Joshua Daley successfully prosecutes three defendants
Joshua Daley successfully prosecuted three Defendants, who were each charged with two separate counts of S.18 inflicting grievous bodily harm. The case required careful...
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Josh specialises in criminal law. He enjoys a busy mixed practice of prosecution and defence work and welcomes instructions in both the Crown and Magistrates’ Court. Additionally, Josh has a keen interest in Inquests, Regulatory and Professional Disciplinary work. Since completing pupillage under the supervision of Gemma Maxwell in October, Josh has achieved excellent results in a number of cases including:
- R v DW, JM & JH [2026]: Five-day multi-handed trial at Stoke Crown Court, in which Josh successfully prosecuted three Defendants for two counts of S.18 grievous bodily harm arising out of an unprovoked street attack.
- R v MB [2026] Two-trial trial at Manchester Crown Court, in which Josh successfully prosecuted the Defendant for the offence of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.
- R v JW [2026] Three-day trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court, in which Josh defended for offences of controlling and coercive behaviour and intentional strangulation.
- R v DM [2025] Three-day trial at Burnley Crown Court in which Josh successfully prosecuted the Defendant for offences of robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, perpetrated against the Defendant’s taxi driver.
- R v CR [2025]: Two-day trial at Preston Crown Court in which Josh successfully defended a case of robbery in which the Defendant was acquitted.
Josh is a strategic advocate who utilises a forensic approach to case analysis, underlined by strong interpersonal skills to achieve the best results for his clients. Prior to working as a barrister, Josh was a paralegal in the civil litigation department of an eminent London criminal defence firm, ranked Band 1 and Tier 1 in both Chambers UK Bar and Legal 500 legal directories. Josh worked extensively on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, developing experience of alternative dispute resolution and working with vulnerable clients. He additionally worked on a range of high-profile Article 2 Inquests and civil claims. Josh also worked for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, researching and producing legal briefs on human rights.
When not in Court Josh can be found running in the Lakes or around Manchester.
Crown Court
Violence
R v DW, JM & JH [2026]: Prosecution: Five-day multi-handed trial at Stoke Crown Court, in which Josh successfully prosecuted all three Defendants for two counts of S.18 grievous bodily harm arising out of an unprovoked street attack. This case involved careful analysis of the doctrine of joint enterprise and was covered in local media. All Defendants currently await sentence.
R v JH [2025]: Defence: Defendant pleaded guilty to using or threatening unlawful violence in the context of a mass brawl following a football match between Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers. Following a careful plea-in-aid the Defendant received a suspended sentence order.
R v DM [2025]: Prosecution: Three-day trial at Burnley Crown Court in which Josh successfully prosecuted the Defendant for offences of robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, perpetrated against the Defendant’s taxi driver. This case involved careful analysis and application of S.6 Theft Act 1968.
Fraud and Dishonesty Orders
DVSA v NM [2026]: Defence: Josh defended an individual who pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to fraud and money laundering offences. In effect, they admitted to providing over 300 fraudulent MOT tests. Notwithstanding, through careful analysis in the subsequent POCA proceedings, Josh was able to secure a nominal confiscation order of only £2.46.
R v AP [2026]: Defence: Josh defended an individual charged with perverting the course of justice and a S.1 computer misuse offence. The Defendant previously worked at a Magistrates’ Court and utilised their access to locate and distribute sensitive information. The Defendant’s inevitable custodial sentence was reduced by an effective basis of plea. This case was covered in regional media.
Drugs
R v SE [2026]: Prosecution: On the first day of trial, the Defendant pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class B (Cannabis) within HMP Brinsford.
R v HS [2025]: Prosecution: The Defendant pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A (Cocaine) and received 30 months’ immediate custody.
R v HA [2025]: Defence: Josh defended in a four-day trial at Bolton Crown Court, in which the Defendant was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A.
Sexual Offences
R v JD [2025]: Prosecution Sentence: The Defendant pleaded guilty to nine counts of serious sexual offending including one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. The Defendant received a total sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, and the case was covered by local media.
R v AJ [2025]: Prosecution Sentence: The Defendant received a community order for the offence of keeping a child in care away without lawful authority. Josh was praised by HHJ Usher for his precise opening note in the absence of any offence-specific sentencing guidelines.
Appeals
R v CJ [2025]: Prosecution Appeal Against Sentence: Josh was commended by Recorder Temkin for his immaculate preparation and presentation of the Crown’s case arising out of a S.39 assault of an emergency worker.
R v DW [2025]: Prosecution: Successfully opposed an appeal against sentence for a case of S.47 assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Magistrates Court
Driving
R v MC [2025]: Defence: Josh successfully advanced ‘exceptional hardship’ arguments, which persuaded the Bench from disqualifying the Defendant, owing to the disproportionate impact it would have on his family.
R v FH-M [2025]: Defence: Josh successfully advanced representations which enabled the Defendant to keep his driving licence.
R v SAB [2025]: Defence: Josh successfully advanced ‘exceptional hardship’ arguments, owing to the Defendant’s employment as an Uber driver, and the disproportionate impact a disqualification would have on his family.
R v JI [2025]: Defence: Driving without Due Care and Attention. Josh successfully advanced submissions that the Defendant’s actions were only a “momentary lapse in concentration” and persuaded the Bench to endorse the Defendant’s licence, rather than disqualifying him.
Theft and Kindred Offences
R v LD [2025]: Defence: Ensured that the Defendant was acquitted of burglary and avoided the imposition of a more stringent sentence, in the face of strong prosecution evidence.
Football Banning Orders
R v AC [Ongoing]: Defence: Currently instructed in relation to a public order offence, and the opposition of a Football Banning Order.
R v TR [2025]: Defence: Josh successfully opposed the imposition of a Football Banning Order. This involved complex submissions related to the Defendant’s vulnerabilities in the context of the commission of the index offence.
Education
- City University of London: PGDip Bar Vocation Studies (2022)
- Leiden University: LLM Public International Law (2022)
- BPP University Waterloo: Graduate Diploma in Law (2019)
- University College London: BA Honours History (2017)
Scholarships
- Gray’s Inn: Churchill Scholarship (2022)
- Gray’s Inn: Lord Justice Holker Scholarship (2021)
- Gray’s Inn: Residential Scholarship: (2021)
