Trial Advocacy
Chris Moran is instructed in substantial criminal matters including murder, serious organised crime, fraud, firearms, drug trafficking, money laundering and sexual offences.
Due to his level of experience in complex and multi-handed cases, Chris Moran 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 is a meticulous, well prepared and imaginative trial advocate who employs strategic thinking and intellectual rigour to every aspect of each case in which he is instructed.
Other Relevant Experience
As a qualified advocacy trainer for both the North Eastern Circuit and Middle Temple he has not only helped train those seeking to become advocacy assessors themselves but also taught anti-terrorism lawyers in both Nigeria and Somaliland on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Notable cases
- R v H – Prosecuted a man for murdering his sister with a samurai sword.
- R v M and Others – Leading Counsel for the Defence in a complex grooming case involving non-recent sexual offending. (Leading first Holly Clegg and then Nathan Davis, 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, DNA and cell site evidence (leading Conor Quinn, KBW Chambers).
- R v M – Defended someone 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 H and Others – Leading Counsel for the Prosecution in youth gang violent disorder. The case involved expert evidence as to gang affiliation and drill lyrics (leading Dan Lee, Park Square Barristers).
- R v E – Defended a female police officer accused of misconduct in public office for regularly supplying confidential information to her partner whose family were members of a serious organised crime group.
- R v F – Defended the accused in a large-scale HMRC tax fraud over many years. The case involved the use and cross-examination of multiple forensic accountants.
- R v N and Others – Junior Counsel for the Prosecution in a gang murder case involving the death of a 14 year old boy (led by Jonathan Sandiford KC, St Pauls Chambers).
- R v S – Defended someone accused of conspiracy to supply firearms and ammunition to a serious organised crime group. The evidence consisted of tens of thousands of pages of expert evidence, cell-site analysis, ANPR data, covert surveillance and telephone data.
- 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.
- R v A & Others – Prosecuted a complex kidnapping and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs trial involving multiple defendants. Due to intimidation by gang members the Complainant withdrew his support for the Prosecution and was treated as a hostile witness.
- 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 – Junior Counsel defending a young woman accused of attempted murder. The case involved firearms experts as well as a cell-site and ANPR evidence (led by Kama Melly KC, Park Square Barristers).
- R v H & Others – A multi-million pound confiscation case.
- R v M – Defended a man with severe communication and mental health difficulties including Tourette’s in non-recent allegations of substantial sexual offending.
Contact Chris’ clerks
Andrew Thornton on 0113 213 5202
Rebecca Wilson on 0113 213 5203
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 KC 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
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 BM – Represented 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 prison 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 MN – Represented 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 BT – Represented 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 SH – Represented a mental health nurse who faced the issue of neglect being raised as to the standard of his care.
Inquest into the Death of DEG – Represented 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 SR – Represented 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
