Gary Wood

Gary is ranked in The Legal 500 (2026) for Crime.

Gary has experience of defending a wide range of criminal allegations. He qualified as a Solicitor in 2009, practicing regularly in the police station and Magistrates’ Court.

After obtaining his Higher Rights of Audience in 2010 he has frequently appeared in the Crown Courts and in the Court of Appeal.

Whilst working in a busy practice at a solicitors’ firm, Gary has gained first hand experience of providing excellent client care and is always well prepared.

Since transferring to the Bar, Gary has defended a wide range of criminal cases including drug conspiracy, firearms, serious violence and dishonesty.

Notable Cases

R v Rutherford (2020) – Court of Appeal Criminal Division – successfully argued that the Judge had erred in rejecting the option of suspending the Appellant’s sentence of 16 months imprisonment for an offence of affray. The immediate sentence of imprisonment was replaced with a suspended sentence in light of the Appellant’s personal mitigation and previous good character.
R v Readshaw (2020) – Teesside Crown Court – possession of a firearm in a public place – argued that there were exceptional circumstances to avoid the imposition of an immediate custodial sentence.
R v Southall (2020) – Teesside Crown Court – possession with intent to supply class a drugs – the Defendant avoided a sentence of immediate imprisonment having been caught attempting to take a bag of ecstasy tablets into a music festival.
R v Baker (2019) – Teesside Crown Court – trial – secured the acquittal of a vulnerable Defendant who was detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act charged with an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Gary accepts instructions in all areas of children law, including care proceedings, adoptions and private law disputes.

He has substantial experience in care work ranging from urgent applications through to finding of fact hearings and multiple day contested matters.

He is regularly instructed by family members and Guardians and has been involved in matters involving serious non-accidental injury, chronic neglect and sexual abuse.

Gary is keen to expand his regulatory and public law practice and has an interest in prosecutions brought by the police and local authorities in relation to applications for Closure Orders.

He has regularly defended clients who have appeared in the County Court accused of breaching civil injunctions where such breaches carry the risk of imprisonment.

During his practice as a solicitor, Gary regularly represented clients detained under the Mental Health Act at mental health tribunals and at hospital managers meetings. Gary welcomes instructions to represent clients at mental health tribunals.