Barristers / Fitzpatrick
Criminal law
Practices a full range of criminal defence work. Particularly interested in Animal Rights, Environmental protests, Anti-war and Civil Liberties cases. Has also been involved, both as instructing solicitor and subsequently as Junior Counsel in a number of high profile murder and conspiracy trials.
Recent cases have included
3-day trial for ABH on policeman (missing CCTV evidence) (2008)
Appeal by way of case stated against Magistrates Court conviction for racially aggravated offence Section 4 Public Order / Crime and Disorder Act. (2007)
Appeal against IPP sentence for robbery offences with short tariff (2007)
R v Ablewhite & ors. [2006] Nottingham Crown Court (unreported, the Staffordshire guinea pig farm case – conspiracy under Serious and Organised Crimes Act 2006)
Leading Junior in a major murder case involving organised criminal gangs in Manchester.
Appearances at the Court of Appeal in fresh evidence cases against conviction and appeals against sentence.
Prison law
Instructed in all forms of prison law including representation at adjudication and lifer panel hearings
Mental Health
Has an interest and experience in cases involving mental health law.
Member of the Manchester Duty Solicitor Scheme for 15 years Child Care Panel for SolicitorsCriminal Bar associationInquest
Has a background as a solicitor working exclusively within the Legal Aid framework for 20 years (including 8 years as a higher rights advocate), with particular interest in family and crime, but specialising in crime for the last 5 years before being called to the bar.
13/5/08 Bulletin on McCann v UK (Art 8 and possession)
13/5/08 Bulletin on new AIT (Procedure) (Amendment) rules
12/5/08 Independent Lawyer article on IPPs
30/4/08 M1 widening protesters' prosection dismissed
25/4/08 Watch BBC Inside Out on Michael Shields tonight
21/4/08 Sonia Birdee joins chambers
17/4/08 Moran judgment (refuges & homelessness)
7/4/08 Nina Grahame joins chambers [Times Online]
10/4/08 Marathon Ben
2/4/08 Vicky Robinson inquest
19/3/08 Entrenched tolerated trespassers
14/3/08 Police officers on juries?
6/3/08 new homepage
February 2008 Criminal law update
26/2/08 Levi Bellfield legal context (Radio 5 Live)
26/2/08 Driver's "reasonable excuse" for no specimen
25/2/08 Admin Court ruling on HDC for prisoners
25/2/08 Settlement, apology and costs from Met Police
24/2/08 LCN DNA: Unreliable evidence?
12/2/08 Andrew Jones inquest
6/2/08 Use of intercept evidence (BBC R4)
3/2/08 Criticism of inquest jury ban proposals (BBC R4)
1/2/08 Walker and James (IPP) judgment
Most read in 2007
06/12/07 Inquest verdict condemns Prison Service
28/11/07 House of Lords allows asylum appeal
22/11/07 Asbestos and mesothelioma ruling
20/11/07 Government appeals ruling on IPPs
9/11/07 Chambers & Partners recommends...
30/10/07 HoL permission for tolerated trespassers
30/10/07 Dreadlocks, Rastafarians, Religious Belief
24/10/07 Manchester Civil Justice Centre opens
1/10/07 Who is a "Future star of the bar"?
24/9/07 Legal 500 ratings
13/9/07 GCN shortlisted for Chambers Bar Award 2007
4/6/07 Michael Shields
4/6/07 Terrorism Trial in Manchester
14/11/06 Tsfayo v UK (ECHR Art 6)
18/10/06 House of Lords refugee victory
18/08/06 Control Orders "deprivation of liberty" ruling
12/04/06 Is oral sex in a public place illegal?
> Go to News headlines
Forthcoming events
15th July 2008 >> Housing law seminar: Conducting housing litigation and CPR
25 June 2008 >> PLP "Judicial Review North : Trends and Forecasts" conference
1 May 2008 >> Immgiration and asylum seminar
29 May 2008 >> Crime seminar : civil liberties and Human rights arguments
17 April 2008 >> Crime seminar : recent trends in criminal practice
Coming soon >> Employment and discrimination seminar programme 2008