Stephen is a Partner and Barrister. Stephen qualified as a Solicitor in 2014 and joined Meikles as an assistant Solicitor in 2015. Stephen gained Higher Rights of Audience in 2016.
Stephen was then called to the Bar of England & Wales at Grays Inn in March 2019.
Stephen has previously appeared before the Court of Appeal Criminal Division. When dealing with one particular appeal he received praise from a bench including the Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales for his written grounds of appeal and his advocacy on behalf of his client.
Stephen’s main areas of practice are Criminal Law (including Military Law), Personal Injury and Employment Law.
Stephen has been praised by clients for his reassuring and empathetic nature when acting for them and their cases.
Criminal Law (including Military Law) Experience:
Stephen regularly represents clients before the Crown Court and at the Court Martial in a wide variety of offences.
Prior to becoming a Barrister himself, Stephen has litigated as a Solicitor on a wide variety of Crown Court matters (see notable cases).
He is also an experienced advocate in the Youth Court. Stephen has previously received praise from a District Judge (after the acquittal of his client) in his handling of multiple child witnesses (as young as 4 years old) during a complex assault trial.
Stephen has appeared on multiple occasions at the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.
Notable Cases:
Criminal (including Military):
R v V – Led by Mr. Paul Rooney of Fountain Chambers, defended a client charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs at Newcastle Crown Court. The Prosecution placed V at number 3 in a National Drugs Conspiracy involving two Organised Crime Groups in Liverpool and the North East. After a 19 week trial, the jury found V Not Guilty. All other defendants were convicted.
R v F - Court of Appeal case involving an appeal against sentence for multiple historic sexual offences. Sentence reduced by 16 months.
R v W - Court of Appeal case involving an appeal against sentence for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear.
R v J – Defended a client charged with s18 wounding with intent at York Crown Court. Stephen undermined the identification advanced by the Crown and the defendant was acquitted after a four-day trial.
R v H – Defended a Lance Corporal accused of multiple counts of ABH and assaults. Defendant acquitted of most serious charges by Board after a 4 day Court Martial trial.
R v T – Defended a client charged with grievous bodily harm at Teesside Crown Court. Acquitted after a 3 day trial.
R v P – Defendant a client charged with threats to kill, among other offences at Teesside Crown Court. Acquitted after a 3 day trial.
R v B Successfully negotiated at the Crown Court, a plea of assault and theft in substitute of more serious offence of robbery resulting in the immediate release of the defendant.
R v B Successfully argued for a Suspended Sentence at the Crown Court in a case of extreme dangerous driving that included a police chase.
R v S Case involving a mother charged with assault of her infant child. Case involved cross-examination of all children (aged 4 to 10). Defendant acquitted after a two-day trial.
R v D Despite pleading guilty to a Fraud Conspiracy, successfully argued for retention of a Lance Corporal at the Court Martial.
R v H Primary litigator in a murder case involving a youth defendant. Defendant admitted manslaughter after a hung-jury on the murder count.
R v C Primary litigator in a case of rape involving a defendant after a one-night stand. Case involved extensive disclosure requests (1000s of pages of telephone and social media evidence) by the defence for evidence the Crown themselves had overlooked that assisted the defence case. Defendant acquitted after a week-long trial.
Civil Litigation (including PI) Exerience:
Stephen frequently represents both claimants and defendants in issues allocated to the Small Claims Track, the Fast Track and the Multi-Track.
Predominantly, Stephen’s Civil Litigation involves claims for personal injury. Personal injury arising from road traffic collisions, injuries sustained whilst at work and injuries sustained whilst on holiday are just a few examples. Such injuries span from low level to the utmost of seriousness.
Stephen is also instructed in matters that require delicate mediation to ensure that a desirable settlement is reached for his client be they claimant or defendant, where possible.
Notable Cases:
Civil Litigation Experience:
P v D Favourable settlement of a case for a claimant injured at work and suffered extensive damage to his non-dominant hand.
K v C Favourable settlement of a case for a claimant injured at work after suffering loss of finger tips arising from negligence of the employer.
F v I Successful settlement in an Engineering Claim involving indemnity issues. Claimant secured full value of claim at the Pre-Action Protocol stage.
B v C Secured settlement to ensure the cessation of harassing behaviour of one neighbour towards claimant.
B v T Favourable settlement for claimant in a case that alleged negligence by a holiday provider amounting to personal injury.
S v N Early admission of liability secured from defendant and resulted in a substantial award to claimant for an offence of wrongful arrest and unlawful detention.
