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Archives

Julia Haywood

Julia undertook her training with VHS solicitors, qualifying in 2000 and becoming a Duty Solicitor in 2001.

After building a reputation for diligent and methodical preparation in the police station and Magistrates’ Court, Julia has brought her attention to detail to bear on a significant number of serious, high profile cases, including some notable Very High Cost Cases. These include allegations of contract killings, international fraud and complex confiscation proceedings.

Julia is always in demand due to her sympathetic and understanding manner with her clients, who have sought her advice over the years and are always happy to recommend friends and associates to her.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: Julia.haywood@vhsfletchers.co.uk

R v R. and others. Murder. High profile executions style double murder of an elderly couple said to have been retribution following a shooting in Nottingham the previous year.

R v H. Confiscation proceedings. Proceeds of Crime application following another high profile trial. Crown initially seeking £15M in benefit, but matter eventually compromised with an agreed assets of £283K.

R v M. Drugs Conspiracy. Client was a sales rep for a pharmaceutical company who was charged as part of a global conspiracy to import fake Viagra. Investigations in Sweden, the Caribbean and the Far East had generated a substantial amount of evidence. Following careful analysis the Crown was persuaded to offer no evidence at the start of the trial.

R v K and others. Drugs Conspiracy. Client was part of a multi-handed case involving 12 members of the same family. Client’s ultimate sentence reflected constructive dialogue with the Crown as to a realistic basis of plea.

R v S and others. Drugs Conspiracy. Complex confiscation proceedings where matters were dealt with by agreement to the satisfaction of all clients.

R v D Domestic Assault. Client was arrested for wounding with intent after she stabbed her violent ex-partner with scissors. She was living in a refuge at the time with her young son due to his violence. The case involved extremely careful handling due to the client’s distress, and the risk that she might lose care of her child. The client was not charged having satisfied the police in interview that she was acting in self-defence.

Archives

Laura Clarson

Laura first worked for VHS in 2006 during a placement year on her degree course. She began working full time as a Crown Court litigator in 2008 following graduation and then obtained her PSQ permitting her to represent any client facing any offence at the police station.

Laura has gained substantial experience over this period in all types of case. She builds a good rapport with clients and their families, particularly with younger clients. Anyone who meets her in relation to a case will know that she truly cares about the outcome and securing the best result for the client.

Laura passed her Legal Practice Course in the autumn of 2018 and completed her training in the summer of 2020.  She qualified as a solicitor in August 2020 and as a Duty Solicitor later that year.

Her patience means that she is ideally suited to deal with those clients who may need extra care and attention, and all clients will be won over by her positive and optimistic approach to every case.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: laura.clarson@vhsfletchers.co.uk

R v F Public Disorder. Large scale public disorder between traveller families resulted in an 8 day trial. The client was acquitted despite forensic evidence on his footwear connecting him with the incident.

R v S Cannabis Production. Client accepted responsibility for a cannabis grow of over 150 plants with some cropped for onward distribution. A suspended sentence was imposed.

R v T and another. Both clients faced a serious allegation of aggravated burglary involving the taking of weapons into an occupied house and violence being inflicted on the occupants. Detailed preparation of the case allowed representations to be made to the Crown and no evidence was offered and the cases dismissed.

R v D Trafficking. A 15 year old was prosecuted for his role as a gardener for cannabis production. Careful enquiry demonstrated that the client was likely to have been illegally trafficked into this country for criminal purposes and as a result the prosecution accepted that it wasn’t in the public interest to pursue the case.

R v S Youth Defendant. A 15 year old defendant was before the Crown Court for allegations of kidnap, false imprisonment and assault of another youth. Case eventually compromised with a plea to false imprisonment and the case was sent back to the Youth Court for a non-custodial sentence.

R v N Rape. Detailed analysis of mobile phone material persuaded the prosecution that there was no realistic prospect of conviction and the case was dropped.

R v J.  Conspiracy to Defraud.  Nottingham client avoids immediate prison sentence for offending at Nottingham Crown Court. Read more here.

