Year of Call 2008
Liam has a mixed common law practice, with an emphasis on criminal defence and immigration. Liam is instructed across a broad range of practice areas and is willing to undertake instructions in other areas. Liam has a reputation for strong advocacy skills coupled with a sharp and analytical mind applied to each case. Liam prides himself on not only having the skills required for inside of the court room but the compassion and consideration required outside of it, to ensure that those instructing and the lay client feel fully informed and involved in the process.

Crime

Liam enjoys a broad criminal practice representing clients across the full range of criminal and quasi-criminal matters. Liam is as comfortable dealing with vulnerable legally aided defendants as commercial clients and prides himself on providing the highest level of client care. Liam is regularly instructed in serious criminal matters across a broad range of work in the Crown Court and has appeared in the Court of Appeal for appeal against sentence and conviction.

Fraud

Liam continues to be instructed in all manner of fraud cases building upon his previous employment history working for a busy city brokerage assessing due diligence, compliance and legal liabilities. Liam also draws upon his experience of having worked as a fraud investigator on multi-million pound domestic and international fraud cases.

Immigration

Liam has a busy immigration practice across the broad range of immigration work across all levels, including in the Upper Tribunal and in relation to Judicial Review.

International Law

Having previously worked as an intern for on the Charles Taylor Defence Team in the Hague Liam maintains a strong interest in this developing field of law. Liam spent seven months in 2012 working as the Country Project Director for a mitigation and Capital case project in Uganda on behalf of the Centre for Capital Punishment Studies. Liam established a project dealing with those awaiting re-sentencing whilst on death row (the “Kigula beneficiaries” – see related posts) as well as assisting in training lawyers and students more generally in the principles of mitigation and key areas of human rights.

Liam remains committed to the abolition of the death penalty and was proud to have been nominated for the Bar Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award 2013 for this work. Liam continues to act and advise in a number of capital cases, including a number of cases due to be listed before the Supreme Court in Uganda later this year, on both appeal against conviction and sentence.

Liam has also acted in an advisory capacity in a number of cases including advising members of the Syrian Government-in-exile in relation to domestic and international criminal liability against President Assad.
Liam also consulted with members of the Kosovan Government relating to allegations stemming from the Balkans conflict and alleged war crimes.

Prison Law

Liam has built on his experience as a prison law paralegal prior to commencing pupillage and continues to be instructed in adjudications and advising on Judicial Review.
Liam has handled numerous Parole Board hearings, including those involving complex psychological and psychiatric evidence as well as license recalls, IPP cases and lifers.

Judicial Review

Liam has a strong practise in judicial review and advises across a broad range of such proceedings (please see Publications & Articles for details of Liam’s recent contribution to the practitioner’s handbook on Judicial Review).
Liam advises in relation to all aspects of judicial review and prides himself on a forensic analysis of the issues and an understanding of the complete judicial review process. Liam has acted and advised in relation to challenges of the decisions of prison Governors, the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the London Borough of Islington Council.

Liam is prepared to challenge any decision with merits and to comprehensively advise in relation to those challenges

Licensing, Regulatory and Planning

Liam accepts instructions across the gamut of licensing work, including alcohol and taxi licenses and temporary event licenses. Liam advises and represents those involved with issues in relation to the Food Standards Agency as well as Health and Safety. Liam is instructed in planning matters as well as the possible criminal liability often stemming from alleged breaches. Liam has also successfully acted in proceedings before the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Landlord & Tenant / Construction Law

Liam has been instructed in numerous cases in relation to this area. Instructions include, enforcement and challenge of section 21 eviction notices, failure to license tenanted dwellings and planning matters. Liam has also been instructed in relation to a number of construction disputes in relation to breach of contract and the enforcement of standard form contracts. Liam has also advised in relation to arbitration and mediation in relation to such disputes. Liam has also acted in civil actions in relation to claims for breach of contract Most recently, Liam was instructed in relation to unjust enrichment and restitution arising from an initial complex contractual agreement in relation to the purchase of land and its development.