Year of Call - 1983
Paul qualified as a Solicitor in 1976, undertaking work in a variety of fields during training which included common law, divorce family cases in addition to personal injury litigation for claimants for a number of trade unions, including USDAW, GMB, the Baker’s Union and the Hosiery and Knitwear Workers Union covering all manner of accidents at work in a variety of environments across a range of industries. He has also appeared in Coroners' inquests and Industrial and Medical Appeal Tribunals.
In 1983 he transferred to the bar, joining 38, becoming 37 Park Square Chambers in Park Square Leeds. There he undertook personal injury cases, an increasing number of criminal cases and family and care work. He also prosecuted on behalf of the CPS and HMRC. He conducted criminal defence on behalf of Police Officers in respect of the defence of both criminal prosecution for rape, fraud, perverting the course of public justice and manslaughter, as well as at disciplinary hearings including appeals in respect of misconduct, including an inquest in respect of a death in custody.
Expertise
Family Law
Paul has been practising extensively in family law in the north-east for some years. He has vast experience in both public and private law children matters. He has acted for both Local Authorities and parents in care matters, and has also been involved in very high costs cases, in which his ability to deal sympathetically with complex and emotive issues has come to the fore.
Crime
Crime has historically been Paul's specialism. He has conducted cases across the full range of serious crime, such as drug importation, including one matter concerned with £100 million from South America. He has also dealt with street dealing and cannabis farms, rape and other sexual offences and was led in a number of murder cases for the defence.
He has appeared in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal and was led in the House of Lords in the case of Savage and Parmenter on the actus reus of assault and recklessness.
Civil Litigation
In more recent years, Paul’s practice has extended to civil matters, including personal injury in both portal and fast track cases, for claimants and defendants. He is conversant with the Civil Procedure Rules and is happy to take instructions in all varieties of civil matters.
Paul is Public Access qualified and is happy to take instructions on a direct basis.