R v P.  Historic sex allegations.  Not guilty verdict for client at Derby Crown Court.  Read more here.

R v M.  Firearms Offences. Specialist counsel and expert witness instructed to secure not guilty verdicts before Wolverhampton Crown Court. Read more here.

Archives

Lisa Sawyer

VHS Fletchers Lisa Sawyer crown court
Crown Court Litigator Lisa Sawyer

Lisa has been preparing and litigating Crown Court cases for over 25 years. She holds the PSQ permitting her to represent clients in the police station who have requested the Duty Solicitor.

She specialises in Crown Court casework, and has experience of dealing with the full range of cases involving fraud, murder, immigration offences, serious sexual offences many of an historic nature, drug conspiracies, money laundering and major public order incidents. Lisa also has significant experience of confiscation proceedings.

Lisa’s years of experience gives her an encyclopaedic knowledge of how best to progress Crown Court matters. She is calm and confident in her dealings with all cases, which clients no doubt benefit from, and she recognises that all cases of whatever type are serious to the client. Her thorough approach always means that clients know she has gone the extra mile in their case, whether that be locating witnesses or poring over complex telephone data schedules. Whether it is a case being prepared for an in-house advocate or independent counsel, they can be confident that Lisa will work independently and present them with the client’s best case.

Her personable manner means that she is patient and sympathetic, and it is perhaps for that reason that she is identified as the appropriate litigator for those suffering from mental health difficulties. She aims to treat all clients with dignity and respect.

Details of a recent unusual case that LIsa has dealt with can be found here.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: lisa.sawyer@vhsfletchers.co.uk

R v B False Imprisonment. Client’s medication had been improperly supervised and as a result he had a recurrence of mental health issues. Despite doctors maintaining he was fit to stand trial, they were eventually persuaded that he was not due to Lisa’s knowledge of the client and he was transferred to hospital for treatment.

R v S Murder. Represented a client accused of involvement in contract killing due to money owed for a drug debt.

R v B Murder. Represented client at trial prosecuted for procuring a contract killing of partner’s ex-husband in a financial dispute.

R v R Explosives offence. Client was suffering from mental illness and had made an explosive device at home.

R v B Burglary. Client was charged with a string of burglaries, the bulk of the evidence coming from mobile phone data. A detailed analysis of the cell site material led to the defendant’s acquittal on the judge’s direction.

R v J Child neglect. Client faced allegations of joint neglect with the mother of his child who subsequently died.

R v F and others. Nottingham Riots. Represented one of 16 who took part in the riots in Nottingham in the summer of 2011, preparing the case for a complex trial lasting several weeks.

R v H. Firearms Offence. Client alleged to have produced a firearm in a bar in Nottingham following an earlier confrontation. He was aquitted after trial when the evidence of eye-witnesses was successfully challenged.

R v B.  Sexual offences.  Not guilty verdicts for this client before Nottingham Crown Court. Read more here.

Archives

Martin Hadley

nottingham criminal solicitor
Nottingham Crime and Regulatory solicitor Martin Hadley

Martin Hadley was admitted as a solicitor in 1988, specialising in criminal defence work shortly thereafter. He has nearly 30 years’ experience representing individuals at police stations or before criminal courts.

This knowledge and experience gained over many years has equipped him well, enabling him to review cases from a balanced and independent view point. His clients receive the benefit of this unbiased advice, always given in their best interests.

Since 1999, Martin has used these abilities to specialise in representing healthcare professionals, including staff of a major pharmaceutical company as well as those self-employed. He provides advice on investigations by the police, statutory and regulatory bodies. He has advised many professionals at the police station, court, Coroner’s Inquests and disciplinary proceedings. He has undertaken the advocacy and presentation of cases before the General Pharmaceutical Counsel.

Martin has dealt with the full range of issues that will arise when representing professionals, including corporate manslaughter, fraud and regulatory breaches. As Martin is able to undertake his own advocacy he brings continuity that cannot be achieved by the use of external counsel.

His abilities were recognised in 1997 by the Legal Services Commission (now the Legal Aid Agency) when he was appointed to the Funding Review Committee where he sat as both Chair and member.

