Family law
Patrick accepts instructions in both public and private children law cases. He has represented all parties including parents, guardians, interveners and local authorities up to and including final hearings.
Criminal law
Patrick is instructed by the prosecution and defence on all types of matters particularly those including drugs, violence, road traffic offences and fraud. He regularly conducts trials in the Crown Court.
Civil law
Patrick has appeared for claimants and defendants in all types of hearings across all tracks, including multi-day, multi-track trials. He has experience in personal injury, building/ construction, contract disputes, property repossession and general tortious liability and is often instructed to advise on the papers and draft pleadings before proceedings begin.
Patrick is willing to accept instructions on a conditional fee basis following a review of the papers.
Personal Injury
Patrick is particularly comfortable working within the RTA/EPL portals. He regularly advises solicitors as to procedure and has appeared in countless ‘Stage 3’ hearings and fast-track trials involving RTA’s, occupier and employer’s liability.
A recent multi-track trial involved dual-expert reportage in respect of a brain injury which attracted an award of approximately £100,000.
Construction
Patrick has appeared in a number of building and construction disputes both on the fast and multi-track. His most recent multi-track building dispute involved two experts giving live evidence using through the ‘hot-tubbing’ procedure (CPR PD 35.11).
Property repossession
For several years prior to joining chambers Patrick acted for claimants in mortgage repossession proceedings. He still attracts these types of instructions although is also briefed in respect of rent repossessions for claimants and defendants.
Regulatory
Patrick is experienced in a number of regulatory and disciplinary tribunals including the NMC and HCPC. He has represented registrants at numerous substantive as well as interim and review hearings.
He has achieved a number of excellent results before the Conduct and Competence Committees of the NMC and HCPC including a no case to answer submission following several days of evidence and the recent obtaining of a caution order where the registrant had been convicted in the Crown Court of an assault upon a patient.
Patrick is happy to review papers and advise by conference and this is his preferred method of preparation before any substantive hearing.
Patrick has also developed a niche practice representing students facing disciplinary proceedings during University education, particularly those courses which are subject to professional regulation.
He is often instructed by non-standard prosecuting agencies to draft indictments, case summaries and attend hearings.
Patrick has developed a particular interest in firearms licensing and represents appellants and respondents (Chief Constables) in appeals to the Crown Court.