Alex Preston, Olliers Solicitors.
Siobhan McGuiness, VHS Fletchers.
Stacey Mabrouk, Olliers Solicitors.
John Black, John Black Solicitors.
Simon is highly experienced advocate and a specialist in Criminal Law undertaking a full range of prosecution and defence work. He is on the CPS Advocate Panel at Level 4 and also on the CPS Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Panel.
Whilst only called to the bar in 2011, Simon qualified as a solicitor 1997. He then worked as a criminal law defence specialist in London and then Manchester. Qualifying as a solicitor advocate in 2003, he has practised in the higher criminal courts and has been conducting jury trials for over 15 years. Simon was a partner in the Manchester firm Platt Halpern from 2005 - 2011.
He is regularly instructed by both the defence and prosecution in a wide range of serious and complex criminal offences including rape, historical sexual abuse, murder, fraud and major drug conspiracies.
Simon is meticulous and thorough in his preparation of cases, but also very approachable and puts both professional and lay clients at ease. He is a highly effective jury advocate with an excellent track record of results from either side of the court. He has dealt with a number of very sensitive cases, often with young and vulnerable witnesses or defendants with mental health issues or other specialist needs.
Whilst mainly appearing in the higher criminal courts Simon also specialises in defending clients for motoring offences in the Magistrates Court.
Simon is registered under the Direct Access Scheme and can take instructions directly from members of the public.
Simon has been an advocacy assessor for the BPP Law School since 2012 and taught advanced criminal litigation at the Manchester Metropolitan University for five years.
Simon also regularly trains detectives in police forces around the country, including for the Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, North Wales, Cheshire, Cumbria, Devon and Cornwall, Humberside Police forces. Subjects include police interview techniques/procedure, the role of the defence and prosecution within the criminal justice system, bad character, hearsay, and giving evidence in court.
Simon also has significant regulatory experience, including appearing before the GMC in Fitness to Practice proceedings, and before the Traffic Commissioner in Public Enquiries concerning HGV/PSV licences.
SAMPLE OF RECENT CASES
PRESCRIBED INFORMATION
Simon Blakebrough is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Simon Blakebrough can be found here.
Simon Blakebrough's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Simon Blakebrough to undertake Court and advisory work for a fixed fee or a brief fee plus refresher days. Simon Blakebrough accepts instructions on legal aid rates where those are available, details of which can be found here. Any advisory work is most commonly charged at an hourly rate, although fixed fees are available. Conditional Fee Agreements and Damages Based Agreements will be considered in cases with favourable prospects of success. Simon Blakebrough will typically return paperwork within 10 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Deputy District Judge (Magistrates Court)
Prosecuting Panel Level 4
CPS Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Panel
Solicitors Higher Rights of Audience (Criminal Courts) 2003
Criminal Bar Association
Manchester University - BA (Econ) Upper Second Class Honours Degree in Government and Politics
Manchester Metropolitan University - Legal Practice Course - pass with distinction
Manchester Metropolitan University - Common Professional Examination - pass with commendation
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