Mark Knowles

Mark has over 30 years’ experience and enjoys a busy mixed practice focused on criminal and family law.

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Mark is experienced in both prosecuting and defending criminal cases with his expertise spanning murder, serious offences of violence, drug related crime , serious sexual offences and complex fraud.

Mark has a vast experience of conducting serious sexual offences, involving the delicate cross examination of child witnesses and experts.

Mark has developed a particular expertise in complex commercial fraud and has conducted numerous multi million pound fraud cases for the defence.

Mark is viewed as a natural jury advocate with a fluid advocacy style and comprehensive analytical skills.

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Having been called to the bar in 1989, Mark is experienced counsel and takes instructions from all respondents and guardians in public law matters and all parties within private law children proceedings.

Mark has extensive experience in cases of serious child abuse and is trained in the cross examination of vulnerable witnesses and children. Owing to his experience in representing various parties in criminal proceedings, he is able to use this knowledge and skill set where clients are accused, or have accused another, of committing a criminal act against an adult or child.

He is well regarded for his calm, objective and robust approach and is completely focused on achieving the best result for his clients.
Mark has been instructed in and completed numerous financial settlement hearings and proceeds of crime matters.

He has undertaken financial courses and is keen to expand his practice in this area. Mark is a member of the Chambers Family finance team.

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R v Bennett
Acted as leading defence counsel in a large scale drugs conspiracy at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.

R v Bresler
Acted as lead defence counsel in a 10 defendant large scale customs and excise importation conspiracy at Nottingham Crown Court.

R v Addy
Acted as lead defence counsel in an £11 million banking fraud at Southwark Crown Court.

R v Singh
A sensitive case involving the rapes of young victims with learning difficulties.

R v T and Others
Defended in a substantial drug supply case for 3 months at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

R v B and Others
Acted as defence counsel in a substantial VAT fraud at Liverpool Crown Court.

R v Westgate
Acted as Crown counsel in a high profile prosecution involving historic sexual abuse at Stafford Crown Court, where the victims and the defendant were deaf and mute.