Regulatory and Local Government

BSB Barristers’ Register

Duncan practises almost exclusively in regulatory crime and has wide-ranging experience in trading standards, food safety, environmental, health and safety, animal welfare, planning and licensing prosecutions in particular.

He advises and acts in some of the most serious regulatory matters including cases involving serious injury and/or fatality.

Duncan is often instructed to advise at the early stages of an investigation and able to offer pragmatic advice on behalf of his clients.

Duncan frequently acts for local authorities and brings a good working knowledge of delegation and local authority procedures to a case in addition to his experience of regulatory criminal proceedings.

He  acts as a led junior and junior alone and has experience in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.

In addition he also provides training to local authorities and trade associations covering a range of topics including HMOs, RIPA, POCA, Disclosure, PACE, Enterprise Act 2002, Fly Tipping and Planning Enforcement.

Crime

Duncan acts in general criminal matters with an emphasis on complex multi-handed prosecutions.

He has particular experience in large drugs conspiracies and frauds where he acts as a led junior and junior alone.

Duncan has been instructed as Disclosure Counsel in complex and/or large-scale conspiracies including Operation Buntline which was said to have been the largest drugs investigation in Southampton.

Duncan also has extensive experience in fraud work and presenting evidence in document-heavy cases.

He has acted alone in cases against QCs and senior juniors and has an extensive background prosecuting benefit frauds.

Duncan also has experience in general criminal matters including serious violence, arson, public order offences, driving offences, offensive weapons and dishonesty offences.