Clerking team

Mark Heald
Mark Heald

Senior Clerk - Criminal and Regulatory

Andy Booth

Lead Criminal Clerk

Joe Murphy

Criminal and Regulatory Clerk

Shell Edmonds

Criminal Clerk

Hunter qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and has specialised in criminal law for over 20 years. An expert and experienced advocate, he represented clients at all stages of the criminal justice system from police stations to Youth Courts, Magistrates Courts and in the Crown Court.

Crown Court & appeals

Employed by one of the country’s leading criminal law firms, Hunter specialised in Crown Court Advocacy as an in-house advocate for over 13 years. During this period Hunter developed an enviable reputation representing clients charged with the most serious offences. Hunter has acted for a number of clients charged with high profile murders. He has developed his specialism in relation to clients charged with sexual offences bringing his non-judgemental approach to conferences and instilling confidence in those he represents. Hunter has also acted for clients charged with the full range of offences within the criminal calendar including drug conspiracies, arson, serious assaults, death by dangerous driving, fraud etc.

Murder

R v MW: led by QC in relation shooting of drug dealer. Client acquitted

R v S: led by QC in murder where issue of joint enterprise central to prosecution case. Client convicted of lesser count of manslaughter

R v W: led by QC in so called “baby shaking” case where Judge directed acquittal following complex medical evidence

Sexual Offences

R v T: acting alone on three-week trial involving alleged historical abuse of seven complainants

R v M: acting alone on behalf of defendant accused of raping step-daughter. Acquitted by jury inside five minutes

R v R: acting for defendant on 88 count indictment involving campaign of rape of family members over 30 year period

R v C: successful appeal against sentence of IPP for defendant following guilty plea to rape

People Trafficking

R v S: successful application to dismiss on behalf of defendant in multi-handed indictment where prosecution had failed to properly identify client

R v O: acting on behalf of female member of gang responsible for trafficking women for exploitation

Blackmail

R v B: successful appeal against sentence of seven years (reduced to four years) for 17-year-old convicted of blackmail and making explosives

R v A: acted for leading member of group responsible for kidnapping, blackmailing and torturing male alleged to be a “grass”.

Professional discipline

Hunter is accustomed to representing serving police officers in professional discipline cases.