Areas of Practice

Background

Steven is a versatile and experienced practitioner and is known to be personable and engaging with his clients who value his honest appraisal.  In court he is a determined and persuasive advocate who is always at ease when handling difficult witnesses or dealing with sensitive issues.

After a hiatus of 7 years Steven has recently returned to prosecuting in the Crown Court and mixes his criminal practice with defending fraudulent and unmeritorious personal injury claims in the County Court.  These two predominant areas of his practice very much compliment each other as they rely on clear advice; case strategy, meticulous preparation and robust advocacy.

Steven works on a freelance basis for a national conflict management and mediation company who work in sectors such as government, university and healthcare.  He undertakes formal inquiries on their behalf into professional disciplinary matters and workplace disputes involving, for example, allegations of bullying, harassment and racial discrimination. His measure of assessment incorporates the organisation’s own policies and having gathered information through interview he evaluates the evidence before collating his findings into a formal report.

Steven has mentored people coming into the profession and works on an occasional and freelance basis as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Law [ULaw] teaching on the BTC, LPC and LLB.

Civil Litigation

He has a national practice representing Claimants and Defendants alike and can bring his balanced experience to bear on issues in a straightforward and effective manner.

He has a wide range of experience in personal injury litigation both multi track and fast track including complicated medical presentations, fatal accidents, claims against the police, credit hire, LVI and fraud.  Steven is regularly instructed in cases of high value; to draft comprehensive schedules of loss and to participate in joint settlement meetings.

He has conducted a number of successful civil appeals from the County Court.    Steven has experience of clinical negligence and dental negligence claims; some industrial disease work and ‘on the field’ sports injuries. He has regularly appeared in the First Tier Tribunal on appeals involving Criminal Injuries Compensation.

Steven can accept instructions by e-mail and will endeavour to ensure a quick turnaround of advice or documents. He is happy to advise informally pre-issue.  Steven is content to conduct conferences with clients in chambers, via Skype or Microsoft Teams; at the offices of instructing solicitors or by home visit.

He has recently given a number of practical seminars on subjects ranging from the Development of EU Law on Road Traffic Litigation; Fundamental Dishonesty; Updating on Developments in Civil Litigation and Maximising Claims at Stage 3.  Seminars can be tailored to the needs of your organisation and can be arranged via Neil McHugh.

Criminal

Steven has prosecuted cases on behalf of a range of agencies.  In addition to the Crown Prosecution Service, he has prosecuted cases on behalf of DWP; Local Authorities, The Probation Service; the Legal Department of the Chief Constable of Merseyside and the Health and Safety Executive.

His historical caseload has involved serious crime: murder, rape, historical sexual abuse, conspiracy to supply drugs and money laundering. He has undertaken cash forfeiture hearing and has experience in football banning orders, cases involving police misconduct and issues related to disclosure and public Interest immunity.

Over the years he has appeared in the Court of Appeal, the Administrative Court [Judicial Review] and the High Court [Appeals by way of Case Stated]

Inquests

Steven has a wide range of experience in the Coroner’s Court including representing the interests of the police and inquests involving fatal road traffic accidents and deaths whilst in custody.

Regulatory Work

Steven has experience of cases involving Health and Safety; Trading Standards; Vehicle Inspectorate; Local Authority Prosecutions in the Crown Court; Care Standards Tribunal and Licencing.

Mediation

Steven is a qualified mediator and draws upon 25 years of practice to deal with a wide range of disputes by understanding and evaluating issues.  Steven will work to reduce conflict and find ways to focus parties on identifying effective solutions in a cost effective alternative to litigation.  Steven is engaged on a freelance basis with a nationally acclaimed workplace conflict management company who specialise in investigating workplace grievances and offering medication.

Please e-mail him directly at steven.ball@7hs.co.uk for further information.