Michael Vere-Hodge QC

Call 1970
Silk 1993
Email michael.vere-hodge@3pb.co.uk
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Disciplinary and Regulatory Proceedings

Michael Vere-Hodge has expertise in Regulatory law. His areas of experience include:

• Police disciplinary hearings having served as a Police Disciplinary Tribunal Chairman
• Firearms/shotguns: has acted in several cases involving the firearm and shotgun laws. These have included appeals to the Crown Court against the revocation of firearm/shotgun  licences.
• Health & Safety
• Professional Regulatory Disciplinary tribunals

Notable/recent cases

Defence of a lorry driver in the Crown Court who had inadvertently failed to properly secure the stabilising arm on a lorry fitted with a hydraulic lifting device. The lorry had defects in its safety design which if fitted would have prevented the accidental extension of the arm whilst the lorry was being driven through bends in the road. The arm swung across the pavement killing a newspaper boy on his rounds. Represented driver at Trial and on Appeal against conviction and sentence.

Whilst sitting as a Recorder sentencing a company who had pleaded guilty to offences under Health and Safety legislation following a fatal accident at work. A crane driver employed by the company had extended the jib of his crane attachment to deliver a load. The site for delivery was inherently dangerous because of overhead high voltage electricity cables. The driver had been inadequately trained and the site incompletely risk assessed. The driver was electrocuted during heavy rain when the crane jib made contact with the overhead cables. Further sentencing issues arose because the company had been subsequently sold and was left without any assets with which to pay a financial penalty.

Appeal to the Crown Court against the revocation of Firearms and Shotguns certificates. Revocation based on police intelligence only. Issues of disclosure.

Currently advising on an appeal against a shotgun revocation.