Stephen Mather
Stephen is an experienced advocate specialising in Criminal Law. Called in 1997, he has built a reputation as a highly respected advocate with a heavyweight practise. His practise encompasses prosecution and defence matters, dealing with a full range of offences including kidnap, blackmail, serious violence, large scale drugs importation, complicated and substantial fraud and counterfeiting offences. He is a grade three prosecutor.
In addition to his burgeoning UK practice, Stephen was appointed as lead defence counsel for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), the Hague. Concurrent to practice at the Bar, Stephen was formerly Senior Lecturer in Law at Kingston University (2000-2014) lecturing in criminal and contract law on the GDL and Civil Litigation Procedure, Evidence, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution on the LLM.
Areas of Practice
Qualifications
- Called to the Bar 1997
- B.Ed English/Drama (University of Hull)
- GDL Kingston University
Associations and Memberships
- Criminal Bar Association
- Pupil Supervisor
- Former member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Notable Cases
R v Goodman - Court of Appeal
Appeal against conviction by defendant alleging that her solicitor has conspired with her husband to suppress her true evidence.
Chahal v DWP - Administrative Court 2010 [EWHC 439]
Ruling confirming that forgetfulness combined with evidence of previous lawful use may amount to a defence of reasonable excuse when carrying a blade or knife.
R v Beyioku, Nzoghe & Morille - Snaresbrook Crown Court
Multi-million pound insider frauds by civil servants falsifying benefit claims resulting in 6 year sentences.
R v Shaban Hida - Lewes Crown Court
Professionally organised bulk importation of cocaine.
R v Futoshi Mori - Ipswich Crown Court
Unusual importation of heroin disguised as high value jewellery by Japanese national.
R v Attard & Wood - St Albans Crown Court
Large scale benefit fraud filmed by BBC TV "On the fiddle".
R v Bernard - Croydon Crown Court
Organised insider fraud of a major building society.
R v Martin, Taylor & Arnold - Peterborough Crown Court
Organised large scale conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
R v Garford & Burger - Croydon Crown Court
Conspiracy to defraud American parent firm by directors of UK subsidiary.
R v Aves - Ipswich Crown Court
Confidence fraud of UK and overseas farmers trading in high value agricultural machinery.
R v Fang & Wong - Wood Green Crown Court
Industrial scale DVD counterfeiting operation.