Andrew Banks

Andrew is a Partner and Head of the Court and Regulatory Team. He has over 25 years experience as a  Regulatory and Criminal practitioner who practices in the Crown Court and Magistrates Court. Andrew has been a Solicitor Advocate for over 10 years having attained his Higher Court qualification as a consequence of his experience.

In his regulatory practice Andrew represents a cross section of clients regarding regulatory and disciplinary issues. Whilst his practice is broad he has particular expertise representing transport concerns at Public Inquiry and in the courts. He is a panel solicitor for Logistics UK.

Andrew’s practice also involves representing clients regarding regulatory breaches ranging from PLCs to private individuals. The range of breaches includes Health and Safety issues, CITES, Trading Standards prosecutions, Property Mis-description, and Planning and Environmental breaches. He is an acknowledged leader in the field of CITES regulation.

Andrew’s criminal practice highlights have included defending multiple allegations of murder, defending prosecutions by the Serious Fraud Office, and defending the first prosecution of a pyramid scheme.

Andrew has extensive experience in the Education Sector defending schools and other educational institutions in the Courts. This includes being one of the few Advocates to have defended educational institutions regarding offences of conducting an unregistered independent school.

As an advocate Andrew also represents and prepares cases for Inquest before the Coroner. Clients represented include a cross section of interested persons from next of kin to schools and companies. Andrew has acted as advocate for clients at a number of inquests which have reached national attention including in cases where his peers have been Kings Counsel.

In addition, Andrew defends motoring offences. He has an excellent record of ensuring that clients facing discretionary disqualification from driving avoid disqualification. Offences defended include speeding, failing to identify a driver, drink driving and also tachograph and roadworthiness offences.