School - Prior Park College Bath
University - Manchester LL.B (Hons)
School of Law - Inns of Court
Called to the Bar - 1992 (Gray’s Inn)
Criminal Bar Association
Northern Circuit
Since taking Silk in March 2020 Michael has been instructed to both prosecute and defend in a number of high-profile murder cases, including R v Skana a case that concerned the killing of a 7-year old girl in a park in Bolton. This case, as with a number of other cases in which Michael has been instructed, involved complex considerations of the defendant’s mental illness.
Other cases such as R v Rowen (aka Glennon), a case where the defendant decapitated his cousin with an axe, have caused Michael’s reputation in Silk to become quickly established.
Michael also practises from 9 Bedford Row and looks forward to expanding his practice nationwide.
Michael accepts private work and has successfully represented a number of defendants on this basis.
Equally comfortable defending or prosecuting, Michael has an approachable and down to earth manner enabling him to communicate with clients and juries alike such that the real issues are identified with concision and clarity.
Away from the court room Michael has been asked to, and is in the process of establishing the Northern Circuit Chapter of the Kalisher Trust. This well-renowned Trust aims to help bright youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve their potential through advocacy and to help those with the requisite ability and ambition to develop careers as barristers at the criminal bar.
R v Brown & O’Casey
Murder
Instructed to prosecute this case in which 2 drug dealers caused the deceased’s death while engaged in a confrontation in the deceased’s home. Ongoing.
R v Rowen
Murder
Instructed to defend a seriously mentally ill young man who decapitated his cousin.
R v Skana
Murder
Instructed to prosecute this tragic and high-profile case that involved the defendant cutting the throat of a 7-year old child in the presence of her mother and father. The trial revolved around issues of the defendant’s mental illness.
R v Holden
Murder
Instructed by the Crown at short notice to prosecute in a case that arose from long-standing animosity between defendant and deceased. Another example of the defendant’s mental illnesses and personality disorders played a significant role.
R v Bitton & Dixon
Murder
Instructed by the Crown to prosecute in a neighbour dispute that arose during the Covid 19 “lockdown.”
R v Ward & Smith
Murder
Instructed as leading junior for the Crown in a case made difficult by the absence of witnesses and the vulnerability of the defendant Ward who suffered from a range of mental health and learning difficulties. Murder conviction secured.
It was during this case that that Michael took Silk.
R v O’Donnell
Conspiracy to Murder
Instructed to prosecute as leading junior. All 6 defendants were represented by QC and junior. A very significant undertaking that involved appearing at the CACD during the trial to appeal a terminating ruling. The CA described Michael’s performance as “powerful”. Positive comment was also made about Michael’s written submissions which “eased the path of the court.”
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