Dale Harris
Over 25 years’ experience dealing with difficult and complex criminal cases including murder, manslaughter, drugs and motoring offences. An excellent manner with clients.
Dale Harris practised as a solicitor for 25 years before deciding he should have been a barrister. Some things cannot be rushed.
He was a partner and Head of Crime in a regional firm of solicitors before his call to the Bar in 2018. He joined us in 2018, and in 2019 was appointed as a deputy district judge and a fee-paid judge of the First Tier Tribunal assigned to the Health Education and Social Chamber.
Having originally qualified in 1993, he dealt with general common law and licensing work before specialising in criminal law. He became a duty solicitor for court and police-station work in 1994, giving him the benefit of a deep, end-to-end understanding of the criminal investigation process. He has spent hundreds of hours in police cells, although for all the right reasons.
Dale has appeared in the Crown Court since the late 1990s and became a higher court advocate (criminal) in 2005. As a solicitor, he has acted in high-profile cases attracting national media attention as well as cases with international dimensions. He has appeared in successful appeals before the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division.
Dale Harris has specialised in crime for over 25 years. He deals with serious crimes, where the consequences to the client would be significant, as well as motoring offences – especially where they may be a risk of disqualification on the ‘totting-up’ of penalty points.
Some of his notable cases (as solicitor and/or advocate) are listed below.
Significant Cases
R v F, Sheffield Crown Court – Acquitted of murder following the fatal stabbing of F’s father, thanks to a successful defence of provocation which reduced the charge to manslaughter.
R v R, Leeds Crown Court and Court of Appeal – Manslaughter by gross negligence in a workplace fatality caused by a machine driver failing to apply the safety pin on an excavator bucket.
R v C, Leeds Crown Court – In the case of the murder of a flatmate, C was deemed fit to plead after a long period of unfitness in a secure hospital. The case was unusual in that defences of self-defence, provocation and diminished responsibility were all raised in court.
R v H, Sheffield Crown Court – A case of one-punch manslaughter in a bar brawl.
R v JB and another, Sheffield Crown Court – Junior, led in 8-week murder trial. Acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter.
R v M, Cardiff Crown Court – M was the former girlfriend of the Lost Prophets’ lead singer, who successfully argued that she had been instrumental in bringing him to justice. She was acquitted of possessing indecent images.
R v S – Divisional court appeal on breaches of youth detention and training orders.
R v H – Divisional court appeal where the court accepted the defence’s interpretation of the law, where a loophole was exploited relating to the enforcement of breaches of youth detention and training orders. Parliament decided to change the law.
R v S – This case of conspiracy to evade duty on the importation of tobacco involved an international letter of request to authorities in Brazil and Hong Kong.
R v B & Ors, Sheffield Crown Court – A multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class-A drugs in South Yorkshire.
R v B & Ors, Bradford Crown Court – A multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class-A drugs in West and South Yorkshire.
How much will Dale Harris’ services cost?
Dale mostly works on a fixed-fee basis for the main hearing, with a daily refresher rate for any subsequent date of hearing, although this depends on the type of work you request. If you’d like a quotation for his legal services in a particular matter, please contact our clerk using the details below and we’ll be very happy to help. Please also refer to Bank House Chambers’ standard terms & conditions.
What might influence the timescales of the services Dale offers?
Dale would normally expect to arrange a preliminary conference with your client within 7 days of first contact from you. After that, despite our best intentions, we can’t always control timescales or the amount of time we spend on a case. These can be affected by factors such as urgency; complexity; your own (or your client’s) availability; Dale’s availability and that of any third parties; the volume of documents he needs to review or must request; and the court’s availability.
Can you have confidence in Dale’s work?
He is regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
How can you contact Dale Harris?
In the first instance, please contact our senior clerk, Wayne Digby, on 0114 275 1223 or email him at w.digby@bankhousechambers.co.uk.
