Background:

Mark studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at New College, Oxford. Whilst at university, Mark was recruited to junior roles at international investment banks. After Oxford he trained as an investment banking analyst with a niche Australian investment bank.

He converted to law and took the BVC at BPP law school and was called to the Bar by Lincolns Inn in October 2006.

Police Law:

Mark advises police forces throughout the country in civil litigation, ranging from personal injury and disclosure to claims against the police for assault, wrongful arrest and false imprisonment.

Mark regularly represents police forces at Employment Tribunals.

Mark acts on behalf of a number of Constabularies in civil applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, Sexual Offences Prevention Orders, “Crack House” Closure Orders. He is also experienced in Crown Court Appeals in civil matters.

He also acts as an advisor to the Treasury Solicitor Home Office Prisons team in false imprisonment, personal injury and property cases.

Recent Police Law cases:

Walker v Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Constabulary – Successfully represented the Defendant in a claim for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment.

Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police v D W – Successful application for a SOPO which involved complex arguments relating to the admissibility of evidence.

Best v MoJ (1) and Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis - Acted for the Metropolitan Police in defending a PI claim. Applied for strike out and successfully appealed a dismissal of the application at first instance.

O'Brien v Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police - Acted for the Defendant in a claim for unlawful arrrest and false imprisonment.

Public/Administrative Law:

Regularly instructed by local authorities for both court work and to advise in-house, Mark has a thorough understanding of education law and the law relating to adult social care.

Mark advises schools and local educational authorities on disability cases and often appears before the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability).

He has represented schools in breach of contract claims against building contractors, provided advice on discipline, attendance and admissions issues and has experience in exclusion appeals before independent panels.

Mark has also advised public bodies on issues of electoral fraud and misfeasance in public office.

Recent Public/Administrative Law Cases:

Roberts v DWP - Successfully represented the Defendant in a series of High Court summary judgment and strike out hearings.

Employment Law:

Mark has a broad experience of employment law, having appeared in both the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

He regularly represents both claimants and respondents in unfair dismissal and discrimination cases. Mark has been retained to provide employment law advice to a large Local Authority and is experienced in advising on TUPE, compromise agreements and unfair dismissal.

Mark also has significant experience as junior counsel in high value stress at work personal injury claims.

Recent Employment Law cases:

Tuttlebee v Essex Police - Acted for the respondent police force in a claim for unfair dismissal following allegations of theft and impropriety.

Jacquelin v Kent County Council - Acted for the Respondent in a wages claim involving a novel point on the formulation of employment contracts.

Grazette & Tozowonah v Hertfordshire County Council – Successfully represented the respondent in two joint claims for racial discrimination and constructive unfair dismissal.

Clark v John Duncan t/a Buntingford Dry Cleaning – Represented the Respondent in a claim for sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal.

Adeyinka v Vision Security Group Ltd – Represented the Claimant in a claim for unfair dismissal.

Grisales v The Gur Synagogue – Successfully represented the Claimant in a claim for unfair dismissal, where an extension of time was justified because language barriers made it not reasonably practicable to present the claim within limitation. Subsequently advised on the merits of enforcing the claim in the County Court

Mark is a member of the Employment Law Association.

Licensing Law:

Mark is regularly instructed by Police Forces and Licensing Authorities in relation to case management hearings, review hearings and appeals under various provisions of the Licensing Act 2003. He is also regularly instructed in Private Hire Vehicle Driver and Operator Licence appeals.

Mark has lecured to members of the Institute of Licensing on licence applications, reviews and hearings.

Personal Injury:

Mark advises Claimants and Defendants in County Court personal injury litigation, including road traffic accidents, slipping and tripping, occupiers’ liability and employers' liability claims. He regularly appears in fast track and multi track trials in the county courts.

Mark is a member of The Personal Injury Bar Association.

Commercial Law:

Utilising his background in finance and commerce, Mark acts extensively in the County Courts on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in debt recovery and breach of contract claims.

He has significant experience in commercial dispute litigation, particularly in relation to service providers, construction companies and retailers.

He also has experience of credit hire disputes.

Lectures:

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

Education:

BPP Law School, 2004-06

New College, Oxford University, 2000-03

Richard Hale School, Hertford, 1992-99

Interests:

Education (trustee of educational foundation); Southern African post-war politics; travel; football; cricket