Chris is a Partner within the Business Crime and Regulation Team and has substantial experience handling a wide range of criminal allegations including fatal and non-fatal road traffic offences, conspiracy offences, public order matters, serious assaults, sexual offences, fraud and theft, drug offences, money laundering, offences against public justice, misconduct in a public office and murder/manslaughter.
Chris advises Police Officers involved in cases relating to deaths in custody, pursuits resulting in a serious injury or fatality, use of non-lethal weapons, police dogs and police shootings, including Post-Incident Procedures. He represents Police Officers who are investigated under the Police (Conduct) Regulations, Police (Performance) Regulations by their force or the IOPC, and those subject to proposed Vetting Dismissals.
Chris has represented and continues to represent Police Officers who are Core Participants within Public Inquiries, Interested Persons within Article 2 Inquests, and within Judicial Reviews, in their capacity as Claimants, Defendants, or Interveners.
He qualified as a Solicitor in 2008, thereafter becoming a Magistrates Court and Police Station Solicitor having passed the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme (CLAS) in 2010.
Chris has qualified as a Solicitor-Advocate having passed the Higher Rights of Audience assessment. Chris now represents clients before the Crown Court alongside and against Barristers and other Solicitor-Advocates.
MEMBERSHIPS:
- Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)
- Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme (CLAS)
- Solicitors' Association of Higher Courts Advocates (SAHCA)
NOTABLE CASES
- GT – Advised Senior Officer within a Public Inquiry following a Terrorist Attack. [2022] (BBC)
- SG – Represented Defendant charged with £7 million PONZI Fraud Scheme, involving multiple defendants and cases tranches [2019 to 2024] (BBC)
- Watson – Represented the Police Federation of England and Wales, the British Transport Police Federation, the Ministry of Defence Police Federation, and the Civil Nuclear Police Federation as Intervenors in the case before the Court of Appeal in an important Judicial Review regarding Statutory Interpretation regarding “Pre-Attestation Conduct” and generally regarding Intervenors. (Belfast Telegraph) [2022-2024]
- AG – Represented a Metropolitan Police Officer in Judicial Review proceedings before the High Court. [2021-2022]
- DH – Represented a West Midlands Police Officer in Judicial Review proceedings before the High Court. [2021-2022]
- PJ and PL – Represented two Police Officers charged with s.18 Wounding and Misconduct in Public Office. Acquitted following a 5-week trial. (BBC)
- LC – Advised Family Liaison Officers regarding their Force’ handling of an investigation concerning the death of a female.
- SH – Represented a Police Officer during an Article 2 Inquest concerning the Force’ handling of a domestic incident.
- LJ – Represented Police Officer for an offence of Careless Driving, whilst on duty Acquitted after trial. (Daily Mail)
- RP – Represented Police Officer charged with being Drunk in Charge of a Motor Vehicle. Acquitted after trial.
- MD – Represented Police Officer charged with multiple thefts. Acquitted after trial.