ABBEY LAW SOLICITORS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Criminal Defence Consultant
An experienced and well respected lawyer. Charles has practised in Birmingham and Staffordshire for many years . His calm nature yet robust representations make him a clients favourite.
Charles always ensures that those he represents receive the best possible outcome and will often be found meeting and advising his clients out of normal office hours.
Job Titles:
- Criminal Defence Consultant
Working exclusively on some of the highest profile and most serious cases across the country, Harj Johal has built up a nationwide following amongst his clients. He is especially experienced in dealing with murders, large scale firearms/drugs conspiracies, complex frauds, and serious sexual offences.
His robust style ensures all his clients can be assured he applies exceptional care and skill to every case, whether it be a complex crime or a smaller more straight-forward matter. He always ensures clients are kept fully informed and takes care to regularly explain to them their options and the procedures involved throughout.
In one case of note, he was instructed on a complex murder trial in which there was a halt on day 4 at Nottingham Crown Court, with the Judge directing the Jury to return a verdict of not guilty. The allegation that the defendant stabbed the victim in the back penetrating his lung and outer heart with a 10" kitchen knife. Harj and his team of experts undertook a review of CCTV and mobile phone footage using a specialist technical team. The result showed that the defendant was unarmed and that the fatal wound was in fact delivered by an unidentified male seen on enhanced footage to be wielding a knife and stabbing the victim in the back (R v A)
He has specifically been sought out and instructed by clients in the highly litigious EncroChat National Crime Agency prosecutions, due to his extensive knowledge of the hack of the EncroChat server in France, jointly by the French and Dutch Authorities. He was recently involved in one such conspiracy, where it was alleged, the defendant had conspired with several others to supply onto UK shores, in excess of 100 Kilos of Class A drugs (R v E)
Harj was also instructed by two defendants in a complex white-collar fraud at Birmingham Crown Court, in which it was alleged the defendants had benefitted to the sum of £10.5 million pounds. The Jury returned verdicts of Not Guilty. The Prosecuting authority served more than 110,000 pages of evidence in the case against the two defendants, making the outcome even more extraordinary (BCC v S)
Most recently, Harj has been instructed on the widely publicised National Crime Agency investigation into money laundering of over £100 million pounds between the UK and Dubai, in an investigation which has resulted in the arrest of over 21 individuals.
His successes in the Crown Courts have not gone unnoticed, with an article soon to be released detailing the victories he has found in court rooms up and down the country.
Job Titles:
- Criminal Defence Solicitor
- Solicitor With 20 Years Post Qualification Experience
Helen is a Solicitor with 20 years Post Qualification Experience (PQE). Her specialisms include Self-Defence in assault cases, consent in Sexual Offences and Proceeds of Crime defences. She also has a thriving client base of clients charged with Motoring Offences. She has successfully defended clients charged across the entire ‘ladder' of assault offences from serious assaults such as Murder, Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent down to Common Assault. In her 20 years of practice, she has only lost one trial when defending a client in respect to serious sexual offences.
Helen is passionate, determined and steadfast in her defence work. She is incredibly adaptable with her work and her personality, approachability and personable manner helps sets the most nervous of clients at ease. She excels with her meticulous attention to detail to fully examine Prosecution evidence and ensures no stone is left unturned in the defence of her clients.
Helen has played a critical role in securing acquittals for numerous clients for her expert advice at the Police Station. Helen comments "I thrive on the adrenaline of having to assess, think and advise quickly whilst often having to calm, reassure and represent clients in incredibly distressing and delicate times. What happens at that very first stage - the police station interview - is so imperative to the rest of the case, should the client be charged. What happens at the Police Station can and generally does determine the outcome of cases."
As well as being a Defence Solicitor, Helen is also a qualified teacher and uses her knowledge and training to defend clients with Learning difficulties and those who suffer various Mental Health diagnoses.
Away from the courtroom and classroom, Helen is a Hockey umpire - the highlight of her career thus far coming in 2019 when she was appointed to umpire the final of the European Championships in Krefeld, Germany. She has just returned from the 4 Nations Tournament in Nottingham, England and is due to officiate at the World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa in 2022.
Her other interests include her extensive charitable work - she completed the Moonwalk in aid of Breast Cancer walking 26.2 miles only 6 weeks after breaking her foot in a hockey related incident, completed a triathlon of events by summiting Mount Kinabalu, cycling and white water rafting (breaking 2 toes in the process) in Borneo; completed the Inca Trail in Peru - both in aid of MacMillan Nurses and is currently training for a 5K Race for Life. She is intending on walking the Great Wall of China in 2023 again for charity.
Job Titles:
- Criminal Defence Solicitor
John is an experienced Criminal Solicitor and is well known throughout the Midlands. He is an extremely popular solicitor and is often the first name that clients ask for when facing criminal proceedings. He has extensive experience of representing clients at the police station and at the Local courts
John is approachable and thorough in his dealings with clients.
