Max Baines joined Chambers in 2006. He prosecutes and defends in all areas of criminal law.
He is regularly instructed in Crown Court trials, in areas such as fraud and theft offences, sexual offences, drugs and serious violence. He also has experience in extradition and licensing proceedings, as well as extensive experience in the Youth Court.
In addition to appearing regularly for the Crown Prosecution Service, he is also instructed by the SFO, where he is a List C prosecutor, the RCPO and the Department for Work & Pensions to prosecute in fraud proceedings.
In 2007 he was led by Tom Forster in a multi-handed attempted murder trial at the Central Criminal Court (R v Islam and others).
In 2008 he was junior defence counsel in a multi-handed conspiracy to supply class A drugs in the Ipswich area.
He is currently instructed by the Financial Services Authority as junior counsel in a high-value insider dealing prosecution.
He speaks fluent French and conversational Italian.
Research
Drafted a commentary on the Fraud Act 2006 for the latest edition of Fraud: Law, Practice and Procedure. Butterworths
Cases of note
R v Laleye
November 2008
Prosecution counsel in a domestic GBH with intent.
R v Akakpo and others
15/04/2008
Led by Christopher Paxton representing one of three defendants accused of supplying Class A drugs in the Ipswich area. Responsible for preparing the defence legal arguments, as well as the cross-examination of a number of Crown witnesses.
R v Islam and others
7/11/2007
Court: Central Criminal Court
A high profile, multi-handed attempted murder trial. The defendant was 19 years old with severe learning disabilities. The case subsequently appeared in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division, where he appeared alone to successfully argue for a reduction in sentence.
2001 - BA Hons Classics (Oxon.)
2005 - Called to the Bar, Lincoln's Inn
