Michael is a highly regarded criminal defence barrister. He has developed an impressive reputation with solicitors and lay clients, thanks to his sharp intellect and formidable advocacy skills.
Michael has a strong ability to build a personal rapport with his clients, and fights tirelessly to secure the best results for them no matter how challenging the case.
Criminal Defence
Overview
Michael is a specialist criminal defence barrister. He has dedicated his professional career to defending those most in need. He has recognised expertise in homicide, serious violence and drug cases, with particular specialist knowledge in the law concerning gang evidence.
Michael is regularly instructed in serious and high-profile criminal trials, particularly homicides. He has defended in eight murder and attempted murder trials in the last three years, and is currently instructed in two which are ongoing.
Michael is ranked in Chambers & Partners 2025 and Legal 500 2025 as a leading junior in crime, and is available for public access instructions.
Notable Cases
Homicide
R v AW, 2025 (Central Criminal Court)
Currently instructed as sole counsel for the lead defendant, a youth, charged with attempted murder.
R v KK, 2025 (Woolwich Crown Court)
Represented 18-year-old defendant with significant mental health issues accused of murder in an unprovoked knife attack. KK was 16 at the time of the offence. The case involved reports from multiple experts regarding KK’s mental state. Led by Hossein Zahir KC.
R v IK, 2024 (Woolwich Crown Court)
Defendant charged with murdering a close friend as retaliation over a previous attack. The prosecution’s case was that IK deliberately lured the victim out to be attacked by a co-offender who then struck the fatal blow. The case involved complex arguments over the reach of joint enterprise law. Led by Giles Cockings KC of Furnival Chambers.
R v KG, 2024 (Central Criminal Court)
Defendant charged with murder over a gang related fatal shooting in north London. This was the third trial arising from the shooting which required detailed analysis of the transcripts and evidence from the previous trials. Led by Garry Green KC of Doughty Street Chambers.
R v MT, 2023 (Central Criminal Court)
Successfully defended a youth charged with murder over the fatal stabbing of another teenager in a park outside their college. MT had been sentenced earlier in the same day as the fatal stabbing for possession of a bladed article and had been involved in an affray later the same day, all of which went before the jury. Led by Garry Green KC of Doughty Street Chambers.
R v LG, 2022 (Central Criminal Court)
Multi-handed murder trial involving the alleged gang-related stabbing of a 16-year-old in north London. Led by Peter Wilcock KC. LG was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.
R v OC, 2022 (Central Criminal Court)
Successfully defended the lead defendant charged with the murder of a 15-year-old, alleged to be the result of a conflict between rival gangs in N19 area of London. Led by Mel Simpson KC of 25 Bedford Row.
R v FR, 2022 (Central Criminal Court)
Multi-handed attempted murder trial involving a drive-by shooting of three victims in a gang related attack. Led by Bill Evans of Millennium Chambers.
R v DR, 2022 (Reading Crown Court)
Historic murder and rape allegations dating back to the 1980s. Case involved enormous amounts of unused material due to multiple previous police investigations and an inquest which had been unable to conclude on a cause of death. Complex expert evidence regarding DNA, ropes and bindings, fibre analysis and pathology. Led by Michael Ivers KC.
R v EL, 2021 (Warwick Crown Court)
Instructed for the first defendant in five-handed, two-month murder and robbery trial, said to be a retaliatory attack between rival post-code gangs. Acquitted of murder. Led by Jonathan Higgs KC of 5KBW.
R v RD, 2020 (Kingston Crown Court)
Defendant charged with murder after killing another patient whilst sectioned at a mental health hospital. Involved complex expert evidence regarding the defendant’s mental state. Successfully argued for prosecution to accept plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility and for the court to impose a hospital order. Led by Peter Wilcock KC.
R v CW, 2018 (Oxford Crown Court)
Represented a defendant charged with murder in a 10-handed trial involving allegations of inter-gang violence and the use of anonymous witnesses. Led by David Hislop KC of Doughty Street Chambers.
Serious Crime
R v KM, 2025 (Inner London Crown Court)
Defendant charged with s.18 GBH against a police officer, possession of an offensive weapon, two further assaults and criminal damage, arising from an incident in a police station. Case involved extensive cross-examination of multiple police witnesses. Defendant acquitted of all counts except a single assault emergency worker; sentenced to time-served.
