Your Team
Gareth Roberts
Gareth was called to the Bar in 1999 and practises across all areas of criminal (predominantly defence), common, civil, family and employment law. He specialises in serious fraud and issues relating to the use of the Human Rights Act in litigation.
He regularly appears in the High Court and the Court of Appeal as well as in the Crown and County Courts. He also has experience of cases with an international dimension, where he has successfully obtained disclosure of evidence from foreign jurisdictions.
Prior to becoming a barrister, Gareth gained valuable experience as a political researcher and speechwriter in the House of Commons and as a Senior Parliamentary Researcher for the Liberal Democrat Party, working for Simon Hughes MP and Lord Carlile amongst others.
Gareth’s clients report that he is personable and easy to work with, describing him as “a fluent advocate and a good talker in front of a jury” who “always remains calm.”
He says he is particularly fascinated by “the psychological relationship between the jury, judge and other participants. I am quite competitive by nature, so I do enjoy the challenge of being in Court! I’m also passionate about getting all the facts right from the outset.”
Outside his legal practice, Gareth’s interests include rugby union and athletics, having previously competed in both at club and national levels. He is also a published author of fiction and has written articles on politics and economics for several broadsheet newspapers. He lives near Wrexham, North Wales with his wife and 3 young children.
Notable cases
R v Egan (The Times, March 9th 2004) - concerning remand time being deducted from terms of custodial sentence
R v E (a juvenile) (The Times, March 23, 2003) - a challenge under Section 6 and 8 of the ECHR to the previous law relating to statutory rape
R v Jordan Blackshawe [2011] EWCA Crim 2312, - concerning the sentence of 4 years given to the appellant for inciting a riot on Facebook during the UK riots of August 2011
R v Hackney et al, - a year long complex fraud case at Birmingham Crown Court in 2005
R v Robinson et al, - a trial involving the illegal importation of millions of pounds of heroin by undercover customs officers in 2006, involving complex issues of character, PII and evidence from foreign jurisdictions
R v Carstairs et al, - a case of gold bullion being imported into the North West leading to an attempt to launder millions of pounds
R v Eastwick et al, - a case involving allegations of large scale Tax and VAT fraud amongst a firm of hauliers
Memberships
Wales and Northern Circuit