Patrick Cassidy (Deputy Head of Chambers)

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Top Ranked in Legal 500 2012-2021:
Patrick Cassidy has been recommended by the Legal 500 for his Criminal and Inquest practice since 2012. ‘Impressive, client-focused and accessible' and ‘Patrick Cassidy is a highly experienced inquest advocate with particular experience of Article 2 inquests and of jury inquests, who keeps abreast of developments in Coronial law and practice and who presents his submissions in a persuasive and authoritative manner. He is well known as Counsel who undertakes such work in complex cases.'

The market recognises Patrick Cassidy as a criminal defence advocate and regulatory practitioner with experience and flair in jury cases of national prominence and seriousness.

The range of cases also makes him unique, running as it does from serious crime and Article 2 inquests into death in custody cases to criminal appeals and civil actions against the police. The common theme is the presence of the jury and his inclination to support the less powerful. He is happy to receive instructions via the direct access scheme in appropriate cases.

Patrick was awarded National lead in governance in 2014 by the Teaching Council for his then work as a Chair of an Inner city Manchester High School Governing Body. He retired from that post in 2018.

A review of the cases he has been involved in reflects the changing social and racial landscape of the North West over the last 35 years of practice and his interest in cases in which the citizen encounters the power of the state, whether it be the Miners, Printers, Animal Rights Activists or the Asian communities of Oldham or Burnley.

Lecture Experience:
Patrick commenced the Kenworthy's Lecture Series in 1997 which continues annually to date, and he is passionate that Kenworthy's develop a first class professional development culture.

Client Testimonial:
I owe you my sincere gratitude for your professional representation, support and relentless pursuit for the truth. After a couple of years of feeling rather low, you empowered me during the inquest and have made me believe that I did the right thing all those years ago. - Inquest Client, 2017

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Reported Cases

Notable Cases - Crime:

• R v S (2019): Acquittal on Attempted Murder Charge following a violent incident with an axe. Press Coverage.
• R v A (2019): Defending a Senior Prison Officer accused of manslaughter and failing to take reasonable care for the health & safety of others Press Coverage:
• R v Maughan (2016) - Death by Dangerous Driving Case in Sheffield Crown Court - Press coverage
• R v J (2016) - Firearms case where a 75 year old man, formerly the Secretary of a local gun club faces imprisonment for the possession of firearms stored at his home without appropriate licences.
• M -Inquest into a suicide of a prisoner at HMP Wymott where he the prisoner had written a note of his intention to kill himself after notice of a transfer of wing was to go ahead .
• 2015 Preston CC. R v Dal and others 13 week trial.Acquitted of murder
• 2015 Manchester R v Mcgloughlin and others Importation of Class A
• Noah Smith (2014) : 2 week, article 2 Inquest into a death at HMP Pentonville Prison
• R v Percy [2012] : Misconduct in a Public Office
• R v Stapley [2012] : Misconduct in a Public Office
• R v H [2012] : Complainant Sex Case
• R v McGee [2012] : Gross Negligence Manslaughter Allegation
• Robin Hood Public House Murder [2010] : 5-week Murder Trial
• R and Smith [2010] : £100M Importation of cocaine; 6-week multi-handed trial
• R v Ellis [2010] : Knife Murder; 2-week trial
• R v Summerfield [2010] : Head Teacher, Health & Safety Trial
• R v Holland [2010] : Multi-handed massive importations of cannabis and cocaine; 6-week trial
• R v F [2010] : Child Cruelty by two adoptive parents on two young girls; 2-week trial
• R v B [2010] : Historic familial sexual abuse trial made by younger brothers against older brother; 2-week trial

Notable Cases - Court of Appeal:

• Carlos Sanchez [2010] : Death by Dangerous Driving; reduction from 4 to 2 years

Notable Cases - Inquests & Inquiries:

• Lisa Skidmore (2019) The two-week Article 2 inquest with jury into the death of Lisa Skidmore who was brutally murdered in her home by a convicted sex offender who had been released on license. The family of the deceased claimed the Police and the Probation Service missed opportunities for recall. Press Coverage.
• Shannay Walker (2016) Instruction in the inquest of Shannay Walker aged 8 who died of her non accidental injuries in Nottingham. Press Coverage
• Christopher Fields (2016) - Inquest at Stockport Coroner's Court on behalf of the family regarding the potential prevention of the Murder of a former servicemen. Press coverage
• Global Construction limited (2015) : Building company allowing access to friend of owner who climbed into unsafe house under construction, fell and suffered catastrophic injuries. Fined 50k plus costs of 8k.
• Noah Smith (2014) : 2 week, article 2 Inquest into a death at HMP Pentonville Prison

Professional Memberships & Publications

• Criminal Bar Association
• Member of the pilot Victim Advocacy Project in Murder and Manslaughter cases.