I qualified in 1997 and am a specialist regulatory and criminal lawyer, specialising in criminal defence. I represent a wide range of clients from international PLCs to individuals and aim to leave no stone unturned to achieve the best possible result for them. A leading KC has described me as a first-class solicitor who is exceptionally hardworking and determined in pursuit of his clients’ interests.
Within my field of expertise, I specialise in a number of areas:
General Criminal Law
As a former Duty Solicitor and experienced magistrates court advocate, I have represented hundreds of criminal defendants on charges ranging from low value theft to murder, and pretty much everything in between. I have extensive experience of handling interviews under caution and dealing with police issues, including police property matters. I also handle appeals, esp in historic abuse cases, and have recently successfully brought Victims’ Right to Review applications against both the police and CPS.
Health and Safety
For the past 20 years I have defended several cases brought by the HSE and local authorities and continue to do so. The subject matter has varied widely from diving to legionella, aircraft to housing, construction to chemicals. I am often called in by companies to act for their directors and senior managers in such cases when there is a conflict of interest. I have acted in fatal cases involving both corporate and individual manslaughter allegations and represented clients in inquest. I have had a number of notable case wins including successfully defending the Chairman of a FTSE 250 company in relation to silica dust issues.
Road Traffic
Since qualification I have defended regularly in road traffic cases, from running traffic lights to causing death by dangerous driving. I have represented clients at inquests involving driving issues and often act for those who face the loss of their driving licences under the totting up regime where I regularly succeed in pleas of exceptional hardship. In one notable case I successfully defended a death by careless driving allegation by using expert evidence in relation to power steering issues.
Road Transport
I formerly prosecuted for the Vehicle Inspectorate (now the DVSA) and am familiar with this niche area of law. I have acted for and against the regulator in court and at Public Inquiries involving anything from individuals to household name operators. I have expertise in tachographs, drivers hours, operator licensing, loading and maintenance issues, amongst others.
Product Liability and Trading Standards
I formerly acted for a well known national clothing retailer defending trading standards cases, and have advised and acted in relation to matters as diverse as neck cords in hoodies, boot heels, cowboy roofers and dust in cat litter. I also have experience in food hygiene cases.
Environment
I have defended several environmental cases especially those relating to recycling and waste. These have included fly tipping, permitting issues, waste discharges and pollution.
I am married with three daughters, and in my spare time enjoy listening to music, playing the saxophone and boogie woogie piano badly, drinking good real ale, hill walking, and campaigning on political and human rights issues. I am a trustee for a national charity which facilitates correspondence with US Death Row prisoners. I also founded and help run the North-Eastern Regulatory Lawyers (NERL) Group of up to 150 members which brings together regulatory Counsel and solicitors for training and networking up to four times a year.