Ben Baker
Solicitor
Ben joined Hallinans in 2024. Having trained in the criminal and regulatory field, he benefits from significant experience in defending in a range of matters, from road traffic offences up to and including offences concerning serious violence and sexual offences.
Ben enjoys advocacy and regularly appears in Magistrates’ Courts across London and the home counties on behalf of his clients.
He also has experience in defending clients brought before disciplinary tribunals in the regulatory sector. He has both prepared these matters as litigator and appeared in these proceedings as an advocate.
With a background in defending clients charged with sexual offences, Ben is well versed in the nuances of these often complex and emotionally charged matters.
In his spare time, Ben has a keen interest in boxing and travel. He regularly travels to Florida and is deeply interested in the nuances of American federal and state-level criminal justice, having observed trials in the States on previous visits. This couples well with his penchant for true-crime, often found in his spare time reading and researching key criminal cases ‘across the pond’ such as the trials of the Menendez brothers​
Memberships
LCCSA
Notable Cases
Crime
R v W, Plymouth Crown Court – acted on behalf of an asylum seeker accused of serious sexual offending. Following a full trial, the defendant was acquitted on all counts.
R v J, Aylesbury Crown Court – acted on behalf of a prolific violent offender charged with the serious assault of a prison officer. This trial included defence witness evidence of notable inmates held in one of Britain’s most notorious high-security prison estates.
R v F, Bristol Crown Court – achieved a Suspended Sentence Order for a client charged with possession of a high volume of indecent images, in what was a complex prosecution conducted by the National Crime Agency joint with overseas agencies. This case involved intense litigation and mitigation preparation, as well as applications made to the court following an erroneous and inflammatory Pre-Sentence Report drafted by the Probation Service which recommended a sentence of immediate custody for a considerable period.
R v E, Stratford Youth Court – acted on behalf of a youth defendant charged as part of a large-scale drugs conspiracy. Successfully ran a s.45 Modern Slavery Act defence despite obstacles left in the wake of the decision in R v Brecani.
R v K, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court – acted on behalf of a client under investigation for serious sexual offending and subject to an application for Warrant of Further Detention. Successfully opposed the application brought by the Metropolitan Police Service, securing his client’s liberty in a case which was later terminated with No Further Action taken.
Regulatory
HCPC v O – acted on behalf of a respondent medical professional in HCPC Interim Order proceedings concerning retrospective amendment of medical notes. The HCPC application was for immediate suspension of up to 12 months, however, following submissions no Order was made whatsoever, allowing this individual to continue working without restriction whilst awaiting a final hearing.
GDC v M – acted on behalf of a medical professional in proceedings concerning a second instance of non-disclosure of a criminal conviction. Following written submissions, achieved a favourable result whereby proceedings were halted and referred instead for a written warning, as opposed to pursuing a final hearing whereby striking off of the register was a real possibility.