Lachlan is a resolute advocate who will fight his side’s corner. He has a clear and relatable manner when advising and representing clients in all types of criminal proceedings.
Lachlan is regularly instructed by the defence and prosecution in matters concerning serious violence, firearms, sexual offences, large scale drug supply and dishonesty offences.
Lachlan regularly accepts instructions on a private basis and has a particular interest in white collar crime and related POCA proceedings.
Prior to starting pupillage Lachlan completed an Amicus internship with the Arizona Capital Representation Project centred around improving the state’s death row representation. He has also volunteered with a Columbian NGO aimed at improving child prosperity aged 0-5. These experiences have given him a calm perspective with which to tackle any legal problem.
Recommendations
“Lachlan provides straightforward and clear advice to the client, and shows impressive client care skills. He is a well-prepared and focused counsel who engages well with the jury and court.”
Legal 500 2024 – Rising Star
Reported Cases
R v KL [2023] EWCA Crim 1148
Lachlan successfully reduced his client’s sentence in the Court of Appeal. This appeal related to the judicial approach to sentencing youths convicted for sexual offences and how factual findings made by the youth court should be applied in the Crown Court for the purposes of sentencing.
R v BFA [2023] EWCA Crim 986
Lachlan successfully appealed his youth client’s sentence in the Court of Appeal. This was a complex appeal concerning s.66 Courts Act 2003 and a Crown Court Judge’s power to sentence youths to Referral Orders.
Notable Cases
R v TB & ors (2024)
Lachlan prosecuted this multi-handed case involving the importation of multiple kilos of drugs from Spain.
R v FC (2024)
Lachlan represented FC, accused of assault by penetration of a child under the age of 13. The complainant is FC’s daughter.
R v MA (2024)
Lachlan defends MA, accused of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life following a non-fatal shooting at a public house in Birmingham.
R v MQ (2023)
Lachlan secured the acquittal of MQ for producing a controlled drug utilising a s.45 Modern Slavery defence, despite a negative NRM finding.
R v CD (2023)
Lachlan defended CD at trial, who was charged with rape.
R v YZ (2022)
Lachlan defended YZ, in a multi-handed case, who was facing a number of counts of robbery whilst possessing an imitation firearm.
Operation Hailwood (2022)
Lachlan defended in this complex, high-value large-scale fraud, involving nineteen Defendants, which the Prosecution alleged lasted for over a decade.
R v TS (2022)
Lachlan defended in this trial concerning a large number historic sexual assaults of a child under thirteen, by their sports coach.
Operation Fort (2022)
Lachlan appeared as led junior in a six-week modern slavery and human trafficking trial, with his client first on the indictment. This trial was one of a number of trials subsequent to the largest investigation of human trafficking in the jurisdiction to date.
Appointments
Vice-Chair of Young Barristers’ Committee 2024
Qualifications
Law LLB University of Bristol
