Ross McQuillan-Johnson

Regulatory

Ross has a strong regulatory practice, acting extensively for local authorities and defendants. His work with the local authorities ranges from initial advice as to whether a criminal offence has been committed, disclosure, case management through to prosecutions. His regulatory experience includes a wide range of areas including environmental offences, animal welfare matters, trading standards prosecutions, and Health and Safety offences.

SBC v S – Represented a defendant charged with causing unnecessary suffering to animals at their Pembrokeshire farm. This case was reported on the BBC.

RCT v G – Led by Hashim Salmann in a high-value money-laundering and POCA indictment exceeding £10 million.

RCT v B – Instructed by the Local Authority to prosecute a fraudulent builder responsible for causing more than £100,000 worth of damage to a property.

BCC v K – Successfully prosecuted a rogue landlord for unlawful eviction, both in the Magistrates’ Court and on appeal before the Crown Court.

CCC v H – Successfully appealed the revocation of a taxi licence following a fatal road traffic incident, the taxi driver was voluntarily intoxicated through illicit substances.

Discipline

Ross is developing a strong professional discipline practice with a keen interest in sport discipline, combining his experience in regulatory and criminal law.

R v G – Represented a Police Officer charged with controlling and coercive and ‘revenge’ porn.  Ross was instructed by the Police Federation. This case was reported on the BBC.

R v N – Acted for a teacher accused of engaging in sexual communication with a current pupil, facts involved elements of grooming and coercion. This case was reported on the BBC.

Ross maintains a busy criminal practice, acting for both the defence and the prosecution. He regularly appears in cases involving serious violence, sexual offences, and large scale drug operations.

Drugs / Violence

Significant experience in defending high profile and serious organised crime drug offences and money laundering: Operation Alegro (representing D1), Operation Usk, Operation Denmark, Operation Actin and Operation Fenchurch.

R v H – Successfully defended in a firearms case, the case was heard before a High Court Judge.

R v L – Successfully co-defended in a three-handed violent public disorder.

R v T – Defended in a two week domestic violence trial including offences of false imprisonment, serious violence, weapons offences and threats to kill.

Sexual offences

R v H – Successfully defended a client facing multiple allegations of sexual assault, false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and witness intimidation.

R v E – Represented a defendant who travelled from the United States intending to ‘marry’ a 14-year-old girl that he had groomed online. This case was reported on the BBC.

SWP v R – Instructed to oppose an application for a Sexual Risk Order brought by South Wales Police following several unsuccessful attempts to prosecute the appellant.

Youth Court

Ross is a highly sought after advocate for youth court proceedings. He has previously given evidence to Dame Vera Blair KC, independent expert adviser to the Welsh Government on devolution of youth justice in Wales.

R v T – Successfully defended in a interfamilial rape involving a youth.

R v H – Represented a youth charged with rape.

Ross accepts instructions in inquests and public inquiries.

• Grade 2 Crown Prosecution Service Panel Advocate
• Grade 2 Specialist POCA Panel Advocate
• Member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
• Lord Denning Scholar, Lincoln’s Inn
• Panel Member for Advocate
• Criminal Bar Association
• Young Barristers Committee, Bar Council
• Age of Criminal Responsibility Working Group
• Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board