Mark is clerked primarily by Lee Johnson, Jennifer Pooler, Natasha Southgate and Alicia Lutumba.
R v AS (Southwark): Mark successfully defended a former Police and Crime Commissioner in an unprecedented prosecution for Data Protection Act breaches. Mr Justice Green described the trial as “very novel, sensitive and complex.” Click here for press coverage from BBC News.
“His skill in defending criminal cases, at all levels of seriousness, is unrivalled. His work ethic and commitment are exceptional.”
The Legal 500 UK Bar 2021
EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
In 25 years of practice at the Bar, Mark has acquired an outstanding reputation as a “razor-sharp, immaculate advocate” in a range of work that encompasses serious financial crime and fraud, all types of homicide and professional misconduct with a particular focus on the medical and healthcare professions.
Mark is renowned for his exceptional work ethic and refined, strategic approach to business crime, including white collar and corporate fraud, and for the care and sensitivity with which he deals with every client. Mark has a wealth of experience defending company directors and corporate bodies in cases alleging tax fraud, fraudulent trading and corruption at all levels and even in the most complex trial has “a phenomenal way of cutting through to the heart of a case.”
He is particularly sought-after to defend high net worth and high profile individuals accused of serious violence or sexual offences, where reputation as well as liberty is at stake. He “works tirelessly and meticulously to achieve the best outcome for defendants” in properly resourced cases of complexity and importance to individuals, their careers and their families. He is frequently privately instructed to provide pre-charge strategic advice, in relation both to anticipated criminal proceedings and related disciplinary or internal investigations.
Mark has a particular interest in dealing with matters of a clinical or pathological nature and the analysis of complex forensic scientific evidence which has led to his substantial experience acting in cases involving fatalities, both in the criminal and professional discipline fields.
He has appeared in many highly publicised murder trials and his medico-legal expertise is particularly impactful in cases concerning gross negligence and unlawful act manslaughter, including the successful defences of a police station doctor who failed to diagnose a drug overdose in a detainee and the extensively publicised case involving the commercial supply of a toxic slimming pill which caused the death of a young woman.
In his professional discipline and regulatory practice, Mark defends professionals accused of misconduct before a wide variety of regulatory bodies. He has acted for solicitors, surveyors, pharmacists and teachers but his experience in the criminal courts cross-examining medical experts makes him especially effective in his representation of medical and healthcare practitioners, particularly when cases turn on matters of clinical criticism or involve fatalities.
That substantial experience translates into advantage in inquests and inquiries work where Mark’s sympathetic yet robust approach singles him out as an advocate adept at dealing with sensitive cases requiring calm leadership and authority. Mark’s practice also extends to representing servicemen and women in HM Forces at Courts Martial in the UK and abroad where he has successfully defended criminal allegations of every level of seriousness.
In addition, Mark accepts instructions to provide advice in relation to appeals against conviction, sentence and by way of judicial review on a privately funded basis. He is an Advisory Panel member for Inside Justice, a charity which investigates miscarriages of justice and seeks to remedy them.
Business & Financial Crime
The 2020 Chambers UK Bar Guide describes Mark as an “extremely sharp witted, immaculate advocate” who “has a calming influence on a case and cuts through difficult evidence.” Prior to taking Silk, he was a consistently ranked as a leading junior in the field of financial crime.
He has significant experience defending prosecutions brought by the National Crime Agency, its previous guise as the Serious Fraud Office and HMRC, in particular allegations of tax evasion and banking and investment fraud. He has defended in MTIC frauds, Ponzi frauds and boiler room frauds across a wide variety of industries, including the diamond trade, the wine industry, environmental research and the construction industry in addition to frauds within financial and investment markets.
Mark’s clients are usually high net worth professionals, CEOs, company directors, accountants and traders facing allegations of fraud, corruption or embezzlement, for whom criminal proceedings are desperately damaging on a practical and career level, whatever the outcome of a trial. Mark prides himself on going above and beyond in properly resourced cases so that he can met and exceed the high expectations of the most demanding of clients whose reputation is on the line.
Mark is committed to the meticulous and thorough preparation of every case in which he is instructed and is adept at handling cases involving a very large volume of paperwork, distilling the important issues into manageable and comprehensible topics to be presented to a jury with clarity and persuasion.
