I’m a specialist criminal and sports law barrister.
I’ve been practising in general crime across the Western Circuit since 2007. I completed pupillage with the Crown Prosecution Service before leaving in 2013 to come to the independent bar, where I’ve continued to prosecute for the CPS, HMRC, DWP, Local Authorities and the Probation Service as well as successfully developing a strong defence practice.
Prior to qualifying, I worked for a Local Authority in child protection, and have particularly good rapport with young and vulnerable people, which I use to ensure witnesses give their best evidence, and to make them feel as comfortable as possible with the court process. These skills ensure that I’m able to deal with the most sensitive of cases and in 2017 I successfully completed the vulnerable witness training programme.
I advise on the full range of offences with particular emphasis on complex drug conspiracies, serious sexual offences, dishonesty including fraud and money laundering, serious violence and public order. I am routinely involved in cases with young or vulnerable witnesses or defendants, and I’m regularly instructed to represent those with complex learning or mental health difficulties.
I also have experience in dealing with complex and sensitive disclosure issues including Public Interest Immunity, and I’m routinely instructed in cases involving Confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act. I also have experience representing the police in civil proceedings in applications for Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Sexual Risk Orders.
I accept instructions across all areas of regulatory offences and have significant experience defending and prosecuting trading standards cases. I enjoy the variety that comes with niche regulatory criminal matters and my meticulous and analytical approach provides a solid foundation for dealing with all complex and technical criminal offences alleged against individuals and corporate bodies.
My particular areas of expertise include:
With a Masters Degree in Sports Law and membership of the British Association of Sport and the Law, I have a broad and deep understanding of sports regulation and ethical matters such as anti-doping.
I have particular experience in disciplinary matters and have advised governing bodies and a local FA on diverse Equality Act matters, including ethics, safeguarding and transgender policy. I also have experience of anti-doping and have appeared before the UK National Anti-Doping Tribunal. I acted pro bono on behalf of an athlete in the first contested anti-doping case under the revised UK anti-doping rules from the 2015 WADA Code, which brought up interesting technical arguments relating to the retrospective applicability of the rules.
I’ve appeared before the FA Disciplinary tribunal representing both player and club in relation to allegations of racist conduct; where following a contested hearing both the sportsman and club were cleared of all alleged charges. I’ve also appeared before the Safeguarding Review Appeal Panel of the FA representing a young coach who was accused of purchasing alcohol for her players.
In addition, I acted on behalf of Football Law Associates in representing a young football fan accused of encroachment during a high profile game and successfully resisted an application for a banning order that would of prevented the young fan from attending any national or international matches.
Finally, I sat on the Appeal Tribunal for British Gymnastics and was a member of the Panel that heard the appeal against sanction by the Olympic Gymnast Louis Smith in 2016.
I’m keen to continue developing my sports law practice and accept instructions across the board in regulatory and commercial cases.
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