Mark Bowen
Solicitor (admitted 1997)
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Mark qualified with criminal law specialists Offenbach & Co in 1997, quickly building a varied case load before leaving in 2001 to found Shearman Bowen with Rick Shearman.
Ranked as a “leading individual” for fraud work in Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession 2010, where his entry describes him as “incisive, diligent and tenacious…. he instantly inspires a degree of confidence that allows even anxious and frightened clients to see the light at the end of the criminal tunnel.” In the 2011 guide he is “singled out for the quality of his advice in relation to asset forfeiture and regulatory offences.” He brings a combination of energy and detailed knowledge to each of his cases and is fiercely committed to achieving the best result possible for his clients.
During his career Mark has represented clients at every level of the criminal justice system. He now specialises in defending serious and complex fraud, confiscation/asset forfeiture, regulatory offences and homicide. Mark’s recent cases have involved clients either being investigated or prosecuted by The fraud prosecution service, CPS special casework unit, HMRC, SOCA, FSA, SFO and the Business innovation and skills department who prosecute cases under the Insolvency Act.
Mark has also represented individuals and companies involved in the security sector. He advises security companies in relation to investigations by the Security Industry Authority and regulatory advice to companies and individuals involved in that sector. He has acted for members of the medical profession before the GMC and been instructed by Teacher Unions to represent their clients when facing criminal investigation and prosecution. Mark is a supervisor approved by the VHCC (very high cost case) and serious fraud panel.
Some Notable Cases:
R -v- Bailey – CCC – Successfully acted for defendant accused of murder in the highly publicised “Cost Cutter” murder case. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12066999
R -v- Khan – St Alban’s Crown Court – Privately instructed by defendant accused of large scale supply of class “A” drugs and conspiracy to supply controlled drugs. After defence representations, negotiated a reduced plea to social supply which resulted in a non-custodial sentence.
Re P – Acted for company director arrested in multi-million MTIC fraud investigation by HMRC. Client not charged.
R -v-Bott – Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court – Sucessfully represented property developer implicated in a £1.5mil multiple mortgage fraud. Long running case resulted in matter being dropped by crown half way through the trial.
R -v- Gardiner – Birmingham CC. Successfully defended in the widely-reported case of the “acid murderer” .http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/boyfriend-gave-doctor-lethal-acid-as-revenge-634288.html
R -v- Regan & others (2003) Central Criminal Court. Represented main defendant in the longest running murder trial in the history of the Old Bailey. http://www.courtnewsuk.co.uk/c_murderers/a_ken_regan_bill_horncy_and_peter_rees/crime_vaults/
R – v – Anderson – Canterbury CC (2001 ). Acted for defendant in multi-million pound confiscation proceedings;
R – v – Goldie – Stafford CC. Successfully defended former headmaster of approved school charged with historic abuse allegations. Privately instructed by NASUWT on our client’s behalf.
R – v – Hughes – Bristol CC. Successfully defended one of lead defendants in “Operation Aragon”, acquitted of murder after a six-month trial. case involved detailed analysis of cell site, forensic and expert evidence. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-396548/Three-men-cleared-city-murder-plots.html
“Savoy Hotel” investigation – Successfully represented lead suspect during rape investigation involving a number of professional footballers. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-7101098-rape-suspect-speaks-out.do. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-198601/England-star-clear-rape-claim.html
The Stephen Lawrence inquiry. Represented ‘witness B’ during the Lawrence enquiry. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/lawrence-inquiry-murder-witness-to-sue-over-memorial-arrest-1073381.html
Acted in numerous heavyweight and complex confiscation cases. Please see our POCA/confiscation page.