Acting mainly for individuals but also for business entities, the Newcastle team at David Gray Solicitors LLP provides advice as well as advocacy. Clients are represented at Magistrates Court, Crown Court and Court of Appeal under the leadership of higher court advocate and practice head Brian Hegarty . The team regularly handles serious and complex crime matters and benefits from a close cooperation with the firm’s other departments such as mental health, immigration and family law. Solicitor advocate Sophie Allinson plays a key role as an accredited court duty solicitor and police station representative.
Crime, fraud and licensing: General crime and fraud in North
David Gray Solicitors LLP
Practice head(s):
Brian Hegarty
Other key lawyers:
Sophie Allinson
Work highlights
Hay & Kilner
The ‘team of dedicated, well informed and caring individuals’ at Hay & Kilner in Newcastle stands out for the breadth of its practice. The firm’s work ranges from representing clients in Magistrates Court to serious and complex cases in the Crown Court or Court of Appeal. The team’s prison law expertise enables it to represent clients from before charge to beyond sentence. Practice head Mark Harrison is a leading criminal litigation lawyer in the region, acting in a wide range of complex cases. Solicitor Karen Minhas pays a key role, as do Duty Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate Matthew Purves, solicitor Jonathan Cousins and associate solicitor Mark Styles .
Practice head(s):
Mark Harrison
Other key lawyers:
Karen Minhas; Matthew Purves; Jonathan Cousins; Mark Styles
Testimonials
‘Hay and Kilner are a team of dedicated, well informed and caring individuals. They work tirelessly to ensure that their clients are well prepared and well equipped to deal with the trial process whilst ensuring that clients are realistic about their prospects. They take the time to understand their clients and ensure that they are well resources and able to ensure that they are up to date with changes in legislation and court and sentencing practice.’
‘All of the people at Hay and Kilner are extremely impressive individuals. Mark Styles is dedicated to his clients, he is dogged in his representation whilst being realistic, he has excellent judgement.’
Work highlights
- Defended one of 6 young defendants jointly charged with murder. Defendant was a youth at the time of the alleged offence but has since reached the age of majority.
- Defending LP, who is charged with a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in a case involving a number of linked defendants. LP is said to play a leading role in the conspiracy, which involves many millions of pounds worth of drugs and cash. The case is brought on data obtained in overseas jurisdictions from encrypted mobile telephones, and there has been significant legal challenge as to the admissibility of this evidence.
- Defended a client who was charged with multiple counts of rape and serious sexual offences against his partner and other family members. Client had very complex mental health issues which required the instruction of both a consultant psychiatrist and psychologist during the proceedings.
Kenneth M Barrow & Co
With a singular focus on defence, the practice at Kenneth M Barrow & Co handles serious crime, complex fraud and proceeds of crime matters. The firm benefits from its accreditation for very high cost cases and from its strong relationships with experts throughout the country, from forensic accountants to psychiatrists. Ravi Khosla in Seaham heads up the department, is experienced in serious crime and fraud matters. Khosla leads the matters, he is supported by a number of other respected solicitors and consultants.
Practice head(s):
Ravi Khosla
Work highlights
- Instructed in a complex pension fraud case being heard in Southwark Crown Court where pension holders were persuaded to transfer their pensions into SIPPs. The funds were then put in high-risk unsuitable investments. £24 million was invested this way.
- Instructed in a conspiracy to supply Class A & B drugs. At the centre of the proceedings is the use of encrypted telephone devices commonly referred to as ‘Encros’. Multiple kilos of drugs are said to have been arranged via these devices, which are at the centre of a number of legal challenges as to the admissibility of the evidence obtained by the National Crime Agency.
- Instructed in a POCA enforcement matter where the original proceedings related to a property fraud totalling £80 million. The enforcement proceedings now stand at £1.9 million. Currently challenging proceedings in the High Court.