John was admitted as a solicitor in 2008 and has specialised in Prison Law throughout his career. He is an experienced and respected advocate, with a reputation for acting in a robust and forthright manner. John is most at home when appearing before the Parole Board and he is well known to Parole Board members throughout the country. John’s reputation has led to him acting for many high profile prisoners and he has considerable expertise in advising in cases of a sensitive and/or complex nature. John acted and secured for and secured release for John Massey who was Britain’s longest-serving prisoner. He is known to build excellent relationships with his clients.

John is well known amongst prison law practitioners having until recently been chair of the Association of Prison Lawyers (APL) for the last six years. He remains on the Executive Committee and acts as vice-chair. John has delivered training events focusing on advocacy and on issues affecting prisoners in the high-security estate. John has also regularly represented the APL in meetings with the Parole Board and the Ministry of Justice.

John is from the North East and is particularly well known within prisons in that area. However, John’s practice is not confined to the North East and he works throughout the country and is also known to undertake work in Scotland for Scottish prisoners convicted in England and Wales who have had a cross border transfer.

John has worked extensively with many of the IPP campaign groups and he has acted for numerous IPP prisoners, the majority of whom have been released.

John is also committed to working for those who maintain their innocence and he regularly secures release or progress to open conditions for such prisoners. Indeed he has persuaded the Parole Board to recommend open conditions for a number of prisoners who were Cat A and those who remain in high-security conditions.

John has been instructed in cases in the High Court, the Supreme Court and European Court for Human Rights.