Will Martin

Private Prosecution

Will frequently advises and represents clients who wish to bring or defend private prosecution proceedings.

Will has successfully conducted numerous prosecutions in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts.

Will brings invaluable public prosecution experience to bear on the private sphere, having advised on investigation, restraint of assets, evidence, charging, disclosure, and confiscation for agencies as diverse as the CPS, SFO, FCA, UKBA and the Home Office.

Will has particular expertise managing issues of disclosure, a potential pitfall of private prosecution, and has drafted numerous disclosure management documents and protocols.

Will has also helped train private investigators to assist them in giving live evidence in court.

Recent Cases:

R v B & Ors

Will defended three businessmen against a private prosecution brought by a disgruntled associate. The associate alleged a conspiracy to commit blackmail in relation to the purchase of a property.

Following written representations, the DPP was persuaded to take over the case and the CPS then offered no evidence against the three men. Will obtained costs against the private prosecutor for having brought the case improperly, a decision ratified by the Divisional Court:  The Queen (on the application of Ayodeji Holloway) and Harrow Crown Court and Adamneet Singh Bhui, Jimneet Singh Bhui and Gurpinder Singh Bhui [2019] EWHC 1731 (Admin)