He currently serves as a member of the Criminal Sub-Committee of the Nottingham Law Society.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: martin.hadley@vhsfletchers.co.uk

R v M Fraud. Client was a pharmacist accused of a fraud valued in excess of £80K. Unfortunately the Crown Prosecution Service failed to understand the technical processes of the client’s business and his ability to make a legitimate claim for costs. The client was acquitted after trial.

L. Gross Negligence Manslaughter. The clients were a pharmacist and his colleagues interviewed by the police, overseen by the Special Cases Unit of the Crown Prosecution Service, during a period of 5 days. Ultimately, no action was taken as we helped demonstrate that the pharmacy had robust systems in place and these systems were routinely used.

P. Inquest. Representing a pharmacist and her colleagues who were ‘interested parties’ at an inquest lasting 5 days. The Coroner in his conclusion highlighted shortcomings in the practices of others while making no criticism was made of our client’s practice.

R. Investigation. The client was a pharmacist being investigated by the General Pharmaceutical Council for failing to dispense medication requested on a prescription. Written representations were submitted denying wrong doing. Thereafter the Council closed its investigation into our client and took no action, instead giving advice to our client’s employer.

J . Fitness to Practice. Advocacy undertaken before the Fitness to Practice Committee of the General Pharmaceutical Council on behalf of a client accused of making various dispensing errors. It was alleged that due to the number and frequency of these errors he was not fit to practice. It was demonstrated, however, that the error rate was below the national average and the Committee found that the client was fit to practice and that his performance was ‘nearer to excellent than poor’. Unsurprisingly, no action was taken.

General Pharmaceutical Council v PSuccessful representations made on behalf of a pharmacist technician who had failed to disclose a police caution.  Further information can be found here.

Archives

Nick Walsh

nottingham criminal defence lawyer Nick Walsh
Nottingham partner and crime solicitor Nick Walsh

Nick has been qualified as a solicitor for nearly 30 years and has specialised in criminal law since qualification. He has been qualified as a Duty Solicitor for much of that time, and has held the solicitors’ Higher Court Qualification since 2006 which allows him to provide continuity or representation in the police station, Magistrates’ and Crown Courts.

As a result, Nick has a wealth of experience and as such is a well-respected and trusted solicitor, not only by his clients but also by his peers and other professional court users.

Nick is known for paying great attention to the detail of the case, coupled with an ability to identify the real and important issues in a case, whether it be for trial or mitigation following plea. This calm and structured approach furthers his aim to make what is often a very daunting experience as easy as possible by taking time to explain what is to happen in a simple and easy to understand way.

Nick is a partner and the departmental supervisor for Nottingham police station and Magistrates’ Court work. He is also a member of the Nottinghamshire Law Society Criminal Business Sub-Committee.

Recent cases and feedback for Nick can be found here and here.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: nick.walsh@vhsfletchers.co.uk

R v M Historic Appeal against Conviction. The client was convicted of a serious wounding of a police officer in the early ‘80’s. The appeal was allowed on the basis that the police conduct in obtaining confessions was, by modern standards, so poor that the confessions should not have been before the jury and therefore the conviction was unsafe.

R v L Sexual Assault. The client was a 13 year old boy of good character facing a charge of sexual assault on an 11 year old girl. The case involved cross-examination of two vulnerable witnesses via the video link, after which the client was acquitted.

R v B Potential Driving Disqualification. The client admitted 4 further speeding offences while already having 12 penalty points on his licence. It was successfully argued that the client would suffer exceptional hardship if the defendant was disqualified and the client kept his licence.

R v S Knife Point Robbery. Careful mitigation meant that an 18 year old of good character avoided what was apparently an inevitable custodial sentence by reference to the guidelines.

R v W Murder. The client faced an allegation of murder having thrown a metal pole at a neighbour during an argument. Thorough preparation, including liaising with the police and home office pathologist to recreate the level of force required to kill using a dead pig, persuaded the prosecution to accept a plea to manslaughter instead.

