Mark has gained a reputation as being a maverick who fiercely defends clients in court and rises to the challenge when dealing with complex legal issues and incorporating novel points of law into his submissions.
Mark is approachable and views it as a priority to convey legal advice to his lay clients in a way they understand.
Prior to his call to the Bar, Mark established a busy practice as a freelance solicitor after he successfully completed his training contract with a leading East London criminal defence firm. Mark is regularly instructed for matters in the Crown Court and appears in the Court of Appeal.
Mark is an experienced Gangs Practitioner and accepts instructions for serious youth violence and drug-related offences. He also has experience representing youths and vulnerable adults with a variety of mental health and learning difficulties who require an intermediary. Mark previously assisted with the research of several commissioned reports: ‘From Postcodes to Profit’ and the ‘Lammy Review’. He is keen to continue with this important work and welcomes instructions for all public inquests and inquiries.
Criminal Defence
Overview
Mark appears in the Crown Court and is regularly instructed on cases which involve serious violence, serious sexual offences, drug supply, and firearms. Mark has particular expertise where his lay clients rely on s.45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 as a defence, gang-related violence and representing vulnerable clients with neurodivergent learning difficulties and mental health conditions.
Notable Cases
High Court - Successfully Obtained Writ of Habeas Corpus (2023)
Mark was instructed by MMA Solicitors. His client, due to be released, remained in custody. HMP Wormwood Scrubs ignored the court order. He was successful in obtaining a Writ of Habeas Corpus, ordering the immediate release of Mark’s client, as the error of time spent on remand had now been remedied. The Judge went further and said that the order would also stand as Judicial Review. Mark was instructed by MMA Solicitors.
Wood Green Crown Court - Acquittal Secured (2023)
Financial Crime - Mark's defence statement led to the case being reviewed. It was found that the complainant and witnesses accounts lacked creditability. The prosecution then offered no evidence against all three defendants and not-guilty verdicts were entered. Mark was instructed by Bianca St Prix of Lawrence & Co.
Inner London Crown Court - Acquittal Secured (2023)
Mark secured an acquittal for his client charged with threats to kill and stalking at Inner London Crown Court. Mark was instructed by Caroline Downs of Wainwright & Cummins LLP.
Southwark Crown Court - Absolute Discharge (2023)
Mark secured an absolute discharge for the defendant, found to have done the act of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, after a six-week trial. Mark’s client was one of seven defendants charged with s.18 GBH, violent disorder and the possession of a bladed article. Mark provided advice for a psychological assessment. Four psychological assessments found Mark’s client unfit to plead and stand trial. The prosecution formally offered no evidence a week before trial. The Judge then accepted that no suitable treatment could be found that could support Mark’s client’s needs and imposed an absolute discharge. Mark was instructed by Nike Otubusen of Cotisens Solicitors.
Isleworth Crown Court - Acquittal Secured
Mark secured an acquittal for the defendant, charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A, crack cocaine and heroin, after a six-day trial. Mark was instructed by Michael Situ of Lincolns Solicitors.
Snaresbrook Crown Court - Acquittal Secured (2023)
Mark secured an acquittal for his client in a 10-handed conspiracy to supply Class A, after the prosecution offered no evidence. Mark was instructed by Vanessa Wiggins from Bark & Co Solicitors.
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Criminal Appeals
Overview
Mark appears in the Criminal Court of Appeal for appeals against conviction and sentence and is regularly instructed to advise on the merits of out-of-time appeals for serious historic sexual offences.
Notable Cases
Criminal Court of Appeal (2023)
Mark Robinson was successful in his defendant’s appeal in the Criminal Court of Appeal. The applicant was charged with two counts of Inciting a Child Under 13 to Engage in Sexual Activity, contrary to section 8(2) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and sentenced to nine years imprisonment, with an extended licence period of seven years. It is to be noted that no sexual activity actually took place. The full court found the sentence the trial judge imposed to be manifestly excessive, granted the extension of time and allowed the appeal, quashing the original sentence of nine-years custody and substituted it with a sentence of six years, and substituted the extended licence period of seven years with a licence period of six years.
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Education Law
Mark is involved in Garden Court’s School Inclusion Project and is a keen advocate for children who have been excluded from local authority schools. He is happy to accept instructions from families that wish to challenge their child’s exclusion. Mark is currently a trustee for Actions For Changes, an organisation that intervenes with students who are facing exclusion at school.
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Financial Crime and Confiscation
Overview
Mark accepts instructions for all serious and complex financial crime.
Mark is representing the lead defendant in a nine defendant 1.1 million pound banking fraud, stemming from an investigation that lasted four years. The trial is estimated to last ten weeks and due to commence in Southwark Crown Court in June. Mark Robinson is instructed by Eshaghian & Co.
Mark Robinson has been instructed by Shearman Bowen, in a sophisticated nationwide mobile phone fraud involving EE, Vodafone, O2 and Carphone Warehouse. The historic fraud, which went on undetected for a year covered the length and breadth of the UK from the South Coast to Scotland, where 176 customers had their identities stolen and accounts opened in their name. The lengthy trial is due to commence in Portsmouth Crown Court in the new year.
Notable Cases
Wood Green Crown Court - Acquittal Secured (2023)
Financial Crime - Mark's defence statement led to the case being reviewed. It was found that the complainant and witnesses accounts lacked creditability. The prosecution then offered no evidence against all three defendants and not-guilty verdicts were entered. Mark was instructed by Bianca St Prix of Lawrence & Co.
