R. (on the application of Groves) v Newcastle upon Tyne Crown Court [2008] EWHC 3123 (Admin)
Overturned, by judicial review, judge’s refusal to grant the Claimant bail following his conviction at his retrial.
Joe Hedworth
Call 2002
EXPERTISE
Joe has built a criminal practice, predominantly defending, and has appeared in a wide spectrum of cases which have included serious violence; public disorder; sexual offences ranging from voyeurism to historic familial rape; and multi- handed drug, robbery and fraud conspiracies. He appears at the Crown Court daily and regularly appears at the Court of Appeal and the Administrative Court.
Joe is extremely user friendly and over the last decade has built strong and lasting relationships with many of the leading criminal defence solicitors in the North East. Long before the advent of the digital system, Joe provided prompt and succinct written electronic advice.
Joe is well acquainted with the numerous Advocates’ Graduated Fee Schemes and has an in-depth understanding of the Legal Aid Agency’s Criminal Bills assessment and procedures. He has successfully challenged numerous refusals of the Legal Aid Agency to correctly determine criminal bills and has secured hundreds of thousands of pounds on behalf of criminal defence solicitors. Historically, he has represented prisoners, many of whom were serving life sentences, at Parole Board hearings before circuit judges and adjudications before district judges.
Joe receives instructions to represent parents in private family law proceedings including residence and contact issues.
APPOINTMENTS
CPS Grade 3 Prosecutor
MEMBERSHIPS
North Eastern Circuit
EDUCATION
Northumbria University, LL.B (Hons) Exempting Degree Incorporating the Bar Vocational Course 2:1
PUBLIC ACCESS
Joe is qualified to receive instructions direct from businesses, professionals and members of the public. Any such requests should be directed to his clerks in the first instance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Joe’s interests include:
- Restoration and renovation of Victorian and Grade II listed buildings using traditional methods and materials.
- Restoration of twentieth century French garden furniture.
- Physical fitness.
- Skiing and snow boarding.
- Motoring.
R v Lee Wilson [2011] EWCA Crim 1758
Sentence for bladed article halved on appeal.
R v Fairley (Durham Crown Court)
Defended a father at trial, and subsequent retrial, charged with rape and serious sexual offences against two of his daughters. The allegations spanned over twenty years.
R v Pearson (Newcastle upon Tyne Crown Court)
Successfully defended a father charged with serious sexual assault against his step daughter.
R v Mark Tones and others (Newcastle upon Tyne Crown Court)
Successfully defended a driver charged in a multi- handed Environment Agency prosecution in a 10 week trial.
R v Matthew Wall and others (Newcastle upon Tyne Crown Court)
Defended in multi- handed class A drug conspiracy and made the only successful submission of no case.
R v Paul Robert Goldsborough [2015] EWCA Crim 1278
Successfully challenged crown court ruling and obtained clarification of the law in favour of the Appellant. The appellant, who had been in possession of an air pistol for many years, should not have been convicted of possessing a prohibited air weapon contrary to the Firearms Act 1968 s.5(1)(af). The effect of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 s.39(4) was to allow those in possession of air weapons of the relevant description to continue to hold them provided they had a firearms certificate. This decision has resulted in subsequent successful appeals from other Appellants who had been wrongly convicted and subjected to a statutory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment.
R v David Wallage (Newcastle upon Tyne Crown Court)
Successfully defended the ‘right hand man’ of the ‘main man’ in a multi- handed class A drugs conspiracy.
Liam Gorman
Lead Criminal & Regulatory Clerk
Liam joined Chambers in August 2010 as an Office Junior after leaving school at 17. He has held a number of positions in Chambers before becoming a Criminal Clerk in 2014. In 2017 Liam became our Lead Criminal and Regulatory Clerk. In this role, Liam is responsible for the Practice Management and Development of all members within his Team. This includes fee negotiation, diary management and business development across the group.
Legal 500 2025
'Liam Gorman is courteous, helpful and highly efficient'.
Chambers & Partners 2024
‘Trinity Chambers has one of the best set of clerks in the North East Circuit. Liam Gorman is the lead criminal and regulatory clerk.’
Legal 500 2024
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerks are attentive and quick to get back to you. Liam Gorman can sort any problem out quickly.’
Legal 500 2022
'The clerks, in particular the lead criminal clerk Liam Gorman, are excellent. Incredibly helpful and friendly and always respond quickly to queries. Have never had a problem with the service they provide, and they make everything very easy.'
'The criminal team is run to perfection by Liam Gorman.'
'Liam Gorman is a fantastic friendly clerk always willing to help.'
Chambers & Partners 2022
'The lead criminal clerk Liam Gorman is particularly good.'
'We receive exemplary service.'
Chris Gibbin
Clerk
Chris had over 9 years experience as a Senior Clerk in a barristers chambers in Middlesbrough before joining Trinity Chambers. Prior to that Chris worked in the Lord Chancellors Department, now HM Courts and Tribunals Service, at Teesside Combined Court Centre for over 10 years. During that time Chris covered most areas but the majority of his experience was gained in dealing with Criminal and Family Law matters. Chris’ latter years in the LCD were spent in the Listing Office at Teesside Crown Court where he developed his skills which ultimately saw him transferring to his role in a barristers chambers.
