Areas of expertise
I have broad experience of gross-negligence manslaughter, serious violence, grave sexual, and large drug cases.
Rather unusually, I am a senior advocate with a strong grounding in criminal litigation, gained through years of work as a solicitor. As a result, I have the expertise to work effectively with quality solicitors, recognising that team leadership and case preparation makes the best use of the firm's resources.
Clients benefit from a close working relationship between counsel and solicitor, with timely advice, strategic positioning and excellent trial preparation placing them in the best possible position to win. Many defendants speak of the confidence gained from my careful preparation, calm demeanour, and command of the court.
My approach is to provide a broad analysis of the case at an early stage. I like to assist solicitors with the process of taking instructions, drafting applications, and making requests of the prosecution. This method ensures we are ahead of any court deadlines and in a position to place opponents under pressure as the trial approaches.
Early analysis
01My approach is to provide a broad analysis of the case at an early stage.
Working with the solicitor
02I like to assist solicitors with the process of taking instructions, drafting applications, and making requests of the prosecution.
Pressure before trial
03This method ensures we are ahead of any court deadlines and in a position to place opponents under pressure as the trial approaches.
Gross negligence manslaughter is a comparatively rare offence but highly complex and distinct from other offences usually involving violence. I have been engaged to advise clients at the investigation stage, and represented clients charged with this offence at trial. Cases have involved falls from height, warehouse accidents, and building site accidents.
More generally, I have represented clients in serious violence cases for many years. Cases include:
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02 · 01Successful defence of a gross-negligence manslaughter case involving a trench collapse on a building site. The case was prosecuted, and other clients defended, by King's Counsel. This trial concluded after more than three months at the Central Criminal Court.
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02 · 02Successful defence of a vulnerable defendant in a torture case. I utilised recent case law in this joint-participation case to argue that N had not encouraged the attack.
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02 · 03An attempted murder case involving a handgun and machete. Repeated disclosure requests revealed serious flaws in the investigation. Plea to a lesser charge negotiated.
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02 · 04A double attempted murder case involving a handgun and submachine gun. The case involved cross-examination of gang-violence experts, forensic experts, cell-site witnesses and co-defendants. Mixed verdicts returned.
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02 · 05Successful defence of a man charged with attempted murder, who strangled his partner, leaving her in a coma for three days. The case involved cross-examination of a vulnerable witness and a pathologist.
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02 · 06Successful defence of a man accused of murder. Four defendants were said to have tracked down and shot a rival criminal. Our client was the getaway driver, but careful cross-examination of telephone experts and an eyewitness demonstrated he was unaware of the shooter's intention. Led by Sarah Forshaw KC.
“David's preparation and advocacy throughout the trial were nothing short of exceptional. His meticulous approach, sharp legal mind, and tireless commitment were evident every single day in court.”
I regularly defend in serious and historic sexual abuse cases. I have experience of questioning young and other vulnerable witnesses and preparing clients for giving their evidence. I have found a clear focus on weaknesses in the prosecution case and having strong defence case theory to be invaluable to clients in navigating these stressful cases.
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03 · 01Successful defence of a man accused of raping a homeless woman. Careful cross-examination of a vulnerable witness and legal argument to exclude key evidence changed the nature of the case. The Judge said the case had been conducted “with great courtesy and skill”.
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03 · 02Successful defence of a man charged with raping a woman he met on Facebook. The cross-examination of this complainant, conducted firmly but with care, revealed a sequence of events which undermined the allegation.
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03 · 03Successful defence of a man accused of raping a 15-year-old. Received at short notice, careful examination of telephone downloads revealed many messages which undermined the complainant's account.
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03 · 04Successful defence of a man accused of sexually abusing two foster children. Sensitive cross-examination revealed the children wished to be removed from the foster-care system and returned to a parent.
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03 · 05The most serious body modification case ever brought under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. The defendants attracted the attention of a series of vulnerable men who sought, by means of amateur surgery, to have body parts including genitals removed.
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03 · 06Successful defence of a man with profound learning difficulties charged with the serious sexual assault of a deaf woman. A particularly sensitive case requiring great tact and empathy.
“He is a truly brilliant barrister. He has an exceptional ability to put clients at ease, is always on top of the papers and the jury love him.”
Over many years, I have represented those accused of organised crime and major drug offending. Using a proactive and collaborative approach, I have led legal teams to prepare effectively and place pressure on prosecuting authorities.
Clients have benefited from simple and effective analysis of often complex evidence, allowing them to focus on key issues. With a background as a solicitor, I find that the law firms I work with welcome my ability to make best use of their resources. Cases include:
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04 · 01A nationwide conspiracy to produce industrial quantities of cannabis by an organised crime group with links to Albania.
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04 · 02Acquittal of a Romanian lorry driver accused of importing £9m cocaine.
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04 · 03A major conspiracy to supply class A drugs from prison.
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04 · 04Acquittal of a man accused of bribery, prosecuted by the SFO.
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04 · 05Acquittal of a woman accused of assisting her husband in the large-scale production of cannabis.
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04 · 06Not guilty verdict entered for a man accused of orchestrating a kidnapping, after a business deal went wrong.
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04 · 07World-wide conspiracy to import more than 200kg of cocaine.