Dominik Morton

Dominik observed both Public and Private Children Act Proceedings in hearings ranging from directions and case management hearings to fact-finding and final hearings. The cases have involved many issues, including adoption, domestic violence, and other serious allegations. In addition to shadowing members of chambers Dominik also spent a week Marshalling at the Bristol Civil Justice Centre with HHJ Wildblood and others.

Since being on his feet Dominik has attended courts across the circuit assisting clients in Injunction proceedings. Dominik has been instructed in a number of Children Act cases, especially private family proceedings. He has also been instructed in relation to care proceedings. He has represented parents at a variety of hearings, from interim care order and emergency protection order applications to case management hearings.

Whilst shadowing his supervisor, Robin Shellard, Dominik observed a serious rape trial at Bristol Crown Court. This ran for a number of weeks where Dominik contributed towards case management tasks set by his supervisor. He also shadowed other criminal practitioners from Chambers, observing hearings within the Magistrates’ and the Crown Court. These included prosecutions under the Insolvency Act, appeals from the Magistrates court, committals for sentence and PTPH’s.

During his first six, Dominik attended a one-week training programme organised by the CPS in Bristol. During this week, he watched a variety of hearings within the Magistrates Court, ranging from remand and sentencing hearing to full trials.

Dominik prosecutes on behalf of the CPS within the Magistrates Court on a regular basis. He is also instructed to defend on road traffic and other criminal offences. Dominik has recently been instructed to defend in a two-day Magistrates Court trial in relation to charges of stalking, harassment, assault by beating, and petrol bomb threats.

As well as being instructed in the Magistrates Court, Dominik has appeared in the Crown Court. He has been instructed to defend and prosecute in relation to bail applications, sentencing hearings, mentions and appeal hearings

During the non-practicing stage of his pupillage Dominik was able to shadow many of the members of the civil teams and experience a number of different Hearings and Applications. These included Small Claims, Fast and Multi-Track trials in relation to credit hire, personal injury and contract claims; employment tribunals and a three-day inquest hearing. In addition to attending Court to experience the Hearings first hand Dominik also undertook written work in relation to Employment and contract claims.

Following the completion of his 1^st Six, Dominik has represented clients at Infant Approval, MOJ Stage 3 Assessment hearings and Small Claim Track Trials in relation to Road Traffic Accidents and Credit Hire.