Henry Dickson

Barrister

Henry practises in all areas of criminal defence and has extensive advocacy experience, acting both alone and as a led junior.

He is personable and a forceful advocate with particular expertise in cases concerning the large scale supply of drugs and other organised crime, human trafficking, serious violence and firearms. His practice includes representing those accused of sexual offences as well as dishonesty, fraud, complex money laundering and POCA.

Henry has experience working with vulnerable defendants including those suffering with mental health disorders and those accused of gang related crime.

Henry also has experience in regulatory investigations and is currently engaged on a significant and highly sensitive regulatory investigation for a band 1, white collar crime firm. He is dedicated to meticulous case preparation and the building of a defence case strategy. He is level headed and highly suited to the demands of complex and high profile investigations.

Prior to joining 25 Bedford Row in 2014, Henry spent two years as an advocate in the county courts and has previously been engaged as an advisor for Liberty focussing on human rights, actions against the police and abuse of investigatory powers.

Professional Memberships

Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
Young Fraud Lawyers Association

Qualifications and Awards

Buchanan Prize for outstanding achievement (2012)
BPTC – outstanding – BPP Law School (2012)
Law LLB (Hons) King’s College London (2009)
Winner – Jessup international advocacy competition (2009)
Finalist – Baker & Mackenzie advocacy competition (2008)

Drugs

R v MA - Led junior representing the sole defendant acquitted in a conspiracy to supply cocaine valued at £1.2 billion with reference to 14 tonnes of imported cutting agents for use in the UK drugs market (Lewes Crown Court)
R v JH - Instructed for sentence on an alleged third strike drug trafficker. Successfully argued the application of particular circumstances. Sentenced to 40 months (Wood Green Crown Court)
R v DM - Acquittal for intent to supply cocaine. Secured non-custodial sentence for related allegations of dishonesty, possession of drugs and driving offences (Aylesbury Crown Court)
R v JD - Secured non-custodial sentence having drafted basis of plea for vulnerable defendant in possession with intent to supply cannabis (Woolwich Crown Court)

Serious Violence, Firearms and Weapons

R v AF - Represented client at trial in a firearms case (Norwich Crown Court)
R v RS - Instructed for trial in a section 18 GBH involving the use of car as a weapon, dangerous driving and other assaults (Basildon Crown Court)
R v TH - Represented defendant charged including affray, threats to kill and possession of firearm. The defendant had considerable social and mental difficulties including Aspergers. Following representations and agreed plea he was sentenced to 12 month community order on plea to affray. (Warwick Crown Court)
R v JR - Defendant charged with possessing an offensive weapon being a martial art ‘Kubotan’. All charges were dismissed following written and oral submissions on grounds that it was no ‘offensive weapon’. Defendant also acquitted of violent offences at half-time (Hertfordshire Youth Court)
R v ZO - Successfully secured acquittal for violent domestic offences and revocation of restraining order on appeal. A restraining order made on acquittal was revoked following legal submissions upon which the Crown conceded the appeal (Croydon Crown Court)
R v TS - Acquittal after 20 minutes representing alcoholic defendant who did not give evidence at trial for violence against police and possessing a bladed article (Blackfriars Crown Court)
R v CO - Acquittal on charge of affray (Snaresbrook Crown Court)

Sexual Offences

R v G - Secured acquittal of defendant following five day trial of client charged with historic sexual abuse of 9 year old step-daughter (Leicester Crown Court)
R v C - Instructed as led junior in human trafficking case with alleged sexual exploitation of children
R v LB - Represented mute defendant with considerable communication difficulties in a series of sexual offence allegations committed whilst a serving prisoner. (Croydon Magistrates)

Robbery, Theft and Dishonesty

R v MC - Defendant accused of professional commercial burglaries valued £50,000 commercial burglaries plus offences taken into consideration totalling 18 offences. Sentenced to 26 months (Central Criminal Court)
R v ZM - Instructed for sentence in £300,000 car-ringing and conspiracy to steal (Blackfriars Crown Court)
R v DD - Secured only acquittal for robbery in trial of four youth defendants for client with significant communication difficulties requiring intermediary (Highbury Youth Court)
R v RE - Secured acquittal for domestic burglary successfully excluding bad character in a crime scene DNA case (Blackfriars Crown Court)
R v AH - Represented defendant in a professional series of domestic burglaries and car thefts committed having following escape from custody. Estimated value £40,000. (Lincoln Crown Court)

Driving

R v RP - Secured acquittal of client alleged to have caused injury by driving dangerously where CCTV showed driving on the pavement. Disqualification avoided on conviction for careless driving (St Albans Crown Court)
R v DH - Instructed on appeal against conviction for dangerous driving. The appeal was granted following successful opposition to hearsay applications (Snaresbrook Crown Court)
R v AS - Instructed for retrial on dangerous driving matter. Defendant acquitted at half time on grounds of quality of identification and Code D breaches (Snaresbrook

Fraud

R v WG - Defendant acquitted in series of frauds by false representation (Central Criminal Court).
R v BH - The defendant was accused of transfer fraud offences committed in the course of employment. Following representations to the CPS no evidence was offered in advance of re-trial (Wood Green Crown Court).
R v JM - Instructed for defendant using false documents to secure services and commit frauds against individuals and companies. (Woolwich Crown Court).
R v PA - Instructed to represent a client for possessing articles for use in fraud (forged driving license, bank statements and wage slips) and fraud by false representation including the value of a tenancy fraudulently obtained. Following his plea, charges of cultivation were dismissed on representations and civil recovery offered regarding the available sums. Sentenced to a conditional discharge of 18 months for all offences (Camberwell).

Confiscation & Ancillary Applications

R v ME Marc Ephram - Instructed for confiscation hearing in £1.9 million conspiracy to supply (Bournemouth Crown Court).
R v FG - Succeeded on technical legal submission regarding the ability of the Court to extend confiscation orders and the applicable (Blackfriars Crown Court).
R v HS - Successfully resisted wasted costs application following early collapse of grievous bodily harm trial (Wolverhampton Crown Court).
R v L; R v G - Represented third party organisation on two occasions resisting summons for third party disclosure in cases of serious violence (Chester Crown Court).

Regulatory & Environmental

MP v AG - Represented a defendant Housing Association in a private claim under the Environmental Protection Act. A negotiated settlement was concluded in the magistrates court (Highbury Magistrates).
Buckinghamshire CC v EK - Represented private defendant in proceedings for Environmental offences (Milton Keynes).
LB of Newham v A B - Instructed in Council licensing and associated criminal proceedings relating to alcohol licensing (Council Offices / Thames Magistrates).