Michael is an accomplished jury advocate. He believes in meticulous preparation, and a careful tactical analysis of the features of a case which may lead to an acquittal, whilst maintaining a good rapport with the client and providing support to the family.
Career Overview
Michael is an accomplished jury advocate. He believes in meticulous preparation, and a careful tactical analysis of the features of a case which may lead to an acquittal, whilst maintaining a good rapport with the client and providing support to the family.
He is adept at the preparation of defence statements and disclosure issues; opposition to bad character applications; cell site analysis; medical evidence; and financial investigation (confiscation). He has successfully appealed convictions and sentences, including cases where he was not the original trial counsel.
Michael is experienced in murder (including gang related); manslaughter; sexual offences (both recent and historic, and with vulnerable witnesses); corruption; fraud, money laundering and confiscation, as well as human trafficking.
Notable Cases
2019 cases
R v L
Lead Counsel in 2 month construction industry trial.
2018 cases
R v S - Seven week trial of 6 defendants tried for murder/manslaughter at Central Criminal Court
Analysis of cctv and cell site evidence
R v A - Abduction
Gang related abduction and torture
R v K - Firearm
Firearm conversion and certification
R v Z - Blackmail
False imprisonment and blackmail
R v A - Drugs
County lines drug supply in Wales
R v B
Conspiracy to steal from betting shop with insider assistance
R v K - Robbery
Series of robberies in Central London
R v F - Fraud
Credit card fraud involving banks, casinos and pawnbrokers
R v O - Money Laundering
Brothels and money laundering
R v T - Fraud
Family fraud on incapacitated mother
R v T - Rape
Rape of child (1960s)
R v H - Assault
Violent assault by group on asylum seekers
2017 cases
R v W
Conspiracy to facilitate fraudulent immigration, following BBC Panorama investigation - 8 defendants, 8 week trial
R v G - Fraud
Fraud on Charity by administrator (and confiscation)
R v S - Fraud
Internet fraud (Bulgarian)
R v A - Blackmail
Internet dating site blackmail
R v I - Rape
Gang rape of 13 year old
R v T - Rape
Two defendant rape
R v S - Robbery
Impersonation of police officer to rob money exchange
R v S
Conspiracy to steal within travelling community
R v R - Harassment
Campaign of internet harassment by vulnerable defendant
Pre-2017 cases
R v B - Conspiracy to commit corruption in public office
Corruption of HMRC offices - Central Criminal Court
R v R - Murder involving gang confrontation at Westfield shopping centre
Ten week trial and re-trial at CCC
R v W-B
Violent Disorder in confrontation with police
R v O
Conspiracy for unlawful immigration (Nigerian-European marriages)
R v S
Loan sharking and confiscation proceedings
R v C - Murder
Murder in dispute between colleagues
R v W
Child cruelty, husband and wife
R v P - Fraud
VAT carousel fraud - £3.7m. Principal defendant
R v M - Money Laundering
Solicitor kidnapped by gang with undercurrent of money laundering. Judge orders acquittal after 30+ days of disclosure
R v K
Internet supply of steroids from site in Moscow
R v S - Murder
Attempted murder in South London gang dispute tried at Central Criminal Court
Education
- BSc (Econ) University of Wales
- College of Law Chancery Lane (conversion course and finals)
- Called as Solicitor 1983