The Legal 500

Work Department

Crime.

Position

White collar and serious crime. Has a practice defending in heavyweight matters including homicide cases and those accused of sexual offences. Substantial experience defending in large scale fraud cases brought by SFO and Excise and Customs including MTIC and diversion frauds, tax evasion, money laundering and restraint and confiscation proceedings. Court of Appeal work involves several recent `fresh evidence’ cases. Recent successful cases involve R v O’Connor (6 person corporate manslaughter), R v Hart (largest UK cannabis importation), R v S (defence of airline pilot charged with series of rapes), R v M (‘society’ escort accused of money laundering), Arsenal ticket fraud conspiracy. Led team which successfully defended Col Gadaffi’s nephew on serious assault charges. Also acts for local authorities in prosecution and regulatory work, advises prosecuting agencies and businesses in Trading Standards and Enterprise Act prosecutions. Has rights of audience in the higher courts and regularly represents his clients in the Crown Court. Appointed DDJ in March 2009.

Career

Articles at Hodge Jones & Allen; qualified 1987; two-year stint at specialist south London firm Young & Solon, then returned to HJA to take partnership in 1990. Since then, has headed large crime team. Lecturer in criminal law at Oxford Institute of Legal Practice (part-time post 1994-2001). Member of costs appeal panel of Legal Services Commission. Publications of note: ‘Practitioner’s Guide to Human Rights Act 1998’ (Sweet & Maxwell). Deputy District Judge 2009.

Member

London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, Solicitors Association of Higher Courts Advocates, Member of LSC funding Review Committee, Affiliate Member Trading Standards Institute.

Education

Oxford University (1980 MA English Literature and Language); City of London Polytechnic (1985 CPE and Law Society Finals).

Leisure

Interests: Climbing, Skiing

Practice Areas

Crime - corporate; Crime - general; Fraud