In recent years, Mark has presented seminars on a number of topics relating to financial crime, including the hallmarks of fraud, with a particular emphasis on hedge fund and banking fraud.
Recent cases of note include:
- R v DC (Wood Green): For the defence of a company director in a 6 month HMRC/Trading Standards prosecution alleging tax fraud committed by way of a diesel-bulking scam. DC was acquitted of over £1m worth of excise duty evasion prior to trial following evidential submissions made on his behalf causing a re-think of the prosecution case; at trial, he was acquitted of VAT evasion in respect of a company owing over a quarter of a million pounds of VAT and of that company’s fraudulent trading. DC was convicted of two lesser counts confined to a single company. Featured in the forthcoming BBC documentary “Defenders UK.”
- R v CC (Blackfriars): For the defence of one of 3 brothers in a 6 month trial of 10 defendants centring upon an £11m diversion fraud, using computer malware to obtain millions of email addresses which were systematically hijacked and used to conduct a variety of internet frauds. For press coverage, please click here.
- R v GJ (Derby): Acted for the first defendant, a solicitor, in a multi-handed 9 week trial who was alleged to have run a “cash for crash” fraud through his law firm. 5 of the 7 co-accused ran cut-throat defences against GJ. They were convicted. GJ was acquitted of all counts. For press coverage, please click here.
- R v MF (Southwark): Leading for a company director accused of cheating HMRC of VAT generated in a construction industry fraud. After negotiations with the Crown lasting almost a year, MF pleaded to substantive VAT Act offences and avoided imprisonment. Two others were convicted of conspiracy to cheat and imprisoned.
- R v HS (Southwark): Leading for a bank manager acquitted of providing mule accounts for money laundering the proceeds of £33m Operation Kadenza diversion fraud.
- R v SA (Woolwich): Acted for defendant accused of facilitating mortgage fraud by his sister and laundering the proceeds. Suspended sentence. For press coverage from The Times, please click here .
- R v JC (Wood Green): Led junior for company director accused of £44m VAT evasion using payroll companies to pay temporary workers. For press coverage, please click here.
- R v B (Southwark): Operation Evenbox – defence of Financial Director chartered accountant in 6 month HMRC prosecution alleging £300m illegal tax sheltering against context of international environmental and medical research. Please click here for press coverage from The Telegraph.
- R v AZ (Southwark): Operation Hayrack – acted for a company director accused of bribing the deputy property manager of the Royal Household in return for service contracts at Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace. AZ was the only defendant convicted of corruption to avoid immediate imprisonment. Press coverage from The Telegraph and BBC News.
- R v G (Lincoln): Defence of former CEO and “Superhead” of a Federation of Academies accused of embezzlement of public money and manipulation of contracts to employ family members. 10 week trial in Lincoln in which the Crown called over 20 lay witnesses including several Heads and Governors, the Chairman of the Board, a solicitor and an accountant, each of whom were cross-examined with a view to demonstrating a politically driven campaign to discredit the defendant. Acquitted on all counts. Click here for press coverage from BBC News.
Professional Discipline & Regulatory
Mark has extensive experience across a wide variety of regulatory bodies representing private individuals facing accusations of misconduct and fitness to practise impairment.
Early work involved presenting cases on behalf of the General Dental Council and for Lincoln’s Inn; Mark now acts only for the individual accused by their regulatory body and in recent years has defended a diverse spectrum of professionals including teachers, solicitors, pharmacists, accountants, doctors and paramedics.
He has particular expertise in the defence of those working in the medical and healthcare professions and has successfully protected the careers of a number of paramedics criticised by the HCPC following the deaths of patients in their care. He is adept at familiarising himself with complex clinical and technical issues within other professions and applying that understanding to cross-examination of the professional body’s experts.
His criminal background makes him particularly effective in the defence of professionals accused of misconduct by reason of the commission of criminal offences, in particular fraud and sexual allegations made by patients or clients.
