Call: 2017
Direct access
Mark has a broad practice and appears regularly in a variety of courts, as well as producing opinions and pleadings across various practice areas. In the past six months he has also assisted on large-scale disclosure projects for two government departments.
Mark joined Chambers in September 2017 following the successful completion of his pupillage under William Upton, Simon Taylor and Christopher Badger.
Prior to joining Six Pump Court, Mark worked as a paralegal for two years in commercial law firms, which gives him an excellent insight into their day-to-day workings.
Mark is qualified to accept instructions under the Public Access scheme.
Planning & environmental
Mark spent three months of pupillage with William Upton observing a variety of planning matters including High Court work and local authority planning inquiries.
From his time with Christopher Badger, Mark saw a thorough cross-section of environmental prosecution and defence work, as well as producing first-draft advices on various areas including the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
Mark has, in his own right, been involved in the prosecution of various minor planning and environmental offences by undertaking prosecution lists for London Borough Authorities and has recently prosecuted a three-day Crown Court trial for fly-tipping offences.
On the advisory side, Mark has written advice for a global NGO on the impact of the Withdrawal Bill on environmental principles.
He is a regular contributor to Chambers’ Weekly Environmental Law News.
Regulatory
Mark has considerable experience of appearing before the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, as well as the Transport Regulation Unit, in regulatory hearings concerning heavy goods vehicles. He has appeared on behalf of operators, transport managers and drivers in disciplinary matters and also has experience of applications for licences and for the return of detained vehicles.
He is currently instructed in an appeal to be heard before the Upper Tribunal where it will be argued that the inadequacies of the organisation of the Transport Regulation Unit breached an applicant’s right to a fair hearing.
Inquests & inquiries
From the start of tenancy Mark has gained significant experience of public inquiries and inquests. He is instructed on behalf of MHCLG in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and has also assisted the Home Office in the Brook House Inquiry.
In respect of inquests, work highlights include appearing on behalf of the family of a man who died whilst holidaying in St Lucia and appearing for the family of a forester killed whilst felling. In the former, Mark successfully persuaded the Coroner to make a Regulation 28 report to the High Commissioner for St Lucia in the UK. Reported: The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail.
Civil, commercial & chancery
Mark has conducted numerous small claims and fast track trials. More particularly, he has also successfully applied for summary judgment in a defamation action, appeared in an appeal against a decision not to grant relief from sanctions and recovered a debt owed personally by the director of a series of Phoenix companies.
He has appeared in the District Registry, successfully acting for an executrix in an application to pass-over, and has experience of advising in respect of the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act.
He is well versed in Police (Property) Act cases for actions concerning the recovery of property seized during the course of investigations.
From experiences during pupillage and working as a paralegal previously, Mark is confident drafting pleadings across a number of practice areas.
Licensing
Mark assisted in drafting a lengthy advice during pupillage on the merits of challenging the licence renewal of a well-known ride sharing app under the taxi and other legislation.
He has been successful in having the decision of TfL to revoke a suburban London taxi driver’s licence overturned and also has experience of prosecuting various licensing offences, including the sale of prohibited items to underage persons and Housing Act offences, for Local Authorities.
Personal injury & clinical negligence
Mark secured repeat instructions during pupillage for Stage 3 hearings as well as undertaking infant approval settlements and drafting advices on quantum.
He recently appeared in a mock-trial for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (East Anglia Branch) concerned with the recovery of damages for an injury sustained at work.
Crime
Mark spent four months of his pupillage with Simon Taylor observing trials, both prosecution and defence, of matters including serious sexual offences, grievous bodily harm and driving offences.
During his 2nd Six Mark appeared regularly in the Magistrates’ Courts undertaking trials and in the Crown Court, where his work included prosecuting and defending committals for sentence, conducting appeals against conviction and sentence and undertaking Proceeds of Crime Act hearings.
Below is a brief selection of appearances Mark has undertaken.
- R v Austen [Canterbury Crown Court] – defending in a trial of theft and criminal damage where the defence was claim of right.
