Christopher Moran

Chris Moran
Year of call:

2007

Education:

2002 - University of Hull, BA Politics

2006 - University of Hull, Master of Jurisprudence

2007 - Nottingham Law School, BVC

Career:

2007 - Pupil and Tenant at 1 Mitre Court Buildings

2010 - Tenant at 39 Park Square, Leeds

2013 - Tenant at No 6, Leeds, now Park Square Barristers

Appointments:

CPS Level 4 Prosecutor

Memberships:

North Eastern Circuit

Criminal Bar Association

Awards:

2006 - The Sir Joseph Cantley Award

Trial Advocacy

Chris Moran is instructed in substantial criminal matters including serious organised crime, murder, fraud, firearms, drug trafficking, money laundering, confiscation and sexual offences.

Due to his level of experience and the complex nature of his cases Chris is regularly instructed as Leading Counsel for either the Defence or Prosecution and has successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal on many occasions.

He has a reputation for being meticulously well prepared and fully considering all legal issues significantly in advance of any hearing including those relating to dismissal, abuse of process, fitness to plead, disclosure and the instruction of experts.

In addition, Chris takes particular pride in the feedback he regularly receives relating to his manner with clients particularly vulnerable defendants, children and those with significant mental health difficulties. The importance of an early conference is something he believes is often vital to the outcome of a case and is one of the factors Chris attributes to his high success rate.

Notable cases

  • R v M and Others – Leading Counsel for the Defence in a complex grooming case involving non-recent sexual offending. (Leading Holly Clegg, Park Square Barristers)
  • R v B – Leading Counsel for the Prosecution in a murder case against a KC and Junior. The case involved blood spatter evidence, DNA and cell site evidence. (Leading Conor Quinn, KBW Chambers)
  • R v M – Represented a man charged under s.4 Explosive Substances Act 1883 who had constructed a homemade bomb and had taken it on public transport. The case involved multiple experts in explosive substances and legal argument as to provisions relating to terrorism offences.
  • R v F – Represented a man accused of a large-scale HMRC tax fraud over many years. The case involved the use and cross-examination of multiple forensic accountants.
  • R v E – Represented a police officer accused of misconduct in public office accused of regularly supplying confidential information to her partner concerning active police investigations relating to his family members.
  • R v S – Represented a man accused of supplying multiple firearms and ammunition to a serious organised crime group.
  • R v R & Others – Represented one of the lead defendants in a 25 defendant cocaine and heroin trafficking conspiracy involving multiple criminal gangs across the Midlands. The evidence consisted of tens of thousands of pages of expert evidence, cell-site analysis, ANPR data, covert surveillance and telephone data.
  • R v O & Others – Represented the lead Defendant in a group rape trial.
  • R v A & Others – Prosecuted a complex kidnapping and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs trial involving multiple defendants.
  • R v TJ – Defended in a case involving death by dangerous driving in which the defendant had suffered such significant injuries he had no memory of the incident.
  • R v H – Represented the lead defendant in a sexual grooming case. The case involved disputed DNA evidence and extensive cross-examination of children (via the s28 procedure), forensic scientists and police officers.
  • R v G & Others – Led by Kama Melly KC defending a young woman accused of attempted murder. The case involved firearms experts as well as a cell-site and ANPR evidence.
  • R v D –  Led by Abdul Iqbal KC defending a woman accused of physical abuse of her infant child who died at 4 months old. The case involved the evidence of multiple paediatric physicians.
  • R v H & Others – After being led by David Dixon (now HHJ Dixon) in a serious of fraud trials spanning many years of offending Chris dealt with the extremely complex confiscation proceedings which eventually led to financial orders of over a £million.
  • R v M & Another – Led by Richard Wright KC in a trading starboards prosecution involving large-scale fraudulent trading and copyright theft.
  • R v F – Led by Peter Moulson QC. Allegations of over 30 years of historic sexual abuse.
  • R v M – Defended a man with severe communications and mental health difficulties including Tourette’s in non-recent allegations of substantial sexual offending.
  • R v A – A mother was charged with assisting her husband to abuse her children over a period of 5 years. The case involved the cross-examination of children and social workers.

Contact Chris’ clerks

Andrew Thornton on 0113 213 5202

Gina Hawkins on 0113 213 5205

Rebecca Wilson on 0113 213 5203

Hannah Dempsey on 0113 213 5211

Robyn Nichol on 0113 213 5253

Lucy Finney on 0113 213 5220

Chris Moran’s considerable experience appearing in complex criminal cases has led to regular instructions in a wide variety of regulatory matters including copyright fraud, food standards, rogue traders, animal cruelty and disciplinary hearings.

