Alexander Modgill
Call: 2002
Alexander Modgill
LL.B. (Hons) (University of London)
LL.M. (University of London)
Bar Vocational Course
College of Law London (2002)
Lincoln’s Inn, ELA
Legal Aid Supplier Number 133HP
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Alex Modgill is a prominent member of Broadway House Chambers’ Family and Civil Law teams. He is a barrister of over 18 years’ standing and has consistently been recommended as a leading practitioner by the Legal 500. He was appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown from 2012 to 2018.
Reputation
Appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown from 2012 to 2018.
Regular speaker at Chambers’ law seminars.
Individual entry in the Legal 500 for over 12 years.
- Alex Modgill “provides robust advice” – Legal 500 UK
- “Always very thorough and well prepared, and consistently produces good results” – Legal 500 UK
Expertise
Family
Alex is an integral member of Broadway House Chambers’ Top Tier-rated Family Law Team. His practice covers all aspects of financial proceedings, from matrimonial finance, claims under the Civil Partnership Act 2004, the Inheritance Act 1975, the Married Women’s Property Act 1882, and the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. He is regularly instructed to advise and represent parties and intervenors in financial proceedings, including trusts and estoppel cases.
Alex is often instructed in high value cases including those involving complex business structures, family trusts and inheritances. Alex’s reputation in this area is characterised by his legal knowledge, the depth of his preparation and his attention to crucial detail.
Business, Property and Probate
Alex Modgill has a strong civil law practice. In commercial and chancery matters he advises and acts in cases involving freehold and leasehold property ownership, trusts (including TOLATA 1996 proceedings), contractual matters and the sale of goods and services. Alex is frequently asked to draft pleadings and advise on liability and quantum, especially in high-value cases.
Alex has considerable experience in personal injury law: he is regularly instructed in cases regarding employers’ liability, public and occupier’s liability, and road traffic accidents.
Notable Cases
A v A, B and C [2022]
Represented B and C, intervenors in financial remedy proceedings between A and A, at a 6-day hearing. Complex issues including trusts, proprietary estoppel, debts and freezing injunctions (s. 37 MCA 1973) relating to several residential and commercial properties, shareholdings in businesses and other assets in the UK, plus other alleged assets overseas.
B v B [2022]
4-day hearing involving high value assets including real property, shares in a business with a greatly disputed value, high income, family commitments in England and overseas.
B v B [2020]
Financial remedy proceedings, large asset case including high income professional parties, large pensions in UK and Europe. Expert evidence regarding the implementation of pension sharing regarding a pension in Europe.
A v A [2019]
Financial remedy proceedings, high asset case, long marriage, shares in a private oil company in England with subsidiary in Asia.
F v G [2021-22]
Advised and represented the Respondent in complex claims brought by one formerly engaged party against another under MWPA 1887, MC(PM)A 1958, MPPA 1970, and LR(MP)A 1970. Beneficial interests alleged in two properties (plus equitable tracing) as a result of substantial contributions in money or money’s worth.
R v S [2021]
Advised and successfully represented the claimant at a very complicated, potentially career-threatening 10-day employment tribunal hearing in claims for unfair dismissal. Significant issues about non-disclosure.
Clerks
Nick Power
Call: 2004 (Solicitor 1998)
Nick is a highly sought after financial remedy specialist with over 20 years' experience. He is instructed by solicitors across the north of England who welcome his expertise and team approach. He is consistently ranked as a leading junior in the professional directories and has been described as a "first choice junior for many solicitors handling money work" and as "a measured and unflappable advocate who has an excellent rapport with solicitors, judges and clients". He is committed to NCDR, is a qualified arbitrator and sits as private FDR evaluator.
Clerks
Emily Ward
Call: 2011
Deputy Head of the Family Law Team
Emily is Deputy Head of the Family Team and has a strong, busy practice both on and off the North Eastern Circuit. She is a particularly sought after in matrimonial finance and cohabitation disputes, as well as complex children cases. Emily is consistently recognised as a leading junior in family law in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. She has a keen eye for detail and quickly grasps the key issues in the case.
