Michael is a very experienced criminal practitioner. He works for both prosecution and defence and practises mainly in the Crown Court. He is experienced in dealing with cases in the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal.
Michael is frequently instructed in very serious and complex cases, including murder, grave violent and sexual offences, drug trafficking offences and frauds. His practice also includes police disciplinary and health and safety cases.
Michael has extensive experience of dealing with sensitive material and public interest applications. He gives careful attention to detail and maintains a sound grasp of the issues.
Recommendations
“Michael is a brilliant barrister.” “He pays attention to detail and is very meticulous.”
Chambers UK 2023
“Michael was excellent on technical detail in a case involving expert evidence. He was measured and yet powerful, and endeared himself to the judge, his opponent and the jury.”
Legal 500 2022
Ranked as Band 1 leading silk in Crime
Chambers UK 2022
“Brilliant at prosecuting multi-handed cases. He is just very clever and methodical.” “He has a real gravitas in court and is a go-to for top-level cases.”
Chambers UK 2021
“Highly intelligent, with a particular strength in cases involving technical expert evidence.”
Legal 500 2021
“He is always calm under pressure and is never ruffled.” “A thorough, very persuasive advocate. He is entirely decent, charming and phenomenal in court.”
Chambers UK 2020
“Experienced in a wide range of serious criminal cases.”
Legal 500 2020
Notable Cases
R v Phillips and others
2016
Prosecuted three gangsters for firearms and drugs offences. After two weeks of legal argument involving PII issues and admissibility of gangster evidence, two defendants pleaded guilty sufficiently and were sentenced to 27 years’ and 9 years’ imprisonment. After a trial, third defendant was convicted of all offences he faced and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment.
R v Bilston Skips and Mahli
2016
Prosecuted to conviction company and its manager for manslaughter by gross negligence at work and related health and safety offences.
R v Thompson and others
2016
Prosecuted to conviction man who stabbed three men in a night club, murdering one and causing serious injuries to the other two. Awarded police commendation for conduct of case described as “very difficult” and with “complex issues”.
R v Dantes
2015
Prosecuted man who stabbed and killed his parents at their home. Defendant’s guilty pleas to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility were accepted but following contested psychiatric evidence he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years coupled with a hospital and limitation direction.
R v Cherrington
2015
Prosecuted to conviction man who murdered sex worker at his home and disposed of her body in a wheelie bin. Defendant unsuccessfully sought to blame another man, who had been arrested in the course of the investigation.
R v Uter and others
2014
Prosecuted major conspiracy to kidnap and blackmail club manager. Case involved difficult PII issues and argument relating to admissibility of probe evidence.
R v Srutkowski and another
2014
Prosecuted to conviction two men who murdered Iraqi refugee at his home. Jury rejected the account the defendants gave of provocation.
R v Anslow and others
2013
Prosecuted major conspiracy to escape from prison van. Case involved detailed analysis of phone evidence.
R v Taylor
2013
Prosecuted husband who murdered wife and whose body was never found. Case based on circumstantial evidence. Defendant denied killing his wife and alleged she was depressed and suffering from dementia. His account was discredited in cross-examination and jury convicted him of murder.
R v Harrison and Dickens
2012
Prosecuted to conviction gunman and driver for murder of man shot in bed at home. Case involved substantial PII issues and argument about admissibility of identification evidence, related bad character evidence and disputed probe evidence.
R v X
2011
Represented young defendant with learning difficulties, ADHD and autism charged with two manslaughters and arson. After 5 weeks of trial, the prosecution accepted his plea to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
R v Mackevic
2010
Represented defendant charged with joint enterprise murder. His co-accused pleaded guilty to murder. After a trial, the defendant was convicted of manslaughter.
R v Dixon
2010
Prosecuted defendant charged with major conspiracy to supply class A drugs. A co-accused pleaded guilty and gave evidence for the Crown under a SOCPA agreement. After a 2 week trial the defendant was convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
R v Tobias Rowe
2010
Prosecuted defendant charged with riot, attempt murder, conspiracy to rob and firearms offences arising out of events in the 2005 riots in Birmingham and with subsequent firearms offences. After trial, the defendant was convicted and sentenced to IPP to serve a minimum of 12 years’ imprisonment.
R v Angela Gordon
2010
Represented mother charged with murder of child who died of starvation and cruelty to other children. After a 6 week trial, the defendant’s guilty pleas to manslaughter and the various cruelty charges were accepted.
R v Garmson
2009
Instructed on appeal to represent appellant in one of the leading DNA cases.
R v Ramnath
2009
Prosecuted doctor for gross negligence manslaughter of patient in hospital. The case involved many expert witnesses dealing with complicated medical issues. After a 6 week trial the defendant was convicted as charged.
R v Nalloori
2008
Prosecuted doctor charged with murder of woman he wanted as his girl-friend. After trial, defendant was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years.
R v Dalton
2008
Prosecuted woman charged with murder of her partner. Despite history of some past violence against her, defendant was convicted of murder.
Appointments
Recorder (1997)
Memberships
Member of the Criminal Bar Association.
Qualifications
MA Queens’ College Cambridge