He has substantial experience representing police officers in misconduct proceedings and has significant expertise in this area. He not only has an expert knowledge of the various police standards and ethical codes but the wider regulatory, disciplinary and employment case-law which apply.

Chris believes in holding a conference early in the proceedings so that he can provide the most robust and effective advice throughout each stage. Being meticulous in his case preparation and having a genuine passion for the law means that clients not only have confidence in their legal representation early on, but most importantly, get the right results.

Chris regularly advises businesses, individuals, professional bodies and public authorities as to law and procedure including the legality of prohibitive orders, judicial review, actions against the police, and the intricacies of EU and ECHR obligations.

Due to the above Chris is regularly asked to provide legal training to professional bodies on law and procedure.

Notable Cases

Humberside Police -v- ME: Represented a police officer who admitted gross misconduct whilst on a final written warning. After significant legal argument and mitigation given on his behalf as to the exceptional circumstances of his case,  that warning was extended and the officer was not dismissed.

DEFRA -v- WW: Represented the owner of an abattoir in a high-profile case in which employees were alleged to be engaging in unlawful practices in the killing of livestock. The case involved extensive legal argument as to EU regulations, surveillance evidence and vicarious criminal liability.

Regina -v- MM: Led by Richard Wright QC in the successful prosecution of a large-scale fraud involving the sale of IPTV boxes designed to illegally access premiership football matches. This case involved complex EU, copyright and confiscation law.

RSPCA –v- CLF & others: Successfully defended in a complex badger baiting case in which, due to legal argument, the defendant was acquitted at the close of the prosecution case.

 

Contact Chris’ clerks

Madeleine Gray on 0113 202 8603

Patrick Urbina on 0113 213 5250

Imogen Brown on 0113 2135225

Chris is a highly experienced and exceptionally persuasive courtroom advocate. He instinctively knows how to address Coroners, witnesses and jurors alike and is adept at making even the most complex legal and medical issues appear simple. This skill he effectively deploys not only in both oral and written submissions but also the examination of witnesses.

The above is made possible due to Chris’ meticulous case preparation. He considers the papers as soon as they arrive, speaks to those instructing and arranges a conference as well as considering and researching any novel medical issues.

Finally, Chris regularly receives very positive feedback as to his client care. His professional and personable manner means that he often receives repeat instructions to represent families in inquest proceedings.

Notable cases

Inquest into the Death of BMRepresented the Family (in an Article 2 inquest) of a man who died over a drugs overdose whilst in prison. Significant questioning regarding the prison security and lack of first-aid training of prion staff (a wide-spread problem) were raised. At the end of this inquest, upon application, the Coroner agreed to make a ‘prevention of future deaths report’. 

Inquest into the Death of MNRepresented a nurse (in an Article 2 jury inquest) as an interested person in relation to someone in her care who died of a complex brain injury. Issues such a ‘neglect’ and ‘press restrictions’ were dealt with.

Inquest into the Death of BTRepresented the Family of an individual who died of a suspected overdose of the controversial drug Dosulepin. Complex issues relating to the efficacy of this drug as well as post-mortem distribution were dealt with.

Inquest into the Death of SHRepresented a mental health nurse who faced the issue of neglect being raised as to the standard of his care.

Inquest into the Death of DEGRepresented the family of a 16-year-old with who committed suicide whilst having involvement with multiple youth mental health services.

Inquest into the Death of SRRepresented the family in a case involving someone who died of a complex brain injury after surgery. The case involved the questioning of 2 neurosurgeons.

Contact Chris’ clerks

Madeleine Gray on 0113 202 8603

Patrick Urbina on 0113 213 5250

Imogen Brown on 0113 2135225

Chris has experience in all Family Law matters but with a particular focus on care and private children proceedings.

He has a reputation for being meticulously well-prepared, adept at handling difficult legal issues as they arise and is a passionate advocate.

Chris has considerable experience cross-examining children and appearing in cases where violence and sexual abuse are alleged.

In addition, Chris takes particular pride in the feedback he regularly receives relating to his manner with clients particularly those who are vulnerable, have considerable communication problems and those with mental health difficulties.

Contact Chris’ clerks

Claudine Cooper on 0113 202 8604

Paul Foster on 0113 213 5209

Arnela Siranovic on 0113 213 5212