Legal News and Articles

Notable Cases

Official Secrets Act: R v Berry

Armstrong Solicitors’ directors, Edward Wykes and John Armstrong, working with James Mulholland KC of 23 Essex Street Chambers, on 15th September 2025 secured a not guilty verdict for our client Christopher Berry in an Official Secrets Act allegation of spying for the Chinese State.

Ed and John acted for Mr Berry in this lengthy case of exceptional complexity and political sensitivity, that has garnered widespread press coverage and commentary including from the then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, as well as other prominent politicians at the point of his arrest in March 2023.

Following service, on behalf of Mr Berry, of a Defence expert report from an academic and former Beijing embassy diplomat, together with Defence documentation in which Mr Berry vehemently denied the allegation, the Crown formally offered no evidence. A not guilty verdict was duly entered in his favour at the Old Bailey after First Senior Treasury Counsel confirmed that the evidential threshold had not been met.

Murder: R v D

Ed Wykes together with John Armstrong as Junior Advocate led by Counsel, Kyri Argyropoulos secured an acquittal on an attempted murder charge.

Despite CCTV being obtained which showed our client shooting at the victim twice and hitting him once whilst pursuing him on foot, the defence were able to analyse the case in such detail, including frame-by-frame stills of the CCTV, to the jury that they reached a not guilty verdict on the charge. That was despite the defendant forwarding no explanation in police interview, and giving no evidence in the witness box.

The client was found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm.

Secrets Act Case

Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey)

Armstrong Solicitors’ Directors, Edward Wykes and John Armstrong, working with James Mulholland KC of 23 Essex Street Chambers, on 15th September 2025 secured a not guilty verdict for our client Christopher Berry in an Official Secrets Act case allegation of spying for the Chinese State.

Murder: R v JS

Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey)

The defendant, was accused of murder. The defendant stabbed an intruder at his residence. Self defence was relied upon. Complex mental health considerations and the home owners' defence were applied in the case. Client was acquitted after trial.

Import Drugs and Firearm: R v LL

Woolwich Crown Court

The defendant was accused of a conspiracy to import drugs and a gun. We were instructed a few days before the re-trial and required to assess voluminous material speedily and advise the client in detail prior to trial. This advice resulted in him pleading guilty to one charge and successfully contesting the other.

Sexual Offences: R v MA

Inner London Crown Court

The defendant was accused of raping a 14 year old girl as well as forcing her to perform sexual acts on him and his friends. Acquitted on all counts after trial.

Sexual Offences: R v NC

Inner London Crown Court

The defendant faced multiple counts of sexual abuse including rape over a 30 year period. Acquitted of 7 counts.

Sexual Offences: R v FS

Croydon Crown Court

The defendant was accused of serious historic sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault on his stepdaughter. After the first trial resulted in a hung jury, the re-trial resulted in an acquittal.

Sexual Offences: R v PK

Guildford Crown Court

The defendant was accused of serious historic sexual assault of a relative and he was acquitted of all counts after trial.

Kidnap and Blackmail: R v LL

Reading Crown Court

The defendant was accused of kidnap and blackmail and he was acquitted after trial involving detailed examination of phone data evidence and challenging the account given by the complainant.

Death by Dangerous Driving: R v DA

Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey)

The defendant was a lorry driver accused of death by dangerous driving of a cyclist and was acquitted after trial, involving detailed examination of forensic and witness evidence.