Qualifications and Professional Associations

• Called to the Bar in 1996
• Member of South Eastern Circuit
• Member of Criminal Bar Association
• Member of Surrey and South London Mess
• Qualified advocacy tutor for Lincoln's Inn

Called to the Bar in 1996, Mark is a very experienced common law practitioner, having been a member of Chambers since the completion of his pupillage in 1997. Mark has appeared in the Court of Appeal, High Court, Divisional Court, Crown Court and Magistrates’ Courts.

Now practising predominately in crime, but still accepting civil instructions, Mark has appeared for both the prosecution (acting for the Crown Prosecution Service, various government departments and local authorities) and the defence, in trials ranging from murder, serious violence and firearms, to fraud and minor matters of dishonesty, as both Leading Junior and Junior Counsel.

Acting for both the prosecution and the defence, Mark has dealt with serious sexual offences ranging from rape (including historic allegations) to varying degrees of sexual assaults, including child victims and allegations of child cruelty. He is a long standing ‘Rape Advocate Specialist’ for the Crown Prosecution Service, and one of a handful of people in Chambers who can accept instructions for the prosecution of rape and serious sexual allegations. Mark has also appeared in trials involving the importation and possession of all classes of drugs, and conspiracies arising out of the same.

Recent notable trials Mark has appeared in include:

R v Quynh Huynh & others (Cardiff Crown Court). Junior Counsel (led by Mr. Brian Lett Q.C.) Recently finished, this was the largest Gwent police investigation into the murder of a Vietnamese male, set against the backdrop of a substantial commercial cannabis cultivation enterprise in England & Wales. Represented the alleged architect and boss of the cannabis enterprise, and the man said to have ordered the beating of the deceased which led to his death. Four month trial resulting in the acquittal on the charge of murder.

R v Clarke & others (Teeside Crown Court)
Leading Junior Counsel (leading Ms. Elizabeth Lowe). Large scale multi-handed Class A drug conspiracy, spanning from London and Middlesbrough.

R v Ha Pham & others (Kingston Crown Court). Leading Junior Counsel in a case involving a multi-handed large scale commercial cannabis cultivation. Appeal against sentence reported as setting sentencing levels in such cases (R v Xu (Xiong) [2008] 2 Cr.App.R.(S.) 50)

R v Benjamin & others (Preston Crown Court) Junior Counsel, led by Mr Notu Hoon. Allegations of attempted murder and possession of firearms with intent to engager life (double drive by shooting along a busy main road). Acquitted on all counts.

R v Webster & others (Central Criminal Court) Junior Counsel in a case involving attempted murder and possession of firearms. This case also involved the judicial review proceedings of the decision to extend custody time limits and is now reported (R. (on the application of Thomas) v Central Criminal Court [2006] EWHC 2138, [2006] 1 W.L.R. 3278, [2007] 1 Cr.App.R. 7).

R v Dawes & others (Nottingham Crown Court) Junior Counsel, led by Mr. Gregory Bull Q.C. A four month trial involving a multi-million pound international drugs conspiracy. The largest drugs conspiracy case seen in Nottingham at the time, alleging the international drug supply by a family said to be one of the largest in the UK and Europe, allegations of murder, the use of and discovery of firearms, witnesses in hiding who had turned ‘Queen’s Evidence’ and, an unprecedented level of security and intense media attention. Complex confiscation proceedings are pending, in which Mark continues to be instructed.

R v Woghiren & others (Croydon Crown Court) Leading Junior Counsel, leading Mr. Robert Rinder, formerly of these Chambers. A three month trial involving the UK’s largest marriage ‘sham’ fraud, representing the ‘mastermind’ of the operation. The case involved in excess of 30,000 pages of evidence, and was an immigration investigation conducted with the co-operation and in the presence of the national tabloids. Confiscation proceedings are also pending, in which Mark continues to be instructed.

Current Instructions:

Mark is currently instructed as Junior Counsel for the defence in the alleged murder of a teenager stabbed by another teenager in London, which is currently the subject of intense media attention, and as Leading Junior Counsel for the principal defendant in a large scale, multiple identity and mortgage fraud involving a number of ‘identity factories’. Mark is also currently instructed on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute the alleged kidnapping, false imprisonment and gang rape of two London prostitutes.

Having a particular interest in high value crime, including frauds and money laundering offences and having a background in civil matters, has prepared Mark to be able to deal with the detailed analysis of documents and information and, the preparation and understanding of complex schedules. Mark has appeared in his own right and as Junior Counsel (and has also advised) in allegations of identity, mortgage, charity, corporate and VAT fraud, to include multi-jurisdictional matters, bank, credit card, the developing area of ATM fraud, internet fraud and, money laundering, including allegations involving both the proceeds of drug activities and general criminal conduct. Trials Mark has been involved in have often included detailed and long legal argument on evidence, Public Interest Immunity (PII) and statutory interpretation, necessitating extensive legal research, fact finding and drafting of skeleton arguments.

Keeping up to date with the latest legal developments, Mark has advised both for the prosecution and defence in new offences created by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (money laundering) and under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (internet grooming and sexual assaults) and other areas of law. Mark undertakes regular seminars on behalf of Chambers on new and developing areas of law (by both attending and delivering). Familiar with and making full use of the internet, Mark keeps up to date with new cases, statutory provisions and procedural rules.

Maintaining a small civil practice, Mark accepts instructions and advises in general civil matters. Mark has dealt with breach of planning regulations and control and health and safety legislation on behalf of local authorities and for the defence. Having a background in the hospitality industry prior to his career at the Bar, Mark has a particular interest in food safety legislation and licensing and is a founding member of the Chambers Licensing Team.

Mark is a member of the South Eastern Circuit, Criminal Bar Association and the Surrey and South London Bar Mess. He is a qualified advocacy tutor for Lincoln’s Inn, attending residential weekends and evening training sessions for students and pupils and is a member of the Chambers Pupillage Committee.