Barristers

Appointments

Appointed to the CPS Advocate Panel at Level 3

Practice Areas and Specialisations

Intellectual Property Crime

Stuart has a particular specialism in intellectual property crime.  He is instructed on a very regular basis by the British Phonographic Industry and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and has provided detailed advice on the substantive law and on investigations and procedure.  In particular he has developed a specialism in the law in respect of internet piracy and its development worldwide.

Fraud and Serious Crime

Stuart has a strong practice in fraud and heavyweight crime.  He is instructed regularly by the Serious Fraud Office and the Organised Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service and has defended in numerous fraud trials and in serious criminal trials, including murder and large-scale drugs offences.

Confiscation and Asset Forfeiture

Since authoring the Butterworths' Guide to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 Stuart has maintained a keen interest in this area. He has conducted a significant number of contested confiscation hearings, acting for prosecution, defendants and third parties. He appears regularly in restraint and enforcement proceedings in the High Court and Crown Court and also has experience of judicially reviewing the decision to commit for non-payment. He has considerable experience in cash forfeiture cases.

Public Law/Judicial Review

Stuart has a developing public law practice encompassing both judicial review of decisions in the criminal courts and an increasing range of other matters.

Local Government / Regulatory & Civil Law

Stuart acts regularly for Kensington and Chelsea, Ealing and Westminster local authorities in a wide range of matters both in an advisory capacity and at court. In particular he specializes in cases of environmental and planning law and food safety.

Stuart advises and acts for HMRC in cases before the VAT Tribunal.

Stuart is experienced in providing advice for commercial clients where companies and other organisations come into contact with regulatory systems or with the criminal justice system.  This includes acting in the civil jurisdiction for companies who have become victims of fraud, as well as advising them on the mechanics of the criminal jurisdiction.

He has experience of advising and acting in respect of individual and company insolvency and has acted for a director in contested company directors' disqualification proceedings.

Private Prosecutions

Stuart has advised and acted in an increasing number of private prosecutions for a wide range of organisations and interest groups.

Education and Qualifications