Peter Makepeace

synopsis

Peter has practised exclusively in Criminal law since 1994 and has extensive experience of defending and prosecuting in all areas of serious crime. He is a grade 4 prosecutor. Peter has frequently acted as leading Junior in multi counsel cases.

Areas of Special experience include Homicide and other serious violence, Fraud, serious and large-scale drug conspiracies, sexual offences, the importation and distribution of medicines, and a growing expertise in computer-related law culminated in the first prosecution for fraud of a peer to peer, bit torrent music file sharing site.

Peter has developed a particular reputation in cases requiring sensitivity of approach either through the nature of the offence or the vulnerability of witnesses, victims or the accused etc. He is acknowledged to have an exhaustive approach to case preparation and manages his diary to ensure serious cases are afforded the proper case management they require.

Peter also accepts private instructions in the field of licensing and regulatory offences.

notable cases

• R v J. Darwin : fraudulent insurance claim by husband and wife following feigned drowning - from charge to appeal.
• R v K : multi million pound fraud and corruption trial concerning procuring rail network maintenance contracts
• R V DC : Gross Negligence Manslaughter - Farmer Accused Following Tragic Death Of Daughter's Fiancee In Agricultural Accident
• R v C : Attempt Murder - son's alleged deliberate administration of lethal dose of medication to father suffering severe dementia
• R v H & H : Prosecuting two brothers for systemic historic child rape and torture over 20 years including children born of the rapes.
• R v T : Defending in sophisticated and complex Drugs distribution trial involving extensive evidence including cell site analysis, phone data patterns, covert observations etc. (series of 3 trials over 5 months)
• R v B : Defending in 9 months pre-trial disclosure Hearing in national drug distribution case concerning abuse of process centring upon allegations of Police malpractice
• R v E : Prosecuting peer to peer file sharing music site "Oink uk" for fraud.
• R v W and others : Defended in conspiracy to import and distribute "legal high" ecstasy substitute based on Piperazine derivative following prosecution brought by MHRA
• R v D : (Court of Appeal) successful appeal against conviction following a trial for Attempted Murder; after it the accused allegedly drove the victim down and then used a samurai sword to sever the leg

education

• Bar finals - Lincolns Inn 1987 - 1988 (Hardwicke Scholar)
• Bachelor of Laws (Hons) - University of Wales

appointments

• Recorder (Crime) 2009
• Approved Pupil Master 2002

memberships

• Member of Criminal Bar Association
• Member of North East Circuit

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