring and disfigurement. Mr Leslie Tassell v Amey Services Ltd: Represented Claimant at a trial on quantum in a complex multi-track case in which the Claimant had lost most of his hearing due to an explosion at the plant where he worked. Desmond Anyigwi v Lean On Me Ltd: Representing the Claimant in a multi-track matter in which the Claimant, whilst working as a carer in a patients home, tripped and fell. As a result of the fall he suffered blunt trauma to the right eye resulting in a traumatic macular hole in his right eye. As a result of this, his vision has been recorded at being 6/60 (10% of the normal range). Tobias v Easyjet Plc: Represented a quadriplegic Claimant who suffered a scrotal injury which resulted in him not being able to have any further children. Regulatory R (HSE) v Amec & Buro Happold: James assisted Mr. Ageros of Crown Office Chambers, who was acting on behalf of a major multinational construction company in both an inquest and trial. This concerned a fatality during a large CDM project, which resulted in the company being charged with breaches under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. This was a tremendously complex case which involved live evidence from 40 witnesses and many thousands of documents. R (HSE) v W Carroll and Sons Ltd: James worked on behalf of the Defendant company who were charged with an offence of failing to comply with a health and safety duty, namely the duty to conduct its undertaking in such a way as to ensure that non-employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety, contrary to section 3(1) and 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 after a sub-contractor was seriously injured when he fell from a roof while carrying a bag of asbestos board. As a result of the fall, he was rendered tetraplegic and will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. James provided an advice on plea, basis of plea and conducted the Newton trial. Inquests Jordanna Goodwin and Megan Story (both deceased): Inquest into the deaths of two 16-year-olds, who were killed in a car crash in South Yorkshire. The crash also claimed the lives of three other teenagers. The inquest attracted both national and local media coverage including BBC and ITV news, the Metro and the Sheffield Star. The Redfern Inquiry into Human Tissue Analysis in UK Nuclear Facilities: James was appointed by Michael Redfern QC as part of a team to investigate concerns that body tissue, including bone and organs had been removed from deceased nuclear workers for tests without the consent of relatives.
Barrister specialising in all aspects of personal injury, industrial injury and disease litigation; clinical and professional negligence on behalf of major insurance companies, the Motor Insurance Bureau, NHS Trusts and claimants; RTA (including low impact), employers’ liability, credit hire and tripping claims; health and safety prosecutions and defence, trade description, food safety, fatal accident claims, coroners inquests, product liability, actions against the police (malicious prosecution, false imprisonment etc), costs, judicial review and environment.
Call: 1976 Practice Areas Crime Murder / Manslaughter Local Government legislation Licensing Judicial Review Inquests Heavy goods vehicle registration Heavy crime Food safety Areas of Practice Appointed as Standing Counsel to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Practice Areas Crime Mr Baxter is a specialist criminal practitioner who joined Chambers in March 2016 following a successful completion of his pupillage under the supervision of Mr Martin Reid. He is instructed by the Prosecution and Defence both as a Led Junior and Junior Alone. Mr Baxter understands the importance of client care and prides himself in being an approachable advocate who is determined to provide the best possible result for his client. He is accustomed to dealing with paper heavy cases and taking cases on short notice. He is happy to advise both his lay and professional clients throughout all stages of the proceedings and uses modern technology to present cases to the jury in the most efficient way. Mr Baxter has been instructed in cases involving vulnerable witnesses/defendants, including cases requiring the use of ABE interviews and issues of fitness to plead/stand trial and is experienced in dealing with cases involving expert evidence including telephonic, forensic, medical and accountancy. Mr Baxter also has a keen interest in POCA/confiscation proceedings having appeared in a number of interim hearings, final disposals and for third-party individuals affected by the proceedings. He is also instructed in regulatory, disciplinary and licensing matters including taxi, security industry and firearms licensing appeals. Areas of Practice Described as having an ‘engaging and authoritative manner’ Mr Baxter has quickly established himself a busy and diverse Crown Court practice and is instructed by both the Prosecution and Defence in equal measure. He has been a Level 3 CPS advocate for a number of years already and is authorised to Prosecute cases arising out of Operation Venetic (Encrochat cases). Mr Baxter has appeared in numerous trials in the Crown Court, many of which made regional and national news, including: Murder – including manslaughter and attempted murder. Causing death by dangerous driving and careless driving Drugs: Possession with intent to supply Class A & B drugs (including conspiracy), conveying prohibited articles into prison and production offences; Firearms & Offensive Weapons: Including conspiracies to sell/transfer firearms, possession of firearms and explosives, possession of ammunition and threatening with a bladed article; Modern Slavery: Offences requiring persons to perform forced/compulsory labour and human trafficking. OAPA offences: Section 18, Section 20 and Section 47 assaults and an offence under Section 29 (throwing corrosive fluid on a person with intent to do grievous bodily harm); Theft Act offences: Burglary (including conspiracy to burgle), robbery, handling stolen goods and aggravated vehicle taking; Sexual offences: Including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault and outraging public decency; Fraud/Financial: Revenue (income tax and VAT) and non-revenue fraud offences, money laundering and possessing criminal property; Miscellaneous: Conspiracy to cause explosions, misuse of computers act offences, violent disorder, affray, threats to kill, escape, perverting the course of justice, contempt of court and dangerous driving; and POCA: All stages including arguments as to benefit, available amount, third party interests, hidden assets and final hearings. Notable Cases Murder / Homicide R v MW: Led Junior for the defence representing a 19 year old male accused of the knifepoint murder of a rival drug dealer. R v TK: Led Junior for the defence representing a man accused of the joint-enterprise murder of a man at a taxi rank in Liverpool. TK was ultimately acquitted of both murder and manslaughter and convicted of a section 47 assault. R v LW: Junior Alone defending a young woman accused of attempting to murder her best friend and best friend’s partner. R v AC: Junior Alone prosecuting a defendant accused of causing the death of an 11 year old girl by dangerous driving. Convicted after trial. Drugs and Weapons Offences Malaga 1 – Junior alone prosecuting a multi-handed conspiracy to sell/transfer firearms and possessing firearms with intent to endanger life arising out of Encrochat and surveillance Malaga 2 - Junior alone prosecuting a multi-handed conspiracy to possess firearms and grenades linked to a drug dealing enterprise in Manchester. Geladi – Led Junior for the prosecution in a case multi-handed conspiracy involving the robbery of 20kg of class A drugs between rival drug gangs in Manchester and Liverpool. The case involved the Encrochat and cell site expert evidence. Cicilian 1 & 2 – Led junior for the prosecution in two multi-handed drugs conspiracies. The cases involved issues as to disclosure (both s.8 and PII), abuse of process and resulted in a successful prosecution of all defendants on trial. Kodak: Representing a Merseyside based defendant as part of a 5kg (category 1) conspiracy to supply Class A drugs to Bournemouth as well as possession of a disguised firearm. Case made national news and involved a large amount of surveillance and telephone evidence/billing. Following a successful Newton hearing the defendant’s role, and sentence, was significantly reduced. Earnest: Representing a female alleged to be involved in a County Lines drugs conspiracy in Carlisle alleged to be acting as a street dealer. Acquitted after trial. Bugbear: Representing a Merseyside based defendant as part of an allegation of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The case involves issue surrounding forensic evidence. The Defendant was acquitted following a successful submission of no case to answer. R v AC – Instructed to prosecute two defendants for conveying prohibited articles into prison (drugs and telephones) using drones. The case involved expert evidence in relation to GPRS data obtained from the devices. Modern Slavery Master – Led Junior for the prosecution involving allegations of conspiracy to require workers to perform forced/compulsory labour in car washes and human trafficking. Serious Violence Op.Brent – Junior for the Defence (Richard Pratt QC leading) representing the principal defendant in an allegation of conspiracy to rob and wounding with intent whereby the defendant was alleged to have arranged for his neighbour to be shot by associates. The defendant was acquitted after trial. Sydney – Led Junior for the defence in a case lasting 3 months. First on the indictment whereby the allegation was conspiracy to cause explosions in order to steal from ATM machines. The case involved in excess of 10,000 pages of evidence and was heavily reliant on telephone and attribution evidence between conspirators. The case also involved an argument of autrefois acquit. Kirkhill – Led Junior for the prosecution in eight trials relating to large scale public disorder outside St Georges Hall, Liverpool in February 2016. A total of 56 defendants were convicted who were affiliated to extreme left and right wing organisations. R v BW – Instructed to defend in a S.18 trial whereby the allegation was a slash to the face with a Stanley Knife following an earlier robbery. Fraud/ Proceeds of Crime Burnbank – Prosecuted a nine-handed POCA final hearing following a trial for conspiracy to import and supply Class A drugs. Benefit figures ranged up to £400,000. Globelake – Junior alone prosecuting a multi-handed POCA hearing following convictions for fraud. Benefit figures were in excess of £500,000 and the case involved arguments as to hidden assets and the application of the assumptions. Manzini – Led junior for the prosecution in a multi-handed fraud trial relating to the theft of mail followed by numerous fraudulent applications for credit cards/personal loans. Value in excess of £100,000. R v IA – Prosecuted a Yemeni national for offences of possession false travel documentation with improper intent. Miscellaneous Java – Represented a young male for sentence following guilty pleas to 10 offences contrary to the misuse of computers act following an extensive investigation by the cyber crime unit. Offences involved complex issues of DOS and DDOS attacks by the use of a stressor, which the Defendant would sell, causing an overload of traffic on servers and temporary incapacitation. Over 200,000 attacks took place. Sentenced to 2 years suspended for 18 months. R v JW – representing a man accused of casting a destructive substance with intent to cause GBH (spitting Mercury) at a police officer contrary to S.29 OAPA 1861. Successful acquittal after a 4 day trial despite cogent police evidence. R v LM – Defending in a shoplifting case which involved the defence of non-insane automatism brought about by the Defendants diabetes. Following legal arguments and expert evidence, the case was ultimately dropped against the Defendant.
Call: 1986 Practice Areas Family Public law children cases including care and adoption Private law children cases Forced Marriage including Forced Marriage protection orders Surrogacy and Parental Orders Radicalisation and Terrorism FGM Child abduction Matrimonial finance and property distribution Experience of acting for a wide variety of clients including parents, children, extended family members, Guardians, local authorities and the Official Solicitor Civil Public Interest Immunity Human Rights Inquests Recent Cases Of Interest Re C (Children) [2016] EWCA Civ 356Link to case here A Local Authority v M & F (Care orders and Wardship) [2018] EWHC 3295 (Fam)Link to case here AA + 25 Others (Children) [2019] EWFC 64Link to case here Re E [2019] EWCA Civ 1557Link to case here Areas of Practice Having completed a pupillage with Mark Hedley Esquire [now Mr Justice Hedley] I initially developed a mixed practice including crime, civil and family: Crime: Including offences against the person, dishonesty offences and supply of drugs Civil: Including PI, Landlord and tenant [eg. R v K ex parte Bowen] Civil actions involving the police [eg. M v C C of C Po (CA)] Family: Public and private law [eg Re P (Adoption) (Natural Fathers Rights), Re T ( Care Orders) Having developed and consolidated my expertise in family law, I now specialise in it. Public Law: Acting for parents, local authorities, guardians, children, the Official Solicitor and others for example grandparents and interveners. Dealing with complex cases involving disputed expert evidence. Dealing with all manner of public law cases for example care applications, placement orders, adoption, special guardianship and post adoption contact as well as appeals. The range of issues include: Infant deaths, infanticide, murder of siblings and so called ‘honour’ killing. Non-accidental injuries including fractures and NAHI (‘baby shaking’) Sexual abuse. Domestic violence. Mental Health including allegations of factious illness [Munchausen Syndrome by proxy). Substance abuse. Disability. Genetics. Transracial, transgender and transborder matters. Human Rights. Public Interest immunity. Radicalisation and Terrorism FGM Private Law: Child Arrangement Orders Special Guardianship Adoption Surrogacy and Parental Orders Forced Marriage Issues FGM Issues Include: Implacable hostility and parental alienation. Domestic violence. Sexual and other abuse. Substance abuse. Removal from the jurisdiction. Child abduction. Enforcement. Issues of transgender. PR including issues involving non-biological parents. Involvements of children and guardians pursuant to Rule 16 FPR Representing Parents, grandparents and other interested third parties for example partners of parents. Ancillary relief including high net worth. Other: Ability to handle a wide range of witnesses from experts, lay witnesses through to children. Experience of conducting hearings using different modes of communication including use of language interpreters, sign language experts and use of lip readers. Use of video link to conduct hearings. Ability to speak Urdu and Punjabi. Providing training for a cross section of professionals. Memberships: FLBA PIBA Child Concern Interests: Cricket, politics and history. Covering a wide geographical area and willing to travel.
Call: 1996 Professional Memberships: Family Law Bar Association 7HS Family Committee Practice Areas Civil Personal injury Family Matrimonial finance & property distribution Private law child Public law child “Courageous and tenacious” (Legal 500 2018) Ranked Tier 1 “Recommended for Children Law Cases” (Legal 500 2016) Ranked: Tier 1 “Her specialist children law practice covers sexual abuse,factitious illnesses and infant deaths, among other areas” (Legal 500 2015) Ranked:tier 1 Areas of Practice I represent Local Authorities, parents and children in all aspects of Child Law. In the last year I have appeared in cases involving, amongst other things: – Non – accidental Head Injuries Infant Death Sexual Abuse Factitious Illness Neglect Claims Pursuant to the Human Rights Act Judicial Review I have given lectures in respect of both Private and Public Law and regularly appear before Judges in the County and High Court.