Recently, Mark presented a virtual webinar discussing the case of Claire Matthews, a young solicitor struck off for covering-up the loss of case papers on a train. He is delighted since to have been invited to join Miss Matthews’ legal team, acting pro bono, in challenging the SDT’s decision to strike her off in a forthcoming High Court appeal.
Mark has previously written and delivered a full day’s advocacy training programme to the British Association of Social Workers, and is due to will on the subject of sexual offences in regulatory proceedings at the postponed Pharmacy Law and Ethics Association 2020 Conference.
A selection of Mark’s recent cases includes:
Fatality Cases
- HCPC v X (2020): Successfully resisted HCPC’s application for interim suspension for a paramedic alleged to have misinterpreted ECG results and not hospitalised an elderly patient who died of a heart attack later that night.
- HCPC v B (2019): Defence of advanced paramedic working in hospital A&E accused of failing to examine properly a 20 month old child, failing to identify signs of sepsis and failing to provide life-saving treatment. The child died within hours of the examination. B also faced criticism that in over 20 other cases, he failed to undertake competent examinations and/or complete records appropriately. A number of allegations, together with lack of competence contention dismissed on a submission at the end of HCPC case. The only facts proved were those admitted by B and the Panel found no misconduct and thus no FTP impairment.
- HCPC v W (2019): For a paramedic working in police station custody suite examined a detainee who had taken a drug overdose and later died. HCPC pathologist determined cause of death was gastro-intestinal bleed; defence pathologist concluded poly-drug toxicity. Interim order application successfully resisted.
- HCPC v T (2018): Defence of ambulance service paramedic accused of clinical failings in misdiagnosing a patient suffering from a heart attack, instead treating them for a pulmonary embolism. The patient died as a result. Cross-examination of the HCPC’s expert centred upon the interpretation of ECG readings; as a result of fundamental concessions made under questioning by the expert, the principal allegations were dismissed at the conclusion of the HCPC’s case, leaving only two ancillary admitted allegations relating to record keeping and vehicle driving. Misconduct found on one, but no FTP impairment.
- HCPC v R (2017): Ambulance service paramedic found to have failed to diagnose a broken neck in respect of one patient and mistreated two others, one of whom died. All allegations save that relating to the first patient were either not proven or did not amount to a statutory ground. FTP impaired, but no sanction.
Dishonesty Cases
- M v SRA (2020): Ongoing appellate proceedings in the High Court, acting pro bono, for a solicitor struck off for covering up the loss of client papers on a train.
- HCPC v J (2019): Acting for an air ambulance paramedic who accepted a caution from the police for 54 instances of forgery of prescriptions for controlled drug. Following arguments in respect of Equality Act 2010 treatment of PTSD sufferers, Panel found no FTP impairment on either public or personal grounds.
- HCPC v V (2018): Police station FME cleared of dishonesty allegations founded upon his alleged impersonation of a doctor and the falsification of records.
- SRA v B (2017): Solicitor and firm senior partner struck off having pleaded guilty in the Crown Court to multi-million pound thefts from the probate estates administered by her firm.
Sexual and Physical Abuse Cases
- HCPC v P (2020): Paramedic with 2 assault convictions having attacked in the street his wife and a man with whom he suspected her to be engaged in an affair, repeatedly kicking him as he lay on the ground. 2 year caution order.
- HCPC v G (2020): Paramedic with a conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm having attacked a woman outside a bar, straddled her back while she lay on the floor and punched her about the head several times causing suspected fractures. 12 month caution order imposed.
- NCTL v G (2017): Defence of Head of House at a well known public boarding school cleared after a 2 week hearing of all allegations of impropriety.
- NCTL v RM (2016): Acted for a teacher cleared of all allegation following a 2 week hearing concerned with accusations of physical violence and inappropriate, abusive language towards young child and staff.
Murder and Manslaughter
Mark has been instructed in many highly publicised cases of homicide throughout his career, including the murder of a Linklaters solicitor, the double gangland executions of John & Joan Stirland and the assassination of “Celtic Pat” Marshall; the last two trials were written about extensively in book called “Hoods” by Carl Fellstrom.
He has also appeared in a number of trials concerning gross negligence manslaughter, including the successful defences of a police station FME who failed to diagnose a drug overdose in a detainee, a homeless drug user alleged to have supplied a fatal dose of heroin to his partner and the extensively publicised case involving the commercial supply of a toxic slimming pill which caused the death of a young woman.
