Maria Brannan > Chambers of Frances Heaton KC and Richard Norton > Manchester, England > Barrister Profile

Chambers of Frances Heaton KC and Richard Norton
St John's Buildings
24A-28 ST JOHN STREET
MANCHESTER
M3 4DJ
England

Work Department

Crime, Criminal Fraud, Regulatory Law, Courts Martial and Service Law

Position

Maria specialises in criminal and regulatory work, including Armed Forces Law and Motoring Law. A category 3 prosecutor, she is regularly instructed to defend and prosecute, combining a pragmatic and user friendly approach with an attention to detail and robust preparation.

She is frequently instructed in cases involving vulnerable clients and witnesses, including those with mental health issues. She has a particular knowledge of issues faced by those on the Autistic Spectrum, and places great emphasis on working closely with her instructing solicitors to ensure the client’s case is effectively presented.

As junior counsel, she is regularly led in cases involving murder, manslaughter,  large scale complex fraud and money laundering. She is adept in the investigation and presentation of complex phone and financial data, cell site evidence and complex forensic issues. She has considerable experience of  multi-handed, document heavy cases, with complex disclosure issues.

Career

Before joining St John’s Buildings in 2017, Maria practiced  for over 18 years as a Senior Crown Prosecutor and Higher Court Advocate with the Crown Prosecution Service, prosecuting cases of the utmost seriousness and complexity, including murder, manslaughter, complex fraud and serious sexual offences.

Education

Maria read law at Liverpool University before qualifying as a solicitor in 1992