After brief careers in mechanical engineering, the public service and the financial world, Stephen Harvey was called to the Bar, practising initially on circuit in general common law. His criminal practice grew rapidly and, long before taking silk, he prosecuted and defended both as a junior and as a leading junior in a number of high profile cases. He was listed by the Chambers Guide to the Legal profession as a 'Leading Junior'.

He has appeared in terrorist-related cases, allegations of serious and organised crime, homicides, firearms and explosive cases, serious (often historical) sexual allegations and cases involving allegations of corruption and fraud (white and blue collar). He successfully represented the last female army captain charged with spying: R v Maychell (1999).

Under the Very High Cost Cases scheme he has been involved in cases involving serious fraud (R v Young (2006)), firearms (R v Gibbs (2006)), drug trafficking and money laundering (R v Cudbill (2008). He welcomes instructions under the newly revised VHCC scheme.

Since taking silk he has been involved on both sides in a number of homicides and, when instructed by the prosecution, is often asked to advise pre-charge in some cases involving extradition considerations. He has been involved in the controversial areas of 'shaken baby syndrome' (e.g. R v Mallinder (2008)) and low copy number DNA analysis (e.g. R v Morton (2008)). He has also prosecuted high-profile, and often controversial, 'gross-negligence' manslaughter cases a recent example of which is R v Cooke (2008) involving the death of a seven-year-old whilst riding a quad bike.

Due to his sensitive approach he is often the first choice when it comes to dealing with young and vulnerable clients, vulnerable witnesses and other unusual situations calling for a particular type of approach. As an example of the latter, he was instructed on behalf of a Judge who had been charged with sexual offending. He is one of the few who has been successful in obtaining a nolle prosequi from the Attorney General in a case involving serious sexual allegations. He has also been involved in 'supergrass' cases, negotiating at all stages on behalf of his clients.

He has developed a wealth of experience in the cross-examination of experts in a number of disciplines and has lectured to professional witnesses on the subject of 'The Expert Witness'. He has appeared before a variety of regulatory and disciplinary tribunals (particularly Police Disciplinary Tribunals and The Law Society) as well as representing those same clients who also find themselves before the criminal courts.

He has had success before Courts Martial, the most notable being the successful defence of Major Ginder (1998) who was charged with two counts of manslaughter after two soldiers under his command were killed on exercises due to technical errors in artillery co-ordinates.

Other Cases of Note
(P) = 'Prosecution'; (D) = 'Defence'

Abuse of process
R v Humphreys (1999) (D)
After arguing an abuse of the process in a major drugs conspiracy (a motion that took 3 months to advance) the case was stayed.

R v Emmanuel (2002) (D)
Successfully argued an abuse of the process in what was then the largest tobacco haul Customs & Excise claimed to have made. Some others were convicted.

Blackmail
R v Lasky (2003) (D)
Client targeted and blackmailed lottery millionaires.

Hijacking
R v Ullah (2002) (D)
The  'Stansted  Hijacking'  following  the   commandeering  of  an  aircraft  in Afghanistan. The client remains unconvicted.

Explosives and firearms:
R v Kelleher (1998) (D):
The defendant was charged with manufacturing two explosive devices (one detonated and the other sent to an intended victim).

Fraud:
R v Went (1999) (D)
A substantial VAT carousel fraud;

R v Green (2006) (D)
A 'passing off' fraud involving manufacturing companies.

R v King (D)
A fraud involving the transport industry.

Corruption:
R v Allcock (1996) (D)
A senior tax investigator was acquitted upon all allegations of corruption after an enquiry lasting some 4 years and a trial lasting 3 months.

R v Willbourne (2002) (D)
Successfully defended a young man who was charged with conspiracy to murder and disposal of the body.

R v Ncube (2004) (P)
Zimbabwean ex-policeman killed his wife with an axe.

R v Adams (2007) (D)
A 17-year-old accused of being part of a group of youths who broke into the deceased's home twice attacking him and leaving him for dead was acquitted after an 8-week trial.

R v Bastable (2007) (P)
Infanticide conviction where a young girl having delivered her own baby killed it.

R v Sweeney (2007) (D)
Escaped prisoner murdered his wife in the presence of their very young children by repeatedly stabbing her. A considerable amount of delicate cross-examination of very young children was required in order to present his defence of provocation.

R v Mallinder (2008) (P)
Medical evidence from a total of 17 distinguished experts representing diverse medical disciplines in a controversial 'shaken baby' allegation. Convicted of manslaughter.

R v Joyce and others (2008-9) (D)
The Greater Manchester Police claimed this to be the largest gangland trial they had ever brought to court. It involved allegations of gun-related violence/homicide and drug dealing over many years’

R v George and others (2009) (D)
The client was 17 years of age when charged with murder and grievous bodily harm relating to the arson of a block of flats when he was just 14 years old. The case was brought to trial after four years and two major police investigations. The client was acquitted after submissions of ‘no case’ were made and after seven weeks of trial’.

Drugs:
R v Clements (2001) (D)
Substantial cannabis importation involving over 100 armed police to effect arrests. A high-security trial followed at Woolwich.

Kidnapping:
R v Sucu (2004) (D)
Turkish client accused of armed kidnapping and blackmail.

Other unusual/sensitive cases:
R v Hull (2002) (D)
Client charged with a number of thefts of body parts from hospitals and biology departments of academic establishments. Resolved matters with a non-custodial sentence being imposed.

R v Herbmedic Chinese Medicine (UK) Ltd (2003) (D)
Chinese clients charged with  selling  prescriptive medicines contrary to the regulations. Acquitted with full indemnity for costs.

R v Callaghan (2005) (P)
Prosecution of a deputy mayor and magistrate for benefit fraud. Convicted.