- R v Devereux [Norwich Magistrates’ Court] – representing a defendant pleading guilty to two offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1971. Successfully argued that the Magistrates should retain jurisdiction for sentencing despite the cost of the hacking to Norwich Airport and Norwich Hospital. View BBC News Report
- R v Jeddi [Canterbury Crown Court] – defending a Hungarian national at sentence in a case for the importation of 880kg of tobacco and numerous other prohibited items.
- R v Mallon, Gayle, McComb [Central Criminal Court] – defending at sentence in a three-handed affray.
- R v Richards [Leicester Crown Court] – defending in a three-day trial concerned with the importation of drugs and mobile phones into prison.
Education
- Philosophy with Classical Civilisation, University of Warwick
- Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Plymouth
- Bar Professional Training Course, University of Law
Appointments
- CPS Level 2 Advocate Panel 2016-2020 (London and South-Eastern Circuits)
- Appointed to the List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health & Safety and Environmental Law (List C)
Publications
Contributing author to Garner’s Environmental Law Encyclopaedia
Awards
- Lincoln’s Inn, Lord Denning Scholar
- UKELA, Student Adviser 2015-2017
Latest news
29th October 2021
Diversion Orders Webinar
The second webinar in our Public Rights of Way series will cover Diversion Orders.
3rd September 2021
DMMO Applications webinar
The first webinar in our Public Rights of Way series will cover DMMO Applications and be held on 6th September.
14th July 2021
Public rights of way webinar series
Six Pump Court Chambers will be presenting a series of three webinars on public rights of way.
27th March 2020
The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020
Mark Watson QC and Mark Davies consider the new Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 and the impact on businesses.
13th January 2020
Maids Moreton Murder – Catch A Killer Documentary
The trial of Ben Field features in tonight’s episode of the Catch A Killer documentary on Channel 4.
21st October 2019
Sentence in Maids Moreton Murder
Sentence in the case of Ben Field was passed on Friday, following his conviction for the murder of the retired Stowe School teacher, Peter Farquhar.
10th September 2019
Deadline approaches for pension schemes
Christopher Badger and Mark Davies have written an article on the implications of amendments to the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations 2005 which require trustees to update their ‘Statement of Investment Principles’ (“SIP”).
13th August 2019
Murder Conviction in Maids Moreton Trial: Oliver Saxby QC and Mark Davies for the Crown
The trial of Field, Smith and Field finished last Friday with the conviction of the principal defendant, Ben Field, of the murder of the retired English teacher, Peter Farquhar.
7th May 2019
Maids Moreton murder trial – Oliver Saxby QC leading for Crown
The trial of Field, Smyth and Field began last Tuesday at Oxford Crown Court. The three face allegations relating to five victims.
22nd February 2019
Comply first and fight later: the law relating to section 20 requests
Gordon Menzies and Mark Davies have written an article concerning the wide-ranging powers provided by section 20 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
3rd October 2017
New Members of Chambers
Six Pump Court Chambers are pleased to announce that Natasha Hausdorff and Mark Davies have been elected to join Six Pump Court Chambers as tenants.
Blog
5th March 2021
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies consider water pollution fines for Thames Water and fines in the US for a UK company found to be in breach of air pollution limits.
25th January 2021
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan, Nicholas Ostrowski and Mark Davies consider disputes over riparian rights and related land drainage issues, more public interest litigation from environmental groups and charities and the news that the US will re-join the Paris Agreement.
14th October 2020
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies consider the new Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill 2019-21, proposed regulations on ecodesign requirements for household appliances and refrigeration and the launch of the Green Homes Grant scheme.
24th July 2020
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton QC and Mark Davies consider a challenge from Plan B over the ‘unlawful allocation’ of Government and Bank of England funds, a commitment by Apple to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and liability for environmental damage from land drainage.
17th July 2020
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan and Mark Davies consider ongoing worries over water supply, delays to the planned incorporation of sewage sludge use within permitting regulations and plans to ‘build back greener’ after the lockdown.
24th June 2020
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies consider the effectiveness of the Bathing Water Directive, the UK Citizens Climate Assembly's efforts to explore how the UK can achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and further caselaw on Aarhus costs capping orders in judicial review.
16th June 2020
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies consider mustard gas dumped in a Nottinghamshire lake, a challenge to the Department for Transport’s ‘Road Investment Strategy 2’ and COVID-19 waste in the seas and on the beaches.