Call: 1990 Practice Areas Family Private Law Child Cases Public Law Child Cases Financial Applications Financial Disputes Relocation Cases Recent Testimonial: “Kate, yesterday you took over the court room and in the words of an X-Factor judge ‘made the stage your own’! In all seriousness your professionalism and preparation was exemplary, you engaged the Court and basically ran the room. We are very fortunate that we were able to have you alongside us, thank you.” JD Areas of Practice Miss Symms is a specialist practitioner in family law and has extensive experience in appearing in complex matters relating to all aspects of family breakdown. In Children Act cases she acts in public law for Local Authorities , Guardians and Parents (including those assisted by the Official Solicitor) in most serious cases, and is especially used to dealing with cases involving abduction and complex psychological and psychiatric evidence. In private law cases she has dealt with the full range of cases and has been instructed in a number of cases with an international element, appearing both for parents wishing to remove their children from the jurisdiction and those opposing such applications. Miss Symms has experience of cases involving international child abdution and the operation of the Hague Convention. Miss Symms also practices extensively in the field of ancillary relief, acting in cases involving large claims. She has regularly appeared in cases involving school fees claims, pension division and inheritance claims and also advises in cases brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. She has a large amount of experience in “big money” cases including those related to farms and farming. Miss Symms is authorised to undertake Public Access work and appears on the Bar Council Public Access Register. Notable Cases Examples of Recent Cases: G v G: Successfully negotiated outcome in case where client obtained a greater than 50% pension share in relation to pensions worth more than £1m and secured full ownership of the former matromonial home. M v M: A very complex case where the client’s father was a very wealthy businessman who was the owner of a nationwide business with more than 350 stores and 13,000 employes. He had set up a substantial trust for the family whose beneficiaries included my client’s wife and children. Successfully avoided any claim on the trust and then negotiated a very favourable settlement. W v W: Acted for a father whose own father had a number of businesses. There were claims in relation to the business and property which were defeated notwithstanding the apparent conveyance of them into my client’s name. S v S: Resisted an appeal against a decision at first instance relating to 6 Spanish properties and property and businesses in England. The case involved disclosure issues in relation to hidden assets and substantial allegations of dishonesty. J v J: Acted for a mother whose former partner had been convicted of manslaughter; a successful application for PII material relating to current police intelligence about him led to findings of fact against him. A v K: The case involved successful first instance and appellate hearings for a teacher whose work made providing full-time care impossible. F v H: Appeared in a five-day hearing for mother who retained residence of her children despite having significant mental health issues. D v D: Appeared in a lengthy hearing for a father who was alleged to have committed a number of “honour-based” violent and sexual attacks whilst the couple were at a wedding in Sri Lanka. LA v BF and others: An on-going case involving a critically ill young boy, with competing parenting claims and substantial issues of fact relating to their ability to manage the intense and technical aspects of the child’s care. LA v M: A ten day finding of fact hearing in which the client was exonerated in relation to all allegations of sexual abuse made against her. LA v L: A case involving multi-jurisdictional issues where the motherwished to return the children to Madeira. LA v H: A case involving a finding of fact hearing followed by substantial arguments about adoption and placement with a fundemental disagreement between the Guardian and the Local Authority.
Areas of Practice Miss O’Donohue has a general Common Law Civil practice and regularly represents both Claimants and Defendants in the County Court at all levels. She has appeared in cases involving, amongst other things, Fast Track and Multi Track work Road Traffic Accidents, including Fraud and Low Velocity Impact claims Possession Proceedings Occupier’s Liability Claims Public Liability Claims including accidents on the Highways Employer’s Liability Claims CICA appeals Coroners Inquests Credit Hire Litigation Miss O’Donohue’s practice includes advising on all aspects of the above and drafting pleadings.
Call: 1988 Practice Areas Crime Prosecution & Defence Serious crime (including confiscation and proceeds of crime applications) Grade 4 CPS General Crime Panel Grade 4 CPS Serious Crime Panel Panel A Serious Fraud Office
Practice Areas Miss Bassinder has specific experience in personal injury claims arising out of: Road traffic accidents, particularly with regard to LVI and allegations of fraud/fundamental dishonesty and phantom passenger(s); Credit hire, including complex arguments in respect of enforceability; Workplace accidents, with an interest in claims relating to working from height, electrocution and machinery; Industrial disease, specifically NIHL, HAVS, and repetitive strain injury; Alleged breaches of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957/1984, particularly against schools, hospitals and supermarkets; Accidents on public highways; and Defective products. Miss Bassinder has experience of personal injury claims arising out of cosmetic treatments, for both Claimants and Defendants. She has a special interest in claims involving historic physical and sexual abuse, particularly with regard to abuse perpetrated whilst in care. In addition to her personal injury practice, Miss Bassinder regularly acts for both tenants and landlords in possession proceedings and claims under the Defective Premises Act 1972, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Miss Bassinder accepts instructions to draft pleadings, skeleton arguments and Part 35 questions, and advises on quantum, liability and procedure. She ensures a swift turnaround of paperwork. She is happy to advise at the early stages of proceedings, and conference with lay and expert witnesses. Miss Bassinder provides training and seminars upon request.
Family Miss Parr’s practice is primarily focused on family law, including ancillary relief, injunctive relief and public and private law children applications. Miss Parr has appeared before the Court of Appeal.Children Miss Parr specialises in family law and has appeared in the Court of Appeal and High Court. Miss Parr represents parents, children and Local Authorities in care and adoption proceedings. She has experience of complex cases involving sexual abuse, non-accidental injury, substance misuse, mental health issues and neglect. She has experience in deprivation of liberty applications under the Court’s inherent jurisdiction. In private law proceedings, Miss Parr represents parents and children and is experienced in dealing with intractable contact disputes, impacable hostility and international relocation. Finance Miss Parr acts in ancillary relief proceedings, including those involving pensions and company assets. Miss Parr is thorough in her presentation of cases and is noted for her client care including her approachable and sympathetic manner. Margaret is content to advise in conference in advance of hearings.
Call: 2004 Education and Qualifications: Law LLB (Hons) BVC Memberships: Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers PIBA Middle Temple Recommendations: Ranked: Tier 2 (Legal 500 2023) ‘Neair is very knowledgeable in the processes, can convey difficult information in a clear and professional manner and is able to carefully probe a client’s response to elicit information required to best represent them. Despite being busy, she is organised and well prepared, even with short notice. She advocates strongly for the client and achieves good outcomes.’ Ranked: Tier 2 (Legal 500 2022) (Leading Junior Professional Disciplinary Law) ‘A specialist in healthcare sector disciplinary work.’ Ranked: Tier 2 (Legal 500 2021) (Leading Junior Professional Disciplinary Law) Civil Areas of Practice Neair is a specialist in the areas of Regulatory/Professional Discipline with an emphasis on Healthcare Regulation, Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence and Coroners’ Inquests. She accepts instructions in Courts and Tribunals nationally. She has a busy paperwork practice and is happy to provide advice or pleadings on an urgent basis. Neair offers training and seminars to solicitors in all areas of her practice. Regulatory Neair has had exposure to a wealth of regulatory work. She accepts instructions in all areas of healthcare regulation and has considerable experience of representing nurses in proceedings brought by The Nursing and Midwifery Council. She is an experienced trial advocate who gives robust advice, while also having a particular skill in dealing with vulnerable or nervous clients. She has built up extensive experience encompassing lengthy and high profile cases and includes appellate experience. While she has a particular interest in the area of dishonesty, she has significant experience of acting in a wide range of matters. Her instructions regularly involve cases of the utmost complexity, including those relating to health and misconduct, clinical incompetence, fraud, neglect, suggested sexual impropriety and registration appeals. NMC v NS & Others: Defended a ward manager who faced charges relating to the death of an in-patient on a mental health ward. Following a successful application to exclude the expert’s evidence and upon hearing witness evidence, all 12 charges were dismissed at the close of the NMC’s case, following a finding of no case to answer. NMC v JA: Acted on behalf of the Registrant in a two-week hearing in relation to breaches of policy on a mental health ward. Further concerns raised related to inappropriate use of seclusion in circumstances where it was not clinically necessary to do so. Finding of No Impairment. Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care v Nursing and Midwifery Counsel (1) and Joe Apeaning (2) [2017] EWHC 3573 (Admin): Acted on behalf of the second respondent in an appeal brought by the PSA on the basis a finding of no impairment by the lower tribunal was not sufficient to maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of the profession. The case received coverage in The Post. NMC v JB Allegations of theft of controlled drugs. Successfully applied to transfer the matter from the Conduct and Competence Committee to the Health Committee despite objections on behalf of the Council. NMC v GC: Issues of clinical incompetence were considered. A finding of no impairment was reached. NMC v AN: Fraudulent entry on the register case, arising as a result of a failure to disclose a number of convictions. NMC v JR & Others: Five-week hearing arising as a result of a referral from the Coroner following the death of a mental health patient. Persuaded the panel to impose a short caution order, as opposed to the suspension order advanced by the NMC. NMC v AW: Persuaded the panel to impose a short suspension order rather than an order for strike off, as suggested by the NMC, in respect of a registrant who had a conviction for stalking, was subject to a suspended sentence order and had also received an indefinite straining order. Inquests Neair has an extensive inquest practice, acting for interested persons and for the family. She has acted in lengthy Article 2 inquests, and is well versed in dealing with complex matters as a result of her significant healthcare practice. In the Matter of BH (Liverpool Coroner’s Court) Article 2 Inquest relating to a death in custody on behalf of the healthcare provider. In the Matter of KH (Manchester Coroner’s Court) Acted on behalf of the family following a death in hospital, where issues were raised about the standard of care delivered by clinicians. In the Matter of TT (Stockport Coroner’s Court) Acted on behalf of the care home following the death of resident of sepsis. In the Matter of JK (Newcastle Coroner’s Court) Acted on behalf of the care home following the death of a resident after suffering a fall whilst unsupervised. In the Matter of CT (Preston Coroner’s Court) Article 2 inquest. Acted on behalf of an individual nurse following a death in custody of a prisoner with significant mental health issues who had engaged in previous acts of self harm. In the Matter of NL (Wakefield Coroner’s Court) Article 2 inquest. Acted on behalf of an individual nurse following a death in custody where a prisoner was found deceased in her cell. Questions arose about the administration of various drugs and their interactions with one another. In the Matter of SH (Hull Coroner’s Court) Acted on behalf of a nurse following the death of a decorated serving police officer, with a history of interaction with mental health services, who was found hanged at her home address following various mental health assessments in the community. The case was reported in the Daily Mail. In the Matter of JH (Doncaster Coroner’s Court) Acting on behalf of a nurse in a forthcoming Article 2 inquest relating to a death in custody. Care Quality Commission As a result of her significant coronial and healthcare practice, particularly in the area of deaths within a care home setting, Neair can advise on appropriate responses to CQC referrals. Personal Injury Neair undertakes all aspects of Personal Injury Litigation for both Claimant and Defendant, including; RTAs (Low Velocity Collisions and Credit Hire) Employers’ Liability and Public Liability Civil Fraud Interlocutory Hearings Costs Case Management Hearings Neair has also prosecuted, defended or advised in the following; Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Noise Abatement Council Tax Fraud Section 72 of the Housing Act 2004 for operating an unlicensed house in multiple occupation Suspension/revocation of licences issued by the Security Industry Authority Appeals against the refusal/revocation of a Hackney Carriage Licence Environmental Health/Food Safety Unlicensed Street Trading
BA [Law tripos] Queens’ College, Cambridge University [MA Hons] Call: 1998 Lincoln’s Inn CPS Category 4 Panel Member: General Crime and Rape and Sexual Assaults CPS Fraud Panel Level 2 Health and Safety Regulatory Panel member C Direct Access Barrister Member Society of Mediators Practice Areas Crime Prosecution and defence -all areas Civil liberties / human rights Areas of Practice Professional Membership: Criminal Bar Association BA Law Queens College, Cambridge University Cases R v R & R: Complex Case Unit multi-complainant historic sexual abuse trial. Prosecution Led Junior. R v G: Complex Case Unit multi-complainant history sexual abuse trial. Prosecution Led Junior. Reviewing lawyer received Commendation from Police. Life Sentence. Operation A: Complex Case Unit drug supply prosecution. Prosecution Led Junior Operation D: Complex Case Unit: handling stolen cars criminal gang. Prosecution Led Junior. R v K X & A [2008] EWCA Crim 2372 Defence: successful appeal to Court of Appeal against terms of Confiscation Order Operation R : Instructed as Independent Counsel by police investigating an allegation of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by a solicitor and her client. K v R [2006] EWCA 1946 Defence appeal to Court of Appeal against convictions of sexual assault. Led Junior as fresh post conviction counsel. R v T: Section 18 wounding [multiple stabbing with homophobic aggravation] – Prosecuting – convicted. R v S: Section 18 wounding [biting part of ear off] – Prosecuting – convicted R v W: multiple sexual assaults on care worker: Prosecution – Life Sentence R v C: historic sexual abuse over years of grooming of teenage boy: Prosecuting – convicted Voluntary work to assist profession Invited by the Bar Council to assist the Head of the Bar Council, Derek Sweetings QC, in sharing of experience of rape prosecutions on Circuit to assist the Home Affairs Select Committee investigating the prosecution of rape cases. Assisted the Northern Circuit in investigating and writing the Northern Circuit Working Group Race Report 2021 in relation to the obstacles faced by the black and ethnic minority community in becoming barristers and advancing their career within the profession. Report cited by the Bar Council in their Race Report
