Paul Watson QC

Called 1978 Silk 2002

Related resources: Principles and Procedure of confiscation

Introduction

Both at the junior Bar and since taking silk in 2002, Paul Watson has had a balanced practice involving both prosecution and defence work. He has prosecuted numerous serious cases involving sexual (often historical) and violent crime as well as fraud and general crime. As a junior he defended many complex and difficult cases including acting as junior counsel for the defence of a nurse charged with altering the life support machine settings of patients in her care (her conviction was recently overturned in the Court of Appeal, where he appeared on her behalf in a reference from the Criminal Cases Review Commission), a police officer charged in relation to an alleged large scale fraud arising out of the government's scheme to compensate handgun owners required to hand in their guns pursuant to the Firearms Act 1997, one of the defendants in the so called "Donnygate" corruption trial in 2003, and defended in many other serious criminal trials.

Since taking silk he has continued to both prosecute and defend. He has acted for the Crown in several murders (ranging from child murders to contract killings) . For the defence he has been involved in several "high profile" cases ranging from fraud to homicide.

He recently appeared in a lengthy "high profile" inquest on behalf of two police officers who had shot dead a psychotic male who was in possession of three swords, and approaching a petrol station forecourt.

Memberships

Criminal Bar Association.

Appointments

Recorder - 1997 - (Represented JSB on international 'Grotius' project comparing the treatment of scientific evidence in common law and European jurisdictions Paris 1998.)

Publications

Contributor to the recently published standard work on forensic neuropathology (Whitwell Forensic Neuropathology (Arnold) 2005) arising from his particular experience of trials involving this area of forensic medicine.

Education

Churcher's College, Petersfield.

BA (Hons) Leeds Metropolitan University 1976.

Interests

Wife (Sally), one child (Richard). He devotes such time as he has away from work to his twin passions of sailing and following Middlesbrough Football Club. In each case expensive and fruitless.

Served as Army Legal Services Officer 1980 1985. Substantial experience prosecuting (and defending) Courts-Martial at every level. Retired with rank of Major. Graduate of US Army JAG School, University of Virginia, 1983

Notable cases

R v Gladstein & others (Harrow) 2008: Prosecuted multi-handed mortgage fraud.
R v Askham (Sheffield) 2007: Prosecuted murder/manslaughter where death resulted a considerable time after the alleged fatal blow. Medical/causation issues.
R v Stringer (Sheffield) 2007: Defended 15 year old boy on charge of murder, by arson, of his older brother.
R v Taylor (Hull) 2007: Defended in lengthy multi handed 'cut throat' murder
R v Mulligan (Leeds) 2007: Defended in apparently motiveless murder.
R v Hutchison (Leeds) 2007: Defended murder allegation against Defendant charged with shooting his best friend.
R v Collins (Liverpool) 2007: Defended female defendant on charge of murder – allegation being that she had murdered her sister's husband and disposed of the body.
R v A (Sheffield) 2006: Prosecuted 12 year old child on allegation of slashing face of a classmate with a razor.
R v Barnes and Reeves (Sheffield) 2006: Prosecuted two defendants for 'revenge' shooting.
R v Bonnick (Sheffield) 2006: Defended youth charged with providing knife used for high street killing. Difficult issues relating to doctrine of withdrawal from joint enterprise.
R v F (Leeds) 2005, and Court of Appeal (2006) Crim LR 842: Defended 15 year old girl in allegation of manslaughter arising from an affray. Complex issues relating to causation and the proper limits of 'unlawful act manslaughter'.
R v Aspin (Sheffield) 2006: Defended installer of solid fuel heater in allegation of manslaughter caused by Carbon Monoxide fumes.
R v Birmingham (Old Bailey) 2005: Defended in 4 handed, 3 month murder trial.
R v Ilyas (Birmingham) 2006: Defended in large scale MTIC fraud.
R v Dawes (Nottingham) 2005: Defenfed in large scale money laundering trial.
R v Tharamalingam (Old Bailey ) 2004: Defended one of Sri Lankan gang in pre-planned murder.
R v Fox & others (Woolwich) 2004: Prosecuted conspiracy to rob Johnson Matthey Warehouse of £1.5 million in gold bullion.
R v Upton (Manchester) 2004: Defended series of armed robberies on a massive scale.
R v Pirie & Galyer (Hull) 2004: Prosecuted child murder case.
R v Kerry (Maidstone) 2003: Defended prison officer in long running "prison corruption" trial.
R v Bridge & Fletcher (Sheffield) 2003: Prosecuted child murder case involving complex medical causation issues.
R v Anderson (Leeds) 2003: Defended profoundly deaf client on alleged triple rape.