Emily is also a member of Broadway House Chambers’ Business, Property & Probate Team, and acts in cases where there is a cross-over in jurisdictions and issues.
Emily was appointed as a Deputy District Judge in 2019, at the age of 30, and she holds children (public and private law), civil and financial remedy tickets.
Keen on all forms of alternative dispute resolution, Emily is instructed to act for clients at round table meetings, mediations, private FDRs and early neutral evaluations, as well as arbitrations. She also acts as a Private FDR practitioner/evaluator in financial remedy, Schedule 1 and TOLATA cases, offering her assistance from an neutral perspective with the aim of assisting parties to reach a swift resolution to their disputes.
Emily frequently delivers CPD accredited seminars to groups of lawyers, and is regularly approached to conduct bespoke training in her areas of expertise. She is published in the Family Law Journal, is a case reviewer for Nagalro, Seen & Heard Journal, and has recently taken up the position of Blog Editor of the Financial Remedies Journal. Emily is a published author, being responsible for chapters in both ‘Cohabitation: Law, Practice and Precedents’ and ‘Butterworths Family Law Service’.
Able to accept instructions under the Direct Access scheme, Emily can also provide advice and representation direct to the public.
Clerks
Adam Willoughby
Call: 2011
Adam Willoughby
Head of Sports Law & Deputy Head of the Employment Law Team
LL.B (Hons) Law, University of Hull, First Class Honours (2010)
Bar Professional Training Course, BPP Law School, Leeds (2011)
Inaugural Middle Temple Master Rose Scholarship Award (2010)
Middle Temple
Legal Aid Supplier No. 02DXD
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Adam specialises in:
Employment Law
Sports, Media, and Entertainment Law
Business, Property and Probate Litigation
Matrimonial Finance (with an emphasis on commercial and complex pension interests)
Adam has been described as having “an impressive analytical ability, a reassuring manner and a highly effective cross-examination style” who “always delivers impeccable results” (Chambers and Partners).
Reputation
Adam is head of the Sports, Media and Entertainment Team and Deputy Head of the Employment Law Team. Adam is recognised within Chambers and Partners and has recently been noted as:
"Adam Willoughby is deputy head of the employment law team. He is praised for his work in complex discrimination claims, particularly involving vulnerable claimants. He offers expertise across the whole range of employment law, acting for claimants and respondents.He is a very clever chap with an excellent employment practice."
(Chambers and Partners)
"Adam’s preparation and attention to detail is always first rate. He has an impressive analytical ability, a reassuring manner and a highly effective cross-examination style". "He goes over and above on every case, he has an incredible manner with the clients, and he is such a kind and generous person with his time who always delivers impeccable results". "He is an approachable barrister who is thorough and diligent".
(Chambers and Partners, 2022)
Client feedback has identified Adam as an “impressive and highly effective advocate” with “exceptional analytical ability” and as “tactically very astute”. Adam is a “formidable advocate” with “exceptional intellectual ability”. His written opinions have been described as “clear, concise and thorough” and his pleadings are “consistently very good”.
Adam is also a highly sought after speaker having been invited to speak to delegations in New York, Dallas, Chicago and the UK.
Expertise
Employment
Adam is the Deputy Head of Employment Law and acts for businesses and individual clients both in the Employment Tribunal as well as in High Court commercial disputes arising from the employment relationship. Adam regularly advises and represents parties to appeals before the Employment Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal.
Adam is highly sought after across the range of employment disputes, from unfair dismissal and discrimination cases to whistleblowing, equal pay, working time and TUPE issues. Adam also represents individuals the subject of disciplinary and regulatory proceedings.
Adam has established an excellent reputation for advising and representing professional sports clubs and athletes as well as corporate and individual clients operating in the Media and Entertainment industry in relation to disputes arising from contractual relationships and in regulatory and disciplinary matters.
