About

Mark is a polished lawyer with over 30 years experience in dispute resolution; problem-solving; research; negotiation and advocacy, both written and verbal. He practised as a Solicitor for 16 years, in private practice, achieving and regularly exercising Higher Rights of Audience, in both Criminal and Civil jurisdictions as a Partner and Director of legal practice. Significant experience of duty solicitor work in Magistrates court and at police station, still regularly instructed to carry out that work. Able to conduct cases from arrest and as Prosecution and Defence Counsel. He has a Certificate for both Civil and Criminal advocacy. Experience in all courts, including Court of Appeal, Coroner’s Court, and Court Martial.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND MEMBERSHIPS

2018 - Barrister at Law

2004 - Higher Court Advocate (All Courts)

2003 - Duty Solicitor

2002 - Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors

2000 - Accredited Police Station Representative

1999 - Called to The Bar - Honourable Society of the Inner Temple 1999 – PG Dip – Bar

Vocational Studies - Very Competent

1998 - LLB (Hons) - 2:1 Staffordshire University

Voluntary Work

July 2019 - Present - Telford After Care Team CIO - Trustee Board member of Community Interest Company dealing with recovering addicts, in addressing related issues, including recovery, employment, training, housing. Responsible for providing legal, business development and general advice to the Board.

October 2019 - Present - Honourable Society of the Inner Temple - Student Mentor - Advising and guiding pupil barristers and students with regard to all aspects of their studies, and future in the profession, whether assisting them to find work experience or pupillage, or advising on financial and pastoral aspects of the profession.

‍

Experience

He has significant experience and success in high profile, complex and technical cases and able to adapt and practise in a wide array of criminal and family cases. Particular interest in Proceeds of Crime Act and cyber related cases. Mark is not fazed in the least by variety and complexity of instructions and is able to adapt swiftly to modern and emerging areas of law including cyber and technology related offences, having the ability to navigate through, and identify persuasively, an effective resolution to the client and Court. Mark is commercial in his thinking, is confident and capable in the practice of marketing and business development and able to gain the rapport, trust and retention of instructing solicitors, clients and clerks. A truly excellent and confident ambassador to a reputable chambers. Prior to a career in law, Mark was a highly successful and respected operator in business development in the finance industry and has a portfolio of connections for mutual referral of work. Mark is looking for a strategic move to progress his career and is determined to find a high profile, forward looking set, with a high quality reputation. He is confident that he can add to Chambers with his existing Chambers work, instructing solicitor contacts and referral base built over many years.

Testimonials

“A tremendous advocate and able to explain and clarify the complexities of the law.”

“A master of negotiation.”

“Clever and persuasive tactics do not escape him. A man to have on your side.”

“Charismatic and sharp witted.’

“Aside from his outstanding legal prowess I have found Mark's commercial acumen to be outstanding. Alongside this his drive to achieve things in a timely manner is hugely impressive and ensures an effective results-based outcome. I would highly recommend Mark for legal, business and wider enterprise matters”

“I could not have chosen anybody better than Mark, to have acted on behalf of our family at the time, I will always recommend him what he did for us was brilliant, so professional and he hit the point on the nail, I will never forget what a great result we got. Thank you Mark"

Police Force Solicitor

• Regularly instructed by police force to respond to appeals against firearm certificate revocation

• Regularly represented police force in applying for civil orders

• Liaised with Professional Standards in preparing disciplinary proceedings against officers; Liaised with outside Counsel in preparing cases against police force/ officers in Coronial cases

• Legal lead in serious cases affecting the reputation of police force, particularly at the onset of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation, and into an investigation of police force failures in the lead up to the death of a teenage girl. Successfully defended Chief Constable in High Court proceedings brought by a vexatious litigant

• Shotgun certificate revocation Civil Orders

• Disciplinary Proceedings High Court Proceedings Coronial Court cases

• General offence advice to officers

• General operational and reputation advice to force management team

‍

Notable Cases

• Regulatory

• Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings and related civil investigation and recovery.

• Court Martial proceedings

• Coroner’s Court

• Court of Appeal - Represented appellant on terms of Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Appeal allowed

• Duty solicitor and police station advice Road Traffic offences

• Numerous cases from police station to Court of Appeal, including baby murder; gang related drugs and firearms; serious drugs and violence; sexual offences, including historic cases; and driving cases involving death.

• Successfully defended a baby’s father, charged with murder. Mother was convicted

• Successfully defended a case of football related violent disorder

• Successfully represented a case of GBH (stabbing)

• Successfully defended a case of historic indecent assault

• Successfully defended a case of rape

• Represented a client who had been driving when his passenger had been killed

• Defending the case against involvement by Coroner and CPS, client was convicted of

careless driving (days before death by careless driving became law), and his licence

endorsed with 9 penalty points

• Successfully represented a Muslim client in POCA proceedings, avoiding property being

recovered, having argued that his marriage ceremony was only a Nikah (i.e. religious)

ceremony, so that property owned by his “wife” could not form a part of Defendant’s

available amount

• Successfully represented a client in Court Martial, charged with possession of cocaine.

Case dismissed, meaning that Defendant was not dismissed from the Army

• Successfully represented a senior Army officer in Court Martial, charged with theft of

army property while serving abroad, over a long period of time. Case dismissed. Officer

remained in service

• Successfully represented an 87 year old man with dementia against historic sexual

offences. Indictment stayed after jury unable to arrive at unanimous, or majority, decision

‍