Christopher Moran

Trial Advocacy

Chris Moran is instructed in substantial criminal matters including serious organised crime, murder, fraud, firearms, drug trafficking, money laundering, confiscation and sexual offences.

Due to his level of experience and the complex nature of his cases Chris 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 has a reputation for being meticulously well prepared and fully considering all legal issues significantly in advance of any hearing including those relating to dismissal, abuse of process, fitness to plead, disclosure and the instruction of experts.

In addition, Chris takes particular pride in the feedback he regularly receives relating to his manner with clients particularly vulnerable defendants, children and those with significant mental health difficulties. The importance of an early conference is something he believes is often vital to the outcome of a case and is one of the factors Chris attributes to his high success rate.

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 QC 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.

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 prion 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.