Adam regularly appears in the Queen’s Bench Division and Chancery Division of the High Court in relation to litigation arising from the employment relationship and in relation to claims concerning director and shareholder responsibilities, including:
• Claims for unpaid wages, bonus, commission, and wrongful termination
• Restrictive covenants
• Breach of confidence
• Team moves and springboard relief
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Shareholder disputes and s. 994 petitions
• Privacy and Defamation
• Intellectual Property
Sports, Media, and Entertainment Law
Adam is the Head of the Sports, Media and Entertainment Group. He acts in a diverse range of high profile and complex cases in the High Court and before tribunals, arbitral panels as well as in disciplinary and appeals panels.
The strength of Adam’s practice lies in his existing expertise in the complimentary fields of employment, corporate and commercial law.
Adam advises and represents sports clients, including athletes, teams, clubs, agents, broadcasters, and international and national sports governing bodies in disputes concerning:
• Commercial and contractual
• Disciplinary and regulatory
• Regulatory governance
• Anti-doping
• Privacy and Defamation
• Intellectual Property
Adam acts for a wide range of artists, performers and media personalities in disputes concerning:
• Privacy and Defamation
• Intellectual property
• Commercial and Contract
• Licensing
• Pre-publication injunctions
• Reputation management
Business, Property and Probate Litigation
Adam acts in a wide range of high value and complex disputes on behalf of claimant’s, defendants, and intervenors. Adam has established a strong reputation in representing and advising clients in the sports, media and entertainment industries as well as individuals and companies in disputes arising from the employment relationship. Adam advises and represents clients in disputes concerning:
• Commercial and employment contracts
• Restrictive covenants
• Team moves and springboard relief
• Breach of confidence
• Defamation and Privacy
• Intellectual Property
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Claims for unpaid wages, bonus, commission, and wrongful termination
• Shareholder disputes and s. 994 petitions
• Partnership
• Agency
• Equitable Relief
• Professional Negligence
• Trusts, both express and implied, including TOLATA claims
• Family Provision – Inheritance Act 1975 applications
• Wills, Probate & Administration of Estates
Family
Adam has particular expertise in cases which include commercial interests, complex pension arrangements and in cases concerning complex corporate structures and trusts.
Adam advises and represents clients in ancillary relief proceedings from pre-issue to final hearings. Adam is highly sought after in cases featuring overseas assets, offshore accounts, special contributions within the marriage, inherited wealth, insolvency and financial dishonesty, alongside needs-based cases.
In addition to matrimonial finance, Adam advises and represents clients in cases brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 and Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
Regulatory
Adam provides specialist advice and representation in cases concerning disciplinary and regulatory law across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, financial services, professional services, legal services, media and sport. Adam has also appeared in several inquests at which he represented healthcare professionals accused of serious misconduct.
Adam represents clients at all stages of proceedings before disciplinary panels, statutory tribunals and before the courts, including the appellate courts. Adam understands the potential reputational damage that such proceedings can cause and so works in a client-focused manner, providing straight-forward and practical advice at the early stages of proceedings. The strength of Adam’s practice lies in his existing expertise in the complimentary fields of employment, corporate and commercial law.
Examples of Adam’s work include advising and representing clients before the General Osteopathic Council’s Professional Conduct Committee, the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Fitness to Practise Committee, Sports Resolution UK, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Rugby Football Union Panel, the Health and Care Professions Council and the General Medical Council’s Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.
Notable Cases
Fatima v Family Channel Ltd & anor [2020] EWCA Civ 824
Represented appellant in her appeal to the Court of Appeal which considered the interplay between an unsuccessful application to adjourn a trial under CPR 3.1(2)(b) and a subsequent application under CPR 39.3 to set aside judgment against a non-attending party.