Archives

Andrew Broome

Andrew qualified in 1990, and became a partner at Frisby and Co in the same year. He retired from Frisby & Co as Chairman and Head of Regulatory Crime in 2012, and has been employed by VHS Fletchers as a Consultant since March 2013.

During his career, Andrew has undertaken all forms of Criminal work, ranging from Homicide, offences against the person, and fraud. He is a qualified supervisor for Very High Cost Case work.

Firearms law specialist

Andrew Broome, firearms law specialist solicitor
Andrew Broome, firearms law specialist solicitor

Andrew has participated in all forms of shooting for over 30 years. His interest initially began with clay target shooting, progressing to handguns (when UK legal) and long-range rifle competitions both here and abroad.

He  has a particular interest in large bore shotguns. This led to him becoming a passionate and accomplished hand loader of ammunition, both for Section 1 and Section 2 firearms.

Andrew’s involvement in the shooting sports naturally led to him developing a nationally recognised specialism in all aspects of firearms law. Initially this was principally acting for individual certificate holders, but it soon developed  to a point where he received instructions from shooting clubs, Registered Firearms Dealers and International Firearms Dealers as his reputation and expertise became recognised.

In more recent times Andrew has been able to combine his Health and Safety and Regulatory knowledge to the benefit of all those engaged in the shooting industry so as to provide a single point of contact for legal compliance. In this capacity he frequently is invited to attend the Shot Show Las Vegas on behalf of clients as well as the IWA Exhibition in Nuremberg.

Areas of work covered but not limited to:

  • Acting for certificate holders in relation to appeals against refusal to grant and/or revoke firearms and shotgun certificates.
  • Handling licensing appeals on behalf of Registered Firearms Dealers including those seeking Registration.
  • Acting for Home Office approved (and independent) shooting clubs/establishments on licensing matters.
  • Acting for shooting establishments in relation to defending actions for noise nuisance including bringing appeals against the service of Noise Abatement Notices served under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
  • Advising  Registered firearms dealers on legal compliance on matters such as firearm manufacture, transport, testing and overnight storage including Section 5 weapons.
  • Advising firearms and pyrotechnic manufacturers on Regulatory compliance and workshop safety.
  • Advising shooting establishments on safe range operation and on health and safety issues relating to employee and public safety.
  • Advising non-UK based firearms manufacturers/distributors on UK firearms law and regulatory compliance.
  • Providing Audit services to RFD’s and manufacturers on legislative compliance and workshop safety.
  • Defending anyone charged with Criminal offences arising from the use, possession or involvement of firearms.

Andrew currently enjoys life membership of a number of shooting clubs in recognition of his services to the sport and its members. He currently sits as the Independent Legal Member to the Audit Committee of the Royal Armouries and has a special advisory role to the National Firearm Centre.  Andrew has recently accepted a position as Honorary Health and Safety Adviser to ASPI. the Association of Professional Shooting Instructors.  He has advised a number of relevant specialist bodies including the Institute of Explosive Engineers.

In 2020 Andrew was made a Freeman of the City of London and in 2021 admitted as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers.

Health and Safety specialist

Andrew has conducted prosecution work for various government agencies and Local Authorities, stemming from his nationally recognised expertise in Health and Safety law. He has advised both the Police and Health and Safety Executive on a number of complex fatal accident investigations, many of which have gained considerable media attention. He has conducted joint HSE/Local Authority Prosecutions, and has also conducted similar joint prosecutions with the Environment Agency. He has represented the HSE on appeals to the Court of Appeal, and has a reputation for handling the most complex of cases.

Andrew regularly represents the Health and Safety Executive at Inquests, and at Notice appeals in the Employment Tribunal. His caseload has been vast and varied, having undertaken or overseen many hundreds of cases over a 24 year career.

He continues to undertake general and specialist criminal defence work for individuals and corporations against enforcing authorities for Regulatory criminal offences.

Contact:

Ilkeston Office:
68 South Street,
Ilkeston,
DE7 5QJ

Tel: 0115 9441233
Email: andrew.broome@vhsfletchers.co.uk

Midlands Electricity Board PLC. Death of worker at substation. Involved conducting the advocacy at a week long inquest cross-examining numerous technical experts and subsequently conducting the prosecution to final hearing.