Practice Areas Crime Mr Johnson is currently prosecuting in the case of R v Lucy Letby. Mr Johnson does predominantly crime and crime related work including: Homicide – including recent experience in the following areas Health & Safety Gross Negligence Manslaughter Alleged gangland executions Drugs – large scale importations and distribution nextwork Fraud – M.T.I.C/ Carousel Proceeds of Crime Confiscation (Legal 500 2023) Ranked Tier 1 (Crime, Leading Silks) “He displays excellent client care skills” (Legal 500 2020 ) Ranked Tier 2 (Crime, Leading Silks) “He is exceptional on his feet” (Legal 500 2018) – Ranked tier 1 Chambers and Partners 2022 Crime – Northern Bar Band 1 Nicholas Johnson QC has considerable experience as both prosecutor and defender in a broad range of serious criminal cases. He is particularly known for his ability to handle challenging homicide cases, including murder, gross negligence manslaughter and gangland executions. He is also instructed in cases concerning drugs, serious sexual offences, and health and safety. He additionally has substantial experience handling POCA and confiscation cases. Strengths: “A fantastic barrister. He is always my first choice – you won’t find anyone who can assimilate a case and know absolutely every detail like he does.” “He is unflappable, good on the law and has a great manner with clients.” Recent work: Defended a defendant accused of murder, who believed that the victim had burgled his daughter’s home. Chambers and Partners 2020 Crime- Northern Bar Band 1 “Has considerable experience as both prosecutor and defender in a broad range of serious criminal cases. He is particularly known for his ability to handle challenging homicide cases, including murder, gross negligence manslaughter and gangland executions. He is also instructed in cases concerning drugs, serious sexual offences and health and safety. He additionally has substantial experience handling POCA and Confiscation cases. Strengths: ” He is absolutely amazing – his advocacy is fantastic and his attention to detail is second to none. He’s great with clients, and is straightforward, honest and candid” “A serious fraud silk who is also excellent in homicide cases. He’s a proper team leader and a master tactician”. Recent Work: Secured the successful prosecution of paedophile coach Barry Bennell, who was previously found guilty of abusing several boys as young as 14. “Has considerable experience as both prosecutor and defender in a broad range of serious criminal cases. He is particularly known for his ability to handle challenging homicide cases, including murder, gross negligence manslaughter and gangland executions. He is also instructed in cases concerning drugs, serious sexual offences and health and safety.” Strengths: “Nicholas is excellent, he is very good at collating information and understanding complex evidence in a clear way.” “An innovative leading counsel who is the man to go to if highly complex legal submissions are required.” Recent work: Instructed to prosecute a six-handed gangland murder case involving the targeted assassination of a man outside a pub in Manchester. (Chambers and Partners 2018) “Has considerable experience as both prosecutor and defender on a broad range of serious criminal cases. He is particularly known for his ability to handle challenging homicide cases, including murder and gangland executions” Strengths: “He is absolutely meticulous, he’s very impresive” “He is particularly good, destined for great things.” Recent Work: “Acted for the prosecution in R v Donovan, Taylor and Spendlove, relating to the murder of Merseyside PC Neil Doyle and the serious assault of two other police officers. (Chambers and Partners 2017) “His recent practice is concentrated on all forms of homicides, including manslaughter and those resulting from negligence and gangland executions. He also has a strong track record of handling drugs and fraud cases. He equally acts in prosecution and defence. Strengths: “His obvious qualities are thorough preparation and the ability to deal with differing types of witness. He is quite prepared to stick to his guns. Recent Work: Acted in the R v O’Shaughnessy and Others case involving gang street violence that culminated in the fatal stabbing of a young man. (Chambers and Partners 2016) “He has an excellent ability to deal with different types of witnesses” (Legal 500 2016) – Ranked tier 1 “His expertise includes multi-handed drugs conspiracies,fraud, and money laundering” (Legal 500 2015) – Ranked tier 1 “An experienced criminal specialist noted for his expertise in homicide cases and large scale conspiracies to import or distribute drugs. Recent Work: Acted for a defendant accused of murdering another man who had suffered a brain haemorrhage following an unprovoked assault” (Chambers and Partners 2015) The UK Legal 500 2014 – Crime Leading Silks – “Always available to discuss a case”
Call: October 1999 Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn Education University of Leicester LLB (Hons) Hardwicke Scholar (Lincoln’s Inn) Inns of Court School of Law (Bar Vocational Course) Professional Membership Family Law Bar Association Northern Circuit Practice Areas Crime Prosecutions including Trading Standards Department Family Private Child Law Public Child Law Practice Areas Family (Children) Nicola has extensive experience in all areas of practice concerning the care and wellbeing of children. She has conducted cases in all tiers of the Family Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Nicola accepts instructions to act on behalf of all parties, including local authorities, parents, intervenors and children (both with and without a Guardian acting). She has conducted both interim and final hearings dealing with complex issues such as inflicted injuries, gang violence, sexual abuse, neglect and domestic violence. Nicola is also accredited for direct access instructions. Practice Area: Care proceedings Change of name Child arrangements orders (residence and contact) Prohibited Steps Orders Specific Issue Orders Acting on behalf of local authorities, parents, Children’s Guardians and intervenors. Adoptions Wardship Special Guardianship Non-molestation orders Occupation orders Reported Cases Re J & MM (Children) [2013] EWHC 1820 (Fam) A Local Authority v A Mother and Others [2012] EWHC 2969 (Fam) Re L & D (Children) [2018] EWFC B70 Re S [2014] EWCA Civ 1002
Practice Areas Civil Personal injury Clinical negligence Coroners inquests Occupational health Regulatory work Sports law Contractual law Defamation Recent Work: Recently involved in advising in matters connected to junior doctors industrial action and in relation to disciplinary action against a number of junior doctors arising out of the time. Group Litigation – involving applications for Group Litigation Order and Representation Order in a large personal injury claim associated with alleged pollution. Sports Law – (E.g. involving large contractual/commerical dispute between a sports manager and the world UFC middleweight champion (Anthony McGann v Michael Bisping) and a defamation action association with Blackpool Football Club (Karl Samuel Oyston, John Owen Oyston v Jeremy Smith). Experienced in the County Court, in the HIgh Court (in QBD, the Divisional Court and in the Mercnatile Court) and in the Court of Appeal Civil Division. Directory Recommendations: Nigel has complete mastery of the technical side of the subject matter. He is a true specialist with a completely rounded view on how to prosecute a lot for HSE. He is extremely hard working and is very good with clients.’ Ranked: Tier 1 (Legal 500 2021) (Leading Silks Business and Regulatory Crime including Health and Safety) ‘Nigel is incredibly thorough, dilligent and once he has a grip of a case manages to maintain impressive momentum to pursue arguments doggedly to the successful conclusion of a case. He offers clients clarity, certainty and reassurance based on his long-standing specialist practice and is able to engage in defence work with the benefit of long-standing respect and relationships from the other side, particularly HSE – when he raises an argument they know it has merit.’ Ranked: Tier 1 (Legal 500 2021) (Leading Silks Business and Regulatory Crime including Health and Safety) Chambers and Partners 2022 Health & Safety Northern/North Eastern Bar Band 1 Nigel Lawrence QC is a regulatory crime specialist who regularly prosecutes health and safety cases involving non-fatal injuries and workplace deaths for the HSE, local authorities and other regulatory entities. His work stems from a broad range of sectors, including construction, nuclear, railways and munitions. He also represents defendants and appears at inquests. Strengths: “He has an immense depth of knowledge.” “He is a good performer in court and a solid practitioner.” Recent work: Acted on behalf of the HSE in relation to a serious incident which occurred at the Carlsberg brewery in Northampton involving the leak of ammonia gas during refurbishment works. The leak resulted in the death of one contractor, very serious injuries to another and the admission to hospital of 22 individuals including Carlsberg employees, contractors and members of the emergency services. Chambers and Partners 2020 Health & Safety Northern/ Eastern Bar (Band 1) Regulatory crime specialist who regularly prosecutes health and safety cases involving non-fatal injuries and workplace deaths for the HSE, local authorities and other regulatory entities. His work stems from a broad range of sectors, including construction, nuclear, railway and munitions. He also represents defendants and appears at inquests. Strengths: “Nigel ranks very highly in Liverpool” ” I rate him highly; he really knows his stuff” “Highly experienced in cases involving manslaughter” (Legal 500 2018) Ranked Tier 1 “An expert in regulatory crime and manslaughter” (Legal 500 2016) Ranked: Tier 1 “Regularly instructed in health and safety prosecutions,including ones concerning fatal accidents” (Legal 500 2015) Ranked:tier 1 Crime Nigel Lawrence specialises in regulatory work, predominantly health and safety enforcement. He was recommended as a leader at the Bar in health and safety work by Chambers & Partners in 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 Health & Safety – major & complex criminal prosecutions Criminal manslaughter / gross negligence manslaughter Northern/North Eastern (Bar), Health and Safety Band 1 Regulatory crime specialist who regularly prosecutes health and safety cases involving non-fatal injuries and workplace deaths for the HSE, local authorities and other regulatory entities. His work stems from a broad range of sectors, including construction, nuclear, railway and munitions. He also represents defendants and appears at inquests. Strengths: “Nigel knows health and safety regulations backwards and could recite them in his sleep. He is hugely focused and has complete control over the facts.” Recent work: Represented the prosecution in proceedings against a zoo after an employee was killed by a tiger. (Chambers and Partners 2018) “Regularly prosecutes health and safety cases concerning non-fatal injuries and workplace deaths for the HSE and other regulatory entities. He also represents defendants and acts at inquests.” Strengths: “He’s very knowledgeable and very engaging” “Nigel Lawrence QC is very highly regarded” Recent Work: “Represented the defendant in a case concerning the death of a man in an industrial oven” (Chambers and Partners 2017) “A respected junior counsel whose broad practice encompassess a range of civil and criminal work. He is regularly instructed to both prosecute and defend complex health and safety cases. Expertise: “He is a calm and pragmatic counsel who always has a firm grasp on the most important issues.” (Chambers and Partners 2014) Areas of Practice Specialising in regulatory crime, health and safety offences, environmental health cases, all forms of regulatory enforcement and cases involving corporate, gross negligence and unlawful act, manslaughter. Of the Attorney Generals appointed Standing Counsel he is, and has been since 2004, the only one of four Standing Counsel to HSE and ORR, for the whole of the UK, in Chambers outside London. Described in texts as “first class” and as someone who knows “the law inside out”. As Standing Counsel he is instructed to conduct the most complex, sensitive and high profile cases that are brought in the UK. He handles cases of national public interest; deals with difficulties and sensitivities with evidence and public interest, with fatal accidents, multi defendant cases, abuse of process, complex legal or scientific issues and interpretation of EU Directives and Law. Often involved very early in cases, giving strategic advice on issues emerging in casework or investigations and often acts as a resource of expert advice. Instructed by HSE and by many local authorities throughout England and Wales. Currently involved in advising and prosecuting for HSE and a number of local authorities in relation to serious cases that are either currently before the court, or will be in the future. These currently involve a number of fatal accidents, two involving young children. Also instructed by the Environment Agency, by the ORR and by the Department of Trade and Industry in relation to a variety of health and safety and environmental issues. Whilst priority is given to instructions from HSE and ORR this does not stop the acceptance of instructions to defend in serious cases. Defence work, in very serious and complex cases, has also been undertaken. The balance of his practice involves personal injury and clincial negligence litigation including catastrophic, brain and spine injuries, fatal accidents and disease/ occupational health cases. Work covers areas ranging from the construction, nuclear, offshore, chemical, munitions, manufacturing industries to the railway infrastructure, asbestos, NHS trusts, disease cases, ionising radiation and the emergency services. He frequently works as part of a large team and often under the ambit of the Work Related Death Protocol. He also has had many dealings, not only with HSE and the CPS, but also with the police, British Transport Police, local authorities, the nuclear inspectorate, the IPCC, DTI and the EA. Most of his work covers complex cases in the Crown Court. When requested, in the most serious and complex cases, he also appears in the Magistrates Court prior to a case being committed to the Crown Court. He has considerable experience in both the Court of Appeal Criminal Division, the Court of Appeal Civil Division and in the High Court (including the Divisional Court). Within the last 12 months he has appeared as prosecution counsel in the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal in the high profile cases of R v Christopher McGee [manslaughter] , R v Watkin Jones Ltd (s.3 Health and Safety at Work Act) and in the case of R v Polyflor Ltd (s.2 Health and Safety at Work Act). Practice also involves appearing in high profile and complex inquests, as well as advising on issues associated with them. Recently involved in the six week inquest involving the death of PC Ian Terry (a police officer shot dead by a fellow officer in a training exercise). Also heavily involved in the evidence concerning the fresh Hillsborough inquests. He has recently been instructed to advise upon, and deal with, a large range of disclosure and legal issues in relation to the fresh inquests; instructed by members of the original Steering Committee and involved in liaison with the Coroners team, the IPCC and the Stoddard Inquiry. Also involved in other criminal cases that have a quasi-regulatory element to them (e.g. a recent case involving multiple allegations and counts of fraud in relation to the export of food stuffs to the middle and far east). Notable Cases Court of Appeal Criminal Division R v Electricity North West Limited [2018] EWCA Crim 1944: Appeal against conviction and sentence. CAse involved important issues of law concerning the Work at Height Regulations 2005, issues of foreseeability, inconsistent verdicts and the SGC Guidlines. R v Polyflor Ltd [2014] EWA Crim 1522; [2014] I.C.R. 1142 – Appeal against conviction in relation to the structure of s.2 of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the implications of negligence of an employee who was injured during the course of their employment, submissions of no case to answer and the issue of exposure to risk. R v Watkin Jones [2013] EWCA Crim 969 – Appeal agaisnt setence and the impostion of a large fine following conviction at trial for an offence which led to the death of an employee on a construction site. R v Christopher McGee (on appeal from Holroyd J; manslaughter) – Appeal against a 5 year sentence of imprisonment following conviction at trial of the manslaughter of a 16 yer old girl by a train guard. Inquest Work Hillsborough Inquests: Heavily involved in the evidence concerning, and instructed to advise upon and deal with, a large range of disclosure and legal issues in relation to the fresh inquests; instructed by members of the original Steering Committee and involved in liasion with the Coronors team, the IPCC and the Stodard Inquiry. Inquest into the fatal shooting of PC Ian Terry: six week inquest concerning the fatal shooting of a serving police officer by another officer during an unauthorised MASTS training exercise. Inquest into the detah of an eldery lady who drowned after her care entered and became submerged in a dock in Liverpool. Inquest into the death of a worker after falling from height. Inquest into the death of a worker who died after complications from burns caused after coming into contact with milk of lime. Inquest into the death of a zookeeper killed by a tiger. Manslaughter R v RCL, Richard Lennon (Manchester Crown Court): Case involving the death of a worker after falling from height through a fragile roof. R v Pyranha Moulding, Paul Keddie & Others (liverpool Crown Court): Case involving the death of a man, cooked in an industrial oven. R v Kenneth Thelwell and S Cooper & Sons Ltd (Chester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a case involving the death of a man chrushed to death by electric gates. Case involved charges of manslaughter and a variety of health and safety offences. R v Siemens Diematic Ltd, Stow Ltd, David Hill and David Hastie (Nottingham Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a case involving the death of a foreign worker during the construction of a warehousing facility. Case involved a number of charges of manslaugher and health and safety offences. R v Christopher McGee (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a case involving the prosecution of a train guard for the manslaughter of a 16 year old girl, who was dragged under a train that he was in control of. R v Hutchinson Engineering Ltd & others (Nottingham Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a case involving the death of a young diabetic worker who collapsed and fell to his death whilst working at height. Case involved allegations of manslaughter and health and safety offences. Emergency Services/ Railway infrastructure R v Greater Manchester Police, PC’s Eric & Francis (Manchester Crown Court): HSE counsel in a lengthy inquest following the death of a serving firearms officer, shot dead by a colleague in an unauthorised firearms training exercise. Subsquently prosecution counsel in the prosecution of the Greater Manchester Police force and two serving firearms officers in relation to health and safety offences arising out of the shooting. R v Network Rail and Jarvis Plc (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a health and safety prosecution following the death of a child on the railway infrastructure. Re Geismer (UK) Ltd: Advising in a wide ranging and technical case relating to an investigation