Background:

Before practising at the Bar, Peter spent the best part of a year conducting Employment Tribunal advocacy and advisory work at an employment law consultancy. At the conclusion of his 12 month pupillage, Peter commenced practice as a tenant at 5 Essex Court in October 2009.

Peter’s academic background includes reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University. After converting to law at City University, on the ICSL Bar Vocational Course Peter was graded Outstanding. Peter was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in July 2007.

Peter speaks fluent Persian and has a good working knowledge of Italian, as well as an A-level in French.

Police Law:

Peter regularly acts on behalf of a number of Constabularies, both at Magistrates’ Courts and in appeals to the Crown Court, in applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, Violent Offender Orders, Sexual Offences Prevention Orders, Risk of Sexual Harm Orders, Football Banning Orders, Anti-Social Behaviour and ‘crack house’ Closure Orders and in Police Property Act matters.

Having taken part in the delivery of NPIA-approved training to police forces on all aspects of the 2008 Conduct and Performance Regulations, Peter recently appeared on behalf of the successful police force in that force’s first case in a Police Appeals Tribunal under the 2008 Regulations.

Peter has also advised on a wide spectrum of civil claims against police forces, including negligence, unlawful arrest and unlawful detention, assault, misfeasance and malicious prosecution.

Examples of Police Law cases:

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v de Oliveira – Represented the successful applicant in an application for forfeiture under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 of €38,000 and £6,390, where evidence suggested the cash was derived from supply of class A drugs

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v Safi – Represented the successful applicant in an application for forfeiture under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 of £12,540, seized upon arrest of the respondent on suspicion of immigration offences

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v Thompson – Represented the successful applicant in an application for an ASBO against a member of a violent gang in North London

Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police v McDonald - Represented the successful applicant in an application for a Football Banning Order against a prominent member of a ‘risk supporter’ (commonly known to the public as ‘hooligan’) group of a Premiership club

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v 5A Minson Road, E9 - Represented the successful applicant in an application for a Closure Order of a ‘crack house’ in a case involving the use of prostitution by the then-occupant to fund her drug habit

Walker v Chief Constable of Avon & Somerset – Represented the successful respondent in one of the first appeals to a Police Appeals Tribunal under the 2008 Regulations, concerning the dismissal of an officer on charges of gross misconduct.

Employment Law:

Peter has extensive experience representing both claimants and respondents, including police forces and public bodies, across a broad range of employment law, including all types of discrimination, harassment, victimisation, unfair dismissal, redundancy, constructive dismissal, TUPE, maternity rights, employment status issues, breach of contract, holiday pay and wages claims.

Notable Employment Law cases:

Compass Group UK & Ireland t/a Eurest v Okoro [2009] All ER (D) 91 (Jun), (2009) 153 Sol Jo (no 22) 32 – Represented the successful claimant in the Employment Appeal Tribunal

Flesch v Saunders & Saunders t/a Stotfold Motor Centre, 28^th June 2010, Bedford ET –Represented the successful claimant in an unfair dismissal claim subsequent to Facebook-related allegations of gross misconduct – please see link to news item to the left of this page

Avery v Chief Constable of Avon & Somerset, 28^th February to 1st March 2011, Bristol ET - Represented the successful Respondent in a disability discrimination (failure to make reasonable adjustments) claim brought by a probationer Police Constable whom had been unsuccessful in her probation because of her disability, in which the Claimant relied on Archibald v Fife Council (House of Lords, 2004) - please see link to news item to the left of this page.

Licensing Law:

Peter regularly appears in Private Hire Vehicle Driver and Operator Licence appeals and accepts instructions in respect of Hackney Carriage matters.

He also undertakes review hearings, and appeals to the Crown Court, on behalf of police forces and licensing authorities, including in respect of firearms matters, liquor licensing and entertainment licensing.

Personal Injury:

Not only does Peter frequently appear in hearings in County Courts, he has considerable experience of advising both claimants and defendants (including police forces and public bodies) upon a broad range of personal injury matters, including road traffic accidents, occupiers’ liability, manual handling, workplace and construction regulations, PUWER, Highways Act claims and slipping and tripping.

Lectures:

Peter is happy to provide CPD lectures to solicitors on all aspects of his practice.

Education:

ICSL, 2006-2007

City University, London, 2005-2006

Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University, 2002-2005

Westminster School, London, 1996-2001

Università per Stranieri di Perugia, Italy, July – Sep 2002 & May – July 2008

Interests:

Music, Squash, Football (particularly Arsenal FC)