Charlie acts for both the prosecution and the defence in a variety of cases in the magistrates’ court and the crown court.
Charlie has secured favourable outcomes for the Crown in numerous cases of a sensitive nature, including sexual offences and domestic abuse cases. Charlie prides himself on his ability to quickly get to grips with the issues in a case with limited time. He frequently receives positive feedback when communicating with witnesses as he is able to delicately address sensitive issues with care. Regarding his written advocacy, Charlie is familiar with and has drafted written hearsay applications and numerous sentencing notes. Charlie is often praised for his ability to fairly and concisely summarise the facts of a case in his sentencing notes, considerably simplifying the sentencing process for the Bench. Charlie also has experience prosecuting matters in the Youth Court and is able to cross-examine youths and vulnerable witnesses appropriately and in line with the advocacy toolkits.
Charlie represents lay clients from all walks of life, however he is often instructed in cases involving clients between the ages of 18 and 25. He finds that his own age and down-to-earth conferencing style helps him to develop a rapport with his younger clients. Charlie also has experience with more complex areas of law, including fitness to plead and abuse of process. He has experience of representing serving members of the armed forces in Court Martials. Charlie provides “firm but fair” advice to lay clients where necessary, but will always be willing to fight his client’s corner. Charlie has represented clients charged with, inter alia, the production of cannabis, theft, dangerous driving, domestic assaults and affray. Charlie has acted for clients in committals for sentence and has successfully secured suspended sentences for his clients. Charlie has also secured acquittals during trials, most notably on one occasion securing an acquittal for an offence of theft in which his client was viewed on CCTV picking up a phone belonging to another. Charlie often represents those in breach of their suspended sentence orders and community orders, acting persuasively to allow his clients to have another chance.
Notable cases:
Cleveland Constabulary v Z M (2024) – Successfully opposed an application for an Interim Sexual Risk Order for his client who had been previously acquitted of rape in the Crown Court.
R v A W (2024) – Successfully secured an acquittal after trial for his client who had been charged with theft of a phone having been observed on CCTV picking up the phone.
R v L R (2024) – DV ABH vulnerable V and D conviction
R v B D (2024) – Secured suspended sentence for vulnerable D in dangerous drug driving case
R v C G (2024) – Secured immediate imprisonment in a CFS for voyeurism and indecent images
R v A K (2024) – Secured conviction in voyeurism trial
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Charlie acts for Claimants and Defendants in personal injury cases mainly concerning workplace accidents, road traffic collisions and actions against the police.
Charlie is instructed by insurance companies to defend small claims road traffic collision matters. He is also familiar with and has defended in credit hire matters. He prides himself on his ability to effectively break down Claimant cases in road traffic matters and uses knowledge from his criminal practice to effectively cross-examine on the various rules of the road. He is praised for his client care and always takes the additional time to properly prepare his witnesses for the nerve-wracking process of giving evidence.
Charlie also acts for Claimants in fast-track workplace accidents and actions against the police. He maintains a frank and realistic approach with lay clients, always willing to give robust advice where necessary. He ensures that clients have full knowledge and advice of the various options before them at any given time from the pre-action stage right up to trial.
Notable cases:
K B v L H (2024) – Successfully defended his client in a small claims road traffic collision trial.
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Charlie represents applicants detained under the Mental Health Act in first-tier mental health tribunals. He prides himself on his ability to build rapport with his lay clients quickly and effectively. He will always take the time to listen intently to clients to understand their desires and instructions. His clients appreciate that he takes the necessary time to properly explain the often nerve-wracking and confusing process of being detained under the Mental Health Act. He ensures that his clients have realistic expectations during proceedings and are aware of the options available to the tribunal.
Charlie frequently prosecutes for local authorities in cases concerning school attendance. He has acted in trials, sentences and initial hearings. He is praised for his ability to effectively highlight and summarise the pertinent elements of his cases, thereby allowing tribunals to quickly get to grips with the local authority’s case. Charlie has also effectively utilised case law to counter the ‘unavoidable cause’ defence that is often relied upon by Defendants.