Network Rail Infrastructure. Double rail fatality. Assisting the Railway Inspectorate involving devising a method of reconstruction requiring night time possession of the line and full cooperation with a number of duty-holders, ultimately drawing favourable judicial comment.

John Glen and Tremorfa Limited. Advised extensively within an investigation into the supplier and installer of an electric gate which sadly killed a child. Certain tests that were identified as appropriate limited possible defences available.

Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police. Prosecution arose from an injury sustained to a HGV examiner’s hand as a consequence of a failure to manage a training exercise properly. The case was one of the first of its kind following The Police (Health and Safety) Act 1997 and inevitably attracted significant media attention.

Telford Pressings Ltd. Health and Safety prosecution following traumatic amputation of limbs of worker in machinery Considerable media interest generated, primarily due to the injuries sustained, which formed a significant aspect of the case.

Archives

Andrew Wesley

Andrew has been qualified as a solicitor for over 20 years, specialising in criminal law since qualification.

He has been qualified as a Duty Solicitor for the majority of that time, and has held the solicitors’ Higher Court Qualification since 2006, specialising in Crown Court Advocacy since then, in combination with the advocacy that sometimes follows at the Court of Appeal.

solicitor advocate andrew wesley
Managing Partner and Solicitor Advocate Andrew Wesley

The decision to transfer his skills to the Crown Court followed years of gaining substantial experience as a trial lawyer before the Magistrates’ Court, where he represented clients at contested committal proceedings for the most serious offences including murder, and undertook the preparation and advocacy in complex trials of up to 2 weeks in length. At the same time, he was providing advice and representation in the police station and having responsibility for a significant Crown Court litigator caseload.

In the 10 years since he began regularly appearing in the Crown Court, Andrew has provided the advocacy for clients who have faced the full range of criminal offences – drugs conspiracies, sexual offences, road traffic fatalities, serious incidents of public disorder and violence and associated confiscation proceedings.

In relation to management roles, Andrew is currently the Managing Partner and Training Principal for VHS Fletchers, while continuing to manage the Crown Court department across the firm. He has a responsibility for training and recruitment, as well as business planning and other partnership issues. Locally, he was instrumental in challenging the proposals for new criminal legal aid contracting which would have restricted client access to justice, being latterly a member of steering group for the Fair Crime Contracts Alliance, the limited company that brought the judicial review proceedings.

Andrew is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Nottingham Law Centre, and is a member of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association, Solicitors Association of Higher Courts Advocates, the local and national Law Society, and an occasional member of the Nottinghamshire Law Society Criminal Business Sub-Committee.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: andrew.wesley@vhsfletchers.co.uk

R v F. Murder. Litigator where a client faced a re-trial following a court decision that she was responsible for the death of her two children. This was a complex case involving the now discredited Dr Meadows and Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy. Having secured bail for the client, the crown were persuaded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue a re-trial and proceedings were stayed.

R v J. and Others. Court of Appeal. Advocate at a successful appeal to overturn a 1986 conviction for wounding with intent. The court held that applying modern standards of fairness, a conviction from 1986 for grievous bodily harm with intent was unsafe where the appellant had been denied access to a solicitor and contemporaneous records of police interviews had not been made.

R v T. and another. Aggravated Burglary. Advocate where a client faced an allegation that he and a friend had forced entry with a weapon into the home of a man in his 60s. The starting point upon conviction would have been at least 10 years. Careful analysis of additional material and cross examination of the complainant discredited his account and the client was found not guilty.

R v P. Money Laundering. Advocate where the client was a woman of good character who faced allegations that she had sent money, knowing it to be the proceeds of crime, out of the country at the request of her husband. A careful examination in chief and speech meant that the jury was not long in finding her not guilty.

R v H. Death by Dangerous Driving. Advocate where client was said to have driven a van (new to him) at excessive speed in wet conditions on roads that were not known to him, whilst drinking vodka and sniffing cocaine. Following the collision, in which others were seriously injured, he fled the scene seeking to blame the deceased for the accident. Successful negotiation of a favourable basis of plea led to a sentence of 3 years.