Tattu Manchester Ltd v Powell (Employment Appeal Tribunal)
Represented the respondent in her response to an appeal to the EAT which considered whether the Tribunal had wrongly interpreted a bonus scheme to mean pre rather than post EBIDTA figures and whether it had wrong concluded there had been a breach of contract.
Jones v. G4S Secure Solutions (Employment Appeal Tribunal)
Represented the respondent in its appeal to the EAT which considered whether there had been a dismissal of the claimant following reinstatement on a domestic appeal, considering Roberts v. West Coast Trains Ltd [2004] EWCA Civ 900.
Thomas v Ladbrokes Betting and Gaming Ltd (Employment Appeal Tribunal)
Represented the claimant in her appeal brought by the respondent in which the EAT considered whether the Tribunal had substituted its view for that of the employer in finding that the claimant had been unfairly dismissed.
Hunt v. DVSA (Employment Appeal Tribunal)
Represented the appellant in her appeal on the issue of whether the Tribunal erred in its findings that she was not constructively dismissal.
Featherstone Rovers v Griffin
Represented the club concerning breach of contract by a player.
Keith Deller Sports Management Limited v Adrian Jackpot Lewis Limited & Adrian Lewis
Represented Sports Agent concerning claim against a professional darts player for unpaid fees and in its defence of a counterclaim alleging breach of the agency agreement.
Other examples of Adam’s recent work includes:
Representing an RFL club in a dispute with a player who breached his playing contract by having unauthorised dealings with a competing club.
Representing a high-profile professional football player in a claim brought by his former agent in respect of unpaid commissions.
Representing an international rugby player concerning his blocked transfer to another club in Canada.
Representing a professional footballer in a claim against him by a sponsor for breach of the sponsorship agreement.
Representing a multi-national firm in a claim for injunctive relief and damages against a former employee in respect of alleged misuse of commercially sensitive information and breach of restrictive covenants.
Represented a claimant in a petition under s. 994 Companies Act 2006 following her exclusion as a minority shareholder and deprivation of dividend payments. Relief sought was in excess of £19m.
Representing a defendant in a dispute concerning an alleged indemnity to return sales commissions.
Advising and representing an international firm in a claim for injunctive relief and damages against a former employee in respect of alleged misuse of commercially sensitive information and breach of restrictive covenants.
Representing a nationwide motor trading company in its defence of claims of passing off, breach of trademark and copyright.
Advising and representing a high-profile professional footballer in ancillary relief proceedings which included defending the claims of an agent intervening.
Advising and representing an applicant in ancillary relief proceedings in which the key issue concerned a substantial discretionary family trust worth in excess of £30m.
Advising a national publication as to allegations of defamatory statements against a competing publication.
Advising an international food manufacturing company in the wake of public allegations of mislabelling products.
Clerks
Susan Sanders
Call: 2015
Susan joined Broadway House in September 2016 after successfully completing a mixed pupillage.
She practises family and immigration law and has a particular interest and expertise in the overlap between these two areas. She is qualified to undertake work on a direct access basis.
Susan has an insightful approach and is regularly instructed to represent those who require sensitive and considerate client-care.
Before coming to the Bar Susan worked for human rights organisations and campaigned and carried out research in Afghanistan for Amnesty International. Susan speaks French and Farsi.
Susan is a family mediator and is available to mediate in cases involving child arrangements disputes and financial issues after separation.
Clerks
Christopher Rowe
Call: 2014
Christopher is a member of Broadway House Chambers Family Team and Business, Property & Probate Team. He specialises in:
Financial Remedy
Private Law Children
Claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA).
Clerks
Ned Sproston
Call: 2014
Ned is a Family and Civil practitioner, predominantly practising in the field of Private Children. He receives a significant volume of instructions in contested hearings such as Finding of Fact Hearings and Final Hearings. In addition to this, Ned’s practice also covers Ancillary Relief, Schedule 1 Children Act cases and, TOLATA. In the civil sphere, Ned takes on Road Traffic Accident cases and other Personal Injury claims. Ned does not generally practice in Public Children cases but will remain with a client under circumstances where a Private case enters the Public Law arena part way through..