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Media and Entertainment Law
Mark represents high-profile clients working in the media and entertainment industry. Mark's legal experience in this area, as well as his prior career in the media and entertainment industry as a presenter for BBC Radio 1Xtra and professional DJ, means he is adept in brand and reputation management and successfully keeping clients out of the press.
He takes instructions in this area and looks to broaden this practice further, particularly in the area of defamation.
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Regulatory
Mark has experience representing clients facing disciplinary proceedings and also been a case presenter for a regulatory body.
Mark was on a Transport for London Panel and presented cases on behalf of them at the appeal stage, where private hire vehicles were subject to complaints from members of the public or had breached their service user terms and conditions. The court had to consider whether the drivers were fit and proper to hold a PCO licence.
Mark represented a London Bus Driver in The Public Inquiry Room before the Traffic Commissioner, where a bus driver was accused of using his phone whilst driving and being involved in a traffic collision. Mark submitted that the London Bus Company did not provide any evidence that the bus was involved in any accident, the driver had an immedicable driving record without blemish until this incident, and whilst he accepted using his phone to listen to music whilst the bus was not in service, it would be disproportionate to revoke the driver’s PCV licence. The Transport Commissioner found very little evidence of wrongdoing and was persuaded by the driver’s impeccable driving record to only impose a 14-day suspension of his licence for using his phone whilst driving.
Mark also acted for a business who was taken to court by the London Borough of Newham after they failed to pay £70,000 in business rates for their shop in Westfield, Stratford, during Covid. An out-of-court settlement was negotiated.
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Notable Cases
R v J (Criminal Court of Appeal 2023)
Successful in his defendant’s appeal in the Criminal Court of Appeal. The applicant was charged with two counts of Inciting a Child Under 13 to Engage in Sexual Activity, contrary to section 8(2) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and sentenced to nine years imprisonment, with an extended licence period of seven years. The full court found the sentence the trial judge imposed to be manifestly excessive, granted the extension of time and allowed the appeal, quashing the original sentence of nine-year custody and substituted it with a sentence of six years, and substituted the extended licence period of seven years with a licence period of six years.
R v A (Inner London Crown Court 2022)
Secured acquittal for his client charged with ABH after a three-day trial, where the defendant was alleged to have attended his ex-partner’s house and beaten the mother with a crutch. The jury accepted it was self-defence and returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.
R v Y (Harrow Crown Court 2022)
Secured acquittal for his client charged with Affray after a three-day trial, where the defendant was alleged to have thrown a bottle at the police who attended an unlicenced music event during the Covid Lockdown of 2020.
R v A (Wood Green Crown Court 2022)
Secured acquittal for his client charged with three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a four-day trial. The client was not called to give evidence and the complainant gave their evidence in a pre-recorded cross-examination pursuant to section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.
R v W (Wood Green Crown Court 2022)
Secured acquittal for his client charged with sexual assault, despite 17 years of antecedents being admitted during the client’s cross-examination after the client attacked the character of the witness.
R v G (Snaresbrook Crown Court 2022)
Secured acquittal for his client charged with stalking, whose alleged conduct led to the complainant attempting to take her own life.
R v M (Southwark Crown Court 2022)
Secured acquittal for his client charged with possessing criminal property, after the Crown alleged the £3000 cash seized was money from her husband’s drug supply operation.
R v H (Wood Green Crown Court 2022)
Secured acquittal for his client charged with robbery (carjacking) after successful submission of no case to answer, as a result of the police returning the stolen car back to the complainant without undertaking forensic analysis and the complainant failing to identify his own designer bag he alleged was taken from him during the robbery.
R v B (Woolwich Crown Court 2021)
Secured acquittal of client charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, where a firearm was discharged through the front door of a rival gang member's house. The prosecution attempted to use Drill music videos to suggest the defendant was a gang associate, however, after expert evidence was adduced from a professor of criminology, the prosecution conceded that the client did not have any gang affiliation.
R v D (Central Criminal Court/Monument 2021)
Secured acquittal for his client charged with possession with intent to supply. Despite the evidence being overwhelming, the police lost the original copy of the ledger containing all the debts accrued from local drug users. Mark submitted that the police failed to forensically examine the document and were under a duty to retain such material, and the jury unanimously acquitted the client.
R v A (Court of Appeal 2021)
Successfully appealed his client’s sentence for possession with intent to supply of Class B, after the judge failed to apply the sentencing guidelines correctly.
R v D (Isleworth Crown Court 2021)
Secured acquittal for his client charged with sexually assaulting his work colleague. It was adduced by the prosecution’s own witnesses that the complainant had a personal vendetta against the company and had previously made false allegations against other members of staff. The trial judge repeatedly refused evidence capable of undermining the Crown’s case to be adduced, even though it was being adduced by the Crown’s own witnesses. Despite this, the prosecution witnesses highlighted the client’s impeccable good character and 47-year unblemished work history record. The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict in 14 minutes.
R v M (Portsmouth Crown Court 2021)
Secured acquittal for client charged with affray after an 8-day multi-handed trial, where a group of four young people were alleged to have assaulted three door staff at a night club.
R v A (Snaresbrook Crown Court 2021)
Secured acquittal for client charged with two counts of assault occasioning actually bodily harm after both complainants alleged that they had been stabbed. There was no medical evidence to support the allegation and the police had seized the wrong knife at the scene. The complainants in their evidence accepted that they threw the alleged weapon away.
R v G (Edward Colston Case 2020)
Mark was instructed as a solicitor to represent one of the first suspects interviewed for the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol and secured an out-of-court disposal, which was a conditional caution that included the client attending a local authority meeting to discuss the removal of all statues of individuals that were involved in the slave trade in the City of Bristol.
