Stuart Graham

Stuart Graham has throughout his career solely specialised in crime.  He has over 20 years experience in the Crown Court defending criminal cases at the very highest level.  In the last year Stuart has defended in cases of murder, international people trafficking, serious assaults, armed robberies and aggravated burglaries.  With regard to recent legislation, Stuart has been involved in defending modern slavery offences and some of the first coercive and controlling behaviour prosecutions.

In addition, Stuart has lengthy experience in fraud, ‘cash for crash’ cases and complex drug and theft conspiracies.  The use of time line, cell site and forensic analysis that is integral to such cases, is something Stuart is very proficient with.

Stuart is regularly instructed in cases of violent disorder, firearms offences, arson with intent to endanger life, and blackmail.

Coming initially from a technical career in aviation, Stuart particularly relishes intricate cases involving accident reconstruction, expert evidence in complex road traffic accidents, and Health and Safety prosecutions.

Notable Cases

• 2019 R v I - Conveying Articles into Prison
  

  Involved in one of the specialist prison prosecution teams’ cases involving attempting to move weapons, phones and drugs intro local prisons.

• 2018 R v T - Murder
  

  Defending client in high profile murder case which had become one of the North East of England’s largest manhunts with the case going unsolved for nearly two decades.

• 2018 Operation Bowler - People Smuggling and Slavery
  

  Secured acquittal on the main ‘People Trafficking’ charge for client after a 14 week trial.

• 2018 R v K - Coercive Controlling Behaviour
  

  Involved in prosecution which was one of the first of it’s kind in the area. A BBC prison documentary being delayed until the conclusion of this case.

• 2018 R v M - Death by Dangerous Driving
  

  Involved multiple fatalities and varies technical issues.

Stuart Graham is a somewhat unique specialist in Aviation Law. He has undertaken cases on behalf of pilots and aircrew accused of breaches of the Air Navigation Order.   Stuart has the distinct and unique advantage in this field of having worked as a pilot for over 25 years in the aviation industry.   Stuart commenced flying in 1985, first obtaining a basic licence and subsequent instrument and instructor qualifications, leading to becoming a Senior Flight Instructor with associated Commercial Pilot’s Licence.   Whilst mainly defending pilots and other aviation personnel, Stuart has also prosecuted on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority in highly technical cases such as breaches of landing minima.

Stuart has the rare combination of over 25 years in professional flying coupled with his vast Court experience as a Barrister.   This unique dual experience enables clients access to a barrister who can genuinely relate to the technicalities of flying from the real experience gained in over thousands of hours of professional flying time and in addition have the Court experience to utilise that knowledge.

Stuart was recently specifically chosen to represent a commercial pilot and aircraft captain prosecuted in a high profile case.  This trial involved the detailed cross examination of professional witnesses such as air traffic controllers.  The case also involved technical areas of meteorology and aviation law and evidence interpretation through the use of Court visual aids.  The trial concluded in an acquittal for the accused whose professional livelihood and career was in jeopardy.

If you have an aviation related matter, then you could not find elsewhere a more appropriately qualified lawyer to be engaged with your case.