Mark has been instructed in cases arising out of road traffic accident fatalities, including the successful defence of a Royal Mail lorry driver who hit a stationary vehicle on the A40, killing its elderly occupants, and appeared for 14 year old girl who kept her pregnancy secret from her parents in a rarely seen case of infanticide.
Mark is a highly effective cross-examiner of expert witnesses, which has led to increasing instructions in cases which turn upon forensic, expert opinion. His healthcare regulatory experience makes him especially adept at taking on experts on medical issues, particularly on issues of pathology and causation.
A selection of trials in which Mark has been appeared include:
In Silk
- R v MJ (Nottingham 2020): Ongoing trial defending an admitted drug dealer who is alleged with 5 others to have attacked a rival dealer’s drug house with machetes, killing one of the men as they tried to escape from first floor windows.
- R v JWB (Derby 2020): For the defence of the alleged killer of a drug dealer in an ambush meeting on the pretence of a drug deal. Cut-throat with two other defendants accused of murder and conspiracy to rob, the defendant admitted presence at the scene but blamed his co-accused for stabbing the victim to death. The trial gave rise to complex admissibility issues, including evidence discovered on illegally held mobile telephones in prison showing the video to a grime video about the murder performed by the defendant. The Derby Telegraph.
- R v SA (Harrow 2020): For the defence of the 2nd defendant in an 8-handed murder trial arising from a road rage incident between two rival gangs, during which the defendant admitted killing the deceased with a samurai sword. The defendant contended that he was acting in self-defence and the defence of his brother. Trial aborted in week 3 due to Covid-19 lockdown.
- R v FB (Derby 2019): Mark’s first murder trial in Silk saw him successfully defend a 22 year old mother of two alleged to have taken part in a joint knife attack with her boyfriend, sister and father upon an unarmed man outside a public house. Acquitted after a successful submission of no case to answer following cross-examination of a prosecution witness upon the interpretation of the CCTV footage and call data records, debunking the Crown’s contention that it was a knife and not a mobile telephone seen in the defendant’s hands. The Derby Telegraph.
Manslaughter
- R v AH (Inner London): For a defendant accused with 2 others of running an online business selling DNP for weight loss and body building. DNP is a toxic compound used for creating explosives and is also capable of speeding up human metabolism by dramatically increasing the temperature of the body. One vulnerable consumer died following an overdose, leading to the defendant being charged with gross negligence manslaughter, unlawful act manslaughter and food safety offences. He was acquitted of all counts following a successful submission of no case to answer at the conclusion of the Crown’s case. See press coverage from BBC News.
- R v BU (Nottingham): The successful defence of a man charged with manslaughter following the death of his friend rendered unconscious by a “sleeper” hold, in a case turning on causation and pathology.
- R v HEB (Southwark): For the defence of a doctor charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of a detainee in police custody whom the defendant, in his capacity as FME, was called upon to examine in police station cells. Acquitted.
Murder
- R v M (Birmingham): Junior for the defence in a tragic case of a botched robbery of a cash and carry warehouse in which staff were tied up and the safe targeted; the manager was shot dead at point blank range when he resisted. Defendant was alleged to have been one of two gunman. He was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter. See press coverage from BBC News.
- R v D (Winchester): Junior for the defence of a man acquitted of conspiracy to murder following repeated attacks on a woman in Dorset allegedly by members of a Nottingham gang.
- R v G (CCC): Junior for the defence of a man accused of trying to hire a hitman to murder the new lover of his widowed father. G claimed previously to have been falsely implicated by police in a drugs and guns sting, in respect of which the CACD quashed his convictions after 8 years in prison. His defence to soliciting murder was that he knew the “hitman” was a police officer undercover and so he played along, intending to expose police corruption at a very high level. The jury acquitted him.
- R v D (Birmingham): The Stirland Murders – a gangland execution of the parents of a convicted murderer who were housed in a witness protection scheme in Skegness. Acquitted.
- R v DB (CCC): The Linklaters Solicitor Murder – the shocking murder of Tom ap Rhys Price in a botched robbery by members of a notorious steaming gang.