Ned is a qualified civil and commercial mediator and is available for instruction in that capacity. Please enquire about this with our clerks if this is a service you might consider.
Clerks
Harry Wiltshire
Call: 2015
Harry Wiltshire
Bath University, BA Hons Business Administration
GDL and BPTC, BPP Leeds
Middle Temple, Harmsworth Scholar
Legal Aid Supplier Number 02GCI
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Harry is experienced in representing both Claimants and Respondents in the employment tribunal, he regularly appears in cases dealing with unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, unlawful deductions, discrimination, whistle blowing and employment status.
Harry accepts instructions in private law children matters. He regularly deals with contested final hearings and multi day finding of fact hearings, including issues such as domestic violence and relocation.
Harry is developing a growing matrimonial finance practice, he is regularly instructed to undertake Financial Dispute Resolution Appointments and Final Hearings.
Harry is registered with the Bar Council to undertake direct access work.
Harry is a member of Broadway House Chambers Business, Property and Probate Team. Prior to Pupillage Harry ran his own business, he has a strong understanding of the pressures involved in the management of a SME and is comfortable dealing with commercial disputes.
Prior to pupillage Harry competed as a professional athlete. Harry is Deputy Head of Sports, Media and Entertainment Team. He has gained experience of contractual disputes and disciplinary proceedings in the sporting arena. He has also been involved in the representation of athletes in anti-doping and disciplinary proceedings before governing bodies, Sports Resolution UK and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Reputation
Expertise
Employment
Harry regularly represents both Claimants and Respondents in the Employment Tribunal. He accepts instructions to advise, undertake drafting and attend hearings. Harry deals with a wide range of issues, including: employment status, unfair dismissal, discrimination (including disability and sex), whistleblowing detriment and holiday pay.
Sport
Prior to pupillage Harry spent 15 years competing as a professional athlete regularly representing Great Britain at international level. Harry’s experience as an athlete gives him a huge advantage when approaching sport cases and makes him a very appealing choice for lay clients in the sports arena.
Harry has experience of sports contract disputes and disciplinary proceedings. He has been involved in the representation of athletes in anti-doping and disciplinary proceedings before governing bodies, Sports Resolution UK and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Harry is on the panel of regional Rugby Football Union prosecutors.
Harry works closely with Adam Willoughby, Head of the Sports Law Team. Harry has assisted him in dealing with contractual matters on behalf of Rugby Football League Teams and the preparation of anti-doping cases on behalf of athletes who have returned adverse analytical findings.
Harry’s Sports Law practice is complimented by his special interest in employment and contractual law.
Family Law
Harry practices in private children law and financial remedy.
Notable Cases
Mr AY Ali v Salix Homes and Michael Page International Recruitment Limited Case No. 2404266/2018
Successfully represented a recruitment agency over a four day hearing securing a finding that they could not have dismissed an agency worker on the grounds of a protected disclosure, when they had no knowledge of the disclosure at the time of dismissal. The case also raised a breach of contract, direct discrimination and worker/ employee status.
Mrs C Tantrum -v- Ashville College and others 180078/2018
Successfully argued at a three day hearing that the Claimant was an employee rather than a self employed sports teacher working at a private school. The finding meant that the matter settled following a judicial mediation. The case raised issues of protected disclosures, an unfair dismissal, holiday pay and unlawful deduction from wages
Smith -v- Bradford District Care NHS
Representing the Claimant at a three day hearing dealing with claims of indirect discrimination on the grounds of disability, as well as harassment and failure to make reasonable adjustments.
Mr J Bassey -v- HMRC
Junior Counsel representing the respondent at a three week tribunal dealing with 88 allegations of harassment and racial discrimination.
