Barrister: Robin Howat
Year of Call: 1986
Inn of Court: Inner TemplePractice Groups:
- Criminal
Areas of Practice:
Robin has developed a practice specialising in criminal defence work and the related areas of judicial review and prison law.
Based in the Midlands he works throughout England and Wales and is regularly instructed as a leading Junior as well as sole Counsel.
His practice spans all forms of serious crime including homicide, rape, historic sexual allegations, drugs importation and distribution, serious fraud, armed robbery, firearms offences and serious violence.
Robin’s aim is to be as approachable as possible to both lay and professional clients in order to achieve the best possible outcome. The sole purpose of an Advocate is to make a difference so that the client achieves more than he/she could without representation.
Robin has appeared as Junior Counsel in all courts up to and including the House of Lords and has considerable appellate experience in both conviction and sentence matters. He also regularly appears in the Administrative Court.
Amongst his most notable cases he includes R v Abraham (Matrix Churchill Trial) which led to the Scott Enquiry into arms exports to Iraq and R v C in which the House of Lords expounded 'The golden rule of full disclosure'.
Notable Cases
R V H and C [2004] UKHL 3
Leading Junior in Crown Court and Court of Appeal. Junior Counsel in House of Lords on interlocutory appeal. Successful defence of C alleged to have been involved in supply of over 20kgs of heroin. Sheffield Crown Court.
R v Abraham (Matrix Churchill Trial) Old Bailey [1991]
Junior Counsel in Arms to Iraq Trial which collapsed following disclosure of Ministers complicity in sale of missiles to Saddam Hussein.
Homicide
R v Nothy [2007] Old Bailey
Leading Junior for Defendant who admitted murder of his Aunt.
R v Turner [2007] Manchester Crown Court
Junior Counsel for man acquitted of murder, Grievous Bodily Harm and possession of a knife. Alleged to have killed victim and stabbed second victim in a Moss Side social club.
R v Whiteley, Manchester Crown Court
Junior Counsel for man accused of murder of former reporter along with his co-accused girlfriend dubbed 'Natural Born Killers' by press.
R v Castle, Nottingham Crown Court
Junior Counsel for Defendant accused of murdering his partner’s father.
R v Connelly, Leicester Crown Court
Junior Counsel for man who admitted killing his girlfriend.
R v Chapman [2007] EWCA Crim 2593
Successful appeal against sentence for Defendant who pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
R v Topasna [2006] EWCA Crim 1969
Leading Junior for Bus Driver who pleaded guilty to five counts of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving following the 'Skegness Bus Tragedy'.
Firearms/Serious Violence
R v French [2006] Liverpool Crown Court
Leading Junior for a Defendant accused with conspiracy to murder who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to blackmail and possession of a loaded handgun at Heathrow Airport.
R v Wint [2007] Manchester Crown Court
Leading Junior for Defendant accused of possessing a Firearm with intent to endanger life following shots being discharged at a Moss Side Family Fun Day.
R v Waite [2008] Manchester Crown Court
Defence of man who pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm after being shot three times in gang related activity in Manchester.
Drugs
R v Sirignano [2008] Lewes Crown Court
Leading Junior for Main Defendant of 21 Defendants accused of Drug Importation and supply and related Money Laundering offences.
R v Colin Mason [2007] Ipswich Crown Court
Leading Junior in the successful defence of a Defendant accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine. Prosecution dropped case after five juries were sworn and discharged following 50 days of hearings and numerous PII applications.
R v Abbott & Others [2005] EWCA Crim 2952
Defence Counsel in multi-handed three-month long trial on conspiracies to supply Class A drugs. Successful reduction of sentence on Appeal due to delay in process.
R v Butterfield and Others [1999] EWCA Crim 2148
Led Junior at first instance and sole Counsel in Court of Appeal in major supply of drugs controlled by serving prisoner from inside jail.
R v Qadir [1997] EWCA Crim 850
Led Junior in trial using satellite link to USA and involving evidence from Royal Canadian Mounted Police into major international drug smuggling operation stretching from Pakistan via UK to USA and Canada.
Sexual Offences
R v Gill [1996] EWCA Crim 691
Defence Counsel for Sikh Priest charged with the rape of a member of his religious community. Case was recorded as a 'fly on the wall' documentary. Led to debate over 'special measures' for rape victims.
Attorney Generals Reference [No 75 of 2007] Sub Nom R v Peter Charles
Defence Counsel in leading case on appropriate sentence for sexual activity with mentally disordered victims.
Serious Fraud
R v Craig Latham [2001] Manchester Minshull St. Crown Court
Leading Junior in successful defence of a Defendant accused of conspiracy to cheat revenue of multi-million pounds in an anti-dumping duty, VAT and international Missing Trader Intra Community fraud related to smuggling of computer chips from Hong Kong to UK via Ireland and Holland.
R v Holyoake [1991] Old Bailey
Junior Counsel in two to three month fraud, which was at the time one of the longest fraud trial in legal history. Defendant acquitted on vast majority of 20 counts indicted.
R v W.J [2008] Preston Crown Court
Instructed in Very High Cost Case fraud listed for eight weeks.
Judicial Review
Chief Constable of West Midlands Police R (on application of Anthony Dolon) [2002] EWHC 1087
Challenge to the lawful requirements to apply for an Anti Social Behaviour Order.
Choudhry and Another v Birmingham Crown Court [2007] EWHC 2764
Challenge to the estreatment of recognizance on the absconding of Defendant during his trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
R v North Essex Justices ex parte David Lloyd [2001] Crim LR 145
Challenge on committal for sentence when Justice’s level of fine deemed insufficient.
Prisoners Rights
Bloggs 61 R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2003] EWCACiv 686
Led Junior in Court of Appeal on challenge to Prison Service decision to remove prisoner from Protected Unit and 'De-Bloggs' him by returning him to normal location.
Bloggs 40 R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department
Judicial review of Royal Prerogative of Mercy in relation to Protected Unit prisoners.
R v Home Department ex parte Briggs, Green and Hargreave
Led Junior in Judicial Review of change to Home Leave Review provisions in light of 'compact' with prisoners.
Tremayne R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Home Department and Anor [1996] EWCA Civ 654
Judicial review of imposition of mandatory drugs testing in prisons.
Personal Interests
Robin’s other interests aside from law lie in Rare Malt Whisky Collecting and supporting Birmingham City FC and the Scottish National Football Team.
1 Gray's Inn Square, Barristers' Chambers London, UK
Barrister: Robin Howat 
