Sam Magee

Sam is a Criminal Law barrister. He joins Chambers following completion of his pupillage under the supervision of Dermot Hughes. He welcomes instructions in criminal cases, and is a CPS Level 2 Prosecutor.

Since starting on his feet, Sam has gained experience prosecuting and defending in both the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts.

He recently defended in a trial of assault by beating. The defendant was acquitted on the grounds of self-defence and Sam was praised by the bench for his closing submissions.

He has prosecuted cases including burglaries, violent offences including domestic violence, public order offences and driving offences. Sam also recently prosecuted a trial involving a ‘Freeman of the Land’.

Sam also has experience of cases involving dangerous dogs including the law relating to destruction/contingent destruction orders. He recently appeared in Sheffield Crown Court for a case involving a labrador which attacked members of the public outside a shop in Doncaster.

Sam has growing experience dealing with football-related offences. He recently appeared in Sheffield Magistrates’ Court and successfully opposed the imposition of a football banning order. He highlighted the impact of potential travel restrictions on the Defendant’s life, as well as addressing the Court as to the body of case law that exists on football banning orders. The Judge was persuaded and after the hearing the Defendant said as follows:

“I’d also like to give special recognition to Sam, who was by my side during both court appearances. His dedication and hard work were outstanding, and it paid off. I received the best possible outcome, avoiding a football banning order entirely.”

Sam also recently defended a trial in Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court for failure to provide driver information pursuant to a s172 notice. The driver of the Defendant’s vehicle at the material time was a resident overseas and stopped responding to requests for information. Sam successfully persuaded the Court that the Defendant had complied with his obligations and had done everything in his power to obtain the further information requested. They were subsequently acquitted.

In addition to trials, Sam has experience of committals for sentence, Newton hearings and bail applications. He is already developing a thorough understanding of the law in relation to Probation matters and community orders. Sam recently appeared in Sheffield Crown Court and successfully submitted that there was no jurisdiction to extend an unpaid work requirement as the operational period of the order had expired.

In his first six months of pupillage, Sam shadowed Dermot Hughes and observed all stages of criminal proceedings. This ranged from bail applications and PTPH’s to a murder trial involving a joint-enterprise machete attack which was featured on Sky News.