Dr Christopher Wood

Year of call:

2008

Education:

2017 - Durham University, Hatfield College Ph.D - "Risk Assessment, UK Counter-Terrorism Law & Policy, A Human Rights Based Approach"

2010 - Durham University, Hatfield College LL.M Master of Laws

2008 - Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Law School Bar Vocational Course - Very Competent

2007 - University of Derby, Derby Law School LL.B (Hons)

Career:

2011 - Pupil at Old Court Chambers, Middlesbrough

2013 - Tenant at Old Court Chambers, Middlesbrough

2014 - Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University, Newcastle

2020 - Old Court Chambers merges with PSQB

Appointments:

November 2019 - North Eastern Circuit Representative for Lincoln's Inn

December 2019 - CPS Panel - General Crime Grade 3

December 2019 - CPS Panel - POCA Specialist Grade 3

December 2019 - Serious Crime Specialist Grade 2

December 2023 - RASSO Grade 4

December 2023 - Serious Crime - Level 4

Memberships:

2013 - Present - North Eastern Circuit

2012 - Present - Criminal Bar Association

2010 - Present - Durham Human Rights Centre

2010 - Present - Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience

2013 - Present - Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

2015 - Present - Royal United Services Institute

Chris is an experienced criminal practitioner, dealing with prosecution and defence, which encompasses all parts of criminal law including serious violence, drug trafficking, firearms, and sexual offences. He provides a dedicated service to every case he is involved in and utilises his knowledge to analyse cases, prepare them and present them fully. He has experience of dealing with cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses and defendants.

He has a detailed understanding of Proceeds of Crime and is highly skilled in dealing with the complexities which arise in such cases. He is regularly instructed on applications to vary restraint orders, vary confiscation orders, enforcement proceedings and much more.

Chris has also appeared before the Court Martial, defending serving personal and is happy to travel to deal with such matters.

Between 2014 and 2018 Chris was involved in extensive research regarding biometric evidence in criminal cases. He specifically examined the way in which such evidence can be used cross-border and international mutual assistance arrangements to tackle serious organised crime, sexual offences and terrorism. His research contributed to the UK Parliament decision to become signatories to the Prüm Treaty. Chris has presented several papers at national and international conferences addressing topics on evidence and biometric evidence, criminal procedure and terrorism.

Chris is a Grade 4 Prosecutor in General Crime and POCA Specialist Panels, and Grade 4 on the Serious Organised Crime Specialist Panel.

Contact Christopher’s clerks

Dan Foulger on 01642 232523

Claire Gibson on 01642 232523

Emma Gibson on 01642 232523