We’re delighted to announce 5 new members

Park Square Barristers is very pleased to announce the arrival of 5 new members with strong practices across criminal and civil law. Nadim Bashir, Taryn Turner, Glenn Parsons, Kirsten Mercer and Ben Thomas all represent important additions to our growing and ambitious set, and we hope you will join us in welcoming them warmly to Park Square Barristers.

Nadim Bashir

Nadim was called in 1988 and has a diverse practice divided equally between civil and criminal law. He is listed on the CPS’ fraud, confiscation and serious & organised crime panels, and has particular experience with personal injury and road traffic fraud. As a major in the TA, he is well-placed for his Service Prosecuting Authority work in courts martial around the world. Nadim lectures and trains police services across the country on a broad range of subjects, with a specialism in the prevention and control of paedophilia.

“Park Square Barristers is now the leading set in Leeds, with real strength from depth because of their size: they have large and diverse teams across all areas of law. I’m delighted to be joining them.” – Nadim Bashir

Taryn Turner

Called in 1990, Taryn has a very busy criminal defence practice with a wealth of experience dealing with cases involving violent crime (including murder and attempted murder), drugs, dishonesty (including robbery, fraud and burglary), kidnap and sex offences. She is determined, industrious and effective, with a strong court presence. She has the ability to deal with the most sensitive of cases, and has considerable empathy for those with learning difficulties or mental health issues. Currently a Legal 500 ‘Leading Individual’, she has been recommended as ‘a defence barrister with expertise in serious offences cases’ (Legal 500, 2014) and as ‘an outstanding advocate’ (Legal 500, 2013). She also sits as a Recorder in the Crown Court (appointed 2001).

Glenn Parsons

Called in 1999, Glenn is a popular and well-known member of the North Eastern circuit. His practice is solely in criminal work, where he has earned a solid reputation among defence firms of solicitors, although he has recently begun to develop his prosecution work (he is a Grade-3 RASSO prosecutor). Glenn has handled a number of very high-profile cases, including R v Webb and Others (house fire in Leicester, 2014); R v Smith and Others (a murder in Cambridge which was featured in a BBC Crimewatch reconstruction, 2013); and a 9-handed violent disorder case in Bradford involving section 18 woundings (2015). Glenn has previously been a pupil master and has conducted interim orders for the GMC.

Kirsten Mercer

Called in 2006 and a former pupil of Glenn Parsons, Kirsten enjoys a strong reputation for her crime and employment work. She is a Grade-3 prosecutor and is on the treasury solicitors civil list. She undertakes a mix of prosecution and defence work, and has a particular interest in complex disclosure issues in criminal cases. This work has led her to be involved in several high-profile cases, including R v Benjamin Grant and R v Martin Fieldhouse, in which she acted as disclosure junior.  Kirsten is currently on maternity leave but will be accepting instructions from 1 June 2015.

“I’m looking forward to joining such a progressive set and to developing my practice across my two key areas of work.” – Kirsten Mercer

Ben Thomas

Ben was called in 2010 and is a rising star with a good criminal practice divided equally between prosecution and defence. He is a CPS Grade-2 prosecutor and also has significant experience of Grade-3 work. His practice leans towards fraud; he is currently being led in a significant 8-week fraud case with a further 4-month fraud trial scheduled for September 2015. In 2014 he was led by Gill Batts in an attempted rape trial. Also in 2014, while defending in a fraud trial, he successfully had the case stayed as an abuse of process due to disclosure failures. Ben has particular expertise dealing with disclosure issues and has an interest in human rights and civil liberties. He mentors GDL and BPTC students, and delivers talks on the practice of law to sixth-form students.

“I’m looking forward to building my practice at Park Square Barristers. They’re a dynamic and growing set, and I see them as the way forward.” – Ben Thomas