Crime

Ian Lawrie has a combined criminal and regulatory law practice. For details of Ian's regulatory practice please see his specialist profile.

Ian is a grade 4 prosecutor on the Western Circuit and is instructed to prosecute the most serious cases, often without a junior, such as murder, multiple arson with intent to endanger life, historical sexual offences and multiple rapes.

Ian is also on the Attorney General's B Panel of prosecuting counsel and prosecutes on behalf of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the Western Circuit. These offences cover a range of offending in respect of companies and directors within the Companies and Insolvency Acts.

Ian also advises and acts on behalf of private prosecutions brought by Local Authorities and Sea Fishery Committees.

Ian sits as a Recorder on the Western Circuit.

Recent examples of prosecution work

Instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service:

Reg v Veal at Bristol Crown Court (July 2008). Husband convicted of murdering his wife.

Reg v Searle at Swindon Crown Court  (March 2008. Conviction of defendant who trawled the 'red light' area of Swindon selecting prostitutes whom he would detain in his vehicle and subsequently rape.

Examples of current instructions: prosecuting two murder cases, a case involving allegations of multiple arson, large scale cultivation of cannabis and supply.

Instructed by Poole Borough Council:

Prosecution of two shell fishermen who were poaching shellfish in prohibited area in breach of the Food Safety Act. (July 2008)

Instructed by Department of Business, Regulatory Reform (Formerly DTI):

DBERR v Sander & Sanders Exeter Crown Court (November 2008. Prosecution of father & son for breaches of section 221 Companies Act 1985 and section 235(2)&(5) Insolvency Act 1986 in respect of 4 interlinked companies

Currently instructed in respect of two separate investigations in respect of allegations pursuant to sections 11 and 13 Directors Disqualification Act 1986 and sections 458 Companies Act 1985 and section 207 Insolvency Act 1986. The second of the two investigations involves multiple companies.

Recent examples of defence work

Port of London Authority v Captain Brian King at Kingston Crown Cour. Successful defence of captain of aggregate carrier, MV 'James Prior',  which collided with Battersea Bridge.

MFA v Ross and James Dougal & Dougal (Fish Merchants) Ltd at Newcastle Crown Cour. Successfully defended company and director in respect of allegation under the Fish Buyers and Sellers regulations. 

Reg v Pedder at Winchester Crown Court (2008). Defended man accused of attempted murder who stabbed his former partner several times to the abdomen during a domestic argument.

Reg v Schumacher at Winchester Crown Court (2008).Defended man accused of joining others [co defendants] in falsely imprisoning and subsequently 'jugging' a man accused of stealing from the defendants.

Reg v Conan Winchester Crown Court (January 2009. Defended man accused of murdering his partner and young son. Led by Lickley QC.

Articles & presentations

Ian has written and contributed to articles and given presentations on criminal subjects:

• Gave one day presentation to Oxford Trading Standards in respect of evidence gathering during investigations and the changes brought about by the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
• Talk to Lester Aldridge LLP on Criminal Procedure Rules and their impact of criminal proceedings.
• Given presentation to Fishery Officers at Sea Fishery Committee Conference on court procedure and legislation.
• Was invited as a guest speaker at the Andrew Jackson Solicitor Annual Lecture held at the Hull University Law Faculty. Ian addressed the audience on the impact of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 on the marine industry.
• Article published in the industry periodical, the Fishing News on the MFA's use of POCA proceedings against fishermen.
• Gave talk as part of the 3PB Criminal Seminar series. Spoke at Oxford on subject of Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.