Crime

NATURE OF PRACTICE:

Patrick's practice is predominately crime, He is a former solicitor who qualified in 1994 and was called to the bar in 1998. He undertakes both prosecution and defence work and has experience of both defending and prosecuting at the highest level.

In recent yeas he has been instructed in a number of the recently reported MTEC frauds in particular Operation Shepherd and Operation Emersed, defending in both. He has defended in cases involving murder and rape, notably R v Whitehead and R v Mahmood; he was also instructed in the Oldham and Bradford riots. He has defended in cases where there have been allegations of terrorism, most recently R v Horrocks which involved the provisional IRA and a series of revenge attacks directed towards the Loyalist Community.

In so far as Prosecution work is concerned Patrick is a category 3 prosecutor and has prosecuted cases involving serious sexual offences as well as offences of violence, R v Taylor being the most recent, involving abduction of young children.

As a former solicitor, Patrick is happy to meet with clients on as many occasions as they feel is necessary, fully understanding the pressure that solicitors can feel when dealing with a heavy caseload and clients in difficult circumstances. He has always been happy to travel to solicitors offices for conferences as this can often help when conferences are needed at short notice or a client may feel happier in surroundings he or she is familiar with. He is also equally happy to work off circuit wherever and whenever it is needed.

Motoring Law is an area that has become more and more important over recent years. Having worked with some of Manchester's leading firms in this area. Patrick considers himself up to date and familiar with this complex area of legislation.