To view their full profiiles simply click on their names below:
New members of the crime team include:
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David joins Garden Court Chambers from 6 Kings Bench Walk. He is a highly experienced defence trial advocate and his practice covers all aspects of serious crime, particularly murder (approx. 200 cases), terrorism, manslaughter by gross negligence, drug trafficking, people trafficking, money laundering and serious fraud. David is an immediate past Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association and has a particular interest in the field of expert evidence, its uses and limits on which he has lectured both in the U.K. and abroad. It was this that took him to China in 2004 where he spoke at the |
1.jpg "David Spens QC") |
Sino-UK Seminar on Evidence Disclousure and Criminal Defence Lawyers Rights. David has taught advocacy both in the U.K. and abroad, most recently in South Africa.
Commenting on his move to Garden Court Chambers, he said: "I have chosen to come to Garden Court because it has able criminal practitioners, interesting and high quality work, gifted clerks, efficient administration and is forward looking."
| Mark Muller joins Garden Court from 10-11 Gray's Inn Square where he has been head of Chambers since 1998. Mark mainly specialises in international human rights and criminal related litigation.
In the UK, Mark has acted in a number of terror related cases and successfully defended suspects charged with terrorist offences such as Karayilanand others in December 2002 and Kalayciand Others in March 2004. |
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Mark also appeared as lead counsel in high profile "Yarlswood Detention Centre Arson Case" where he secured an acquittal for an alleged ring leader Lucky Jacobs. Mark continues to appear in other more traditional criminal cases.
Since being called to the bar, Mark has conducted a multitude of cases before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) involving all principal Articles in the Convention and related Protocols. He also provides advice and representation in human rights related actions brought before the European Court of Justice of the European Union. Two of his more recent ECHR Grand Chamber cases include Abdullah Ocalan v Turkey where he secured a retrial for the leader of the PKK and Kyprianou v Cyprus(application no. 73797/01) which held that fair trial norms apply strictly to contempt proceedings against lawyers, and recognised a lawyer's right to freedom of expression in the context of his legal duties in defence of his client.
In addition, Mark is Chair of the Kurdish Human Rights Project and of the Bar Human Rights Committee, and is engaged in justice reconstruction programmes in Afghanistan, Sudan, Palestine, and Iraq.
Commenting on his move, Mark said: "I am delighted to be joining such a forward looking chambers. I believe that Garden Court has the right vision and has equipped itself to provide cutting edge legal services for the 21st century. I have long admired it's commitment to publicly funded work and the protection of human rights around the world."
In addition, Michael practices administrative law and has conducted Judicial Review and Divisional Court matters connected with Criminal Cases
Aside from his Criminal Practice Michael is also involved in several aspects of Human Rights including conducting trial observations, preparing published reports and occasional lecturing in Human Rights in international jurisdictions.
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Hossein came to the law from a campaigning background, having worked for the Newham Monitoring Project (NMP) a grass roots, community based anti racist organisation. He trained as a solicitor at Bindman & Partners and then joined Hickman and Rose as a criminal solicitor and then a short time later joined Birnberg Peirce and Partners. |
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Hossein has acted in 'terrorist' cases, for political campaigners as well as in large public order cases. He took higher rights in 2002 and was recently instructed as a junior advocate in the ?ricin? conspiracy case. In 2005 he transferred to the bar and then joined Garden Court Chambers.
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Before being called to the bar in 2005, Roy practiced as a solicitor and then solicitor advocate for a number of years. Roy began his career at O'Keeffe Solicitors in 1995 before setting up 'Ledgisters Solicitors' in Shepherds Bush as the youngest senior partner in the UK in 1998. He earnt a place in the 'Professional Who's Who' for his achievements and went onto establish a further practice specializing in criminal defence in Manchester. |
1.jpg "Roy Ledgister") |
Roy developed his criminal practice as a solicitor acting on behalf of clients in a range of criminal matters and benefits from his background and training as a solicitor when appearing as an advocate. On attaining higher rights in 2001, he was instructed in a number of cases where he has appeared as sole advocate, junior advocate and more recently leading advocate. He is currently instructed on behalf of defendant?s in serious organized crime and trident led investigations including 'Operation Aragon' which is a conspiracy to murder involving hit squads being sent to differing locations in the UK to carry out simulated attacks.
Roy happily frequently appears in Crown Courts throughout the UK and enjoys working both in and out of London.
Roy commented on joining Garden Court: 'I wanted to be here because, from experience, when clients are represented by Garden Court counsel, win or lose, they feel that they have had their day in court. Counsel have a genuine interest and commitment to justice and have a fighting spirit that is seldom seen at the bar.'
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Brenda has been offered a tenancy at Garden Court following her time here as a 3rd six crime pupil. She specialises in all areas of criminal defence and has a vibrant practice in the Crown Court, Youth Court and Magistrates' Court. She is regularly instructed in cases of violence, firearms, drugs and dishonesty and is keen to expand her practice into all areas of criminal law as well as related judicial review, prison law and actions against the police. She has particular interest in working with youths and women in the criminal justice system. |
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Before practicing at the London Bar, Brenda maintained a varied practice at the Northern Irish Bar, including crime, judicial review, inquests and employment law.
Brenda has worked extensively in the field of women's human rights, both nationally and internationally and continues to work with organisations such as Amnesty International, Women's Human Rights Project, Dublin and IWRAW Asia Pacific, Malaysia.
Brenda is Irish and attended Queen's University Belfast before becoming based in London. She frequently combines work and travel and has been involved in Human Rights work throughout South East Asia, India, East Africa and Palestine.
Commenting on joining chambers Brenda said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been offered Tenancy at Garden Court Chambers. Knowing Chambers' reputation and unwavering commitment to human rights, I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to become part of the team. Many thanks to Owen and all of the crime team for their support and encouragement!"
In addition to the new members of the crime team, Amanda Meusz has returned to the family team after a break from the bar and Andrew Eaton has joined the civil, housing and immigration team after finishing his pupillage in Chambers.
Amanda Meusz - family
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Amanda has recently returned to the Bar and to Garden Court Chambers following a period of time as a full time mother to her two children. But she has not been idle and during this time she was appointed as Company Secretary and trustee of a Kent based children's charity providing services to children and families in an area of considerable social deprivation. The charity also worked with teenage mothers and refugee families and their children |
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Immediately prior to her return to the Bar Amanda worked as a childcare lawyer for a local authority. This experience has given her invaluable insight in the workings not only of a local authority but also to the work of solicitors.
Amanda has always been interested in the rights of children in the context of legal proceedings and in the wider society. Her practice relates to all areas of the law relating to children, including the provision of services to children, and young people. She has extensive knowledge and experience in public law matters and acts for local authorities, parents/carers, children and their guardians. Amanda enjoys working on cases where there is extensive and conflicting medical evidence / opinion and she has experience in all matters relating to adoption, international adoptions, leave to remove from the jurisdiction and child abduction.
Andrew Eaton - immigration and civil
Andrew is keen to continue to develop a broad civil and public law practice In particular judicial reviews before the High Court and civil actions against public authorities.