concerning the design/sfecification of railway engines/rolling stock. Ionising radiation/ nuclear industry R v Sellafield Ltd (Carlisle Crown Court): Prosecution counsel for nuclear inspectorate. Exposure of workers to plutonium caused by airborne radioactive contamination during diamond core drilling work at the Sellafield nuclear site. R v Meyer Group Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel for a variety of health and safety cases arising out of historic exposure of workers, and agency workers, to ionising radiation over an extended period. R v PC Richardson and BNFL Ltd (Carlisle Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident in a reactor chimney at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria. R v Sellafield Ltd (Carlisle Crown Court): Case involving exposure of employee to plutonium. Offshore Industry R v BHP Billiton Petrolium Ltd (No 1) (Liverpool): Prosecution counsel for offshore division of HSE in a case involving a poisonous hydrogen sulphide gas escape on oil rig. R v BHP Billiton Petrolium Ltd (No 2) (Liverpool): Prosecution counsel in a case involving a large oil spillage causing marine, coastal and beach pollution. Gas/ Chemical/ Explosives/ Electricity / Poisoning cases R v Greenway Environmental Ltd and Packawaste Ltd (Chester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a health and safety prosecution following a chemical explosion and fire that destroyed a whole industrial estate. R v PJ Livesey Ltd and Mark Wakefield Demolitionb Ltd (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a gas explosion that destroyed an old hosptial. R v Enterprise Inns Plc (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a fatality due to carbon monoxide poisoning. R v Corus UK ltd, SES ltd and Switchgear Engineering Ltd (Sheffield Crown Court): Proseuction counsel in a health and safety case following a fatal accident after a worker came into contact with a high voltage busbar at the Corpus plant in Sunthorpe, was set on fire and burned to death. R v BAE Land Systems Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in Health and Safety case following a fatal accient in the munitions industry, A worker was killed in an explosion whilst working with lead styphnate. R v Paul Kay (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in the Irlam gas explosion case. Case involved the prosecution of a gas fitter following the destruction of three houses in a huge gas explosion. R v Kendal Calling Ltd and Piper Event Services (Carlisle Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case involving catastrophic injury after electrocution on 11,000 – volt overhead power lines. R v Sonae UK Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a huge dust explosion at a wood chip processing plant. R v Transco Ltd (Warrington Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a large explosion caused during repairs to gas main leading to multiple injuries. R v Nipa Laboratories UK Ltd (Burnley Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in an environmental / chemical polution case; from industrial premises causing ill health and vegatation damage to local residents and area. R v National Grid Gas Ltd (Preston Crown Court): Case involving the death of a child associated with the gas infrastructure. R v Electricity North West Ltd (Preston Crown Court): Case involving the death of a worker whilst working a height on the electricity infrastructure. Fireworks: Advising in case involving the explosion of a firework storage facility, resulting in a double fatality. Children Cases R v Derby City Council (Derby Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case after a young child was crushed to death by park railings. R v BSN Medical Ltd and Empress Mills (1927) Ltd (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a health and safety prosecution involving a fatal accident after a young child drowned in an industrial water pit. R v Lovell Partnership (Newcastle Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a fatal accident involving a child falling from scaffolding in city centre location. R v Croxteth Park Enterprises Ltd. (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident involving a child that fell through a fragile roof of industrial premises. R v Loparex Ltd (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case involving the drowning of a young child in a remote part of an industrial site. R v JA Jones Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution case involving the death of a teenager killed whilst on trial bike on a country estate after coming into contact with a wire that had been placed across a track. R v Caersws FC (Mold Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following the death of a 12 year old boy, crushed to death by some goalposts whilst playing football. R v Greenwood Forest Park & Others (Caernarfon Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a fatal accident involving a child that fell to his death from a zip wire. R v Live The Adventure Ltd (Shrewsbury Crown Court): Case involving serious injury after failure of rope attachment on a high ropes course. Medical/ Health Care Operation Millenium Forge: Advising in a case concerning a vulnerable resident, in sheltered accomodation, who died from overdose of medication. R v Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (Bolton Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case involving an elderly resident in care home who was strangled to death by her cot side. R v Heart of England NHS Trust (Birmingham Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following the death of an elderly patient after admission to hospital. R v Leavy & Leavy (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution after an elderly patient fell to her death from a window in a care home. R v Huntleys Country Stores Limited: Currently instructed to advise in relation to a serious ecoli outbreak following a live animal event at a farm. Asbestos R v Pectel Ltd and Keltbray Ltd (Wirral Magistrates Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following the unsafe removal of asbestos whilst decommissioning work taking place. R v Stockport Metropolitan Counsel (Advice on asbestos removal): Instructed to give advice in relation to the management of asbestos removal from schools and housing estates. R v Birse Build Ltd, Andrew Brightmoor and Gary Cusack (Rotherham Magistrates Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following the unlicensed removal asbestos from schools. Construction Industry/ manufacturing R v Sonae Industia (UK) Ltd & Metso Paper Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in case involving a double fatality during maintenance work on a production line. R v Bowmer & Kirkland and Bingham Davies Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution case in health and safety case following the collapse of a tower crane in a city centre, causing catastrophic injury and massive property damage. R v JCK Ltd (Isle of Man): Defence counsel in health and safety case involving a fatal accident after a man was crushed to death after a dumper truck overturned. R v Jaguar Landrover Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following the death of a worker on the production line at the Defendants premises on Merseyside. R v Shawton Engineering Ltd, AMEC Ltd and Buro Happold Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case in relation to the prosecution of three companies following the death of a man during the construction of a link span bridge. R v Bryn Thomas Crane Hire, Siteweld Contstruction Ltd, Frederick Scott and Benjamin Lee (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident after a crane fell over during a lifting operation. R v Watkin Jones & Sons Ltd (Mold Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a fatal accident after a labourer fell from height through an unguarded roof void. R v Assystem Ltd (Preston Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a fatal accident when a worker was crushed to death by an overhead travelling crane. R v McLean Homes Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident after man was crushed to death by a telehandler reversing on a construction site. R v John Riley Civil Engineering Ltd (Preston Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a health and safety case involving a fatal accident after a young worker suffered a broken neck and was then buried when a trench in which he was working collapsed. R v AMEC Ltd (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a fatal accident when a worker was killed when concrete blocks fell from the top of a tall apartment block during construction. R v Dawson Wam Ltd (Chester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a health and safety prosecution after a worker was killed after being struck by a concrete pipe that whipped during piling operations. R v AJ Bull Waste Handling Ltd (Kingston Crown Court): Defence counsel in health and safety prosecution following a serious accident in which upper limbs were traumatically amputated in machinery. R v MB Plastics Ltd and Birse Water Ltd (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following the death of a telescopic forklift truck driver. R v Pugh and Allen (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident after a worker was crushed to death by a hangar door that fell during construction work at Liverpool Airport. R v UCS Civils ltd and Pochin Concrete Pumping Ltd (Doncaster Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a fatal accident during concrete pumping operations. R v Fluor UK Ltd, Hertel UK ltd and Shaw Group (Knutsford Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a health and safety case involving catastrophic injury caused by a fall from height after a MEWP was knocked over during the construction of a chlorine plant. R v DC Thomson Ltd and JP King Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a health and safety case following catastrophic injury after a scaffold collapse. R v Hussain & Others (Sheffield Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in multi handed health and safety prosecution following the collapse of a row of occupied shops and flats. R v Telford Pressings Ltd (Telford Magistrates Court): Defence counsel in health and safety prosecution following traumatic amputation of limbs in machinery. R v Pirelli Tyres Ltd (Carlisle Crown Court): Case concerning a fatal accident after an employee was cooked to death in an autoclave. R v Pierhead Housing & Others: Case involving the prosecution of multiple Defendants following the collapse of a row of terraced properties. R v Costain Ltd & Galliford Try Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Case involving traumatic amputation in a rotating augur at waste water treatment works. R v Edgemere Projects Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Case concerning the death of a worker who was crushed to death after a stack of pallets, containing tonnes of brick, collapsed and fell onto him. R v Befesa Salt Slags Ltd & Porvi Construcciones Y Contratas (Caernarfon Crown Court): Case involving the prosecution of two companies (one a Spanish company) following the death of a Spanish worker after the collapse of an industrial hopper in an aluminium recycling plant. R v Shafi & Others (Preston Crown Court): Case involving fatal accident following a fall from height whilst carrying out roofing work. R v New Space Ltd & Others (Southwark Crown Court): Case involving serious injury after a fall from height. R v Felt Supplies Ltd & Wazir Hussain (Leeds Crown Court): Case involving the Managing Director of a company who was dragged into and killed by large industrial machinery. R v ACP Concrete Ltd (Carlisle Crown Court): Case involving a fatal accident after an employee was crushed to death during the construction of a concrete staircase. R v Befasa Salt Slags (Caernarfon Crow nCourt): Prosecution involving numerous HAVS (hand arm vibration syndrome) and RIDDOR offences. R v XPO Logistics Ltd (Bristol Crown Court): Prosecution following a worker being crushed between two work vehicles. R v Pin Mills Ltd (Manchester Magistrates Court): Case involving health and safety/risk issues associated with a textiles storage facility. Other Work Related deaths R v JFC Plastics Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case after a man was dismembered and killed in an industrial hopper. R v Mowlem Ltd, 3 D Scaffolding Ltd, RAM Services Ltd and David Swindells (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in a health and safety case following a fatal accident after a fall from birdcage scaffolding in an industrial water tank. R v European Metal Recycling Ltd (Wolverhampton Crown Court): Defence counsel in health and safety prosecution following a fatal accident after a man was crushed to death in a scrap yard. R v TNT Logistics UK Ltd (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident after a man fell from a HGV during loading operations. R v Geoff Fielden Ltd (Derby Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident after an employee fell from pallet racking. R v Klockner UK Holdings Ltd (Stoke Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident after worker killed by a 1.38 tonne c hook. R v Sovereign Rubber Ltd and David Wilcox (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident involving a worker crushed to death in a large rubber crushing machine. R v WFEL Ltd and Unisign Producktie Automatisering BV (Manchester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety production following a fatal accident, after massive head injuries, caused when a workers head was struck by the ram in large military engineering machine. R v Highland Access Ltd, Amey Infrastructure Services Ltd and Mouchel Parkman Services Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident after the arm of a mobile working platform, on the back of a service vehicle, failed causing the worker in it to be thrown from height. R v North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo) (Chester Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident when an elephant keeper was attacked and killed by a female elephant in the elephant house at Chester Zoo. R v South Lakes Wild Animal Park (Preston Crown Court): Case involving a fatal accident after a tiger attacked and killed its keeper. Re Hamerton Zoo: Currently involved in a case involving a tiger that attacked and killed its keeper at a zoo in Huntingdonshire. R v David Lewis Civil Engineering Ltd (Cardiff Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident involving a worker killed by high pressure water release. R v Love and Joy Ministries Ltd and others (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident involving the death of a volunteer member of a church congregation after falling through a fragile roof whilst working at height. R v Bakkavour Foods Ltd (Manchester Crown Court): Case involving a fatal accident when a worker was crushed to death by a pallet. R v Altak Ltd & APB Engineering (Manchester Crown Court): Case involving a fatal accident after a worker was killed after being struck in the neck by a bolt that sheared off a trailer. R v Sandwell Roofing Ltd & Stephen Brennan Scaffolding (Wolverhampton): Case involving a fatal accident after a worker fell through a fragile roof. R v Chargot Ltd & Others (Preston Crown Court): Worker killed after a dumper truck overturned. R v South Lakes District Council (Carlisle Crown Court): Case involving two fatal accidents associated with refuge vehicles and traffic management issues. Road/ Motorway infrastructure R v Tarmac Ltd, Liverpool City Council, Enterprise Liverpool LImited (Liverpool Crown Court): Case concerning a fatal accident, involving an elderly man crossing a main road upon which road works were being carried out. R v Cumbrian Industrials Ltd (Preston Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident on M6, caused by inadequate traffic management during carriageway works. R v Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Services Ltd (Chelmsford Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following serious injury in an accident caused by defective temporary traffic management on the highway. R v JDM Accoord Ltd (Stafford Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident after worker crushed to death during road improvement works. R v PJ Musgrave Electrical Services Ltd (Warrington Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case after a large drum of electrical cable pulled onto busy motorway during work to install automatic number plate recognition technology. R v Birmingham City Council (Birmingham Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a triple fatal accident after a tree fell across a major trunk road leading into Birmingham City Centrre. Leisure/ Retail industry R v Silsden Sports Club (Bradford Crown Court): Case involving a barrier that smashed through the windscreen of a Royal Mail vehicle, causing serious head a facial injuries to the driver. R v Clinton Page & Angela Ruscoe (Paggan Pubs Ltd): Case involving serious injury sustained during a public firework display. R v Prime Resorts Ltd (Preston Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case following a fatal accident after a maintenance engineer was dismembered after being caught up in a roller coaster at a theme park. R v Total Fitness UK Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case involving a chlorine gas release, and the ill health side effects of the same, at a leisure centre owned and operated by Defendant. R v Britannia Adelphi Hotel Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety prosecution following a fatal accident after a student drowned in a hotel swimming pool. R v McColls Ltd (Liverpool Crown Court): Prosecution counsel in health and safety case involving exposure of employees to the risks associated with lone working and armed robberies. R v Nu Kleen Services Ltd (Chester Crown Court): Prosecuting counsel in Health and Safety case following serious injury sustained in the aftermath of the Creamfields music festival. FOOD SAFETY CASES R v Asda Stores Ltd (Liverpool City Magistrates): Case involving food hygiene offences at one of the Defendants stores. Advising a hotel chain on food hygiene and enforcement issues.