Chris is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Outside of work Chris enjoys playing cricket for Marske Cricket Club in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, watching football and rugby and socialising.
Legal 500 2025
'Chris Gibbin can only be described as outstanding - an unsung hero! He is a great ambassador for Trinity Chambers'
Legal 500 2024
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
Legal 500 2022
'Chris Gibbin is an extremely helpful and experienced clerk.'
'The Teesside branch is spearheaded by Chris Gibbin who is extremely helpful and efficient.'
Chambers & Partners 2022
'I cannot fault the clerking services – Chris Gibbin in Middlesbrough is very helpful, offers prompt responses and is always willing to assist.'
Steven Preen
Lead Family Clerk
Steve Preen joined Trinity in October 2011 after earning a position of considerable respect in HM Court Service where he worked for 17 years; he has come to Trinity with a very sound knowledge of Court procedures, especially on the Civil side.
Outside of Chambers Steve enjoys playing football at a semi professional level. He has undertaken an FA coaching certificate and coaches youngsters on a voluntary basis at a local club. He also enjoys spending time with his family and two children.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
'Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
'Steven Preen and Paula McLure are at the top of their game and will go the extra mile to ensure representation is available.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steve Preen is fantastic.’
‘Steve Preen is outstanding, he is highly personable and very helpful. A credit to chambers.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, and Ken McLafferty, clerk, are particularly responsive to any queries and are always very accommodating.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Extremely friendly and helpful.’‘The clerks provide a good service; Steven Preen and Paula McLure are always incredibly helpful and respond quickly to requests.’ ‘Steven Preen is friendly and approachable, and there to help where he can.’
Legal 500 2022
'The family clerking is led by the dynamic Steven Preen and the unflappable Ken McLafferty who compliment each other to great effect.'
'Ken McLafferty and Steve Preen are excellent. They are friendly, accommodating and efficient.'
Ken McLafferty
Family & Immigration Clerk
Ken joined Trinity in March 2007 after seven years clerking in Durham, culminating in being the Senior Clerk and taking on all the responsibilities so required. Working in Durham gave him the opportunity to return to the city where he spent three years enjoying life under the guise of studying for his degree in Theology and Religious Studies.
When not following the trials and tribulations of his chosen football and baseball teams Ken enjoys cooking and tending to the charges in his allotment - where he fights a losing, and seemingly never-ending, battle against the elements, weeds, and caterpillars.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, and Ken McLafferty, clerk, are particularly responsive to any queries and are always very accommodating.'
Legal 500 2022
'The family clerking is led by the dynamic Steven Preen and the unflappable Ken McLafferty who compliment each other to great effect.'
'Ken McLafferty and Steve Preen are excellent. They are friendly, accommodating and efficient.'
Paula McLure
Family Clerk
Paula joined Trinity in June 2016 after 26 years in HM Court Service where she reached a position of considerable respect as the Civil and Family Listing Officer for Northumbria, skills which have stood her in good stead in her new role. Paula has come to Trinity with a very sound knowledge of Court procedures, especially with regard to listing.
Outside of Chambers Paula enjoys travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
'Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
'Steven Preen and Paula McLure are at the top of their game and will go the extra mile to ensure representation is available.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paula McLure is a huge asset, very professional and flexible.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Extremely friendly and helpful.’‘The clerks provide a good service; Steven Preen and Paula McLure are always incredibly helpful and respond quickly to requests.’
Chloe Lau
Criminal & Regulatory Clerk
Chloe joined Chambers in November 2010 as an office junior after leaving school at 17.
She has held a number of positions in Chambers before becoming a Criminal & Regulatory Clerk in March 2022.
Chloe is responsible for the general day to day management of the Criminal and Regulatory teams' administrative activities.
Outside of work Chloe enjoys socialising with friends and spending time with her young family.
Fiona Bullock
Direct Access Clerk
Fiona joined Trinity Chambers in 2007 after an established career in some of Scotland's top hotels and restaurants.
After gaining a BA in Hotel Catering and Management, Fiona progressed with her Food and Beverage Management career and on moving to the North East, she became one half of a North Yorkshire restaurant.
Fiona is Chambers Direct Access clerk and has found that her previous experience has stood her in good stead being in a client focused role. Fiona also looks after Chambers Governance and Compliance, and collates Chambers submissions for the Legal Directories.
Outside Chambers Fiona and her Labrador Olly volunteer with Wag & Co North East Friendship Dogs.
Edward Shepherd
Criminal & Regulatory Clerk
Edward, known as Ted to those who know him, joined Trinity in 2024 as a Clerk in the Criminal and Regulatory teams after working 5 years in the quality and compliance and the day-to-day coordination and management of operations at a Northeast commercial law firm.
Edward’s interest in law, specifically criminal law, dates back to his university days, where he achieved a 2:1 BA (Hons) degree in Criminology from Liverpool John Moores University in 2018.
Outside of Chambers Edward enjoys long-distance running, socialising with friends and following Middlesbrough Football Club.
Erin May
Family & Court of Protection Clerk
Erin joined Chambers in December 2023 after 15 years working as a Legal Secretary, 9 of which spent working as a PA in a busy family department in a well-regarded Newcastle based Law Firm. During this time she developed great organisational skills, knowledge of Court procedures and family processes.
Outside of Chambers Erin enjoys painting, gardening and walking her dog along the Northumberland coastline.