Mike Schwarz
Partner
Criminal law
Mike defends those facing the most serious and complex offences - such as murder, fraud, money laundering and multi-party criminal proceedings. He is experienced in cases with an international or European element - including extradition and fair trial.
Mike is particularly concerned with principles of fair trial under article 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights, and miscarriages of justice, in particular fresh evidence appeals.
He acts for political activists and campaigners on issues such as the environment, animal rights, peace/disarmament, race and social justice. He is particularly concerned with citizens’ freedom of expression and freedom of assembly under articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights.
He has experience of wider issues surrounding criminal cases - such as inquests, police complaints and private prosecutions. He advises and trains campaign groups and non-governmental organisations on criminal and public order law.
Case history includes:
- Initiating a successful private prosecution on behalf of Animal Defenders against Chipperfield Circus for animal cruelty.
- Successfully defending Dwayne Vincent (aka 'Megaman' from the band So Solid Crew) against allegations of murder after 3 trials at the Old Bailey.
- Defence of political activists on a range of issues - such as anti-war campaigners (successfully acted for Pritchard and Olditch, who sought to immobilise bombers at the beginning of the Iraq War, in proceedings in the House of Lords and then at Bristol Crown Court) and animal rights campaigners (successful defence of animal rights campaigners prosecuted at Birmingham Crown Court in connection with the protests about Sequani animal research organisation, and the defence at Winchester Crown Court of campaigners opposed to Huntingdon Life Sciences).
- Particular history, since Twyford Down and M11 road development, of successfully defending environmental protestors against charges of conspiracy, criminal damage, theft and public nuisance brought in connection with campaigns against genetically-modified crops, incinerators, coal fired power stations' contribution to climate change (R v Ridout & Charvet Worcester Crown Court; R v Sheedy & Snook Plymouth Crown Court; R v Peter Melchett & 27 others Norwich Crown Court; R v Ayliffe & others Cardiff Crown Court; R v Hewetson & others Wood Green Crown Court; R v Drake & others Maidstone Crown Court).
- Represented the family of Michael Menson, the black musician murdered by racists in north London, in inquest, criminal prosecution, police complaint and application to the European Court of Human Rights.
Mike is joint author of 'The Law of Public Order and Protest' (Oxford University Press, March 2010). He regularly appears in the specialist and mainstream broadcast media.
Mike has been a solicitor since 1992. He has a law degree from Oxford University and a post-graduate Diploma of Advanced European Legal Studies, from College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium.
What the professional directories say:
Chambers 2011
Crime (Band 4)
Mike's full profile and ranking status on Chambers 2011
Chambers 2010
Crime - London (Ranked in Band 4)
Mike's full profile and ranking status on Chambers 2010
Chambers 2009
Crime - London (Ranked in Band 3)
Legal 500 (2007/08)
Crime: ranked 1st