Michael O’Garra

Michael has been engaged in criminal defence work as a solicitor for more than 30 years. He became a solicitor-advocate in 1999. He set up his own criminal defence practice at the age of 29 and as managing partner oversaw the expansion of the firm to a staff of 40. He is a duty solicitor on the Leeds rota.

He has prosecuted for various government agencies, DTI, VOSA, Consignia plc. He has also defended cases prosecuted by the SFO, CPS special casework, HMRC, DTi. Following competitive tender, he secured a contract to run the CDS direct service for over eight years, Providing 24 hour/365 days a year telephone advice to detainees throughout the country.

Notable cases include defending in the Hillsborough case, securing an acquittal in a £110 million international money laundering VHCC.

For the last 15 years he has specialised in representing corporate and individual clients in the waste industry. Dealing with regulatory issues prosecuted by the Environment Agency and landfill and VAT evasion cases prosecuted by HMRC. He has successfully defended against the Environment Agency in the magistrates and Crown courts cases prosecuted as frauds. He has taken a number of cases to the 1st and 2nd tier tax tribunal and is presently engaged in such a matter concerning £88 million.

Michael’s present case load includes several multi-£1 million drugs conspiracies involving EncroChat issues as well as murder, and 3 deaths by dangerous driving allegations. He is instructed on two drugs importation offences. He is presently assisting and advising 3 separate corporate clients concerning regulatory issues and permit breaches investigated by HMRC and the Environment Agency.

He has successfully defended in relation to a £2 million account freezing order application made by HMRC and as a result have secured instructions in relation to a number of other ongoing such freezing order applications presently before Magistrates’ courts in the North of England.

Michael prides himself on being contactable even during unsociable hours and offers timely practical legal advice based on over 30 years of experience, including being appointed as a peer reviewer for crime and fraud cases, VHCC specialist fraud supervisor and has been consulted by the Legal Aid Agency on policy making.