Criminal Law
Mark is recognised as a Leading Junior in historic allegations from former residents of children's homes or care homes and domestic allegations of abuse, together with extensive experience of dealing with cases involving young complainants. He has extensive experience of conviction and sentence appeals together with referrals to and from the CCRC, and particular expertise on miscarriage cases involving historic and domestic allegations of abuse.
Mark regularly appears in Northern Ireland as a Leading Junior in both the Crown and Appeal Courts. In both jurisdictions he undertakes the full range of Human Rights and defence work, including murder, manslaughter, death by dangerous driving, GBH, sexual offences, drugs (including importation), fraud, armed robbery, conspiracy, significant public order disputes and all aspects of proceeds of crime.
Military law
He has a unique experience of military law, having been a senior investigator in the Army investigating all major crime and murders involving acts of terrorism, and has appeared at Courts Martial and Courts Martial Appeal Court.
Also other miscarriage of justice cases undertaken.
R v Paul Hughes [2008] (Conviction overturned in Northern Ireland on historic domestic allegations of sexual abuse.)
R v KF [2007] (CCRC referral on change in medical knowledge concerning sexual abuse by father against young daughter. Conviction quashed.)
Leading junior in complex historic care home cases in Norwich, Birmingham and Hereford
R v K (A) [2007] EWCA Crim 1492 (Appeal against conviction for historic domestic sexual abuse case concerning childhood amnesia).
Anver Daud Sheikh v The Crown [2006] EWCA Crim 2625 (abuse conviction quashed for second timeupon basis that no conviction could be safe given prejudice caused by delay; allegations made by former North Yorkshire children's home residents) > news article and judgment
R. v. Robson and others [2006] EWCA Crim 2754 (correct approach in cases involving historic allegations of abuse from a care home involving multiple defendants) > judgment
R v GG [2005] EWCA Crim 1792 (CCRC referral on domestic historic sexual abuse)
R v John Ely [2005] EWCA Crim 3248 (historic care home case)
R v Anver Sheikh [2004] EWCA Crim 387 (appeal against conviction allowed on fresh evidence)
R v Brizzalari [2004] EWCA Crim 310 (historic care home case)
R v Basil Rigby Williams [2003] EWCA Crim 693 - (miscarriage case involving historic allegations of abuse in children's homes (Operation Care) conviction quashed upon fresh evidence) judgment
Mark has lectured and tutored in criminal law and provides training on historic allegations of past abuse on behalf of HAAP. He is an active member of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and has a particular interest in the provision of training and professional development in Africa.
Criminal Bar Association
Commonwealth Lawyer Association
National Civil Rights Movement - a director
Falsely Accused Carers and Teachers ( FACT ) - legal advisor
The Monitoring Group North - member of Management Committee
Historical Abuse Appeal Panel ( HAAP ) - Generic Counsel