David Orbaum

Year of call:

1978

Education:

1976 - Leeds University, BA History (2:1)

1978 - College of Law, London, BVC Bar Exams Part 1 and 2

1982 - Leeds Metropolitan University, Solicitors’ Final Exams

Career:

1978 - Pupil at Westminster Bank (now Sovereign) Chambers, supervised by Lionel Scott and His Honour Judge Hoffman

1979 - Member of Westminster Bank Chambers

1983 - Requalified & admitted to the roll as a solicitor

1994 - Higher Court Advocate (criminal)

1996 - High Court Advocate (all courts)

2010 - Returned to the Bar and rejoined Sovereign Chambers CPS Level 3 prosecutor

2015 - Sovereign Chambers becomes Park Square Barristers

David Orbaum has a solid understanding of jurisdiction and disclosure issues affecting both the criminal and family courts, and his child-care work combines well with his work on abuse cases in the criminal courts.

Serious offences

In recent years, David has undertaken representation in cases involving serious criminal offences of all types in the Crown Court, whether as a single advocate, being led, or as a leading junior. He particularly undertakes criminal defence work with an emphasis on physical- and sexual-abuse cases

Road traffic law

David has a comprehensive and specialised knowledge of road traffic law and regulatory offences, acting for individual defendants and companies in the Magistrates Court and representing defendants facing the most serious of offences — including causing death by dangerous driving in the Crown Court.

Approach

David’s years in practice as a solicitor have contributed to his confident and effective manner when dealing with those he represents, regardless of their background.

Advantageous experience

When practising as a solicitor for many years, David developed a busy mixed common-law practice including criminal, family and civil work. He developed extensive experience of advising at police stations and represented in the Magistrates and Youth Courts. As a result, he has a comprehensive grasp of the entire criminal process — a significant advantage when presenting cases in Crown Court.

Notable cases

  • 2002 – R v Dennis Broadfield Leeds Crown Court – attempted murder with a firearm; acquitted
  • 2008/9 – R v Craig Meehan – indecent images (high-profile media case) – convicted after trial in lower court and partially successful on appeal to Leeds Crown Court
  • R v Haynes – nearly fatal section-18 wounding; sentence of 9 years successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal and significantly reduced
  • 2012 R v Gardiner Newcastle Crown Court – very serious historic sexual-abuse case.

Lecturing

David has conducted seminars and has lectured extensively on all aspects of police station advice and how this impacts on criminal proceedings.

Public Access

David Orbaum may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Contact David’s 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

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