Mark Haslam

Practice Areas

Mark Haslam has specialised in general criminal defence work since qualifying in 1981 and, prior to joining BCL as a partner in 1998, had gained extensive experience in a wide range of criminal cases ranging from murder to parking tickets.

Since joining BCL, Mark has been involved in establishing a general crime department within the firm, advising and representing clients in a whole range of criminal cases including fraud and business crime litigation, HMRC investigations, drugs cases ranging from importation to simple possession, murder, manslaughter, various degrees of assault and public order offences.

Mark provides advice and representation in the police station to those involved in police investigations and to others involved in investigations instigated by professional bodies and regulatory authorities.

Mark has extensive Magistrates’ Court advocacy experience, appearing in the Magistrates’ Court almost on a daily basis and also has higher rights of audience, which he exercises frequently to represent clients in the Crown Court.

He has represented many well-known public figures from the fields of sport, politics and the arts, particularly acting for a number of current and former professional footballers and rugby players.

Within the field of general criminal work, his particular specialisation is road traffic cases including driving with excess alcohol, driving under the influence of drugs, causing death by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, driving without due care and attention, speeding (including penalty point disqualifications), exceptional hardship arguments and Section 172 Notices.

Mark has been a regular broadcaster and lecturer on criminal legal affairs on radio and television and at legal seminars and conferences for a number of years and is a former president of the London Criminal Court Solicitors’ Association and a former member of the Criminal Law Committee of the Law Society. He is currently a member of the London Criminal Court Solicitors’ Association and the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association and has also sat as a Law Society representative on various Legal Services Commission Committees and as a Solicitor Assessor in High Court taxation matters.

Career

Trained Claude Hornby & Cox, qualified 1981; partner Claude Hornby & Cox; partner Magrath & Co; partner BCL 1998. Regular broadcaster and commentator on criminal legal affairs on radio, television and at seminars and conferences.

Professional Memberships

Higher Courts Rights of Audience; London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association (former president); former member Law Society's Criminal Law Committee; Criminal Law Solicitors' Association.

Personal

Attended Wellington College, Berkshire; Cambridge University (1979 MA Law). Enjoys rugby, horse-racing, theatre and cricket.