The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence.
The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence.
Call: 2015
Having practised in common law from pupillage onwards, Max now maintains a mixed practice of family and civil work alongside representing Interested Parties at Inquests.
Max has appeared twice in the Court of Appeal, both in the Criminal and Family Division. His most recent appearance in Re: B was a case that set an enduring precedent for how family proceedings have taken place at interim hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to being called to the Bar he worked as a County Court Advocate, as well as working with Gerard McDermott KC on all aspects of high-value cases of catastrophic personal injury, in particular involving elements of travel law, cross-border or jurisdictional issues.
Max appears in Public Law care proceedings, acting for Local Authorities in complex matters from initial to final hearings.
Max was instructed by the Local Authority in the appeal case of Re B (Children) (Remote Hearing: Interim Care Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 584 which set out guidance nationally as to the approach the courts should have to urgent hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also appears regularly for lay parties and the Police and has a keen interest in matters involving disclosure between the criminal and family courts. Max was Junior Counsel in Re: I (a Child) which triggered a full review by the Metropolitan Police into disclosure processes in family proceedings involving significant Police investigation. The case involved complex matters that required multiple applications for Public Interest Immunity.
Acting for Local Authorities in cases with the following issues:
o Re: B – regarding issues in re-assessing a special guardian in the second proceedings brought within a short period of time.
o Re: N-S – proceedings involving a mother who was herself only a child, who had suffered long-term abuse within her own family.
o Re: B – successfully opposing the discharge of a Care Order, the application being made by the mother who had killed the children’s father, but had subsequently been found not guilty of murder.
o Re: M-R – a matter involving mental health deterioration and self-harm.
o Re: B – case involving particularly complex needs of a child that resulted in the Local Authority making significant adaptations to the family home.
o Re: N – regarding the admissibility of expert evidence on non-accidental injury.
o Re: C – use of the Advocates’ Toolkit and ground rules in proceedings involving a highly vulnerable mother.
o Re: M – proceedings involving three different fathers involving contentious issues regarding contact.
o Re: C – proceedings, including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, regarding a child with suicidal tendencies requiring 24-hour supervision.
o Re: O – regarding relocation of a child involved in county lines drug dealing.
o Re: R – proceedings relating to children whose mother was charged with murder, with the children being witnesses in the criminal proceedings.
Acting for Respondents
o for the mother of a child that it was agreed was beyond parental control, arguing for the Local Authority to amend their care plan to a therapeutic residential unit.
o for a father of a child whose mother was convicted of murdering her new partner.
o acting on behalf of a convicted sexual offender.
o representing a client suffering from multiple personality disorder.
o acting for the Guardian in proceedings involving complex arguments regarding the mother’s capacity.
Max has a strong civil practice, advising and representing both Claimants and Defendants.
He was published in PI Focus Magazine (October 2021) following his success in a claim made under the Montreal Convention, which governs accidents that occur in the process of travelling via air carriage.
Max regularly advises and appears in fast-track personal injury claims, including where issues of fundamental dishonesty are raised. He has also represents clients in multi-track trials. Recent cases include:
Max is very capable of advising on issues involving:
Max is able to bring his common law experience to representing clients at Inquests.
Representing the family of the deceased following a motorcycle accident, whereby the Coroner made significant criticisms of Police’s conduct of their investigation.
Representing the Police following the murder of a young child by a father who had previous convictions for violent offences. The case examined in particular the use (or lack of) by the Police of Violent Offender Orders.
Representing the family of the deceased where the driver at fault had suffered from a medical episode, with expert evidence being called in regards to the effects of antidepressant medication on a driver diagnosed with lupus, and potential arguments of automatism.
Representing the Police following the death of a new-born baby, involving complex expert reports as to asphyxiation.
Representing the Police where the deceased had been restrained for a prolonged period of time whilst under the influence of illicit substances.
Representing the Police where the deceased, a serving armed police officer, was found dead at Luton Airport.
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. To see my privacy notice click here.
Re B (Children) (Remote Hearing: Interim Care Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 584
