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Simon Medland QC
Call 1991 | Silk 2011
Clerks’ Details
Criminal CV
Simon Crowley
Overview
0161 817 2756
Ria Ashcroft
0161 817 2758
Dave Haley
0161 817 7118
Appointments
• Recorder (2005)
Memberships
•C
riminal Bar Association
Education
Simon Medland QC is a criminal law practitioner whose experience
and specialisms encompass all aspects of serious crime and fraud.
He has prosecuted and defended in some of the region’s most serious
cases, including many cases of murder, attempted murder and child
destruction, child cruelty, serious sexual offending including historic
sexual abuse, gross negligence manslaughter in the workplace
and fraud.
Simon also deals with substantial POCA and confiscation proceedings.
In 2011, he was awarded a Divisional Commander’s Commendation
by North Wales police for leading the prosecution of Operation Kylix
(R. v. Davies and Jones). Recognised and renowned for his fantastic
client skills, he is ever-accessible and uses his intellect coupled with a
common-sense, practical yet pragmatic approach to each case makes
him the silk of choice for many of the regions leading solicitors.
• History at Hull University
• Post-graduate Diploma in Law
at the City University in London.
Beyond the Bar
Simon enjoys rowing on the River Dee.
He has an interest in Georgian and
Victorian history and has lectured on
a variety of historical subjects. He also
plays the organ.
Simon Medland QC
T: 0845 300 7747 | E: exchangechambers.co.uk | [email protected]
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Recommendations
“From my perspective as a solicitor, Mr Medland is excellent at communicating with
people which is why he is good with clients and very persuasive with a jury. He is easy to
correspond with which is important in the preparation of any case these days, and at
court his advocacy skills are excellent hence why he is a successful silk.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/man-accused-murdering-onebest-11008050
Owain Jones, Geraint Jones & Co Solicitors
“Over the years I have instructed Simon on behalf of clients across the entire spectrum
of criminality. I have always found him to be fully prepared, approachable, able to
communicate well and put the client at ease and do an excellent job for them in the
courtroom. I have never had any hesitation in recommending him to clients.”
E Roger Thomas LL.B (Hons), QualitySolicitors Edward Hughes
“I’ve instructed Simon regularly over the last fifteen years in the more complicated
criminal trials. He is, quite simply, the best barrister I’ve ever worked with and I would
thoroughly recommend him.”
John Ryan, Birchall Ryan
“Simon is good with clients, clear in his advice and inspires confidence from his clients.
In Court he is a fearless advocate who is not afraid of pressing on with important
arguments even if the Tribunal is initially hostile. Simon has handled serious cases for
this firm including fraud and sexual offences.”
Judith Davies, Hill Dickinson
“Simon was an absolute pleasure to work with. He was very accessible throughout the
whole case and his client care skills were fantastic.”
Julie Murphy, Senior Advocate, ABR Solicitors
“Simon Medland is a successful silk for very good reason. He has the uncanny ability to
get on famously with clients whilst being able persuade the most irascible High Court
Judge of his way of thinking. I have known and worked with Simon for more years than
I care to remember, both with him and against him. His down to earth, no nonsense
approach is a breath of fresh air in complex and serious cases . His preparation and
attention to detail is excellent, a client can always tell if their brief has ‘read it’ or
not. Simon is also accessible , he will always try to return a phone call or an email no
matter how deep into another case he may be . He gets the job done with unflappable
efficiency and is a pleasure to work with.”
Stuart Duke, Khattak Solicitors
Simon Medland QC
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“An understated but forceful and well-regarded court room presence.”
“On occasions of considerable anxiety and adversity for the lay client Simon has a
consummate ability to reassure and put at ease those he represents.”
“Works closely with those instructing him and is skilful in his direction of the defence
team as a whole.”
Andrew Pearson, Pearson Fielding
Simon Medland QC
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Cases
POCA AND CONFISCATION PROCEEDINGS
Operation Sabine - 25 handed multi-million pound drugs importation and supply case
(Class A, B and C). Simon led Louise Whaites from Chambers for the Crown in this case in
the Crown Court and in the Court of Appeal.
