Introduction
Robert Ward has a specialist criminal and regulatory practice. He regularly appears dealing with a wide range of offences in the Crown Court for both the Prosecution and Defence.
His Crown Court practice has developed quickly, and Robert has achieved success in obtaining acquittals for his clients accused of serious offences beyond his year of call, including sexual offences, coercive and controlling behaviour and serious violence.
Robert has been led on several occasions early on in his practice including being a led junior prosecuting in a high profile HMRC film tax credit prosecution; counterfeit goods and drugs conspiracy involving firearms.
He has also appeared at final hearings for applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
As a regulatory practitioner Robert has gained substantial experience appearing on behalf of local authorities including in licencing, animal welfare prosecutions, environmental offences and trading standards matters.
Recent Cases - Defence
R v A – Represented a client accused of assault by penetration. The issue at trial was consent and reasonable belief in consent, following a 5-day trial he was acquitted of 2/3 charges and the prosecution offered no evidence on the remaining charge following the Jury being unable to reach a decision.
R v D – Represented a client accused of coercive and controlling behaviour. The prosecution alleged several particulars of controlling and coercive behaviour on the indictment. Following a trial lasting 5 days the defendant was acquitted by the jury.
R v D – Defendant acquitted of offences including intentional strangulation, harassment and possession of a bladed article. Persuaded the judge to admit relevant evidence which was deployed in cross-examination to undermine the complainant’s credibility.
R v K – Successfully argued exceptional circumstances for a client facing a minimum sentence for an offence of possessing a firearm. Having persuaded the judge that exceptional circumstances applied the judge then was able to accept submissions that the sentence could be suspended taking account of a combination of circumstances of the offence and the offender.
Recent Cases – Prosecution
Robert is level 2 on the CPS General Crime Panel.
R v M – Successfully prosecuted a multi-handed robbery where the defendants used and threatened force to make the victim transfer money from his online banking application.
R v R – Junior Prosecution counsel in successful prosecution of two film producers fraudulently claiming film-tax credit and VAT (https://st-philips.com/news-events/ben-close-and-robert-ward-successfully-prosecute-film-producers-in-5-month-trial/).
R v M – Junior prosecution counsel in a prosecution of several defendants accused of conspiring to possess and distribute counterfeit goods to market stalls.
R v J – Junior prosecution counsel in a successful prosecution of a member of a serious organised crime group supplying significant quantities of cocaine. R v H – Prosecuted a man who committed several violent offences against his partner and breached a restraining order imposed by the magistrates’ court. The defendant was convicted and received a total sentence of 45 months. Op Roman – Disclosure junior in an ongoing prosecution involving separate trials against a group of protestors accused of conspiring to commit criminal damage and public nuisance in Worcestershire.
Memberships
The Honorable Society of the Middle Temple
Midland Circuit
Education
Bar Vocational Studies – City Law School, University of London
GDL – City Law School, University of London
BA Hons, Politics with International Relations- University of York
