Graham Russell

Career background

Prior to call to the Bar, worked for several months as a paralegal in a law firm in Cleveland, Ohio. Subsequent to call, admitted as a solicitor, and worked for several years as a solicitor-advocate, with Messrs. Thomson Webb & Corfield, Cambridge, and Reeds Solicitors, Oxford. Joined Citadel in 2009.

Practice details

Crime

During employment as a solicitor advocate, dealt with a broad range of criminal matters, including :

• wide variety of Magistrates' Court trials, including Youth Court work and contested ASBO proceedings
• Crown Court trials and sentencing hearings involving offences of robbery, kidnapping, wounding, affray, assault and sexual assault, supply of Class A drugs, benefit fraud
• Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation proceedings
• appeared as junior advocate in a multi-handed corruption / false accounting trial, with issues of disclosure, admissibility of evidence, and forensic examination of computer hardware.
• appeals against sentence in the Court of Appeal

During those periods of employment, was involved as litigator in a murder trial, and VHC cases involving drugs / money laundering, and conspiracy to defraud.  

Since joining Chambers, has continued to undertake all types of criminal work, with some emphasis towards fraud and other offences of dishonesty.   Recent instructions have included representing a former civil servant charged with offences of theft and false accounting to a value of £63,000, and representing a former licensee on charges relating to misappropriation of funds from two separate companies.   

Common Law

Prior to joining Citadel, has advised in diverse civil matters including false imprisonment claims against the Home Office, actions against the police, construction disputes, consumer credit issues, and personal injury claims.    Since joining Chambers, has advised and appeared in a number of fast-track personal injury claims, continues to deal with cases involving prison law and actions against the police, and has developed a particular interest in credit-hire litigation.  

Motoring 

Wide experience of representing motorists, in criminal and civil cases, at first instance and on appeal.   Criminal practice has ranged from simple speeding to more complex matters involving consideration of defence of 'automatism', and arguments against disqualification.   

Employment Law

Experience of drafting and advising on disciplinary procedures, grievance procedures and contracts of employment. In addition, accepts instructions to appear in employment tribunals.

Other interests

Black belt (2nd dan) Taekwondo, and has been competition judge and referee.