R v TQ, 2024 (Central Criminal Court)
Ten-week, eight-handed trial for attempted murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm arising from a gang related multiple shooting in East Dulwich. Involved complex legal arguments on the admissibility of gang related evidence which resulted in Michael successfully excluding alleged gang evidence concerning TQ.
R v AJ, 2023 (Harrow Crown Court)
Six-week, seven-handed trial for perverting the course of justice in relation to a murder investigation after AJ and others allegedly set fire to a car used in the fatal shooting.
R v AN, 2023 (Croydon Crown Court)
Represented defendant in seven-week trial for robbery and conspiracy to burgle. AN allegedly part of a Romanian gang who targeted 13 betting shops, off licences and other commercial premises.
R v DM, 2023 (Reading Crown Court)
Defendant charged with attempting to possess prohibited firearms and ammunition over plan to import handguns from the USA. Trial involved covert probe recordings and PII material.
R v LC, 2022 (Harrow Crown Court)
Represented an alleged leading gang member charged with firearms offences. Prosecution dropped the case after Michael successfully opposed a bad character application involving highly complex gang-related material.
R v GW, 2021 (Guildford Crown Court)
Represented an elderly defendant charged with serious, historic sexual offences against the defendant’s stepdaughters. Allegations dated back to the 60s and 70s and involved complex disclosure requests and extensive cross-examination.
R v U, 2017 (Southwark Crown Court)
Represented a vulnerable youth defendant with significant learning difficulties charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. The case involved over 100 “moped enabled robberies” of mobile phones in central London and drew significant media attention.
R v IM, 2014 (Blackfriars Crown Court, Court of Appeal) [2014] QB 745
Led by Di Middleton KC in a multi-handed trial arising out of a joint operation conducted by the NCA, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and Cambridgeshire Constabulary. At the time it was the largest prosecution ever mounted in relation to unlicensed gangmaster activity under the Gangmasters Licensing Act 2004. Involved interlocutory appeal by Crown against a successful submission of no case to answer which resulted in new law regarding fraud by abuse of position under s.4 Fraud Act 2006.
Drugs Offences
R v DZ, 2025 (Wood Green Crown Court)
Represented defendant alleged to have played a leading role in a vast, international drugs supply network operated over the dark web. Defendant was charged with offences of importation, exportation and domestic drugs supply conspiracies.
R v PP, 2022 (Oxford Crown Court)
Multi-kilo class A drugs supply trial. Defendant alleged to have played a key role in the preparation and wholesale supply of drugs.
R v DT, 2022 (Wood Green Crown Court)
Represented the lead defendant in a multi-kilo conspiracy to import and supply class A drugs. The central prosecution evidence was foreign phone intercept evidence provided by Dutch authorities. The case involves complex arguments regarding the admissibility of such evidence. Led by Anya Lewis KC.
R v DA, 2021 (Kingston Crown Court)
Represented the lead defendant in a multi-handed trial regarding an alleged conspiracy to supply over 100kg cocaine. The case arose from an extensive police investigation in which over £5m in cash was seized, alleged to be the proceeds of crime.
R v BA, 2019 (Snaresbrook Crown Court)
An alleged vast, multi-kilo conspiracy to supply class A drugs. The trial involved multiple evidential sources including cell-site, covert probe recordings, police surveillance and expert drug analysis. Led by Garry Green KC of Doughty Street Chambers.
R v EG, 2019 (Wood Green Crown Court)
Represented defendant in a trial alleging multi-kilo supply of cannabis and cocaine.
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Financial Crime and Confiscation
Overview
Michael’s formidable work ethic enables him to quickly analyse the large volumes of complex evidence associated with fraud and financial crime.
Michael has specialist knowledge in this field, having obtained a first-class master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Edinburgh including studies in Financial Mathematics. He has considerable experience in large scale fraud, money laundering and confiscation cases.
Notable Cases
R v MM, 2025 (Harrow Crown Court)
Defendant alleged to be a lead organiser of a multi-million-pound money laundering conspiracy. The case involved vast quantities of criminal cash being transferred abroad and converted into bitcoin, and the use of a high-profile Money Transfer business as a front.
