He practises in all areas of criminal law, specialising in protest law and appellate work. Stephen’s crime practice has seen him defending in a wide range of criminal cases including:
- Homicide trials and appeals;
- Protest law;
- Public disorder;
- Serious violence;
- Class A drug supply;
- Slavery and trafficking.
Stephen is also a member of the Immigration Team. He regularly appears in the Upper Tribunal, High Court, and Court of Appeal on human rights and asylum matters. He has been instructed for Claimants in the majority of “EEA rough sleeper” cases, and is currently instructed in the challenge to the Home Office’s new policy of refusing and cancelling leave for all rough sleepers.
Stephen is currently briefed in a number of long-running cases with the CCRC. He has been instructed in cases in the Crown Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal which have received significant media attention. He has previously been named The Times’ Lawyer of the Week.
Stephen is qualified to conduct litigation work and is able to take instructions directly from clients without a solicitor.
Stephen’s work is mostly publicly funded but he is also prepared to accept privately funded or pro bono work in appropriate cases, including on a direct access basis. He previously helped to run the pro bono legal clinic for EEA nationals at Akwaaba, and has worked at projects including Refugee Legal Support Athens.
In 2020 Stephen was appointed as a Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and as an Employment Judge.