JAS MANN PRACTICES IN ALL AREAS OF CRIMINAL LAW

It is now possible to instruct a barrister direct without involving a solicitor. The obvious advantage of doing this is a considerable saving in costs to you. Another obvious benefit is that you can have direct contact with the barrister and do not have to go through a solicitor which can sometimes be quite frustrating and may delay  enquiries or matters being dealt with speedily.

Having said that not all cases will be suitable for “direct access”. You will be told whether your case is suitable for direct access or not. You should also bear in mind that there will also be some cases which at the outset  appear to be suitable for direct access but then become unsuitable because of some unforeseen complication. In either situation I can advise you of firms of solicitors with the necessary expertise who you may wish to instruct.

I qualified as a solicitor in 1990 after having studied at Manchester Polytechnic from 1983 to 1986 and Chester College of Law from 1986 to 1987. I went on to set up  my own law firm and ran that from 1993 to 2001 when I transferred to the Bar. As a solicitor I practiced in crime, family and immigration.

As  a solicitor I represented suspects in police stations on a regular basis and defended cases in the magistrates court on a daily basis. I therefore have considerable experience of defending cases in the magistrates court from road traffic offences to other more serious offences.

I am able to provide skilled representation in all criminal courts from the magistrates court to the Court of Appeal and in other quasi-criminal jurisdictions such as Taxi Licensing Committee Hearings, the Coroners’ court, Professional disciplinary hearings etc.

Since transferring to the Bar I have practised mainly in crime. I appear  on a daily  basis in the crown court. I have represented defendants in trials charged  with relatively minor offences to the most serious offences such as fraud, multiple rapes, serious historical sexual abuse, drugs conspiracies, attempted murder and multiple murders. As well as representing defendants in trials on very serious charges alone I have also  been involved as a Leading Junior (leading another barrister) and have myself been lead on a regular basis by Queens Counsel in grave and complex criminal cases . Recent examples being : R v Marks (2013) and R v Narwain (2013) both cases involved complex issues of joint enterprise and secondary liability. In both cases the defendants were accused of murder when they had not in fact themselves been  involved in the act of killing the deceased. The cases against both were run on the basis that they had participated in the offences by assisting or encouraging the principals (the persons actually doing the acts leading to death).

To give an idea of the level of my practice and gravity of offences dealt with by me alone  and trials conducted see Cases of Note.

I also appear in the Court of Appeal. I regularly advise and draft grounds of appeal and have been successful in appealing sentences imposed in cases I have dealt with before the crown court and cases other barristers have dealt with. Recently I advised in a case of death by dangerous driving where the defendant had been represented by another barrister and had been told by that barrister that there was no prospect of a successful appeal. The defendant went on to successfully appeal the sentence of 10 years imposed in the crown court.

I am able to advise you in all areas of the criminal law:

• All offences of dishonesty eg theft, burglary, handling stolen goods, robbery, armed robbery.
• Money laundering offences.
• Fraud.
• Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
• Offences of violence: murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, all offences under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
• Possession of weapons in particular guns.
• All drugs offences
• Sexual offences

HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED BY THE POLICE AND BEEN CHARGED? HAVE THE POLICE BAILED YOU TO RETURN TO THE POLICE STATION ON A FUTURE OCCASION WHILST THEY MAKE ENQUIRIES? HAVE THE POLICE ASKED YOU TO ATTEND THE STATION IN CONNECTION WITH AN OFFENCE? WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO? WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

I have 25 years experience in dealing with such situations and questions. Over 10 years as a solicitor I represented people suspected of all types of criminal offences from serious offences including dishonesty of all types, serious and complex frauds (eg VAT), drugs offences, serious sexual offences , serious violence including armed robberies, attempted murder and murders.

Having represented people at police stations I have hands on experience of what happens to a suspect at a police station, conditions that the suspect has to endure and an understanding of how the system works as opposed to those barristers who have never done that

My above experience as a solicitor and now a Barrister places me in an almost unique position to advise someone who finds himself either being investigated for a crime or being prosecuted.

I can also advise you in other areas of law with the assistance of other barristers who are expert in these fields. If a solicitor is required one can be found for you who has the expertise that is required and who is experienced in preparing cases thoroughly:

Employment Law
All areas of employment law: eg contracts of employment, breach of contract, unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, redundancy, discrimination at work, wage disputes

Criminal Injuries Compensation Claims
Claims arising out of injuries as a result violent criminal offences. How to claim compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, law, procedure and entitlement.

Immigration
I can advise on all matters of immigration law such as asylum and human rights, visa applications including spouse, student, visitor and work visas. Appeals and judicial review

Family Law
Divorce law, effect of divorce on wills. Domestic violence. Financial provision in matrimonial proceedings.