- R v M (Leicester): The murder of Celtic Pat – a gangland shooting outside a Nottingham public house. Acquitted.
Serious & Specialist Crime
Mark has 25 years of experience in defending individuals facing serious criminal allegations. Such is the importance of these cases to the defendants and their families, Mark now only accepts instructions on a privately funded basis so that he and his instructing solicitor are able to dedicate the time and resources necessary to ensuring that a fully-investigated and comprehensively prepared defence can be advanced and the defendant assured of the very best chance of securing the right verdict.
His aim in representing every client is to give them confidence and complete assurance that no stone will be left unturned in attacking the Crown’s case and advancing the Defence case. Mark is acutely aware of the anxiety and distress that criminal proceedings cause for those caught in the spotlight; he is renowned for his “first class client manner” and the assurance that his “cool, calm, collected” approach brings to a case.
Often, Mark’s cases have a particularly sensitive element to them. He successfully defended a former Sandhurst instructor in the Operation Elveden prosecutions in which the defendant was alleged to have sold stories and photographs to a tabloid about Princes William and Harry during their time at the military academy. He also secured the acquittal of the former Police and Crime Commissioner of Northamptonshire accused of data breaches following the dissemination of confidential information to MPs and local counsellors about a police inquiry into the financial irregularities of a Conservative MP.
In cases alleging serious sexual assault, Mark has developed a sensitive yet firm and effective style in the cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses, with particular mastery of voluminous and complex unused material and third party applications in historic abuse cases.
Recent cases of note include:
- R v MBB (Manchester): Operation Warbird – Leading for the defence of the Principal and director of Tier 4 private colleges accused of facilitating illegal immigration by running sham educational establishments to procure CAS from the Home Office for non EU migrants intent on evading immigration control. See press coverage in the Manchester Evening News.
- R v AS (Southwark): The successful defence of a former Police and Crime Commissioner in an unprecedented prosecution for Data Protection Act breaches. Mr Justice Green described the trial as “very novel, sensitive and complex.” Press coverage from BBC News.
- R v JH (Central Criminal Court): Operation Elveden – the defence of a former Colour Sergeant at the Sandhurst Military Academy charged with misconduct in a public office. H became the only public official acquitted by a jury in this series of prosecutions. See press coverage in The Guardian and The Evening Standard.
- R v K (Lewes): The Defendant was a serving Lance Corporal in the Army acquitted by a jury of rape and sexual assault of two complainants at a care home where he was a part-time manager and the complainants members of staff.
- R v H (Snaresbrook): Defended a man accused of a campaign of rape and sexual assault on his step-daughter when she was between 6 and 8 years old. The complainant, with substantial learning difficulties, was cross-examined via an intermediary. H was acquitted by a jury of all counts.
- R v W (Derby): Acted for man accused of multiple rape of daughter in which wife and step-brother were co-accused. Acquitted.
Military Law
Mark has defended in Courts Martial in the UK and in Germany in a wide variety of criminal allegations, including serious violence and rape. Most recently, he defended in this case:
R v M (Royal Navy Court Martial, HMS Nelson): A lieutenant serving aboard a Type 45 Destroyer in the Gulf, was accused of multiple rape and sexual assaults on 5 complainants of subordinate rank on the ship over a period of several months will the ship was alongside and on manoeuvres. Following a successful legal argument resisting the Crown’s application to render offences and complainants cross-admissible, the indictment was severed. Ultimately, the defendant was convicted of complaints made by a single complainant and acquitted of allegations made by the others.
Appeals and Miscarriages of Justice
Mark is an experienced appellate court advocate both in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division and the Divisional Court.
He has advised on judicial review in a number of criminal and human rights based matters, including the impact of prison officers’ industrial action on prisoners’ rights, the recovery of defendants’ costs orders and Parole Board decisions.
Mark accepts instructions on a privately funded basis to consider and advise upon potential appeals against conviction and sentence in recent and historic cases. He has been an Advisory Panel member of the charity Inside Justice since 2019.
