William Staunton

Called to the bar in 1986

HEAD OF CHAMBERS

William Staunton is Head of Central Chambers in Manchester.

As Head he strives to promote a fair, modern, friendly and professional platform for those in practice and the clerks who work there.

Bill hails from Belfast and is known for his quick wit and easy manner.

He read Law at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge and has devoted his professional life to the interests of Criminal Justice

Instructing Solicitors have commented he is “a man of principle whose successes and positive attitude to both lay and professional clients are recognised”

In Court he has been described as “Eloquent, tenacious and courteous “

Bill is an extremely experienced advocate. He has dealt with serious and complex cases including conspiracy to supply drugs, pervert justice, corruption of public official, fraud (VAT, Benefits and Commercial), human trafficking, rape and attempted murder.

He has a great deal of experience in cases involving domestic abuse.

A man of principle, his successes and positive attitude to both lay and professional clients are recognised by his faithful band of instructing solicitors.

Bill has a particular interest in animal welfare and has been instructed on many such cases.  He also represents clients in the Magistrates on Road Traffic Offences where the consequences of conviction can be significant.

RECENT CASES

• R v AL (Manchester CC 2017)
  

Modern Day Slavery and Human Trafficking

Facts : Client was leading member of Hungarian gang bringing foreign nationals into UK   coercing them into prostitution .

• R v LH (Bolton CC 2017)Robbery Section 18 Assault
  

Facts:Client was part of gang armed with machetes in home

Invasion.   Extremely sensitive cross examination required

• R v GI (Minshull St CC 2018) Section 18 Assault

Facts. Serious premeditated attack with bottle

Client identified by counsel as possibly suffering PTSD

Report confirmed this to have been a factor in his offending

• R v BS (Minshull St CC 2017)

Section 18 Assault

Facts Stabbing to chest in unprovoked attack

Client schizophrenic and vulnerable

Hospital Order imposed

• R v PM (Preston CC 2017)

Rape

Facts Historic allegations. 3 Complainants.

• R v RR (Man CC 2017)

Corruption Public Official

Facts Complex conspiracy to cultivate cannabis involving a serving Police Officer

• R v N

Sexual Assault

Facts:  Taxi driver alleged to have sexually assaulted passenger

Client acquitted. Former front line interpreter attached to Coalition

Forces

• R v MP (Man CC 2014)

Attempted Murder

Client unfit to plead Counsel appointed by Court

Facts: Repeated stabbing

Jury found act was a Section 20 Assault and not Attempt Murder

Court expressly thanked counsel for manner in which court had been assisted

• R v JG (Man CC 2016)

 Dangerous Driving

Facts Client internationally famous speedway rider. Police pursuit on public roads he avoided custody. The court were impressed at manner in which the positive aspects of his character had been highlighted in mitigation.

• R v B

 Fraud (VAT)

Facts Client was a former tax expert. It was sophisticated attempt to defraud and required meticulous preparation.

• R v FT (Trafford Magistrates 2017)

 Dangerous Dogs

Facts Client elderly gentleman with equally elderly gentle dog, the allegation that his dog had attacked a lady on a tricycle. Expert evidence suggested the defendants dog was too portly to have behaved in the manner described.

(Reported in National Newspapers)

Qualifications:

LLB (Hons)

Interests and Hobbies:-

• Family (Married and devoted father)
• Piano (Classical)
• Languages (French and Spanish)
• Distance Swimming (Trafford MBSC)

Bill speaks fluent Spanish.

He is a member of the Criminal Law Bar Association.