Michael Lavery

Michael was called to the Bar in 1990 and has developed and maintained a heavy criminal practice.  He has predominantly been instructed for the Defence although he is a Category 4 and specialist rape prosecutor.

 

He is regularly instructed in all areas of criminal law including murder, drugs, serious violence, rape and sexual assault and robberies.

 

He always takes a very pragmatic view and is extremely affable and has been instructed in some of the most notorious cases in Manchester including the “Strangeways Riots” and the “Stockport Arsons” case.  Michael has extensive experience of giving pre-charge advice to prosecuting authorities and has delivered lectures to Solicitors and Barristers.

 

Recent cases:

 

• R v O’Callaghan - defended the first ‘Cold Case Review’ murder trial. Defendant charged for the notorious 1994 murder and mutilation of an elderly woman, his DNA having been taken following an intoximeter procedure.

 

• R v Pitt & others - represented a member of a Manchester gang, The Pitt Bull Crew. Gang members were charged with being involved in murder, possessing and using firearms and drug dealing.

 

• R v Herbert & others - defended the first defendant in the widely publicised murder of ‘Goth’ Sophie Lancaster.  The case was complicated by the defendants’ mental state and the availability of autism (outer spectrum) as a defence.  Michael was the only Counsel in the case to successfully appeal the sentence at the Court of Appeal.

 

• R v Jude & others – prosecuted four serving Police Officers from Liverpool for offences of GBH, perverting the course of justice and misfeasance -extensive issues of disclosure and PII.

 

• R v Erskine - successful prosecution of defendant for the “freshers week” murder of a young student.  Case complicated by the initial charging of someone else other than the defendant for the murder. 

 

• R v B - successful prosecution of fifteen year-old boy for the rape of female in her own home whilst incapacitated and unaware of the event through drink/drugs.

 

• R v Anderson & others - the “Frank Buckley” murder, revolving around the killing of a middle-aged man by doormen at Yates’ Wine Lodge.

 

• R v M - successful prosecution of youth for the double anal rape of an 11 year-old boy.

 

• R v Clark - large scale importation of cannabis and conspiracy to supply cocaine.

 

• R v Chisambo - prosecution of a mother for the murder of her three-day old child.

 

• R v Akbar - successful defence of defendant charged with conspiracy to murder in relation to a drive by shooting.

 

• R v Singh-Lar – successfully represented defendant charged with conspiracy to murder arising out of the discharge of a firearm at a rival gang member.

 

• R v Ahmed - MTIC fraud involving an official of HM Customs and Revenue

 

• R v Rahman - defended Ebay Fraud

 

• Operation  Fizzy - defending in  the alleged importation of £500 million worth of Cocaine

 

• R v Sharma - prosecuted anaesthetist for sexual assaults of patients whilst undergoing abortion procedures

 

• R v  Hawkins – successfully defended one of five defendants charged with misconduct and assaulting prisoners in police custody

 

Email: lavery@exchangechambers.co.uk