R v MI, 2025 (Reading Crown Court)
Represented the lead defendant charged with conspiracy to defraud. The defendants allegedly conducted a vast courier fraud operation valued over £100,000, telephoning elderly victims and impersonating police officers to persuade them to hand over large sums of cash.
R v YN, 2024 (Southwark Crown Court)
Represented the second defendant in a £26m money laundering trial. The defendants allegedly transferred vast quantities of criminal money to various locations around the world using a series of Foreign Exchange companies.
R v KA, 2020 (Canterbury Crown Court)
Eight-handed, four-week money laundering trial related to a complex cyber fraud carried out against London Capital & Finance PLC.
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Criminal Appeals
Overview
Michael has built a strong practice in the Court of Appeal covering appeals against sentence, conviction and confiscation orders. He also acts in complex Crown Court appeals from the magistrates’ court.
His impressive legal knowledge and his ability to analyse the fundamental principles involved in a case mean he can be relied on to identify any arguable grounds of appeal. He is available to provide secondary advice for “out of time” appeals.
Notable Cases
R v RH and LM, 2025 (Court of Appeal)
Appeal against conviction for two appellants convicted of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance arising from a protest at Heathrow Airport. The appeal involved complex arguments regarding the definition and remit of conspiracy offences. Led by Henry Blaxland KC.
R v AS, 2023 (Court of Appeal)
Appeal against conviction for two criminal damage offences. Appeal raised complex issues regarding admissibility of psychiatric evidence and the effects of the prosecution choosing to invite convictions only on the basis of intentional, and not reckless, damage.
R v DA, 2022 (Court of Appeal)
Leave to appeal against conviction granted on the basis of prosecution evidence adduced after the close of the prosecution case incorrectly being admitted as rebuttal evidence.
R v RFS, 2021 (Court of Appeal) [2021] EWCA Crim 1579
Successfully appealed against a custodial sentence imposed on a vulnerable woman for an offence of assault. Defendant was herself the victim of serious domestic violence. Appeal was expedited due to defence submissions on vulnerability.
R v DG, 2020 (Court of Appeal) [2021] 2 Cr App R (S) 7
Attorney-General’s reference of a suspended sentence for a defendant convicted of perverting the course of justice. The Court upheld the sentence and refused the prosecution’s appeal.
R v SJ, 2020 (Court of Appeal) [2020] EWCA Crim 1393
Appeal against sentence in relation to an offence of section 20 wounding committed in a domestic setting. Appeal involved detailed submissions on the applicability and effects of the Overarching Guidelines on domestic violence offences.
R v ML, 2019 (Court of Appeal)
Provided secondary advice on appeal against conviction and sentence for defendant convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to transfer criminal property. Defendant had received a 13-year sentence for his alleged part in a multi-kilo drugs supply network and efforts to launder the proceeds.
R v RB, 2019 (Court of Appeal) [2019] EWCA Crim 98
Successfully appealed a 20-year extended sentence imposed for a serious offence of s.18 GBH. Michael was instructed for secondary advice nearly two years out of time. The extended sentence was quashed and replaced with a 15-year determinate sentence.
R v GG, 2018 (Court of Appeal) [2018] EWCA Crim 1061
Appeal against a £2.4m confiscation order, imposed after Appellant’s conviction in a vast drugs conspiracy. The appeal considered the issue of proportionality, arising out of the Supreme Court case of Waya and subsequent authorities.
R v U, 2018 (Court of Appeal) [2018] EWCA Crim 352
Successfully appealed a sentence of 50 months’ custody for a 16-year-old who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob. The offence involved a series of moped-enabled robberies of mobile phones in central London in the summer of 2017, and had attracted a great deal of attention from the mainstream media at the time.
R v AA & others, 2018 (Court of Appeal) [2018] EWCA Crim 134
Secured imminent release from custody for 18-year-old man (17 at time of conviction). Originally sentenced to two years’ custody for an offence of robbery, reduced to 10 months’ custody amounting to time served.
