Criminal Appeals Barrister

Jim Sturman QC is widely recognised as the UK’s top criminal appeals barrister and QC. He is a specialist criminal appeal lawyer, providing a comprehensive appeal service for appealing a conviction, appealing a sentence or both. Jim is frequently instructed by clients and family searching for a second opinion after original trial counsel has given negative advice; he is often asked to advise on and considering any legal or procedural errors or new evidence which was not available at the original trial or evidence which was missed and has the ability to cast doubt on an important aspect of the case.

Suspended sentence for possession of stun gun

R v X (June 2016): Jim acted for a 61 year old businessman of good character who had been imprisoned for two years for possession of a stun gun. X’s original lawyers advised that there were no grounds to appeal but at the hearing of the appeal the sentence was varied to a suspended sentence [...]

Reduced sentence for conspiracy to supply class A drugs

R v J (April 2016): Jim acted for J (but not at trial) who’s application for leave to appeal had been turned down by the single Judge. Jim was instructed to give a second opinion and at the renewed application for leave to appeal the sentence (for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs) was reduced [...]

R. v. IR

Successful appeal against conviction for a young boy convicted of Terrorism Act offences who had run away from home after announcing he intended to travel abroad for Jihad.

R. v. VK

Successful appeal against conviction for false imprisonment and kidnapping that allegedly related to a dispute over a debt owed to VK by the alleged victim. Conviction quashed on the basis of fresh evidence, did not act at original trial.

R. v. KS

Conviction for causing death by dangerous driving quashed for the improper admission of inadmissible evidence and misdirection in law.

R. v. TW

Conviction for causing death by dangerous driving quashed as a result of misdirection by trial Judge.

R. v. MR

Conviction quashed and 18 year sentence for drugs importation quashed as a result of non disclosure of the involvement of a participating informant.

R. v. DD

Conviction for g.b.h quashed on the basis of non-disclosure and an erroneous direction as regards identification. Did not act at trial.

R. v. JS

Conviction for murder quashed on the basis of misdirection by the trial Judge and pressure being placed on the jury, acquitted at retrial.

R v. SL

Jim did not act at the trial. SL’s conviction for murder of her partner quashed and no evidence offered at the retrial on the basis that when analysed the evidence did not in fact disclose a case to answer, the original conviction in the case has frequently been described as a miscarriage of justice.

A Top Criminal Appeals Barrister

With experience spanning over 25 years, Jim has developed a reputation for being a leading criminal appeals barrister and he is often asked to represent defendants (and advise their families) in appeals against conviction and sentence. He is often instructed to provide a second opinion after trial counsel have given a negative advice. Invaluable in [...]

R v DG and other

Jim acted for a young man charged with murder and manslaughter after a brawl outside a night club where the deceased was killed as a result of a single punch to the side of the neck. Convicted of manslaughter and acquitted of murder.

R. v. V

Appeared for Defence. £60,000,000 money laundering charges arising out of L.C.B. diversion fraud. Conviction quashed as a result of the non-disclosure by HMRC of a participating informant.

R. v. Charles Dixon (Operation Cinema)

Conviction for drugs importation quashed because of non-disclosure by Customs and Excise. Jim did not act in the original trial.

R. v. Dallagher

Appeared for Appellant. The conviction was quashed on the basis of fresh evidence casting doubt on the reliability of the “ear-print” identification evidence.” Also appeared at retrial when DNA recovered from the plate of glass was proved NOT to be that of Mr Dallagher. He was acquitted and the case has featured in a series [...]