Job Titles:
- Qualified Solicitor and Duty Solicito
Mark is a qualified Solicitor and Duty Solicitor with over 30 years experience.
Job Titles:
- Partner & Higher Rights Advocate
Mark has been specialising in Criminal Defence and Licensing Law for the past 30 years. Prior to becoming a Criminal Defence Advocate he was a legal advisor to the local Magistrates often advising on complex legal issues, which ignited his passion for Criminal Law. Mark is a highly respected advocate and has a strong reputation as one of the leading advocates in the local area, he has a wealth of experience and is often asked about detailed legal questions by his peers. Mark can often be heard sharing his detailed legal knowledge with other Legal professionals.
Job Titles:
- Criminal Defence Solicitor
Michael has been involved in Criminal Defence work for over 13 years. He is a Duty Solicitor and assists those who need expert representation at the Police Station, the Magistrates' Court and the Crown Court. He has experience in every aspect of criminal offences and provides representation and advice to any person involved in minor offences that range from low level assault, public order and driving offences to the most serious offences such as international drugs trafficking, firearms offences and homicide.
Michael will always fight your corner, this is something he is well used to doing being a Former England International and Multi Titled England and British Amateur Boxing Champion, after hanging up the gloves he pulled on the pads and moved into coaching his success and experience resulted in helping to produce champion boxers. His results in the court room also follow his sporting success and that shows in the verdicts and outcomes he receives for those he defends.
Michael's personal background and sporting achievements enables him to work and achieve the best possible outcomes for not just adults but also young people too. He is open and approachable and will give you advice which is not just something you want to hear but the advice you need to hear.
His hobbies besides boxing are supporting Mayo, Guinness and travelling.
"Neil is a highly experienced criminal Higher Court Advocate known for his meticulous
attention to detail, his down to earth manner with clients and always being fully
prepared for every case. Neil was the only one of 200 students in his year to achieve a
first-class Honours degree in law in 2002. He followed that up with a Distinction in the
Legal Practice Course in 2003. Neil became a trainee solicitor in 2003 and achieved
Police station Accreditation in 2004. He qualified as a solicitor in 2005. Neil went on to
R V H Mark was instructed in a complex computer hacking case which involved multinational Blue Chip companies and various Government agencies both in the Uk and the USA. Because of the complex and sensitive nature of the matter it was heard at the Central criminal Court in London. The defendant was successfully represented, and his liability was minimised resulting in him not receiving an immediate custodial sentence.
R V N The defendant was charged with negligent manslaughter. Mark worked with a leading QC and many experts in preparing the defence. The defendant after a lengthy and complex trial involving many legal issues which were argued successfully was found not guilty.
R V S Mark was instructed as the advocate at the Crown court in a case where the defendant was charged with a robbery. The defendant was identified by witnesses and the court also allowed the Jury to know that the defendant had a previous conviction for Robbery. At the conclusion of the trial and Marks speech to the Jury the defendant was found not Guilty.
R V C The defendant was part of a large conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in the Burton area. Mark was instructed as the advocate at the Crown Court. At the conclusion of the matter the defendant was one of the few if not the only one to be found Not Guilty.
R V N The defendant a Vietnamese national was charged with Growing Cannabis on an industrial scale. Mark was instructed as the Advocate at the Crown Court. Mark was able to attack the case using his knowledge of the law which was constantly changing and was able to use this to persuade the Crown Prosecution to withdraw all charges against the defendant.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Partner & Criminal Defence and Licensing
Since qualifying as a solicitor Simon has specialised in Criminal Defence. He represents clients at the Police Station, Magistrates Court and Youth Court on a variety of matters including sexual offences, theft, assault, robbery, and motoring matters. He is somebody who is well respected by other professionals due to his skilful advocacy. Simon has earned an excellent reputation for his clear and concise advice to clients and is often many clients first choice of Solicitor.
Simon is also instructed by clients who face grave charges before the Crown Courts, and has recently represented clients before many Local Crown Courts.
Throughout his career Simon has dealt with people from all walks of life and from diverse educational, cultural, and occupational backgrounds. He is somebody who always puts his clients first and treats them fairly and ensures that the best results are obtained for his clients. An experienced advocate, Simon ensures that the Court are made aware of any issues or difficulties that the client may face and that the courts reflect upon the same.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Partner & Head of Fraud, Complex and Serious Crime
Sukhy is a qualified solicitor with over 20 years experience. He is a specialist Criminal Defence Solicitor exclusively dealing with the most complex and serious offences. His outstanding reputation and ability has led to him being sought out by clients nationally.
He regularly deals with prosecutions brought by numerous agencies including the Police, National Crime Agency, Serious and Organised Crime Unit, Proceeds of Crime Unit and the DWP.