The secure CJSM email is:
mike.hollis@1mcb.cjsm.net
Mike prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court in a range of criminal matters, including POCA, and has appeared in the Court of Appeal and the High Court. He prepares thoroughly and has excellent client care. Mike is a CPS grade 3 prosecutor and has been appointed to the specialist panels for serious crime, fraud and proceeds of crime. He also been appointed to the SFO’s panel C for prosecution, proceeds of crime and international assistance.
Having completed pupillage at 4 Breams Buildings, he joined 1MCB as a third six pupil in October 2016 and became a tenant in August 2017.
Mike worked previously in conservation and then the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), developing and implementing policy and programmes in Whitehall, Iraq and Afghanistan. His focus in DFID was conflict reduction and security and justice reform in developing countries. After leaving government, Mike managed a large aviation security and police training programme in Somaliland, on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Mike studied Philosophy at the University of Liverpool, before studying for an MA in International Relations and Development Studies at the University of East Anglia and later an MSc in Security Sector Management at the UK Defence Academy / Cranfield University.
He undertook the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Bar Professional Training Course at City University, London. He has travelled widely and speaks and reads Spanish and Indonesian moderately well.
In appropriate cases, Mike is able to accept instructions directly from members of the public, community organisations and NGOs, through the Bar Council’s Public Access Scheme.
Crime
Mike prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court on a range of criminal matters, including POCA. He prepares thoroughly and has excellent client care. Mike is a CPS grade 3 prosecutor and has been appointed to the specialist panels for serious crime, fraud and proceeds of crime.
Cases
- R v MH (2023, St Albans Crown Court, four days) – successfully prosecuted a man accused of Class A drug dealing who raised modern slavery.
- R v QO (2023, St Albans Crown Court, four days) – successfully defended a ‘third-striker’ accused of Class A drug dealing who raised modern slavery.
- R v TK (2022, Oxford Crown Court, two days) – successfully prosecuted a man accused of attacking a neighbour with a machete in the street, s18 wounding.
- R v KR (2022, Central Criminal Court, three days) – successfully prosecuted a man who attacked another with a knife outside a nightclub.
- R v MA (2022, Wood Green Crown Court, six days) – successfully prosecuted a man who assaulted two girls in public, causing ABH-level injuries.
- R v JE (2021, Maidstone Crown Court, four days) – secured the acquittal of a man accused of attempted s18 GBH. Prosecution witnesses alleged he stamped on the complainant’s head whilst the defendant raised self-defence.
- R v YA (2021, Inner London Crown Court, eight days) – successfully prosecuted a woman accused of co-ordinating by telephone the transfer of half a kilogram of cocaine.
- R v SN (2021, Northampton Crown Court, three days) – defended a man accused of controlling and coercive behaviour in which the jury returned no verdict.
- R v IN (2021, Lewes Crown Court, three days) – successfully prosecuted a police officer charged with perverting the course of justice.
- R v RA (2021, Isleworth Crown Court, three days) – successfully prosecuted a theft of a vehicle.
- R v DS (2021, Isleworth Crown Court, five days) – successfully prosecuted two ABHs on two women.
- R v NH (2021, Guildford Crown Court, five days) – successfully prosecuted a dangerous driving case.
- R v EO (2021, Inner London Crown Court, four days) – successfully defended an arson being reckless as to endangering life over.
- R v KM & FP (2021, Kingston Crown Court, five days) – successful prosecution of a two-handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, proven largely by text messages.
- R v LJ (2020, Guildford Crown Court, four days) – successfully prosecuted a burglary of a school.
- R v JC (2020, Basildon Crown Court, two days) – client acquitted of false imprisonment and theft of a motor vehicle.
Other noteworthy cases include:
- R v GB (2023, four days) – prosecuted a man accused of money laundering by receiving into his bank account the proceeds of a blackmail committed by his partner.
- R v EA (2022, Isleworth Crown Court, four days) – prosecuted a man accused of s18 / s20 by kicking and breaking his ankle.
- R v KS (2022, St Albans Crown Court, six days) – prosecuted a man accused of being knowingly concerned in the importation of 100kg of cannabis.
- R v IA (2022, Southwark Crown Court, 14 days) – defended a man accused of sexual activity in the presence of a child, sexual communication with children and possession of indecent images.
- R v TP & NP (2022, Isleworth Crown Court, five days) – prosecuted two brothers accused of affray via excessive self-defence when attacked by another family outside their home.
- R v RW (2022, Snaresbrook Crown Court, three days) – prosecuted a man who attacked a woman in her home.
- R v JP & DR (2022, Wood Green Crown Court, three days) – prosecuted a money laundering case in which jury unable to reach a verdict.
- R v KB (2022, Wood Green Crown Court, three days) – prosecuted a man accused of beating his girlfriend in the street.
- R v JS (2022, Kingston Crown Court, three days) – defended in his absence a man accused of robbing members of the public with a hammer and then escaping custody.
- R v HF & SM (2022, Winchester Crown Court, four days) – prosecuted a couple accused of affray and possession of an offensive weapon.
- R v CA (2022, Woolwich Crown Court, four days) – prosecuted a man accused of causing GBH by hitting another with a bottle.
- R v SB (2022, Woolwich Crown Court, five days) – prosecuted a man accused of kidnapping and beating another.
- R v PL (2021, Central Criminal Court, five days) – prosecuted a man accused of assault occasioning bodily harm. The jury was unable to return a verdict.
- R v JE (2021, St Albans Crown Court, six days) – defended a man accused of sexual assault.
- R v KP (2021, Guildford Crown Court) – defended a man on a trial of whether he had an intention to cause really serious harm (s20 v s18).
- R v GW (2021, Chelmsford Crown Court, three days) – prosecuted a man accused of disclosing private sexual images.
- R v IA (2021, Inner London Crown Court, 14 days) – represented a defendant accused of money laundering in a £1m case.
- R v LB (2021, Wood Green Crown Court, three days) – prosecuted an attempting to pervert the course of public justice trial.
- R v HH (2021, Southwark Crown Court, three days) – prosecuted a road rage case of wanton and furious driving and racially-aggravated assault over.
- R v RW (2021, Central Criminal Court, three days) – defended a dwelling burglary.
Prison law
Mike has appeared in eleven Parole Board hearings, including serious sexual and violent assaults and one manslaughter.
Regulatory law
Mike has acted for the Nursing and Midwifery Council in various substantive and review hearings, including one of eight days. He has advised a doctor facing GMC proceedings for dishonesty.
Dangerous dogs & animal welfare
Mike has acted for clients in seven cases. These include helping clients obtain favourable sentences when guilty pleas were appropriate and negotiating suitable Contingent Destruction Orders. He has also advised clients on the prospects of appeal when their dogs were made subject to immediate Destruction Orders.
Education
- BPTC, 85% (outstanding)
- Graduate Diploma in Law, 64%
- MSc Security Sector Management, 72% (distinction)
- MA International Relations & Development Studies, 68%
- BA (Hons) Philosophy, 64% (Upper second class)
Scholarships
- Blackstone Entrance Exhibition, Middle Temple
Hobbies & interests
Travel and running.
Appointments
Mike is a CPS Grade 2 prosecutor and has been appointed to the specialist panels for serious crime, fraud and proceeds of crime.
He also been appointed to the SFO’s panel C for prosecution and proceeds of crime and international assistance.
Languages
- Spanish.
- Indonesian.
Memberships
Criminal Bar Association.