Christopher qualified as a Solicitor in 1985 and has extensive experience of criminal advocacy and litigation.

As a litigator he has had experience of preparing cases in relation to allegations of violence including murder, death by dangerous driving, grievous bodily harm, rape and other serious sexual offences.  Christopher has also been involved in the preparation of complex fraud cases, cases involving the importation of drugs and straight forward theft or burglary offences.

Christopher has represented many people who have been arrested and detained at the Police Station including solicitors, doctors, accountants and policemen as persons suffering from physical or mental disabilities and other vulnerable people including children.

Christopher has always been interested in protecting and promoting his client’s personal and human rights.  Christopher was one of the first Advocates to highlight the effect of incorporating the European Convection of Human Rights into English law by arguing that the rights to a fair trial as set out in Article 6 of the convection were applicable in cases in relation to proceedings for breach of bail.

Set out below are a number of Crown Court cases where Christopher has successfully represented clients as a Higher Rights Advocate:

R –v- W – Basildon Crown Court.  Christopher’s submission that the identification  evidence in the case was so unreliable that the Judge directed the Jury to find Christopher’s client not guilty of a knifepoint robbery.

R –v- M -Basildon Crown Court.  Christopher persuaded the Crown Court Judge not to  imprison his client after a dog under his control had a savaged a child’s face and head to the extent that plastic surgery was required.

R -v- Q– Basildon Crown Court.  Christopher’s client was found not guilty after trial  having been charged with causing actual bodily harm to a taxi driver.

R –v- R– Basildon Crown Court.  Christopher’s client was found not guilty following a trial where the client faced allegations of being involved in a conspiracy to steal loaded containers from Tilbury Docks.

R –v- W -St Alban’s Crown Court. Christopher’s client was found not guilty by the Jury    after a Crown Court trial where was alleged to have racially assaulted a  member of the public by using a weapon.

R –v- N– Central Criminal Court.  In this case, the Crown offered no evidence on the first day of trial where Christopher’s client was facing a conspiracy charge involving a smash and grab raid at a jewellery shop.

R –v- P– Basildon Crown Court.  Chorister successfully persuaded the Crown not to  proceed to trial in relation to his vulnerable female client who faced an   allegation of burglary.

R –v- S– Basildon Crown Court. In this case the Crown offered no evidence during a trial where Christopher’s client was facing charges of kidnap, Section 18 GBH wounding and false imprisonment.

R -v- A -Central Criminal Court.  The Crown offered no evidence on the day of trial where Christopher’s client was facing an allegation of conspiracy in relation to a multi-million dollar fraud.

R –v- T – Snaresbrook Crown Court.  Christopher’s client was found not guilty after trial    where it was alleged that his client had stabbed another youth in a gang  related incident.

COURT OF APPEAL

Christopher has also appeared as an Advocate in the Court of Appeal where he successfully argued that his client should have a reduced sentence than the one imposed at Basildon Crown court for an offence of attempted burglary.

ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Christopher has been instructed on many occasions by clients facing road traffic offences.  A few examples are set out below:

Basildon Magistrates Court – Our client Police Officer was acquitted after being charged with driving with excess alcohol.

Havering Magistrates Court– Christopher obtained defence expert evidence to demonstrate that the impairment test procedure was flawed.  The Justices acquitted Christopher’s client who was a businessman and was charged with driving a motor vehicle whilst unfit through drugs.

Havering Magistrates Court – Christopher successfully argued on behalf of his client that his cross-examination showed that the timings in relation to the requirements for a urine specimen within the drink driving procedure were inaccurate and therefore the client who was charged with failing to provide a specimen was acquitted by the Court.

Graves End Magistrates Court – Christopher submitted written argument to the Court demonstrating that the evidence of the evidential breath machine should be excluded due to inappropriate or inaccurate comment by the Police.  Christopher’s client was acquitted of an allegation of driving with access alcohol.

Regulatory Offences

Christopher’s represented and defended many clients facing prosecution by a variety of bodies including Local Authorities, Environmental Agencies, The Health and Safety Executive and the RSPCA.  He has represented individuals and businesses in cases where a variety of technical and complex issues have arisen including:

• Under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 Christopher represented the owner of a car showroom who was being prosecuted for applying for a false description to milometer.
• Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Christopher represented the Director of a Logistic and Haulage Company charged with contravening his Waste Disposal Licence.
• Under the control of the Pollution Act 1974 Christopher acted for the owner of a company facing an Abatement Notice served in relation to noise emanating from his factory on an industrial estate.
• Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Christopher represented the owner of a printing company who was prosecuted for failing to have a safe system of work where an effective machine guard resulted in the significant injury to a member of staff.
• Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Christopher represented a home owner who was being prosecuted for failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice concerning an extension to the rear of his property.