Ms KJ Badon -v- The Secretary of Health & Social Care
Junior Counsel representing the Respondent at a two week hearing, where the Claimant alleged she was subjected to a detriment to deter, punish or prevent trade union activity.
Mr A Poznaski -v- Exceed Logistics Limited 2600570/2018
Represented the Claimant who asserted that he had been unfairly dismissed following an allegation of fuel theft. Secured a finding for the Claimant in relation to an unlawful deduction from wages.
Daniel Alden -v- Skinnergate Cycles Stockton Limited 2501655/2018
Successfully represented the Respondent securing the dismissal of the claim as out of time and through failure to comply with Court Orders. Disability also considered.
Clerks
Anna Sutcliffe
Call - 2015
Anna is a specialist family law barrister who has maintained a deliberately mixed practice encompassing matrimonial finance and both private and public law children work. This enables her to advise clients on all aspects of their family law case, particularly where different areas of family law overlap. Anna spent the first 9 years of her practice at a leading family law set in London and she has experience appearing at all levels up to and including representing clients in the High Court. She is equally happy appearing in her own right or being led as junior counsel.
Anna also conducts private FDR hearings (with experience as both counsel and pFDR “judge”), and is a qualified mediator for both children and finance matters.
Clerks
Paul Dormand
Call: 2013
Paul Dormand is a member of the Family Law Team at Broadway House Chambers.
“I am using Paul on a tricky Private Law Children matter and I am very impressed with his teamwork approach. We are a small practice and it is very good to have Counsel who engage with their instructing solicitor throughout the life of the case” – Solicitor
"Paul Dormand is excellent at what he does and also an amazing person. He is very thorough, understanding, honest, trustworthy and his ability to relate to and empathise with others is remarkable. I highly recommend Paul for he is an excellent barrister and truly a genuine person. Paul has been so patient with me in this difficult time. He took the time to hear all of my concerns and clearly, concisely outlined all the different courses of action including the positives and negatives with each choice. Working with Paul was incredibly easy. He listened attentively and made me feel at ease. I could not have asked for better representation. Thank you" Client Feedback
Before coming to the Bar, Paul worked as a professional musician and teacher, performing with orchestras and ensembles all over the world.
Clerks
Fen Greatley-Hirsch
Call: 2018
Fen Greatley-Hirsch
LLM Legal Practice (Barristers) – BPP Law School
Adv. LLM Public International Law – Leiden University
LLB Law with French Law – University of Warwick
ADM-ODR International Qualified Civil Commercial Mediator
Baron Dr ver Heyden de Lancey Prize (Middle Temple)
The Queen Mother Scholarship (Middle Temple)
White Rose (WRoCAH) Doctoral Scholarship (Arts and Humanities Research Council)
Grade 3 Prosecutor
Contact
T: 0113 246 2600
Fen joined Chambers in December 2020 after completing a common law pupillage under the supervision of Giles Bridge and Paul Smith.
He accepts instructions in family and criminal cases and is available for consultation in conference or written advice.
Fen’s practice is shaped by his experiences in academia and working in client-facing roles with a several national and international charitable organisations, including Citizens Advice Bureau, the Free Representation Unit, and Nightline.
This work put him in regular contact with individuals from all walks of life and particularly vulnerable populations, young people, persons with disabilities and mental health conditions, and non-native English speakers. As a result, Fen understands and responds to a wide range of client needs. He approaches all matters with the utmost commitment to client care and is often praised for taking the time to ensure clients’ questions and concerns are addressed and that they feel fully represented.
Fen’s academic research focuses on issues of mental and legal capacity in criminal law using vulnerability theory. He has served on the editorial board of academic journals, worked as a research assistant for an NGO conducting strategic human rights litigation, and delivered papers at academic conferences around the world. As such, he is is able to build and present complex information and arguments in a clear and accessible way.
Reputation
Expertise
Family
Fen accepts instructions in private and public Children Act proceedings at all stages, from first hearings to final hearings. A well-rounded practice sees him represent parents, Local Authorities and intervenors alike.