R v SH, 2016 (Court of Appeal) [2016] EWCA Crim 1701
Successful appeal against sentence of 18 months’ custody for an offence of dangerous driving. Reduced to nine months.
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Protest Rights
Overview
Michael has particular expertise in cases involving police witnesses and protest law. He has in-depth knowledge of police powers and public order law, developed during his time in the Criminal Justice team at JUSTICE. He is ranked for Protest Law in Chambers & Partners 2025 and for Administrative Law and Human Rights in Legal 500 2025.
Michael has represented defendants in trials arising out of many high-profile protest actions in recent years including Extinction Rebellion, Palestine Action, Just Stop Oil, Insulate Britain, anti-fracking protests, animal rights actions and the “Cops Off Campus” demonstration at the University of London.
Michael is currently acting for individuals facing trials arising from protests by Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil.
Notable Cases
R v SM, 2025 (Central Criminal Court)
Michael is currently representing one of the “Filton 18”, a group of Palestine Action protestors charged with aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder over an action in August 2024.
R v CR and others, 2024 (High Court)
Michael represented five defendants subject to committal proceedings for breaching an injunction obtained by the National Highways Agency. The defendants were part of a Just Stop Oil protest which involved closing the M25 by scaling gantries over the motorway. All defendants avoided immediate custody.
R v VB & others, 2023 (Isleworth Crown Court)
Michael successfully defended one of three defendants in a four-week trial for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. The defendants – part of the “Heathrow Pause” climate action group – had allegedly tried to shut Heathrow by flying drones in a Flight Restriction Zone in protest at the proposed third runway.
R v DB, 2023 (Southwark Crown Court)
Michael represented one of six defendants in a four-week trial for conspiracy to cause criminal damage arising from an Extinction Rebellion action in October 2019 when a fire engine was used to spray fake blood on the Treasury. Defendant was acquitted after Michael successfully argued that his beliefs that anyone who knew the full scale of the climate crisis would have allowed the damage amounted to a lawful excuse.
R v JH, 2023 (Wood Green Crown Court)
Defendant charged with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker over an allegedly violent altercation that broke out at a protest against immigration enforcement officers in Dalston, Hackney. Michael successfully applied to dismiss both charges prior to trial.
R v JM, 2022 (Inner London Crown Court)
Represented the lead defendant in a two-handed trial for obstructing a train, arising out of an Extinction Rebellion protest at Canning Town tube station in 2019. The trial involved complex submissions on proportionality defences under Articles 10 and 11 of the ECHR in light of the Supreme Court case of R v Ziegler and the Court of Appeal case of R v Brown.
R v SW, 2020 (Southwark Crown Court)
Defendant charged with breaching a High Court injunction obtained by Canada Goose to prevent protests outside their London store. Michael successfully applied to dismiss the case relying on High Court and Court of Appeal decisions which were adverse to the injunction. The submissions involved complex elements of civil procedure.
R v XR, 2019 (Westminster, City of London and Hendon Magistrates’ Courts)
Michael acted in numerous cases arising out of the 2019 Extinction Rebellion protests in London. The cases involved complex arguments regarding the defences of necessity and the legitimate exercise of human rights. Michael ran novel arguments on how the proportionality defence applied to offences of obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.
R v MO & others, 2019 (Snaresbrook Crown Court)
Represented a Kurdish political activist charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon after attending a demonstration against a meeting of Turkish Government supporters. Defendant was acquitted after extensive cross-examination of police officers demonstrated that attendees of the meeting had attacked the demonstration.
R v TH & others, 2017 (Staines Magistrates’ Court)
Three-day, multi-handed trial for offences of obstructing the highway and obstructing a police officer arising from “slow-walking” protests at Brockham fracking site.
R v HW & another, 2016 (Cardiff Crown Court)
Two-day appeal against convictions for assaulting and obstructing a police constable at a demonstration against an arms fair held at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena in March 2016. Involved extensive submissions on police powers and the right to protest. Both convictions were quashed.
R v PR & others, 2015 (Westminster Magistrates’ Court)
Multi-handed, three-day trial arising out of a protest on Parliament Square involving offences under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. The case involved complicated issues under the Human Rights Act and regarding the lawfulness of police officers’ actions.