Last year, he obtained leave to appeal conviction on behalf of an Inside Justice client previously convicted of drug importation and recently appeared in the Court of Appeal Civil Division for another client of the charity seeking to challenge the refusal by a police force to provide post-conviction disclosure in a murder case.
Recommendations
Mark has been consistently recommended by the legal directories as a leading practitioner. Recommended for crime, financial crime and fraud, recent editorial includes the following:
- an outstanding advocate with a wealth of experience of dealing with complex legal issues;
- unwavering charm and professionalism;
- an immaculate advocate;
- there is not a single word he says which does not serve a purpose. He is excellent on his feet;
- a very shrewd and smooth operator. He’s extremely hard-working and a great tactician. His timing is perfect and he is polite and persuasive on his feet;
- Mark is extremely intelligent, and has an excellent ability to express complex matters in straightforward and logical terms. He is an exceptional advocate;
- a charming silk who exudes confidence. He has a brilliant mind and fearlessly fights his client’s corner;
- works tirelessly and meticulously to achieve the best outcome for defendants;
- a keen strategist who identifies the issues quickly;
- his work ethic and commitment are exceptional;
- hugely understanding and sympathetic in dealing with all defendants who he represents;
- he’s absolutely top drawer;
- his skill in defending criminal cases, at all levels of seriousness, is unrivalled;
- he takes a meticulous and refined approach to financial investigations;
- gets results;
- his recent elevation to Queens Counsel was thoroughly deserved;
- an outstanding fraud lawyer;
- a robust advocate;
- a first class client manner;
- I have never in my life seen a barrister work as hard as he did;
- cool, calm and collected;
- can handle complex issues with ease;
- makes it all look easy;
- instructed on cases involving voluminous evidence;
- measured, careful analysis of the facts;
- persuasive court advocacy style;
- extremely intellectually sharp;
- gallons of charm;
- a highly sought after white collar barrister;
- a phenomenal way of cutting through to the heart of a case;
- presents his client’s case in a very robust and effortless way;
- exceptionally good at fraud;
- a very charming individual;
- sources admire his diligence; and
- he was out of this world.
Reflections
A quarter of a century ago, a wise old man told an enthusiastic newly-qualified barrister the secret of success. “Any boxer,” he said, “can dazzle with footwork and fancy punches in the early rounds. But only the boxer who put in the roadwork in the months before will still be standing at the end of the fight.” He was right. No matter how skilful the barrister, there is no substitute for meticulous, comprehensive preparation in any and every case.
My family inspires me to do better. I love my work and I’ve always tried to challenge myself to improve what I can do for my clients, but nothing prepared me for how I would feel as a husband and a father. Making my family proud drives me to be the very best I can be at home and at court.
“Every one of my clients regards themselves as special. And rightly so; they are.”
When you’re backed against the wall, break it down. Or find a way around it. One of the things I enjoy most about my job is finding solutions for my clients. I want to understand what outcome they need to achieve and make it happen. It takes versatility, imagination and fearlessness, but I find enormous reward in seeing a happy client walk away with the very best outcome.
No two cases are ever the same. The people I meet, the cases in which I’m instructed, they each require a unique, tailored, individual approach. Every one of my clients regards themselves as special. And rightly so; they are.
It never hurts to smile. It’s a fact of life that barristers are involved where there is dispute and disagreement but not every exchange has to fuel that conflict. To a judge or jury, to court staff, to an opponent and especially to a client, courtesy, good humour and warmth can be both disarming and reassuring and a reminder that we are all only human.
Appointments and Memberships
- Criminal Bar Association
- Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
- Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association
- Association of Military Court Advocates
- Advisory Panel member for Inside Justice
- Lead and Tutor Advocacy Trainer at Lincoln’s Inn
- Mentor for the Lincoln’s Inn Pupillage Foundation Scheme
- Mentor for The Social Mobility Foundation, a charitable organisation aimed at facilitating access to education and professions for young people from economically and socially deprived backgrounds.
Privacy
Mark adopts and adheres to the provisions of his privacy notice which can be accessed here.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further details of Mark’s practice please click on the links to the left or contact a member of the clerking or client service team.
Bar Council Membership No: 33715
Registered Name: Mark Robert Harries
VAT Registration No: 691129919