He has a real strength in client care and is often commended for ensuring his clients fully understand the developments in and prospects of their case and leave hearings feeling heard and fully represented.
Fen has gained particular expertise in contested and fact-finding hearings, assisted by a keen eye for detail and a forensic approach honed through criminal practice.
He regularly deals with cases involving allegations of a very serious nature – such as domestic violence, non-accidental injuries, and sexual harm – and does so with sensitivity and tact.
Fen has considerable experience representing vulnerable clients, including young persons, persons with disabilities, those with mental health issues, and those who do not speak English. He welcomes instructions in cases involving non-traditional families and those with international or intercultural elements.
Crime
Fen both prosecutes and defends at all stages – pre-trial, trial, sentence, and appeal.
He regularly appears in courts across the North Eastern and Northern Circuits in relation to the following types of offences:
- Assaults (up to and including s18);
- Road traffic;
- Public order (affrays);
- Dishonesty (handling stolen goods; burglary; robbery);
- Drugs offences (possession with intent to supply; production);
- Sexual offences (sexual assault; indecent images)
Fen is a member of the CPS General Crime Panel at Grade 3.
For the last couple of years he has been building his Crown Court trial practice and welcomes defence instructions.
He has completed the vulnerable witness training and, particularly given his experience dealing with similar matters in the family courts, is well-equipped to defend in rape, sexual assault and other such sensitive matters.
More generally, Fen’s background in academia has equipped him with the ability to quickly process and familiarise himself with large volumes of documents, as well as to make complex information accessible to a lay audience. It has also given him the research skills to locate useful case law that sometimes makes all the difference.
He has been praised by solicitors, benches and clients themselves for his skilled and sensitive witness handling and an ability to resonate with juries.
Fen builds rapports with clients easily, which quickly allows him to elicit the information needed both to build the strongest case and to address the opposing one effectively.
He has a keen eye for detail and in evidential hearings is particularly adept at witness handling, cross-examining with a forensic approach honed through criminal practice.
Fen has considerable experience representing vulnerable clients, including young persons, persons with disabilities, those with mental health issues, and those who do not speak English.
Notable Cases
R v X - Leeds Crown Court (Defence 2025)
Fen Greatley-Hirsch secured acquittal. Client at trial charged with multiple counts of voyeurism (s67 Sexual Offences Act 2003) over a 3-year period. Significant issues relating to the admissibility of several key aspects of the Crown’s case - including a video recorded interview and forensic downloads – in the context of adherence to ABE guidance, chain of custody, and principles of character evidence.
R v H - Bradford Crown Court (Defence 2024)
Fen and Nicola Hoskins secured a suspended sentence for father and son clients who were charged with intent to pervert the course of justice.
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24427369.lying-father-sons-story-fell-apart-police-dug-deeper/
R v Shaw - Leeds Crown Court (Prosecution 2023)
Prosecuted 'professional burglar' who was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/career-criminal-rammed-police-car-as-he-drove-professional-burglary-team-around-leeds-4422603
R v Ndokajwas - Bradford Crown Court (Prosecution 2023)
Prosecuted man after cannabis farm worth £670k found. Marsel Ndokajwas was sentenced to two years imprisonment for the production of cannabis. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67571625
R v X - Youth Court (Defence 2023)
Fen defended in the Youth Court in a serious sexual assault trial.The trial involved child witnesses and implementing the s28 procedure. Fen made a successful submission of no case to answer, which prevented the need for the defendant to give evidence. https://www.broadwayhouse.co.uk/news/fen-greatley-hirsch-youth-court-2023
R v X - Leeds Crown Court (Defence 2023)
Fen Greatley-Hirsch Secures Suspended Sentence for his Client in a Serious Three-handed Affray. https://www.broadwayhouse.co.uk/news/fen-greatley-hirsch-secures-suspended-sentence
Clerks