Legal Area of Expertise

• Criminal Defence and Regulatory Law
• Admitted: 1994
• Higher Rights of Audience: Crown Court

Qualifications

• Solicitor
• Higher Rights Advocate (Crown Court)

Specialist Areas

• Fraud & Business Crime (incl. high-value conspiracies)
• Money Laundering
• Trading Standards Offences & Consumer Protection
• Confiscation & Restraint Orders
• Murder & Manslaughter
• Drug Conspiracies
• Sexual & Environmental Offences

Mike handles both privately funded and publicly funded matters, offering a truly comprehensive service.

Expertise

Nationally ranked in Chambers UK and The Legal 500, Mike is respected for his strategic legal thinking, courtroom authority, and client-centric approach.

One of the earliest solicitors to gain Higher Rights of Audience, Mike represents clients in the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal. Known for a pragmatic yet bold approach, he offers clients:

• Direct engagement from the very first meeting
• Clear, strategic advice tailored to each case
• A personal, hands-on representation style

Recent Case Highlights

• Large-Scale Conspiracy to Defraud (£46 million): Led defence in one of the largest local authority prosecutions (2014–2022); disclosure pressure led to Prosecution offering no evidence against all defendants.
• R v B (Drug Trafficking): Represented a former police officer in a Class A importation case (£15m). After 4 years and 3 trials, proceedings stayed for Abuse of Process.
• R v A (Sexual Assault): Privately instructed GP defendant; fully acquitted in Crown Court.
• R v B (Trading Standards): Reduced £500k confiscation order to under £10k; secured dismissal of over 60 counts down to 5 with a minor financial penalty.
• R v G (Money Laundering): Represented director in large fuel theft conspiracy; client acquitted.
• R v H (Serious Crime): Client acquitted of murder, convicted of perverting justice in a dismemberment case.
• HSE v C (Health & Safety): Advised international PLC following gas escape at large manufacturing plant; penalty limited to £100k.
• R v H & D (Essex Lorry Tragedy): High-profile case involving 39 deaths; represented two clients receiving limited sentences of between 3–4 years.
• R v B & Others (Tax Fraud): Only acquitted defendant among 7 in £2.5m HMRC fraud conspiracy.
• R v M (Contract Killing): Extradition of foreign national and trial for Murder on contract killing; manslaughter conviction, murder acquittal.
• W v DEFRA (Judicial Review): Represented limited company in tree felling dispute with Forestry Commission; successful contested Judicial Review at HC.
• R v M and Others (Drug Conspiracy): Represented D in multi-handed international drugs conspiracy seeking to import 1.4 tonnes of Class A drugs from the Caribbean.

Why Clients Choose Mike Warren

• Depth of Knowledge: Extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional, regulatory, and high-stakes criminal cases.
• Courtroom Presence: Regularly appears at trial and appellate levels.
• Hands-on Strategy: Clients receive informed, tactical advice from day one and comprehensive service throughout.
• Proactive & Pragmatic: Known for dissecting prosecution evidence early and delivering results.

Strategic Approach

Mike combines strategic foresight with tactical precision across serious and complex criminal cases. He is known for analysing evidence early, anticipating prosecutorial actions, and providing clear, decisive advice from the outset. His approach ensures clients receive robust, practical representation throughout the life of their case.

Contact

Mike is available for new instructions on both private and publicly funded cases. To instruct Mike or discuss your case, please get in touch directly.