R v K. Affray. Advocate representing the only client to seek a trial in relation to a serious public order incident involving a member of the public being assaulted and his car seriously damaged by a group of youths. The client was found not guilty after the identification procedures adopted by the officer in the case were discredited through cross-examination.

R v L. Threats to Kill. Advocate representing client at trial for a serious allegation in a domestic setting. Thorough preparation relating to phone and social media evidence combined with appropriate cross-examination discredited the account put forward by the complainant and the client was acquitted.

R v J. Exposure. Advocate representing repeat offender at trial for exposure to his probation officer.

R v S. Perverting the Course of Justice.  Advocate in case where client found not guilty of destroying evidence in ‘cash for crash’ conspiracy.  Read more here.

R v L. Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. Advocate in case where client found not guilty of assaulting a teenager by hitting them over the head with a length of wood.  Read more here.

R v M.  Confiscation. Successful opposition to review of available amount in POCA case.

R v S.  Rape and S18.  Advocate in case where Crown persuaded to offer no evidence resulting in not guilty verdicts.  Reliability of the witness challenged early in the case.

R v D. Paedophile hunter prosecution.  Advocate in case where prosecution stayed as an abuse of process owing to disclosure failures. More here.

R v M. Paedophile hunter prosecution. Advocate in case where early request for disclosure of technical evidence led to prosecution offering no evidence and not guilty verdicts.  More here.

R v F. Supply Class A drugs. Advocate securing a suspended sentence for adult client who pleaded guilty to allegations of supply of both Class A and Class B drugs.

R v R. Sexual Assault. Trial advocate where jury found client not guilty of two sexual assaults and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

R v N. Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs. Trial advocate for client accused of being part of a large scale conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.  Not guilty following three days of jury deliberation.

R v M.  Murder.  Junior advocate during Covid lockdown at Peterborough Crown Court involving death of client’s husband at the hands of client and lodger.  Led by Chris Henley KC of Mountford Chambers.

R v J.  Supply Class A drugs and Fraud.  Client exploited by father to commit offences on the dark web, father taking advantage of our client’s mental frailties.  Reports obtained and Crown persuaded not to proceed as it was not in the public interest despite the serious nature of the offending.  Our client would have successfully availed himself of the Modern Slavery statutory defence.

R v P.  Conspiracy to Supply Class B drugs.  Not guilty verdicts in a multi-handed trial alleging supply of cannabis and money laundering offences.  Vacuum sealed bags of cannabis found in a cupboard in client’s flat.  Defence was lack of knowledge.

R v M.  Rape.  Not guilty verdict after trial of allegation of rape at a house party.  Evidence of 17 witnesses at the party agreed that tended to show that the evidence of the complainant could not be relied upon.  The client did not give evidence.

R v S. Murder. Junior Advocate for client accused of joint enterprise murder led by Vanessa Marshall KC of 7 Bedford Row. Not guilty verdict, re-trial ordered on manslaughter.

R v B.  Murder. Junior advocate in high profile case involving deaths of partner and three children.  Led by Vanessa Marshall KC of 7 Bedford Row.

R v B.  Murder.  Junior advocate in a case involving the deaths of a mother and her two young children.  Led by Chris Henley KC of Mountford Chambers.

R v W.  Sexual offences.  Client found not guilty after trial of sexually assaulting his stepson over a period of years.  Careful cross-examination demonstrated to the jury that the complainant was an untruthful witness.

R v N.  Production of  Cannabis.  Vietnamese national found not guilty after trial having accepted producing cannabis at a house in Nottingham but relying on the statutory Modern Slavery defence.

Education Law

Case of B.  Future infant class size appeal.  Successfully argued that a child ought to be admitted to the parents primary school of choice despite local authority opposition.  Case arose from application of unlawful admissions criteria.

Case of L. Infant class size appeal.  Case arising from here. decision to change admissions criteria by local authority.  Pupil admitted to the school despite strong opposition from the local authority.

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