About
Daniel was admitted as a Solicitor in July 2003, having completed his Training Contract at Duthie Hart & Duthie.
Daniel returned to Edwards Duthie Shamash in 2017 having been a Partner at a Criminal Defence firm for many years.
Daniel is a Solicitor Advocate, qualified to speak in the higher courts.
Experience & Areas of Expertise
Daniel has extensive experience in the field of criminal law. He is a trusted Solicitor to his varied and loyal client base. Daniel has tactical acumen and versatility, allied to strong personable skills.
He has successfully contested offences of the most serious nature including Murder, Firearms, Drugs, Serious violence, Sexual Offences and Fraud.
Daniel is an experienced advocate who holds Higher Rights of Audience. He also defends suspects at the police station for offences from Murder to Theft, seeking to ensure that no charges are brought and court proceedings avoided.
Daniel has a successful record of representing clients who face proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), obtaining favourable outcomes for clients wishing to retain their assets.
He is regularly instructed to act for clients on a Private basis and has a growing workload defending prosecutions brought by regulatory authorities. He has received numerous personal referrals from fellow professionals to act for various parties. Many of Daniel’s cases have been reported in the National Media.
Daniel is currently instructed in matters involving; Murder (Gang shooting); Drug Supply, including the surveillance of encrypted phones (Encro cases); drug importation; conspiracy to defraud; conspiracy to burgle; operation of unlicensed waste management sites involving industrial scale fly-tipping (private instructions).
Notable Cases
R v Y – Central Criminal Court (CCC) – Defended one of six defendants charged with an organised gang-related Murder. Issues of joint enterprise, cut-throat defence and young defendants. Defendant acquitted following a 6 week trial.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/dagenham-murder-shocking-footage-shows-gang-ram-4×4-into-car-before-killing-man-a3355051.html
R v B – CCC – Client acquitted of Murder following trial. Issues of Self-Defence and Voluntary Intoxication.
R v D – Tennis coach father cleared of cruelty. Case widely reported in the National Media. Case involved novel and complex issues relating to what constituted cruelty; coaching; parenting and issues of disclosure.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39302891
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-39305958/tennis-dad-john-de-viana-will-always-love-his-daughters
R v T – Snaresbrook CC – Conspiracy to Murder. Defence of young defendant with learning difficulties for Conspiracy to Murder with two others, intermediaries required for all Defendants.
R v O – Acquittal following two 3 month trials in the CCC relating to serious acts of Violent Disorder in the ‘Westfield Murder’ case. Issue of Joint Enterprise.
R v M – ‘Bollywood Film Fraud’ – A conspiracy to defraud HMRC by claiming rebates and VAT on Bollywood films that were never made. HMRC lost millions of pounds.
R v J – Benefit fraud involving hundreds of thousands of pounds and multiple fraud identities. Defendant received a non-custodial sentence following agreed Basis of Plea. Successful outcome in POCA proceedings following instruction of a Forensic Accountant to refute Prosecution presumptions of criminal income.
R v A – Multi handed Conspiracy involving transactions of Firearms between Organised Crime gangs. Client one of only two defendant’s acquitted following trial.
R v J – Criminal and then POCA proceedings concerning high level Class A drugs Conspiracy involving over 25 Kilos. Confiscation Order substantially reduced after detailed submissions to Prosecution.
Environment Agency v R – No charges brought against Demolition Company accused of serious Environmental Protection Act offences.
LBR v E – Successful representations to local authority on behalf of Landlords not to continue prosecution for Breach of Enforcement Notices. Court proceedings withdrawn.
R v R – Acted post-conviction in POCA proceedings for Defendant jailed for estimated £1.6 billion Cocaine smuggling ring.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-35884554
R v YOUTH – Representing youth involved in armed car chase that went viral. Referral Order obtained at Youth Court.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10025534/car-chase-armed-police-essex-london/
R v H – CCC – Client acquitted after trial of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7747347/Father-two-cleared-causing-death-dangerous-driving-killing-drunken-pedestrian.html
R v B – Representing client in multi handed Conspiracy to Burgle. Vastly reduced sentence after charges significantly reduced
https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/crime-fell-by-25-per-cent-after-cashpoint-theft-gang-arrested/
R v D – Ensured client avoided custody in Jury Research offence. Suspended Sentence imposed.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7865279/Two-jurors-face-two-years-jail-researching-manslaughter-definition.html
R v YOUTHS – Representation of youths facing Conspiracy to Rob allegations, relating to multiple offences of ‘moped robberies.’ Successful legal arguments resulted in the Prosecution offering no evidence.
R v N – Acquittal in case of alleged kidnap of Drug Dealer.