3rd December 2019
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Mark Davies, Angelica Rokad and William McBarnet consider the first ever televised climate change debate, coverage of environmental issues in the Conservative election manifesto and the recent prosecution of Weetabix for polluting the River Ise.
6th August 2019
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Nicholas Ostrowski, Charles Morgan and Mark Davies consider a new ECJ case dealing with questions about the meaning of waste, record fines in water pollution cases and the power of corporate law in the environmental sphere.
9th July 2019
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton QC, Nicholas Ostrowski and Mark Davies consider Peter Kellett's UKELA presentation on how to achieve environmental compliance, the publication of the Environment Agency’s quarterly scorecard and the UK Government's new Green Finance Strategy.
8th May 2019
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton QC, Charles Morgan and Mark Davies consider the recent confusion over licensing exemptions for wild birds, Labour's proposals for the water industry and the decline in nature and acceleration of species extinction highlighted in a report from the IPBES.
25th March 2019
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Mark Watson QC, Christopher Badger, and Mark Davies consider evidence given to the Environmental Audit Committee about the new Office for Environmental Protection, environmental announcements in the Treasury's Spring Statement and publication of the European Commission's ‘Strategic Approach to Pharmaceuticals in the Environment’.
7th January 2019
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Charles Morgan and Mark Davies consider environmental law predictions for 2019, an unwelcome Christmas present for Thames Water and the latest Water Conservation Report from the Secretary of State.
3rd December 2018
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, William Upton, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies consider another reminder of the responsibilities of landowners, the government's response to a recent consultation on the waste sector, and new regulations banning combustible materials on new high-rise homes.
30th October 2018
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies consider the environmental implications of yesterday's Budget, a consultation between the FCA and the PRA on climate change and finance, and a recent case holding that an EIR request was “manifestly unreasonable”.
8th October 2018
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Gordon Wignall, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies consider the inadequate disposal of clinical waste, a Bank of England report on climate change and the banking sector, and a RoboCop for the environment.
13th August 2018
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Gordon Wignall, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies consider an ECJ ruling on the treatment of gene editing, new guidance from the Financial Reporting Council on strategic reports and the decision to allow Cuadrilla to proceed with Hydraulic Fracturing at Preston New Road.
2nd July 2018
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, David Hercock, Natasha Hausdorff and Mark Davies consider a Court of Appeal ruling on the meaning of the term “recovery”, a report from the Climate Change Committee advocating legally binding targets on greenhouse gas emissions, and a decision from the Information Commissioner on disclosure and damage to legitimate economic interests.
29th May 2018
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Christopher Badger, Mark Davies and Antony Batholomeusz consider an EGC judgment in three linked agricultural pesticide cases, EU infringement proceedings against the UK, France and Germany for breaching nitrogen dioxide limits, and prospects for environmental protection under the EEA Agreement.
23rd April 2018
Environmental Law News Update
In this latest Environmental Law News Update, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies consider the imposition of a £350,000 fine on Severn Trent Water Ltd for pollution, amendments to the Withdrawal Bill by the Lords to ensure greater environmental protections, and a win for ClientEarth and others in a CJEU judgment against continued logging in ancient Polish woodland.
Podcasts
13th July 2022
Environmental Law News Podcast
In this podcast produced by Lexis PSL, Christopher Badger and Mark Davies look at recent planning decisions concerning exploratory digging for fracking; the Office for Environmental Protection’s (OEP) strategy and enforcement policy; and the Environment Agency’s (EA) Regulatory Statement.
28th January 2020
Environmental Law Podcast – January 2020
The first environmental law news podcast of 2020 presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL covers predictions for hot topics in environmental law in 2020, Urgenda’s success in the Dutch Supreme Court, and the Upper Tribunal’s decision in the ongoing ‘fluff’ litigation.
19th February 2019
Environmental Law Podcast – February 2019
The latest monthly environmental law news podcast presented by Christopher Badger and Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL, is now available.
15th January 2019
Environmental Law Podcast – January 2019
The latest monthly environmental law news podcast presented by Mark Davies in association with LexisPSL, is now available.
