Robert Gregory of Robert Gregory Consultancy, shares his story…
In a few sentences, tell us a bit more about you…
I completed my undergraduate degree & LPC at De Montfort University, Leicester and completed my training contract at Dodds & Partners in Leicester, where I had previously done work experience. My bread and butter is criminal defence work, but in my early years I also undertook Prison law (Adjudications and Parole Hearings). In the last 11 years, I have been working as a consultant doing Police Station, Magistrates Court and Crown Court work. Alongside, my other specialism Mental Health Tribunal work.
What was your route into law? Did you always want to be a criminal lawyer?
When I realised that maths and Science were not my strongest subjects and a career as a surgeon was a no go. I looked at the law. Initially, I wanted to work in-house for a major corporation such as Coca-cola or similar. I then had a summer placement at Dodds & Partners where I later did my training contract. Simply put, I fell in love with court Advocacy and realised that that was what I wanted to do as a career. I did my undergraduate law degree and LPC and managed to get a training contract offer before I had graduated.
Tell us a bit about your first ever job in a law firm…
My first lasting memory was making a bail application in court 1 in Leicester Magistrates Court. It was a good application but always likely to fail due to my client’s conviction record. The District Judge refused bail and my client then began to smash up the dock. Naively, I thought that I could calm my client down. This was until the safety glass (which it wasn’t) was put through by my client punching and kicking it and a colleague came into the courtroom to drag me away.
What makes you so passionate about criminal law? Or why did you qualify into criminal law rather than any other area?
It is a cliché but every so often I get a case (as we all do) that I get overconsumed by because I am so frustrated and/ or appalled by the Police’s behaviour or other witnesses/ complainants’ behaviour. My last such case involved a Russian, Lithuanian Deaf client who did not fully know British Sign Language. The EBTI breath procedure was done without any type of interpreter and using voice translated google translate! Despite many requests for the case to be reviewed by the CPS. The case continued to trial with 5 interpreters present. My client was rightly acquitted.
If you weren’t a criminal lawyer what else would you be doing?
If I look back now I think I would have got myself a trade, perhaps a plumber or a sparky.
What made you join the CLSA?
I wanted to get involved to see what contribution I could make to improve the lot for Criminal Legal Aid Solicitors.
What made you join the committee?
I joined the committee 6-7 years ago. I have recently taken over responsibility for any reviews or changes to the Criminal Procedure Rules.
Did you enjoy the Annual Conference this year? Were there any key lessons or takeaways for you?
The 2024 conference was fantastic. It was definitely the best CLSA conference that I have ever attended. The speakers this year, especially the sub-postmistresses who spoke to us, were inspirational especially after what they have both been though. It made me realise again the true worth of us “lefty do-good lawyers.”
What would you say to someone thinking about a career in criminal law?
The pay is abysmal. However, no day is the same and I believe that it is truly the best area of law to practice in.
Is there anyone in the criminal law world that inspires you most?
My training principles Steve Morris and Sandeep Kaushal.
How do you prepare yourself for a day in Court?
I try to be a prepared as I can be. If I am on court duty lots of caffeine helps!
What types of criminal cases do you work on?
I work on all manner of criminal cases. I particularly like working on those cases which challenge not just my legal knowledge but also my client care skills. For example, the client who has mental health difficulties or learning difficulties or language deprivation by virtue of being Deaf or other communication difficulty.
How to you switch off and enjoy a work/life balance when dealing with upsetting or stressful situations?
Being a self-employed consultant I am lucky that I can pick and choose when to work. However, when stress builds up. I decompress by picking up the book that I am reading at that time to get a change of scene or I take time to do some mindfulness/ breath exercises to lower my blood pressure!!
What do you like to do with your spare time, outside of work?
Watching live sport. I also help coach my daughters football team.
Quick Fire Questions
Favourite criminal / legal based Film: A Few Good Men
Favourite criminal / legal based TV Series: Silk or The Lincoln Lawyer
Do you have a favourite genre of music? House Music
Who would play you in a movie about your life? Tom Cruise
Who is the last person you called? My wife
Have you read any good books recently? Surrounded by Idiots – The Four Types of Human Behaviour (or, How to Understand Those Who Cannot Be Understood). Thomas Erikson
Where is your favourite holiday destination? Anywhere in Thailand
What is your favourite cuisine? Thai
What is your favourite tipple? I’m now T-total, but any good 0% lager
What 3 items could you not live without? My wife and my two children
