Philip Evans

Call 1995
LLB (Hons) (University of Wales) MA (Southampton)

Practice: Crime, Regulatory/Disciplinary Law and Sports Law

Summary

Philip is a member of both the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers and the British Association for Sport and Law.  He has extensive experience appearing before various regulatory tribunals, such as Police Disciplinary tribunals and the Police Appeals tribunal. He appears before the General Social Care Council and has advised in relation to a number of appeals in this area of professional regulation.    

He sits on tribunals convened by the Rugby Football Union both at first instance and at appellate level. He was also appointed by the RFU as the Judicial Officer for the IRB 7’s tournament held at Twickenham and the first Premier Division 7’s tournament.  Working in this role has provided him with extensive experience of regulatory and disciplinary law in a sporting context. This experience has been extended into other sporting fields in which Philip has a broad personal knowledge, in particular the regulation of cricket and horse racing.

His substantial cross-discipline experience in both criminal and regulatory/disciplinary law enables him to provide specialist advice to those facing investigation in both areas. 

Philip has particular expertise in road traffic-related matters. He has acted privately for clients of some notoriety who have included the managing director of a multinational car manufacturer, the wife of the chairman of a high street bank, premiership footballers and their families along with a world famous theatre producer. These cases have involved alcohol-related matters, speeding, avoidance of disqualification under the 'totting up' provisions and speeding-related offences, as well as dangerous driving and death by dangerous driving.
His advocacy skills have also been extensively utilised in council chambers across the south of England, where he has acted in a number of licensing matters.

Recent Work

In 2008/2009 Philip Evans has: 

• Currently instructed as Leading Counsel for the Crown in a major Metropolitan police operation involving multiple defendants accused of money laundering.

• Defended Levi Bellfield at his five month trial for multiple murders and multiple attempted murders.

• R v Maddix, Liston and Terry. Prosecuted three defendants (including one 16 year old defendant) successfully for Murder

• Sat on the RFU appeal of two Rugby Players from Bath Rugby Football Club who appealed their ban from playing for failing to provide a drugs test

• Sat at first instance for the RFU on the case of Olivier Azam the Gloucester and French hooker accused of stamping on Steve Borthwick.

• Sat on the first instance hearing for the RFU in the case of Richard Cockerill, the Head Coach of Leicester Tigers.  

• Defended an allegation of multiple complainant, multiple rape, by a step father on a number of his step children.

• Acted for the CPS fraud department in a case involving complex issues of bankruptcy and confiscation.

• Acted for Sulley Muntari the Inter Milan and Ghanaian International Footballer in relation to various allegations;

Alongside these matters, led for the defence in two matters of conspiracy to rob, defended a multiple cold case rape case and acted for one of nine defendants at the Central Criminal Court in a matter of conspiracy to commit GBH. He appeared for the Crown in a five handed conspiracy to supply firearms. 

Additional Information

Pupil Supervisor

Member of the Criminal Bar Association
Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers

Member of  the British Association for Sport and Law
Registered with the Bar Council – Public Access Directory
Member of the Public Access Bar Association - PABA

Philip undertakes work on behalf of the Bar Pro Bono Unit.

As well as this in 2008 he was appointed the National Legal Advisor to the Innocence Network UK. For further information see www.innocencenetwork.org.uk

Personal

Philip is an avid Rugby Union fan, continuing an interest developed from playing at National league level.
As well as rugby, his interest in sport is prolific; he regularly follows football, cricket and horse racing.
He is also a grade 8 standard musician.