Practice Areas Crime Fraud Murder & Manslaughter Confiscation Regulatory Terrorism Firearms Appeals Baby Shaking Motoring Drugs conspiracies Sexual Offences Cybercrime and Digital Currencies Courts Martial Nigel Power QC is a specialist criminal and family barrister. He is a lawyer who has gained extensive experience since 1992. He became a QC (Queens Counsel) in 2010. In the 2016 Chambers and Partners Guide to the Bar, he was described in the following way: “He’s an excellent barrister; he’s massively experienced and also thoroughly likeable, which is important to making client relationships work.” This year he has appeared in two high-profile murder trials in Liverpool and successfully prosecuted Darren McKie, an inspector in the Greater Manchester Police, for the murder of his wife, also a police officer (see here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-43493327). He also appeared for the Maternal Grandmother who was completely exonerated in the two week “finding of fact” hearing in Medway CC v K. Last year he has represented Mark Ennis, charged with three others of murdering a rival drug dealer in Rhyl. Despite admitting being a career drug dealer and getting out of a car with the co-accused, two of whom had knives and stabbed the three rivals in a van, the defendant was acquitted of two section 18 assaults upon two of the men and was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter in relation to the front passenger who was stabbed 22 times. He also represented a 16-year-old defendant charged with the murder of his mother’s neighbour. He fractured the deceased’s skull with a wooden pole and stabbed him twice to the heart, but was acquitted of murder and manslaughter on the basis of self-defence. He successfully prosecuted Phillip Daniel’s for the murder by a single stab wound of a love rival, and obtained a sentence of just 6 years’ detention for the manslaughter and assault of an alleged drug rival; that 15 year old defendant had been charged with Murder. In 2016, Nigel successfully represented Stephen Clarke in a very substantial three-week confiscation case (report here) and prosecuted Kandyce Downer in the high profile murder of 18-month-old Keegan Downer, to whom she was special guardian (report here). In June he obtained an acquittal in a pipe-bomb conspiracy for Jason Buckley at the Birmingham Crown Court (report here) and in August an acquittal for Stuart Shears, charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, blackmail, assault and perverting the course of justice (report here). Nigel represented John Hore in the Court of Appeal in one of a series of “Post-Jogee” test cases, leading the submissions about exceptional leave to appeal out of time where murder convictions were based on the old law of joint enterprise (judgment here). In 2015 he was successful in the murder trials of Christopher Spendlove (see report here) and Wayne Erskine (see report here) and the serious assault case of Ryan Melia (see report here). He has a proven track record in the most serious of criminal cases and is available to help now. He is regularly recommended in the leading legal directories for his work in court (recent recommendations are at the bottom of the page). He has been involved in many high-profile criminal cases, including having the case against his client dismissed in the Millennium Dome Fraud and representing the only defendant to be acquitted of conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent trading in the Lord of Fraud Boiler Room Fraud. He appeared in the trials of the racist killing of Anthony Walker in Huyton, the “Gangland” shooting of Michael Wright at the East Lancashire Road Retail Park and the murder of mother-of-three Lucy Hargreaves. Nigel has also in recent times obtained Not Guilty verdicts in a gangland shooting murder with three associated attempted murders and in a case of the alleged murder of a 65-year-old woman during a burglary in her own home. He has appeared in terrorism cases and successfully appeared in the Court Martial for an Irish Guardsman charged with the manslaughter of an Iraqi Looter in Basra. Nigel is well regarded for his work in confiscation cases where his IT skills can help to analyse and present the most complex financial evidence to his clients’ advantage. He represented John Conroy in the confiscation proceedings of Operation Inertia, a large scale MTIC fraud involving contra-trading. The prosecution claimed that the benefit was £90m and that there were substantial hidden assets, but the eventual order was for benefit and assets of just £200,000. See the article about that case here. In late 2017 he successfully applied to vary a restraint order which allowed a business with a £50m per annum turnover to trade. Nigel also has a niche practice in civil fraud and cybercrime. He has specialist knowledge of digital currencies and has lectured on the subject. Until recently you needed to instruct a solicitor to access Nigels services, but now you can come to him directly, cutting out unnecessary duplication and costs where appropriate. However if your case requires a solicitors input, Nigel can put you in touch with a network of excellent and highly regarded lawyers to help. Nigel accepts work on both a private and legally aided basis. Although his chambers are at 7 Harrington Street in Liverpool, Nigel appears in courts all over the country and is prepared to travel to wherever you are to give you the help you need. He appears in quasi-criminal cases too, such as Civil POCA cases and disciplinary tribunals. For Nigel Powers Data Protection Policy, Please Click Here Family Nigel has expertise in both Children and money cases. Most recently in May 2018 he appeared for the Maternal Grandmother in a two-week contested finding of fact hearing involving allegations by the local authority that the child had suffered deliberately inflicted injuries to the brain, as well as a number of rib fractures and other injuries. His client was completely exonerated of all allegations and the child was returned to his parents after a delay of 18 months. Recommendations From Leading Legal Directories “Nigel is a superb advocate, thoroughly prepared, knowledgeable and eloquent” (Legal 500 2023) Ranked Tier 2 (Crime, Leading Silks) ‘A superb advocate with a real attention to detail.’ Ranked: Tier 2 (Legal 500 2021) (Crime, Leading Silk) “A superb advocate with a real attention to detail” (Legal 500 2020) Ranked Tier 2 (Crime, Leading Silks) Chambers and Partners 2022 Crime -Northern Bar Band 3 Knowledgeable across the full spectrum of serious crime, Nigel Power QC exhibits notable strength in homicide cases, as well as large-scale fraud and criminal confiscations. He regularly appears at trial and in appellate proceedings. Recent work: Defended a man accused of two arsons, one of which led to a fatality. Chambers and Partners 2020 Crime – Northern Bar Band 3 Knowledgeable across he full spectrum of serious crime, Nigel Power QC exhibits notable strength in homicide cases, as well as large-scale fraud and criminal confiscations. He also acts in serious sexual offences cases. Strengths: “An excellent and genuinely fearless advocate. He has a strong belief in his own judgement, allied with a remarkable capacity for hard work” “He is extremely pugnacious in his approach to defending prosecutions of all types, and is just as skilful in general crime as he is in complex fraud investigations. His client service and document preparation are at the highest level” Recent work: Represented the lead defendant in the drug-based kidnapping, torture and murder of Joseph McKeever, whose body was found completely burnt in a car in Everton. “A very hardworking silk” (Legal 500 2018) Ranked tier 1 “Knowledgeable across the full spectrum of serious crime, Nigel Power QC exhibits notable strength in homicide cases, as well as large-scale fraud and criminal confiscations.” Strengths: “Nigel is an excellent trial QC and, due to his speedy analysis of evidence, he runs the trial effectively and controls the impact of the prosecution evidence well.” “He is extremely conscientious, prompt with his advice and a tireless force when it comes to preparation.” Recent work: Successfully acted for a defendant charged with kidnapping, blackmail, assault and perverting the course of justice. (Chambers 2018) “Knowledgeable across the full spectrum of criminal law, Nigel Power QC exhibits notable strength in homicide cases, as well as large-scale fraud and criminal confiscations.” Recent work: Successfully represented the defendant in R v Erskine against charges of murder, manslaughter and death by dangerous driving. (Chambers 2017) “Impressive technical ability” (Legal 500 2016) “An experienced criminal advocate with a broad practice covering matters such as homicide, fraud and confiscations. He is noted for his niche expertise in cases concerning cybercrime and digital currencies. Strengths: “He is an excellent barrister, he’s massively experienced and also thoroughly likeable, which is important to making client relationships work” (Chambers and Partners 2016) “Has an extensive practice covering all areas of serious crime. He is highly regarded for his expertise on complex and high-profile cases such as gangland murders” (Chambers and Partners 2014) “Admired for his busy practice that covers all areas of serious crime. He is described as hard-working. His distinguished track record includes acting in gangland shootings, serious fraud and drug trafficking offences.” (Chambers and Partners 2013) “Nigel Power QC excels in cases involving complex technical, medical or scientific evidence” (Legal 500 2013) “Nigel Power QC experienced in cases involving complex DNA evidene’ (Legal 500 2014) “Always brings a new dimension to any conversation about strategy in a complex case” (Legal 500 2015) Ranked: Tier 1 “Impressive technical ability” (Legal 500 2016) Ranked: Tier 1 Notable Cases Fraud, Money Laundering and Confiscation: R v A M (2015) Non-custodial sentence obtained for Company Director who arranged a large number of high value false invoices in order to inflate his salary and bonuses. R v E R (2014) Non-custodial sentence sentence obtained for a mother who failed to reveal that she co-habited with a wealthy businessman and was an active horse-rider and claimed benefits over a protracted period on a false basis. R v J C (2013) Confiscation following an enormous MTIC fraud known as Operation Divert. The prosecution alleged benefit and assets of £90m, ultimately the order made was for £200,000. R v A L – H (2013) Five month mortgage fraud trial involving than 320,00 pages of served material. (Defending) R v P D (2012) Ten week boiler-room fraud where shares worth more than £14m were sold in companies that did not trade in any meaningful sense. (Defending) R v B M (2010) The Defendant was first on the indictment and said to be the leading organiser of a multi-million pound VAT and Duty fraud. The ten week trial involved the enquiry into multiple shell companies and a complex audit trail of monies over a 6-year period. (Defending) Murder / Manslaughter: R v D and S (2017) Two young defendants were alleged to have stabbed to deatha 63-year-old man who had caused trouble for one of their mothers. The case involved the marshalling of bad character evidence from 12 witnesses. (Prosecuting) R v B (2017) Represented defendant alleged to have been part of a 4-man team who shot dead a rival drug dealer. The case involved complex mixed profile and gun shot residue evidence. (Defending) R v X (2016) Represented a 15 year-old defendant who when drug dealing was charged with the murder of a customer but was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter. (Defending) R v J M (2016) Represented a defendant charged with the point blank shotgun shooting of 16-year-old Lewis Dunne by the canal in the Eldonian Village in Liverpool. (Defending) R v C D (2016) Represented a defendant who drowned his friend at a fishing lake near Bebbington, Wirral after his cannabis pipe was spike with the psychoactive drugs known as “spice”. His plea to manslaughter through loss of control was accepted and he was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment. (Defending) R v D T and K D (2016) Defendants pleaded guilty to manslaughter of a defenceless man in Leigh Town Centre in May 2016 (report here http://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/14732018.Men_who_attacked_dad_of_two_and_left_him_dying_in_doorway_jailed_for_manslaughter/ ) (Prosecuting) R v R B and L K (2016) Defendants were convicted of the shooting of Vincent Waddington in Garston in July 2014 (report here http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/vinny-waddington-murder-trial-verdict-11392628 ) (Prosecuting) R v K D (2016) Defendant was convicted of the murder of an 18-month-old baby to whom she had become Special Guardian (Prosecuting) R v I G (2016) Defendant was convicted of murdering his partner in their flat in Southport, pleaing guilty to murder after 4 days of the trial. (Prosecuting) R v W E (2015) Defendant was accused of the murder of Vincent Holligan, with related alternative charges of manslaughter and causing death by dangerous driving. He was acquitted of all charges. (Defending) R v C S (2015) Defendant was accused of murdering an off-duty police officer and seriously assaulting his two colleagues. The defendant, a professional football coach in the USA, was acquitted of all charges. (Defending) R v J H (2015) Defendant was accused of luring a drug dealer to an ambush where he was stabbed to death by other drug dealers. The case involved complex arguments about withdrawal from joint enterprise and bad character. (Defending) R v M H (2015) Defendant drove a 4.7 litre Jeep Cherokee at his friend after an argument over obtaining the telephone number for a “bent” vet to treat a dog injured when badger baiting. The defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter but was convicted or murder after trial. (Prosecuting) R v J D (2015) Defendant stabbed his friend to death outside a relative’s house. Successful opposition to the reading of the statement of an eyewitness despite the live evidence of two consultants who said that she was unfit to attend court. (Defending) R v J H (2015) Defendant killed his friend in his own home. He had a complicated psyhchiatric background but diminished responsibility was defeated and he was convicted of murder. (Prosecuting) R v A K (2015) Defendant alleged to have killed a 64-year-old-man in her flat. There were complicated difficulties with causation, a consultant having missed the fatal injury when the deceased first went to hospital. She was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 9 years’ imprisonment. (Prosecuting) R v W S (2014) Defendant alleged to have killed his wife’s new lover by stabbing him to death in his own home then creating a false alibi. (Defending) R v D D (2014) Defendant alleged to have stabbed to death a pensioner in his own home in order to steal his money for drugs. The defendant was convicted following a retrial in October 2014. (Prosecuting) R v R O’S (2014) Defendant was one of six teenagers (some as young as 13) alleged to have murdered Sean McHugh in the back room of the Liver Launderette, Anfield, with a sword-stick. (Defending) R v M C (2014) Defendant pleaded guilty to assaulting and murdering Linzi Ashton, in a high-profile Manchester case of domestic violence. (Defending) R v C C (2013) Defendant acquitted of murder and manslaughter of a 65-year-old pensioner despite planning a professional burglary at her house and entering to remove the safe. (Defending) R v K J (2013) Defendant convicted of murdering a man he had met for the first time on the day of the fatal incident, both were alcoholics. (Prosecuting) R v I L – M (2013) Defendant alleged to be part of a wide-ranging gangland joint enterprise to kill four men in a car on a night-club car park in Nottingham. He was acquitted of the single murder and three attempted murder charges that he faced. (Defending) R v M S (2012/2013) 12 -week murder trial in which this first defendant on the indictment was alleged to have organised the robbery and killing of her partner in order to take £40,000 of his drug trafficking proceeeds. (Defending) R v D B (2012) The 20-year-old defendant was convicted of the murder of a 71-year-old man who had made sexual advances towards him. (Prosecuting) R v A W (2012) The defendant was convicted of manslaughter through loss of control rather than murder after using a pickaxe handle to cause massive head injuries to his friend who was attacking