John Hobley became a member of Chambers in September 2017, having successfully completing his pupillage under the supervision of Lee Fish.
Crime
John appears for both the Prosecution and the Defence in proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court.
In the Crown Court, John undertakes work as a CPS Grade 2 prosecutor as well as acting for defendants. His Crown Court work has covered cases including burglary, robberies, and violence. John also regularly acts for both prosecution and defence in committals for sentence and appeals, as well as dealing with breaches of probation.
In the Magistrates’ Court, John has acted in cases from their genesis at first appearance, through trials, and to sentencing hearings. These cases have covered a broad range of offences, and have involved vulnerable parties, both victims and defendants.
John has also appeared in private prosecutions involving Trading Standards and on behalf of local authorities in environmental protection cases, and has experience of prosecuting on behalf of the Home Office.
Family
John has experience of both private and public family work, including Children Act and Family Law Act proceedings on behalf of applicants and respondents in the County Court and High Court. John frequently represents clients at both finding of fact and contested final hearings. These cases have frequently invoice complex allegations of domestic violence and abuse of children. John also has experience of cases involving matrimonial finance.
Public Law Notable Cases
- Re N: Represented a father who had ASD and ADHD diagnoses. Over two final hearings, lasting 17 days, the court found that the Local Authority had failed to properly account for client’s additional needs in the assessment and further work was required. This case involved cross-examination of a number of social workers and a consultant clinical psychologist.
- Re D: Represented a mother at a 7 day final hearing following a finding of fact hearing at which it had been found that father had sexually abused a number of other family members. Involved cross-examination of a consultant psychologist.
- Re R: Represented a mother in the pool of possible perpetrators for serious non-accidental injuries to an infant child, there were further allegations that she had failed to protect the child from harm. The five day composite final hearing involved analysis of over 1,000 pages of social media and text message evidence. No findings were made against the mother.
Private Law Notable Cases
- Re A: Represented children’s guardian in proceedings concerning a contact application by a litigant in person father. The case involved allegations of cross-border abduction and allegations that parents had agreed to mislead the court.
- Re H: Represented a respondent mother in contact proceedings. The case involved allegations of rape and sexual abuse in both the UK and abroad. The court found that client’s allegations were proven.
Matrimonial Finance Notable Cases
- Re A: Represented respondent who had become unable to work in his chosen career and therefore been unable to make periodical payments previously ordered by the court. Successfully argued for the discharge of the periodical payments order.
Civil
John has appeared in the County Court in matters of road traffic accidents, including both trials and Stage 3 hearings. He has been instructed for both the claimant and the defendant in these matters, and also has experience of preparing advices on quantum and liability.
John has represented clients in landlord and tenant disputes, and matters of breach of contract.
Regulatory
John has undertaken a secondment at the Care Quality Commission in the Litigation, Prosecution and Inquests team. His work included reviewing evidence collected by CQC inspectors and providing advice on potential breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Many of these alleged breaches involved neglect, or systemic failures, in the provision of care to vulnerable adults, often having resulted in serious injury or death. Following this secondment, John continues to provide advice to the CQC on the merits of potential prosecutions.
Practice Areas
Education
- BPTC (Very Competent), BPP Law School (2014-2015)
- BA (Hons) Jurisprudence, University of Oxford (2011-2014)
- CPS Level 2 Prosecutor
Privacy Notice
- Click here to view