Operation Cadillac - An Enforcement Receiver Appointment action under POCA.
Simon prosecuted this application for RART over a 2 day hearing which involved
expert accountancy evidence and extensive legal submissions. The case concerned the
2 original defendants and also two 3rdparty interveners, one of which was a Limited
Company based in Northern Ireland. The action related to confiscation under POCA
where the benefit exceeded £10m. Simon succeeded on all heads of the claim with full
costs awarded to the Crown.
GENERAL CRIME
Operation Peppermint - Instructed for the defence in this murder case (R v MT) at
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court before the High Court Judge and a Jury. Simon’s client, who
was gay, was accused of murder by stabbing another man who had broken into his flat 8
times. Simon secured the acquittal of his client of both murder and manslaughter.
R v Bland - Simon led David Temkin from Chambers in the defence of James Bland
who was accused of murder. He had stabbed his wife of 44 years with a carving knife
7 times. Simon and David advanced the complex partial defence of loss of control. Mr
Bland was unanimously acquitted of murder by the Jury and received a sentence of 6
years’ imprisonment.
R v MG - Simon secured the acquittal of a businessman charged with Rape.
Operation Centaur (R v. CS and KE) - Simon led employed counsel, Stuart Duke, for the
second defendant in this murder case at Manchester Crown Court tried by Mr Justice
Holroyde. Simon’s client was acquitted. The co-defendant was sentenced to a minimum
period of 33 years on his life sentence.
R v Holleran and George (Chester) - After a 3 week trial, Simon secured the acquittal of
the first defendant in the notorious ‘horror film’ murder trial.
Operation Pylon (Mold) - Instructed by 2 of the defendants in a multi-handed mortgage
fraud case.
R v Moore, Turner, Cullens and others - Fraud and corruption case involving the provision
of printing services within Cheshire Constabulary. Simon acted for the defendant who
the Crown offered no evidence against after successful legal argument by Simon.
Simon Medland QC
T: 0845 300 7747 | E: exchangechambers.co.uk | [email protected]
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R. v. Davies and Jones (Mold) - Awarded a Divisional Commander’s Commendation by
North Wales Police for leading the prosecution of fraud case Operation Kylix (R. v. Davies
and Jones).
Mottram (Warrington) - Murder by best friend who stabbed the victim whilst he was
sleeping and then posed as concerned mourner.
Dodd & Palin (Warrington) - Murder of a vulnerable disabled man by two youths who
befriended him, stole from him and then drowned him in the Mersey.
Santos (Chester) - Double murder by stabbing of a mother and her son in their home by
a relative.
Devine (Caernarfon) - Murder of a woman by her lover. He confessed to the murder in
the witness box under Simon’s cross examination.
Carter & Shearfab Limited (Chester) - Unlawful death in the workplace (by crushing in a
forklift truck mast) and accompanying Health & Safety corporate offences.
Morris (Mold) - Attempted murder, by a hammer attack, and attempted child
destruction. Morris attempted to murder his fiancée who was almost full-term pregnant
by him so he could begin a new relationship and enrich himself through insurance. An
entirely circumstantial case which resulted in a conviction on both counts and a 25 year
sentence. Led by Pat Harrington QC for the Crown.
Evans v The Queen [2010] Crim LR 491 (CA, on ref from the CCRC) - 3 day appeal
against conviction in the Court of Appeal relating to the law of provocation, led by
Robin Spencer QC, now Spencer J.
Rhodes (Caernarfon) - Attempted murder of woman by her estranged husband by
stabbing through the neck and into the chest with a fence spike. Entirely circumstantial
case. Convicted. Leading junior for the Crown.
R v RD - Simon represented a 19 year old girl from Formby who was charged with the
murder of her mother. He secured the acquittal of his client at Liverpool Crown.
Re JB - Simon successfully represented the bereaved family in this Inquest at Gloucester
which involved issues of consent to medical treatment, possible side-effects of
Roaccutane and the proper standards of care for adolescents by staff at a leading
boarding school.
Simon Medland QC
T: 0845 300 7747 | E: exchangechambers.co.uk | [email protected]