Graham Russell
Year of Call: 2004
CPS Grade: 4 - Serious and Organised Crime Panel
Direct Access
Accredited by the Bar Council under the Direct Access scheme, and in suitable cases welcomes instructions directly from members of the public. Please see the Direct Access section of this website for further details.
Areas Of Specialism
Common Law, Employment, Financial crime, Regulatory, Road Traffic
Career overview
Prior to call to the Bar, worked for several months as a paralegal in a law firm in Cleveland, Ohio, which specialised in capital appeals. Subsequent to call, was admitted as a solicitor, and worked for several years as a solicitor-advocate with Messrs. Thomson Webb & Corfield, Cambridge, then as Head of Crown Court Department at Reeds Solicitors, Oxford. Joined Citadel in 2009. He is also a member of Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) Panel.
Practice Summary
Undertakes all types of criminal work, with some emphasis towards fraud and other offences of dishonesty.
Details of practice
Recent instructions have included allegations of conspiracy to rob, serious sexual assault, aggravated burglary and wounding with intent.
Has conducted a number of cases in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), and is able to advise on appeals against conviction or sentence.
Financial crime:
- Appeared as junior (led) advocate for a senior civil servant in a multi-handed corruption / false accounting trial.
- Represented a former civil servant charged with offences of theft and false accounting to a value of £63,000.
- Represented one of five defendants in a trial concerning the evasion of import duty on a large quantity of cigarettes.
Regulatory:
- Advised and appeared for Wyre Forest District Council on its first successful prosecution under s.34 Environmental Protection Act 1990. Has appeared for defendants in contested civil ASBO proceedings and has also acted for the UK Borders Agency in proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Also has experience of advising prisoners on various aspects of prison law.
Employment:
- For individuals: has advised and represented individuals in a wide variety of civil claims, including false imprisonment claims against the Home Office and actions against the police, consumer credit cases, and (most extensively) personal injury claims. Has developed a particular interest in credit-hire litigation.
- For businesses: has provided advice and representation in proceedings ranging from debt recovery on the small claims track through to construction disputes and allegations of passing off. Recently instructed for the claimant company in a multi-track trial concerning a commercial lease. In the field of employment law, experience includes drafting and advising on disciplinary procedures, grievance procedures and contracts of employment; accepts instructions to appear in employment tribunals.
Road traffic:
- Wide experience of representing motorists, in criminal and civil cases, at first instance and on appeal, from simple speeding to more complex matters involving consideration of defence of ‘automatism’, and arguments against disqualification.
Other notable cases:
- Appeared for one of seven defendants in five-week trial on counts of kidnapping and violent disorder.
Podcasts
Photos
videos
Further Information
Publications and Reported Cases:
- ‘Recasting the Role of the Indictment’ [2010] Crim L R 840
- R v. Bailey [2011] 2 Cr App R (S) 80
Other interests:
Graham holds a black belt (2nd dan) in full-contact taekwondo, and has been an instructor, competition judge and referee.