Daniel Christian

Dan has an undergraduate degree in Law and is currently doing the SQE with JMW. He has been in the Business Crime and Regulation department for nearly four years now. During his time within the team, he has worked across a broad range of complex and high-profile matters. His experience includes assisting on high-value fraud and foreign exchange trading prosecutions, offences against the person cases before the Old Bailey, regulatory investigations including CITES and civil forfeiture proceedings, judicial review matters, health and safety prosecutions, banking-related investigations and proceeds of crime cases.

More recently, Daniel has developed a particular interest in military law, regularly assisting on cases before the Court Martial, alongside a busy caseload of motoring offences ranging from serious road traffic matters to exceptional hardship and special reasons cases. He has also had the opportunity to assist in matters involving high-profile individuals and cases requiring a particularly sensitive approach. The variety of work within the department has given him exposure to many different aspects of Business Crime and Regulation and has allowed him to develop experience across a wide range of criminal and regulatory practice areas.

Outside of work, Daniel is a season ticket holder at Manchester United and rarely misses a home game. He enjoys playing football and padel at weekends and regularly runs with his local running club. He has also always had a keen interest in film and media.

Professionally, Daniel has a particular interest in Court Martial work and military justice. He is due to visit the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester to gain a greater understanding of the military justice system and the custodial environment. As the military caseload has continued to grow, Patrick Boyers and Daniel have also been contacted directly by the Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority (AFCLAA) in relation to referrals within the Manchester area.

Regulatory and Criminal Cases

1. R v SM - CITES Importation Matter - Assisted in representing a business and its director following the importation of protected timber from India valued at circa £33,000. Customs ordered the destruction of the goods after expired CITES permits were identified. Despite specialist advice that retrospective permits were unlikely, I prepared detailed representations to the Animal and Plant Health Agency addressing the factual background, proportionality, permit validation and relevant case law. Retrospective permits were successfully obtained, allowing the client to recover goods worth £33,000 that would otherwise have been destroyed.

2. R v DB - Possession of a Bladed Article - Assisted in representing a client charged after a bladed article was found in his possession when passing through security at Manchester Airport. Prepared written representations demonstrating that a prosecution was not in the public interest. The CPS discontinued the proceedings.

3. R v JB - Fraud by False Representation - Assisted in representing a client charged with multiple counts of fraud before Chester Crown Court. Prepared detailed mitigation which contributed to the client avoiding an immediate custodial sentence.

4. R v JS - Indecent Exposure - Assisted in representing a client before Manchester Magistrates’ Court. Prepared written representations supported by medical evidence, resulting in the prosecution withdrawing the charge.

5. R v DN - Forex Trading Fraud - Assisted in a complex fraud investigation involving alleged losses of approximately £8 million.

Motoring Cases

1. Assisted in securing discontinuance of prosecution case for a Dangerous Driving Matter

2. Assisted in successfully raising 'special reasons' for a motorist who was caught using a mobile telephone whilst driving

3. Assisted in securing exceptional hardship for a business owner whose company was at risk if he had been disqualified from driving

4. Assisted in having case discontinued for a client who was charged with failure to identify driver

5. Assisted client in avoiding disqualification by successfully raising 'same journey same occasion'

6. DVSA Tachograph Prosecution - Assisted in representing a client prosecuted for tachograph offences. Representations and expert evidence resulted in over 75% of the charges being withdrawn, with the client pleading to lesser offences and avoiding immediate custody.

Court Martial Cases

1. Assisted client to avoid being sent to the Military Corrective Training Centre through advancing robust mitigation at sentencing

2. Assisted client in lodging a Judicial Review following his dismissal from the Armed Forces.

• "When I was facing a court-martial, JMW Solicitors helped me at very short notice. Dan, Patrick and Sarah performed their duties professionally and promptly. I understand that they have heavy workloads, but they would always contact me whenever they could and provide clarity and ease of the process. I would highly recommend them to anyone serving in case the need arises, as they will listen to what you want and will fight tooth and nail for you. This firm will always look out for your best interests. And understand the intricacies and complications of service life/issues that may arise. Again, thank you. And I wish you all the best."
• "I recently was referred to JMW through my insurance company. Patrick Boyers called me and was professional. I wasn’t the best client and forgot to get back to them until 2 weeks before the court date for my driving offence. Over the phone, Patrick said to me, “We can make it happen within 2 weeks,” which reassured me a lot. Later, Daniel Christian talked with me over the phone for nearly an hour discussing my options, my current evidence, and the evidence that was required for the case. Even though I was interrupting Daniel quite often over the phone, he was patient and knowledgeable about the case and my circumstances, running through all the options specifically around my case.
• In the end, my exceptional hardship was accepted. Without Patrick Boyers and Daniel Christian's legal assistance, I would have lost my license that day and would have been unable to provide necessary care for my friend with bone marrow cancer."