Barristers

Appointments

Attorney General's Unified List of Prosecuting Advocates (list C)
Appointed to the CPS Advocate Panel at Level 3

Practice Areas and Specialisations

Hal prosecutes and defends across the spectrum of criminal law, and has advised, and appeared in cases ranging from serious violent and sexual offences, and fraud (including benefit fraud) to privately funded driving matters.

He appears in proceedings before the Parole Board and regularly advises on judicial review in respect of indeterminate and determinate sentences.

Hal receives instructions to prosecute on behalf of the CPS, RCPO, the DWP, Westminster City Council, the Probation Service, Royal Mail and Capita. Hal has been seconded to the Asset Forfeiture Division of the RCPO on two separate occasions and has particular knowledge of, and has advised in cases involving international drug trafficking and distribution, money laundering, duty evasion, and complex and high-profile banking, accounting, direct tax and VAT carousel (MTIC) frauds.

General Crime

Hal's criminal practice encompasses serious crime including aggravated burglary, wounding/GBH with intent, robbery, harassment, sexual offences, money laundering, and supply of class "A" drugs.

With a leader he has appeared in cases involving the importation of drugs [R v. Ayodeji and James (in excess of 75 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride)] and child cruelty.

Asset Forfeiture

Hal specialises in quasi-criminal civil proceedings, having been seconded to, and instructed by the Asset Forfeiture Division of the RCPO, and has built up a comprehensive knowledge of restraint and confiscation proceedings within both the Crown and High Courts in respect of proceeds of crime, drug trafficking, and Criminal Justice Act legislation. As a result he is experienced in receivership, enforcement, ancillary relief and other related proceedings, and in the civil forfeiture jurisdiction.

He also has particular experience of cases with a multi-jurisdictional dimension, and has advised in cases involving the obtaining and use of foreign evidence and also has experience of the tracing and freezing of overseas assets.

Hal also acts on behalf of the defence in confiscation proceedings, and has advised on both pre, and post trial forfeiture.

Regulatory, Environmental, and Licensing

Hal acts for a variety of regulatory bodies and borough councils dealing with environmental offences, social security offences and other regulatory matters.

He has a developing regulatory/disciplinary practice, principally relating to the accountancy profession and financial markets. He is also instructed by the AADB.

Education and Qualifications