his brother. (Defending) R v P H (2012) The defendant was charged with the murder of his wife after breaking into her house and inflicting multiple injuries with a kitchen knife. (Defending) R v N J (2012) The defendant was convicted of murder after attacking his wife with a hammer, using a screwdriver to cause neck injuries and trying to suffocate her with a tea towel. (Prosecuting) R v S T (2012) The defendant was charged with the murder of a former inmate of a Salvation Army Hostel but ultimately was convicted of manslaughter by virtue of lack of intent to cause really serious harm. (Defending) R v D B (2012) The Defendant was charged with the murder of a sex worker in 2005 in Liverpool. The case involved live evidence from 6 experts and involved standard SGM+, Low Template, SenCE, Y-STR and Identifiler DNA and the statistical analysis of the evidence by David Balding, Professor of Genetical Statistics at UCL. (Prosecuting) R v D L (2011) The Defendant was a drug user and alcoholic who suffered schizophrenia and personality disorders. He was charged with the murder by strangulation of his former best friend. The case involved expert evidence from three consultant psychiatrists and was one of the first cases to be tried involving defence of diminished responsibility and loss of control. (Prosecuting) R v G H (2011) The Defendant was charged with murdering his girlfriend’s father by stabbing him to death in his own home, following arguments over missing jewellery. The co-accused were his girlfriend, her sister and her sister’s boyfriend, all of whom blamed Mr Harding. The case involved controverial pathology and scientific evidence about the number of knives used and the mechanism of the fatal struggle. (Defending) R v K W (2010) The case involved a “cut throat” murder in the Benchill area of Wythenshawe, Manchester between two friends who were involved in gang related incidents. The main witnesses had all been extensively interviewed as suspects and witnesses, resulting in extensive cross examination of each. (Defending) R v B M (2010) The Defendant, a nurse in Southport, raped then murdered his wife on the eve of their final ancillary relief hearing. He then staged a car accident and pretended that the deceased was still alive, and made concerned phone calls to friends and family. There was a very large amount of controversial bad character evidence adduced through hearsay. The case attracted considerable local and national press interest. (Prosecuting) R v D E (2010) The Defendant was a 16-year-old boy charged with manslaughter where he killed his best friend as they played with a loaded gun. There was associated firearm and perverting the course of justice counts. (Defending) Firearms: R v C (2012) The Defendant was charged with conspiracies to import and distribute more than 60 firearms which came in luggage hold suitcases from the USA. The case involved a very large amount of phone, Skype and cell cite evidence and detailed financial evidence, together with evidence relating to the Defendant’s alternative scenario of cannabis cultivation and supply. (Defending) R v C R (2011) This case raised considerable publicity when, ten weeks into the trial, two of the defendants escaped from a prison van when travelling to court from HMP Manchester. The case itself alleged two conspiracies which suggested that the defendants had orchestrated more than 20 shooting and 4 military grenade attacks in Merseyside over a 2-year period. The case involved Dutch intercept evidence, detailed firearms and controversial fingerprint evidence and complex phone evidence. (Defending) Sexual Offences: R v K Serious allegations of rape were made by an escort against a prominent Liverpool Businessman. The complainant sought anonymity; a number of technical objections were made to the application, and whilst the prosecution sought unsuccessfully to remedy them the complainant withdrew her support for the prosecution and the defendant was acquitted. G N This nortorious case involved an allegation by the Defendant’s best friend that she disguised herself as a man and used a strap-on dildo to penetrate her a number of times. At trial the defendant was acquitted of some counts but convicted of others; Nigel successfully appealed the convictions that remained and the case is to be retried; see one of the many many press reports on the case here http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3834475/Woman-pretended-man-sex-victim-wins-appeal.html . M B This defendant was tried for the rape of his sister, the so-called “Queen of the Selfies” Karen Danczuk, wife of the Rochdale MP and two other women. The defendant was acquitted of the majority of the charges against him including the most serious “multiple offending” count. Unusually, Karen Danczuk waiver her anonymity post-conviction; see the Sun report here https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2300791/selfie-queen-karen-danczuk-brands-her-brother-a-monster-for-robbing-her-of-her-childhood-after-years-of-abuse-turned-to-rape/ Other: R v R C (2015) Successful appeal from large drugs conspiracy in which 15 years’ imprisonment was reduced to 12. R v H (2012) Two day appeal in the Staff of Government Division in the Isle of Man seeking to overturn sentencing policy; involved the consideration of sentencing policy in 13 jurisdictions. (For the Appellant) R v Z (2011) The Defendant was charged with a series of serious rapes, the complainant and witnesses from her family all claiming anonymity. Ultimately the prosecution offered no evidence after flaws in their anonymity applications were exposed and the complainant withdrew her complaint. (Defending) R v W H (2011) The criminal prosecution of a solicitor for perverting the course of justice alleged to have persuaded a prosecution witnes not to give evidence at a murder trial. Difficult issues of legal professional privilege involved. (Prosecuting) R v L I (2010) The Defendant was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent of his 4-month-old daughter by shaking, The case involved expert evidence of the conventional “triad” of injuries i.e. encephalopathy, sub-dural haematoma and bi-lateral retinal haemorrhages, but was unusual because the baby had has prominent extracerebral/ subarachnoid spaces which on rare occasions have been reported to predispose a child to sub-dural haematoma even with minor trauma, and because her retinal haemorrhages were subsequently found to have resolved. (Defending) R v P S (2010) The Defendant, acquitted of murder in Liverpool, moved to South Wales where he was alleged to have carried out a large number of very serious armed robberies, the majority of which were organised “cash-in-transit” offences but two of which involved the planned robbery in their own homes of prominent local businessmen. The case involved a very large amount of cell-site and other telecommunication evidence (Defending).
Barrister specialising in fields of personal injury and clinical negligence, being regularly instructed in high-value claims for both claimants and defendants. Particularly experienced in dealing with the bringing and defending of claims involving catastrophic injury, motor-related insurance and MIB issues, industrial disease, RSI, stress at work and employers liability generally.
AREAS OF WORK Crime Serious Crime Firearms Specialist Court Martial Regulatory Crime – Notable Cases R-v-LW and others – Liverpool Crown Court, Jan – May 2021. PGQC defended LW who was accused of the murder of Miguel Reynolds, conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to possess a prohibited firearm and conspiracy to possess ammunition. This was a complex multi-handed trial where LW was accused of being the gunman. R-v-T – Stafford crown court, April 21. Prosecuted a youth who had stabbed to death a drug dealer. He was convicted of manslaughter. R-v-ZR and others – Preston Crown Court. Ongoing. PGQC is currently defending the alleged gunman in a drive-by shooting which resulted in the death of a bystander. ZR is charged with murder and attempted murder. The trial started in early May. R v TM, November 2020 – Prosecuted Tamer Moustafa who was charged with murdering his wife and neighbour when he was high on cocaine. Following a nine-day trial the defendant was found guilty. Birmingham Crown Court. Read in the media here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-55189889 R v M, 2020 – Peter Glenser QC, leading Sean Sullivan, successfully appeared for the prosecution at the Old Bailey in the East Croydon Railway Murder in Sept and Oct 2020. R v K, 2020 – Prosecuting a trial where the defendant was charged with the illegal import and export of critically endangered European eels. Peter, leading Sean Sullivan, was instructed by the CPS Specialist Fraud Division after an investigation conducted by the National Crime Agency. European eels are considered so endangered that they are subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and there is a strict prohibition on exporting them to outside of the European Union. The offences spanned a two year period and involved 16 prohibited exports consisting of over 5 million elvers with an eventual retail value in the Far East of over £53 million. The defendant was found guilty of all offences. Southwark Crown Court. See report here R v L, 2018 – Leading in the defence of a retired Police and Army Officer accused of stealing firearms worth in the region of £200k from a secure MoD facility. R v B, 2018 – Successfully leading for the Defence on behalf of a gunman in an alleged gangland hit in Bolton. R v CH, 2018 – Successfully leading for the Defence on behalf of a serviceman accused of Attempted Murder in Cyprus. R v Ca, 2018 – Successfully leading for the Defence on behalf of a British Army Warrant Officer accused of a variety of offences, including rape, in Germany, Canada and Britain. R v D, W, 2018 – Successfully defended two members of the Quantock Stag Hounds accused of unlawful hunting. R v A, 2018 – Exceptionally difficult client charged with multiple counts of vaginal and anal rape on his wife, assaults on his children and a variety of other serious offending. Norwich Crown Court. R v K, 2018 – Very difficult defence of soldier accused of multiple familiar rape of a very young child. Already serving a sentence for sexual assault of same victim. Acquitted at half-time of all but one count. R v T, 2017 – Leading in the successful defence of a senior British officer accused of the rape of a US officer in Africa. The case was the first court martial to be heard on both sides of the Atlantic. This complex investigation involved the FBI, Royal Military Police and other law enforcement agencies; evidence was taken from almost every continent. R v F, 2017 – Prosecuting in an attempted murder case arising out of a parking dispute – involving complex medical and psychiatric issues, and exceptionally serious injuries. Kingston Crown Court. R v L, W, W – Successfully defended three members of the Grove and Rufford Hunt on their appeal against conviction for unlawful hunting. R v R – Successfully defended a Master of Foxhounds on appeal against his conviction for threatening a hunt saboteur who had taken one of his foxhounds. LACS v L and Others, 2015 – The “Lamerton Hunt” case: a very high-profile private prosecution under the Hunting Act at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court. Following cross-examination of the prosecution expert over his undisclosed links with witnesses in the case, the prosecution offered no further evidence. R v J Ltd, 2016 – A prosecution arising out of the operation of an abattoir. Successful submission at the start of the case challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try the case. Very substantial costs award against the Crown. R v D, 2015 – Taunton Crown Court. Prosecution following victim’s right to review. The defendant had a collision, mounted, with a hunt saboteur who was badly hurt. He said that he had neither seen her nor deliberately ridden into her. The prosecution expert agreed. The CPS refused to prosecute but after a high profile media campaign changed their mind and abandoned their expert, who the defence then called. Defendant was acquitted. Re: B – Prosecution at Bulford Court Martial of a very senior RAF Officer alleged to have assaulted two very junior officers the night that he took command. A conviction would have been catastrophic – career ending – for this officer. Serious evidential difficulties to overcome. Acquitted. R v L, 2016 – Southwark Crown Court. Allegation of serious sexual assault on young boy by his step-grandfather. Extremely sensitive because of victim’s father’s employment and the location of the alleged assault. The defendant was a foreign national. Re: C, 2016 – British Forces Germany Court Martial Centre. Allegation of rape of a German national in barracks by a British soldier. Acquitted. Peter is a specialist criminal lawyer practising in the most serious of crimes, usually murder. The last two years have seen him both prosecute and defend in very high profile, complex back-to-back murder cases across the country, frequently involving the use of firearms. He has expert knowledge of firearms and the legislation surrounding them, ensuring that he is always in high demand. He has long experience of prosecuting and defending serious violence, gang-related offending, drugs matters and matters involving allegations of dishonesty. He has experience of fatal road traffic matters and a particular interest in environmental and wildlife crime. He has recently prosecuted a water utility company for polluting a water course, on behalf of the Environment Agency, prosecuted a National Crime Agency case involving the unlawful export of eels with an eventual value of some £53M and defended numerous other wildlife related offending. He has enormous experience of defending service personnel before the Court Martial and is considered a specialist in military law. Away from work, Peter is usually found enjoying the British countryside or in the kitchen. “one of the most charming and likeable barristers/opponents I have come across in recent times. Peter is a minister for justice in the true sense of the word, both fair minded but with equal vigour in his presentation of the prosecution case. A down to earth approach which makes it hard to defend against because he is immediately liked by both juries and judges. His witness handling of frightened bystanders was a joy to watch and he is, in my view, a first class barrister. I would very much like to defend with him too where he will doubtedly demonstrate his flair in a defence context.” – Legal500 2022 “The Pre-eminent practitioner in cases concerning firearms licensing and wildlife crime who is applauded for the depth of his knowledge. He regularly provides regulatory advice and defends private clients who have breached firearm licence requirements.” “Easy to work with, accessible and very knowledgeable about firearms.” “He’s adept at winning over professional tribunals and is great both in terms of his paperwork and his performances on his feet.”
Personal Injury Peter Harthan is an experienced and proficient advocate practising across all areas of personal injury work. He takes a mixture of Multi-Track and Fast Track work particularly in relation to: Coroner’s Inquests, particularly in respect of Industrial Disease Fatal Accidents Serious Orthopaedic and Spinal Injury Brain Injury Clinical Negligence Employer’s Liability, including industrial disease and exposure to hazardous substances Road Traffic Cases, including the more specialist areas of fraud, low velocity impacts and credit hire Public Liability Claims Occupier’s Liability Product Liability Peter regularly takes instruction in high value (>£100k) cases and has acted in; A brain injury caused by negligent exposure to Carbon Monoxide poisoning leading to life changing symptoms A fairground accident ride malfunction causing multiple injuries. Partial loss of a foot following a Fork Lift Truck injury. Poisoning by exposure to hazardous chemicals in cleaning product production. Fracture of multiple vertebrae and permanent restriction of movement caused by fall from height. Crushing of forearm in an industrial presser causing lifelong disability Employment Peter has a growing practice in Employment Law and takes instructions for both Claimants and Respondents appearing both in the EAT and providing written advices. Peter has a growing practice in Employment Law and takes instructions for both Claimants and Respondents appearing both in the EAT and providing written advices.
