Mark Foley

About Mark Foley

Qualified: 1979

Senior Crown Court Advocate

One of the first solicitors in the Country to acquire rights of audience in the higher courts – awarded the Law Society’s “Best Advocate” prize, upon the first ever training scheme, and the winner of the inaugural higher rights award, made by LCCSA and Kingsley Napley. Mark practices principally in the Higher Courts – conducting trials in the Crown Court and appearing regularly in the Court of Appeal.

Mark has a background as a welfare rights and civil liberties lawyer, cutting his teeth and learning his trade as a criminal advocate representing Yorkshire miners in the “Miners Strike” in the 1980’s. He has a wealth of experience representing animal rights and other protest groups, fearlessly defending their civil liberties and right to protest.

He has represented clients charged with the most serious crimes, including terrorism and murder. He has for some years been a part time lecturer in criminal law at Leeds Beckett University.

In March 2019 Mark was invited by the Supreme People’s Court of China to attend and speak as an international expert at a conference in Qingdao, China, addressing senior judges, academics and lawyers in the context of ongoing changes to China’s criminal justice system.

Notable Cases

R v B – terrorism (conspiracy to make explosions) – led by Patrick O’Connor QC

R v C – successfully defended client on charge of importation of heroin, following his arrest at Leeds Bradford Airport, where he was found to be in possession of a suitcase containing a large quantity of heroin

R v M – important case involving a successful referral to the Court of Appeal and further referral to the Supreme Court – important case relating to causation and police misconduct

R v WC – defence of child charged with the murder of Leeds teacher Anne Maguire – led by Richard Wright QC

Hillsborough Inquest – senior solicitor in team led by Ruth Bundey, representing some of the families of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster.