Michael Morley

Year of call:

1995

Education:

1991 - The University of Hull, LLB

1993 - The University of Hull, LLM (International Law)

1995 - The Inns of Court School of Law, BVC.

1995 - Called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

Career:

1997 - Pupil, 3 Hare Court (now 2 Bedford Row), the chambers of William Clegg Q.C.

1999 - Tenant, Harrow-on-the-Hill Chambers (now Castle Chambers)

2003 - Tenant, Kenworthy's Chambers, Manchester

2010 - North West Crown Advocate Unit, CPS, Manchester. (2010-2012 Crown Advocate, 2012-2016 Senior Crown Advocate)

2017 - Tenant, Park Square Barristers

Appointments:

CPS Grade 4 RASSO Counsel

Michael has 20 years’ experience of prosecuting and defending all aspects of serious crime and is a Category 4 Prosecutor.  Following completion of pupillage at 3 Hare Court (now 2 Bedford Row), between 1997 and 2009 Michael was in practice at the self-employed Bar both in London and Manchester where he developed an exclusively criminal, mixed prosecution and defence, practice, and was instructed in all aspects of serious crime, including violence, armed robbery, firearms offences, arson, fatal road traffic cases, drugs importation/supply, large scale public disorder, child neglect and rape and other serious sexual offences.  He was enrolled on the CPS approved list of advocates in sex cases and presented lectures within chambers on topics such as third party disclosure in serious sex cases.

In 2010 Michael joined Manchester Crown Prosecution Service, which is one of the busiest Crown Advocate Units in the country.  As a Senior Crown Advocate he prosecuted cases of ever increasing gravity and complexity. Although engaged in the full spectrum of criminal prosecutions, he developed a considerable specialisation in rape and other RASSO work at Category 4.  Michael has extensive experience of dealing with vulnerable witness and is known for his skills and sensitivity in dealing with such cases.  Following a recent historic abuse case, the independent sexual violence advisor, who attended court with the vulnerable complainant, wrote to the CPS about Michael in the following terms:

“I wanted to bring to the attention of the CPS a barrister that myself and my client felt went the extra mile…. I have probably attended in the region of 50 or 60 trials with clients and have seen a wide range of treatment of witnesses by barristers.  Mr Morley offered compassion and support while remaining professional and the client said that she felt very reassured after meeting him”.

Additionally Michael was instructed in a number of cases by the Complex Casework Unit, involving, for example, Triad gang violence, and most recently the multiple murders and mass poisonings carried out by a nurse at Stepping Hill Hospital. In preparation for the latter Michael spent a considerable period working very closely with one of the GMP Major Incident Teams, helping to build this highly complex case.  He. received commendations from both the Chief Constable and DPP for his work.

Having made a return to the self-employed Bar by joining chambers in 2017, Michael has continued to develop his practice in all areas of serious criminal prosecution and defence work.

Notable Cases

  • R v AH (2018) – Secured convictions, resulting in life sentence for dangerous rapist. Media Coverage: BBC
  • R v AK (2018) – Secured the acquittal of a defendant charged with the kidnap and torture a man, in addition to the holding prisoner of two others. The prosecution alleged that the background to these offences was a dispute over very significant quantities of Class A drugs.
  • R v C and others (Junior) – The prosecution of 20 Triad members of rival gangs for offences of GBH and Violent Disorder, split over two trials lasting six months.
  • R v S – Defendant (a doorman) convicted after trial of rape of a highly intoxicated female clubber who had almost no recollection of the relevant time period.
  • R v D – Attempted Murder and s18 GBH 
  • R v C (Junior)The prosecution of the Stepping Hill Hospital poisoner. This was the largest and most complicated investigation undertaken by GMP since the Manchester IRA bomb. The defendant was convicted after trial of multiple counts of murder and attempted GBH and received 25 life sentences.
  • R v W and others Allegations of rape by four defendants of a vulnerable 16 year old. 
  • R v G – Defendant convicted after trial of multiple rapes and robbery of a female masseuse. The case involved issues of single previous incident bad character, and counter defence assertions that the complainant was a prostitute. The defendant received five life sentences.
  • R v Q – Defendant convicted after trial of rape of a close friend who had invited him to share her bed after a night of drinking together. The case involved issues of consent whilst in drink and the challenging of rape myths.
  • R v M Defendant convicted after trial of multiple rapes and indecent assaults on child family members in the 1980s.
  • R v B – Defendant convicted after trial of causing death by dangerous driving of a young child.

Contact Michael’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

Lucy Finney on 0113 213 5220