Peter joined Chambers in September 2019 following his successful completion of pupillage under the supervision of Mr Jonathan Duffy. During this time, he observed a wide variety of cases ranging from fraud and multi-handed drugs conspiracies to offences under the OAPA and Theft Act. Throughout his second six, Peter regularly appeared in the Magistrates’ and Crown Court and also the Family Court. Prior to commencing pupillage Peter was an intern at the Arizona Capital Representation Project working on post-conviction death penalty appeals and life without parole cases for juveniles. He has since returned to assist in the hosting of the Bryan R. Shechmeister Death Penalty College at Santa Clara University, California, where teams from across the US are trained in every facet of capital defence on State and Federal level. Peter also provides training for Amicus ALJ, primarily on Death Penalty appeals. Criminal Law Peter acts for both the prosecution and defence in all matters of criminal law including: Assault offences; Sexual offences; Drug offences; Dishonesty offences; Motoring offences; He regularly appears in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Court conducting trials, sentences and appeals. Peter has often taken cases on at short notice and provides advice for both professional and lay clients. Peter also has experience of representing vulnerable clients in fitness to plead proceedings. He is currently a Level 2 CPS Panel Advocate. Family Law Since joining Chambers as a tenant. Peter’s practice includes: Representing both parents and children in both private and public law proceedings Representing Local Authorities in public law proceedings Cases including contested final hearings, Interim removals, cases involving non accidental injuries, cases involving allegations of sexual abuse, neglect, cases with issues in respect of designation, and finding of fact hearings Experience in applications for non-molestation orders and occupation orders Carrying out legal research and drafting up legal documents including opinions, threshold documents and skeleton arguments for parents and local authorities. Previous Experience Arizona Capital Representation ProjectAssisted in preparation of post-conviction petitions in death penalty cases and spoke with come clients daily. As well as this, he was part of a team that hosted the Bryan R. Shecchmeister Death Penalty College where he assisted in the training of a number of capital defence teams from across the US, including those with clients in Guantanamo Bay. He continue to work for the project remotely from the UK and has recently returned from once again hosting the aforementioned Death Penalty College in August 2019. LPC Law County Court Advocate: The experience of dealing with Judges on a daily basis on a range of live cases, as well as extracting key facts from the evidence provided to help win the case, and being pitted against both litigants-in-person and Counsel before pupillage sharpened up his advocacy and analytical skills immeasurably. In total he conducted over 170 hearing ranging from small claims trial and stage threes to insolvency and housing matters. Godfrey Cooray Associates, Sri Lanka He experienced drafting, conferencing and observed advocacy in family, crime and human rights and tort (including when a ship crashed into the harbour due to flooding, resulting in an argument that it was an ‘act of god’). This experienced in a foreign jurisdictions greatly improved his ability to connect and conference with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Call: 1987 Lincoln’s Inn LLB 2:1, Liverpool University Practice Areas Civil Personal Injury Landlord & Tenant Chancery Construction Insolvency Professional Discipline & Negligence with particular reference to family law Trust of land Family Private Child Law Inheritance Act claims Matrimonial Finance & Property Distribution including unmarried parties equitable interests Areas of Practice Areas of law; Since joining chambers, Peter has split his practice between family and civil law. He practices principally in ancillary relief, but has advanced incrementally into and beyond the areas of law that touch on families. So he has a significant practice in trusts of land (and generally the law concerning unmarried couples), Inheritance Act disputes, and insolvency. He regularly conducts ancillary relief cases where there are issues of ownership concerning third parties, whether that third party is a relative or a trustee in bankruptcy. Presently he has leave to appeal in the Court of Appeal on a case dealing with issue estoppel and the relationship between decisions in the Chancery Division and Family Division, in. From that base he has also developed a practice in land law, and landlord and tenant, related matters, ranging from boundary disputes and rights of way, through to commercial forfeitures, residential repossessions, and anti-social behaviour possessions and injunctions, and has handled cases before the Valuation Tribunal, the Land Registry Adjudicator, rating cases in the Magistrates, and even appeared in the Crown Court for third parties affected by orders concerning proceeds of crime . He handles professional negligence cases, principally in relation to family law and conveyancing. Welcoming the chance to handle technical matters, Peter appeared in one of the lead cases on payment protection insurance before the Mercantile Court in Manchester in 2010, and also advised on another of those cases, Harrison v Black Horse, which went to the Court of Appeal . He has acted on behalf of solicitors’ firms, and a number of local authorities and housing associations, as well as private individuals. Nowadays civil law is often thought of as synonymous with personal injury law. Peter also handles PI cases including fatal accidents, and road traffic accident fraud (appearing in Locke v Stuart in Liverpool this year). Peter has lectured on, amongst other things, antisocial possession orders, housing disrepair (to the surveyors of St Helens MBC), and trusts of land claims between unmarried couples.
Practice Areas Family Care Miss Wake is experienced in public law applications, having represented Local Authorities, Parents and Guardians in interlocutory and final hearings. In that capacity she has dealt with issues such as designation, deprivation of liberty and jurisdiction. Miss Wake has also acted in finding of fact hearings relating to issues of domestic violence, non -accidental injuries and sexual abuse, and is experienced in drafting the associated written work such as threshold criteria and schedules of findings. Private Law Miss Wake also has significant experience representing parents in private law children applications, as well as having undertaken instructions in applications for non-molestation and occupation orders.
Areas of Practice In the first fifteen years of my practice I was engaged in all areas of the common law, and had particular experience acting in personal injury actions on behalf of the members of the National Union of Railwaymen and the Rail Marine and Transport Union. This work included accidents on rail road and sea, ranging from minor injuries to multiple fatality cases. By way of example, I acted for the families of two railwaymen who had been killed at work in both the inquest proceedings and the actions for damages. By the mid 1990s my practice had become almost exclusively criminal and employment work. (Legal 500 2023) Ranked Tier 3 (Crime, Leading Silks) ‘Very active in serious violent crime, including areas such as infanticide.’ Ranked: Tier 3 (Legal 500) (Crime, Leading Silks) “Very active in serious violent crime, including areas such as infanticide” (Legal 500 2020) Ranked Tier 3 (Crime, Leading Silks) Chambers and Partners 2022 Crime – Northern Bar Band 2 Richard Pratt QC is head of chambers and is skilled as both prosecution and defence counsel for a range of criminal matters. He is particularly experienced in crimes of violence, including assault, manslaughter and murder. Recent work: Prosecuted a 17-year-old for the murder of a family friend who he thought had sexually assaulted his mother. Chambers and Partners 2020 Crime Northern Bar – Band 3 Head of Chambers who is skilled as both prosecution and defence counsel for a range of criminal matters. He is particularly experienced in crimes of violence, including assault, manslaughter and murder. Strengths: ” A very measured and capable advocate. He is extremely well regarded by the Judiciary; when he comes in, the robing room listens”. Recent work: Prosecuted a woman who dumped a newborn baby in a hospital bin and stuffed tissue in its mount. She was charged with attempted infanticide. “Highly experienced in defending and prosecuting in high-profie murder trials” (Legal 500 2018) Ranked tier 1 “Head of chambers who is skilled as both prosecution and defence counsel for a range of criminal matters. He is particularly experienced in crimes of violence, including assault, manslaughter and murder.” Strengths: “He is a confident performer and if the work is heavy and gruesome, you want Richard there fighting for you.” Recent work: Instructed to prosecute a man accused of the rape and murder of an ex-girlfriend and the murder of her mother. (Chambers and Partners 2018) “Head of chambers and skilled as both prosecution and defence counsel for a range of crimes of violence, including assault, manslaughter and murder” Strengths: “He is a very charismatic silk” Recent work: “Successfully prosecuted the aunt and grandmother of a seven year old girl on charges of child cruelty and murder.” (Chambers and Partners 2017) “A Criminal barrister who prosecutes and defends in equal measures. He has acted in a number of high-profile cases involving homicides and corporate manslaughters”. Strengths: “His client care is exceptional, he is a gifted orator and is respected by the court and appreciated by the client” Recent Work: He appeared before the Court of Appeal in a case concerning the murder of a man who died the day after a fight. The convicted’s sentences were markedly reduced, to manslaughter adn affray, after the appeal. (Chambers and Partner 2016) “Handles serious crime matters for the defence and the prosecution. He demonstrates particular expertise in high-profile and sensitive criminal law cases. Recent Work: Defended a man accused of playing a part in the masked fatal shooting of a businessman. (Chambers and Partners 2015) “Recommended for heavyweight criminal cases” (Legal 500 2016) Ranked: Tier 1 “Equally adept in the prosecution and defence of serious crimes such as fraud and murder” (Legal 500 2015) Ranked:tier 1 “Richard Pratt QC Prosecutes and defends in high-profile murder, fraud and money laundering cases” (Legal 500 2014) Notable Cases Homicide Over the years both as a junior and in silk I have prosecuted and defended in many cases of murder and manslaughter of which the following are a small sample. R v Morgan Smith (2000) HL. Junior Counsel for the defendant in case which was at the same time a landmark case on the law of provocation. R v RG (2005) Court of General Gaol Delivery, Douglas IoM. Counsel for the owner of the Solway Harvester (which capsized in the Irish Sea) charged with gross negligence manslaughter of the seven crew members who were lost. R v O’D (2007) Liverpool Crown Court. Representing defendant a student charged with murder of a fellow student during brawl outside city centre night club. R v SM (2008) Liverpool Crown Court. Representing 18 year old charged with murder of 11 year old schoolboy Rhys Jones. R v MS (2010) Liverpool Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with murder. Medical causation was a significant feature of the case, involving consideration of PRIS (propofol infusion syndrome) and alleged failures in the victim’s medical treatment. R v F (2010) Manchester Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with murder of taxi driver who was already terminally ill raising issues of medical causation. R v B (2010) Liverpool Crown Court. Defendant charged with manslaughter of baby, raising issues of ‘shaken baby syndrome’ with the usual confrontation of complex expert opinion. R v C (2011) Belfast Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with terrorist murder, 37 years earlier, of Captain Robert Nairac an undercover soldier who had been posing as a republican militant. R v GA (2014) Liverpool Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with murder of drug dealer involing a full blown ‘cut throat’ defence. R v TW (2014) Liverpool Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with murder by shooting said to represent a gangland ‘contact killing’ execution. R v M and S (2015) Nottingham Crown Court. Seven week trial prosecuting guardian aunt for murder of and child cruelty towards 7 year old girl. The defendant was co-accused with her mother in repsect of the child cruelty allegations. R v CD (2015) Exeter Crown Court. Prosecuting man charged with murdering his mother. R v JV (2015) Bristol Crown Court. Prosecuting man charged with murder and section 18 arising out of random night time attacks on members of the public, raising issues of diminished responsbility. R v MS (2016) Manchester Crown Court. Prosecuting man charged with murder of his friend in Cockermouth, Cumbria. R v MP (2016) Sheffield Crown Court. Defending man charged with murder and attempted murder of two brothers. R v MW (2016) Liverpool Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with murder of prostitute. R v KC (2016) Portsmouth Crown Court. Representing one of two defendants charged with attempted murder of an alleged criminal associate. R v JC (2016) Liverpool Crown Court. Representing one of three defendants charged with murder by shooting of innocent 16 year old boy in the context of gang rivalry. R v TD (2017) Bolton Crown Court. Prosecuting man charged with murder by stabbing of popular local man who intervened after defendant had been violent to his sister in public. R v JM (2017) Mold Crown Court. Representing one of four defendants charged with murder allegedly arising out of drug ‘turf war’. R v CP (2017) Liverpool Crown Court. Prosecuting defendant who murdered female acquaintance before seeking to dispose of body by carrying her to remote spot and setting fire to her body. R v KK (2018) Liverpool Crown Court. Representing one of four defendants charged with murder of criminal associate after failed drug importation. Case involved torture and destruction of body by fire. R v JA (2018) Lincoln Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with stabbing his friend to death. Operation Satinleaf (2018) Leeds Crown Court. Defending one of two 15 year old boys, following investigation by the Counter Terrorism Unit charged with conspiracy to murder teachers and pupils at his school by shootings and explosions. R v WC Operation Yale (2019) prosecuting nine handed murder trial over several weeks, against a background of gang and drug involvement. R v W (2019) Liverpool Crown Court prosecuting man charged with manslaughter of his wife by gross negligence in failing to obtain medical assistance for her notwithstanding her obviously deteriorating condition. R v P (2019) Liverpool Crown Court defending man charged with murder of his wife raising the partial defence of ‘loss of control’ R v B (2019) Liverpool Crown Court prosecuting man charged with murder of his friend using a crossbow. R v A (2019-20) Liverpool Crown Court defending man charged with murder, relying on partial defence of diminished responsibility as he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. His plea of manslaughter was confirmed by the Jury’s verdict. Fraud and Money Laundering (a) MTIC Operation V959 (2004) Manchester Crown Court. Prosecuted this early MTIC fraud firstly as junior Counsel and then as Leader upon the proposed retrial. The case involved far-reaching abuse of process arguments. Operation Gelling (2005 – 2008) Manchester Crown Court. Represented Prosecution in the trial of six alleged money launderers arising out of the V959 trial. Case was prolonged due to incapacity of principal defendant and major abuse of process arguments. Operation Echogramme (2009) Manchester Crown Court. Represented, DH, one of three defendants in trial lasting 10 weeks charged with money laundering of proceeds of MTIC fraud. Operation Vex (2012) Kingston Crown Court. Represented SH, one of five defendants on trial for conspiracy in multi million pound VAT fraud in trial lasting 5 months. Operation Vaulter (2013) Kingston Crown Court. Represented DM, one of five defendants involved in the freight forwarding limb of the multi million pound MTIC fraud in trial lasting 3 months. (b) Other Frauds R v PK (2009) Leeds Crown Court. Represented defendant PK, the lead defendant in so-called red diesel fraud in trial lasting 2 months. Operation Valgus (2013) Mold Crown Court. Represented principal defendant in what was described as the largest mortgage fraud ever to be prosecuted in the UK. Trial lasted 5 months. R v RL (2014 -2015) Leeds Crown Court. Four month regulatory fraud trial in Leeds Crown Court representing defendant charged with conspiracy to defraud the Drivers Vehicles Standards Agency (formerly VOSA). The allegation related to an alleged bogus scheme designed to circumvent the law and regulations relating to Operators Licenses in repsect of large goods vehicles. Operation Bamburgh (2016) Teeside Crown Court. Representing solicitor charged with large scale mortgage fraud. R v JM and Others (2017) Chester Crown Court. Prosecuting seven defendants (including company) in six week trial for conspiracy to defraud, arising out of a substantial and long-running car-ringing fraud. R v S (2018) Southwark Crown Court. Representing defendant solicitor in private prosecution for conspiracy to defraud. Following arguments re abuse of process, inadequate disclosure, mishandling of prosecution witnessess, prosecution ultimately offered no evidence against S when case listed for trial. Election Offences Att. General of the IoM v W (2012) Conspiracy trial – represented defendant who was charged with offences under the Representation of the Peoples Act in the Isle OF Man amounting to election fraud. R v CM (2018-19) Southwark Crown Court. Represented MP charged with offences under the Representation of the Peoples Act alleging that he had made false declarations regarding his electoral spending in the 2015 general election. Drugs Cases As a junior, I represented defendants in most of the high profile drug trials in Liverpool Crown Court in the late 1990s and 2000s including Operations Ayres Rock, Kingsway, Top, Dolphin and Montrose. In silk, I prosecuted 13 Defendants charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs. R v F (2007) Liverpool Crown Court. Defending man charged with conspiracy to import Class A drugs via light aircraft. R v MG (2012) Liverpool Crown Court. Defending lead defendant in high profile case which involved large scale drug trafficking. R v KA (2018) Canterbury Crown Court. Representing defendant charged with importing large quantity of Class A drugs from Belgium. Miscellaneous R v P (2006) Manchester Crown Court. First case in silk – defending serial rapist in case which raised numerous arguments on the bad character and hearsay provisions. R v T (2006) Preston Crown Court. Gangland kidnapping and blackmail. R v A (2008) Liverpool Crown Court. Defending Police officer charged with corruption alongside local authority officers. Prosecution were ultimatley driven to offer no evidence in the face of abuse arguments arising out of disclosure issues. Operation Leyden (2011). Prosecuting six defendants charged with conspiracies to supply firearms and to cause explosions with the distribution and use of hand grenades. Described by the Judge who ultimately passed sentence as ‘urban terrorism’ Prosecuting Authority v H & G (2013) Extraordinary case in the Isle of Man in which the Island’s Attorney General and the Deputy Assessor of Taxation (whom I represented) were themselves prosecuted for alleged offences of perverting the course of justice. R v JS Birmingham Crown Court (2016) Defending former soldier with rape and sexual assault raising defence of non-insane automatism arising out of sleep disorder. R v H (2018) Teeside Crown Court defending hairdresser accused of sexual misconduct towards his apprentice. Family Cases Operation Directed (2019) Family Division Manchester. Represented alleged perpetrator of very serious sexual offences against two early-teenaged girls. During the course of his judgment, Sir Mark Hedley specifically exonerated our client from any such behaviour. Knowsley MBC v V (2019) Instructed to represent mother in proceedings in which issues of Police Disclosure, PII, Closed Court Procedure and Special Advocate were raised. Sefton MBC v K (2019 – 20) Instructed to represent mother in case involving allegations of ‘baby-shaking’ and alleged NAI. Knowsley MBC v H (2019-20) Instructed to represent mother in case involving allegations of sexual and physical abuse of children. Professional History – Timeline 1978: BA (Hons) degree in Business Law 1980: Called to the Bar (Gray’s Inn) 1981: Elected to the Northern Circuit and joined 5 Castle Street Chambers in Liverpool 1989: 5 Castle Street merged with 27 Dale Street to become Corn Exchange Chambers 1997: Appointed Assistant Recorder 1999: Corn Exchange Chambers merged with Martin’s Bank Buildings to become 7 Harrington Street Chambers. 2000: Appointed Recorder authorised to sit in the Crown and County Courts. 2002 – 2006: Appointed to the Attorney General’s panel (A list) authorised to prosecute the most serious cases on behalf of Government departments. (Appointment relinquished automatically upon taking Silk) 2006: Appointed Queen’s Counsel. 2009: Approved to try serious sex cases in the Crown Court. 2010: Elected Bencher of Gray’s Inn 2011 – 2013: Leader of the Northern Circuit 2012 – date: Head of 7 Harrington Street Chambers 2014: Authorised to undertake Direct Access Work. 2015: Joined 3, Paper Buildings, Temple as a door tenant. 2016: Appointed Tutor-Judge to the Judicial College, participating in the continuing training of both full-time and part-time Judges.
