Joseph Lees

Joseph is beginning his second month on his feet as a pupil Barrister specialising in crime under the supervision of Philip Clemo.

In the first six of pupillage Joseph gained experience in written advocacy, the drafting of documents, including hearing and sentencing openings and defence statements. His supervisor has commented that his written work is of, ‘…the quality one would expect to see from someone of many more years experience.’ Over the past month Joseph has gained experienced drafting documents for Court such as sentencing notes and Judges have complimented the clarity of these documents and their assistance to the Court.

In the past month Joseph has made over 45 appearances in both the Crown and Magistrates Courts both prosecuting and defending. These have included successfully prosecuting appeals against sentence as well as both prosecuting and defending in road traffic matters, including exceptional hardship and instructions on behalf of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in a sentence for falsifying tachograph records.

Joseph’s defence work has included successfully advancing arguments of reasonable excuse for failure to provide a sample of blood and mitigation at sentence which persuaded the Judge to pass sentence below the assessed guideline.

Joseph’s maturity and prior experience allows him to quickly build a rapport with clients, instructing solicitor and opponents.

Joseph continues to build on the experience he gained prior to pupillage in the County Courts where, in over 2000 hearings, he developed a confident and a persuasive oral advocacy style. He now applies the same practical and down-to-earth approach to his criminal practice.

Prior to coming to the Bar Joseph worked as a critical care nurse for over ten years before teaching medicine for the University of Manchester Medical School.