Practice Areas He is a Civil Practitioner with a busy paper and Court practice. He specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence work of the higher value and more complex kind as well as dealing with Sports Injuries, Regulatory Law and Insurer Recovery cases. He is instructed by both Claimants and Defendants. Richard is regarded as one of the busiest and most well-respected P.I. Silks in Manchester and his effectiveness continues to attract praise. He took silk in 2008 and has continued to develop a strong practice. He has received praise in the major legal directories. The majority of his work concerns major injuries sustained in road traffic accidents, accidents at work, occupiers liability claims, clinical negligence, product defects and fatal accidents. The injuries differ greatly, but recently he has worked increasingly on claims involving major brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, major orthopaedic injuries and sports injuries involving claims for the lost chance of sporting earnings – including several high profile players and clubs from a variety of sports. As well as pure compensation claims, he deals with some of the ancillary work such as health and safety prosecutions and appeals, regulatory law, coroner’s inquests and Article 2 Inquiries. He is frequently instructed in cases involving very large claims, sometimes with a Junior and sometimes alone. He is considered to be approachable as well as hard working. Solicitors have frequently fed back to the clerking team that he has put clients at ease and combined a professional attitude with a friendly approach. He has appeared in reported cases involving acceleration of injuries, jurisdictional disputes and liability and quantum decisions. He has appeared as Lead Counsel for the Claimant in most of the recent high value sports injury cases and has appeared for premiership and international players and appeared in what is currently the highest ever value sports injury claim and is currently instructed in several other similar cases for Claimants and Defendants. He has also appeared in cases involving professional Rugby League and Rugby Union players, golfers and other sportsmen. Special Interests Richard enjoys cases involving complex medical and engineering issues, detailed factual disputes and complex legal arguments. He regularly gives talks on his experience in litigation and on topics as diverse as The Court of Protection, Brain injur y claims, Motorcycle Cases, Sports Injuries and many other aspects of Personal Injury Litigation. He is a significant contributor to Chambers’ programme of seminars and Lectures to firms of Solicitors. Recommendations Chambers and Partners – UK Bar 2023 Richard Hartley KC is a highly regarded personal injury silk. His practice focuses significantly on catastrophic injury cases, including sports injuries, as well as chronic pain conditions. He represents both claimants and defendants.”Richard has a pragmatic approach.” Chambers and Partners – UK Bar 2022 Richard Hartley QC is highly regarded personal injury silk. His practice focuses significantly on catastrophic injury cases, including sports injuries, as well as chronic pain conditions. He represents both claimants and defendants. Strengths: “A very good advocate and a very good negotiator.” “He has an absolutely fantastic manner with clients and experts.” “An insightful and forensic barrister.” Chambers and Partners – UK Bar 2021 Highly regarded personal injury silk. His practice focuses significantly on catastrophic injury cases, including sports injuries, as well as chronic pain conditions. He represents both claimants and defendants. Strengths: “He is very bright, extremely good with clients and always well prepared.” “Richard is really pragmatic and very approachable.” Chambers and Partners – UK Bar 2020 Highly regarded personal injury silk. His practice focuses significantly on catastrophic injury cases, including sports injuries, as well as chronic pain conditions. He represents both claimants and defendants. Strengths: “He’s knowledgeable, extremely approachable and takes a very practical approach to his cases.” “He’s extremely professional, hard-working and dedicated. He has a real empathy with his clients and is very diligent with paperwork.” Chambers and Partners – UK Bar 2018 “Highly regarded personal injury silk who is also head of chambers. His practice focuses significantly on catastrophic injury cases, including sports injuries, as well as chronic pain conditions. He represents both claimants and defendants. “His ability to cut through the most complex issues and advise clients in extremely difficult times, with charm and humour, is wonderful.” “Considering his level of expertise and position in chambers, he is very approachable, easy to work with and has an exceptionally down-to-earth manner with clients. He is a pleasure to work with.”” Chambers and Partners – UK Bar 2017 “Highly regarded personal injury silk who is also head of chambers. His practice focuses significantly on catastrophic injury cases, including sports injuries, as well as chronic pain conditions. He represents both claimants and defendants and receives wide acclaim for his advocacy and ability to build rapport with clients.” Strengths include “His extensive knowledge of the law and of the tactics involved with litigating catastrophic injury claims mean he is someone I would always want on my side. He has the ability to make even the most complex legal issues seem straightforward.” “He has excellent expertise and brilliant ideas. He is also very good at dealing with difficult family dynamics and complicated situations.” The Legal 500 – 2021 ‘Very down to earth with clients and makes them feel at ease. Very passionate about ensuring he helps to get the best possible settlement.’ The Legal 500 – 2019 ‘Very strong on his feet; his disarming style gets results.’ The Legal 500 – 2017 States: “A wonderful negotiator and clients naturally warm to him” The Legal 500 – 2016 States: “A conscientious and hard working advocate” Chambers and Partners – UK Bar – 2014 “Richard Hartley QC of Cobden House Chambers Heads the set’s personal injury group, and acts for both claimants and defendants on complex cases. Expertise: “He’s personable; extremely good with clients and experts, and has a very good presence in court.” “He gives very straightforward advice and is good at getting to the crux of the issue with experts on complex cases.” The Legal 500 directory States: – Cobden House Chambers’ friendly and approachable Richard Hartley QC and Marc Willems regularly handle multimillion-pound litigation.
Practice Areas Civil Personal Injury Contract RTA Credit hire Family Public Law Child Cases Private Law Child Cases Areas of Practice Sarah has extensive experience in all areas of personal injury litigation with a particular emphasis on the following Road Traffic cases – including the more specialist areas of fraud, low velocity impacts, and credit hire. Public Liability claims – with a particular emphasis on tripping claims Occupier’s Liability claims Employer’s Liability claims Costs litigation Sarah can conduct litigation on both the fast track and multi track on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants . Miss Watters is routinely involved at all stages of litigation, from the provision of preliminary advice through to the conclusion at trial. She also regularly instructed to draft pleadings, schedules, and advices in repsect of both liability and quantum in all of the aforementioned areas and can offer a quick turnaround of papers in relation to the same. Sarah also has particular experience in relation to high value personal injury claims, and is frequently instructed to advise in relation to the valuation of significant and/or unusual injuries often involving complex loss of earnings claims. In addition, she is regularly invited to provide lectures and litigation training to firms of solicitors, with a particular emphasis on the CPR, valuation of damages, and costs litigation.
Call: 1999 Practice Areas Crime Specialist criminal advocate with particular emphasis on defence work. Murder Conspiracy to rob Fraud Conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary Drug trafficking offences Serious violent offences Sexual offences Areas of Practice Experience of all types of criminal work including murder, conspiracy to rob, fraud, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglarly, drug trafficking offences, serious violent offences and sexual offences often involving very young children. Has regularly been instructed as Junior Counsel and also Leading Counsel in lengthy, complex and high profile cases.
Call: 1989 Practice Areas Civil Brain Injury Catastrophic Injury Clinical Negligence Employers Liability Fatal Accident Industrial Accident Industrial Disease including Asbestos Claim, NIHL, RSI/WRULD, Vibration White Finger, Dermatitis Inquests Occupiers Liability Personal Injury Product Liability Public Liability (10k Minimum) Areas of Practice Mr Holder has practised in Personal Injury litigation for a period in excess of 20 years. He is instructed almost exclusively on behalf of Claimants. He is a specialist in Industrial Disease (Including Asbestos, NIHL, HAVS and Dermatitis) workplace, serious injury, fatal accidents and clinical negligence litigation. He sits as an Assistant Coroner. He regularly attends Article 2 ECHR Jury Inquests on behalf of families and the Emergency Services.
Barrister specialising in personal injury; industrial injury; licensing; professional negligence; contract; industrial disease; RTA; low impact RTA; Vibration White Finger; asbestosis; mesothelioma; education; wrongful arrest; credit hire and tripping claims. Crime includes judicial review and actions against the police.Door Tenant
Barrister specialising in criminal law for both prosecution and defence. Undertakes serious criminal work nationally with a particular emphasis on the following areas: Homicide and other serious violence Serious Sexual Offences Child Neglect and Cruelty Fraud Drug conspiracies Member of the CPS Specialist Fraud Panel and Rape Panel. A Category 4 prosecutor selected for the Attorney General's Unified List
Practice Areas Family Matrimonial Finance Private Law Children Cohabitee disputes Legal Directory Recommendations: ‘I find working with Tom a very positive experience. He will strive to achieve the best outcome for the client regardless of the circumstances. He is a ferocious advocate and always gives 100%. Tom is extremely focused and is very well prepared’ Ranked: Tier 3 (Legal 500 2021) (Leading Juniors Child Law Public and Private) ‘I find working with Tom a very positive experience. He will strive to achieve the best outcome for the client regardless of the circumstances. He is a ferocious advocate and always gives 100%. Tom is extremely focused and is very well prepared’ Ranked: Tier 2 (Legal 500 2021) (Leading Juniors Divorce and Financial Remedy) Legal 500 (2020) "Combines first-rate advocacy with a clear approach to clients" Family and Children Law Ranked Tier 2 Chambers and Partners 2022 Family/Matrimonial Finance Norther Bar Band 3 Has notable experience of advising clients, particularly high net worth individuals, on divorce and financial remedy matters. His cases include those involving dissipation of assets and the division of significant portfolios. He is also experienced in Children Act and relocation proceedings. Strengths: "He instils a great amount of confidence in the trickiest clients. He's well prepared and grasps things very quickly." "He is an excellent negotiator and advocate. He also thinks outside the box." Chambers and Partners 2020 Family/Matrimonial - Northern Bar (Band 3) Has notable experience of advising clients, particularly high net worth individuals, on divorce and financial matters. He often acts for parents, guardians and extended family members in private law children cases. Strengths: "He's a very safe pair of hands, clients really like him and his preparation is always excellent" "He's meticulous in his preparation and will leave no stone unturned. In court, he combines first-rate advocacy with a clear and sympathetic approach." Legal 500 (2017) "he has a brilliant bedside manner with clients" Legal 500 (2018) "he is an excellent negotiator" Chambers & Partners (2018) Tom Fazackerley of 7 Harrington St Chambers has notable experience of advising clients, particularly high net worth individuals, on divorce and financial remedy matters. Strengths: "Tom is an articulate and formidable advocate who has excellent negotiation skills and a fabulous bedside manner." "He is extremely personable, calm and compassionate with clients. Chambers & Partners (2019) "Tom has a fabulous bedside manner with clients and is very articulate and formidable advocate" Very knowledgeable and well prepared". Areas of Practice Tom is a Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 recognised barrister. Previously a solicitor at a leading North West law firm, Tom transferred to the Bar in 2010. A matrimonial specialist, he practices exclusively in divorce and financial remedy work, as well as private law children matters. As a solicitor, he specialised in high net worth cases and he continues to undertake such work at the Bar. He is regularly instructed in cases where the assets are of significant value including pensions, companies and trust assets. Tom also deals with cohabitee disputes and applications for financial provision for children. He is regularly called on to advise on and draft pre and post nuptial agreements. In private law proceedings Tom represents parents, extended family members and guardians in applications for child arrangement orders. In recent times, he has conducted a number of cases concerning leave to remove from the jurisdiction. He was Junior Counsel for the successful appellant in the Court of Appeal in L (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 1297. Tom is highly respected for his robust advocacy and strong negotiation skills. He adopts a pragmatic approach to cases and is commended for his written work and client care. Tom is fully qualified to accept instructions through the Public Access scheme. Notable Cases L (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 1297
Barrister specialising in civil: general common law and employment; personal injury, contract, landlord and tenant, insolvency, costs litigation, health and safety, product liability, property, commercial, local government, human rights. travel litigation, professional discipline and negligence. Has now joined Northumbria University as a senior lecturer in law.