George Payne

He has a methodical and scientific approach to preparing cases leaving no stone unturned. He is not afraid to confront the most difficult and seemingly impressive witnesses and cross-examines with experience and skill.

George has particular experience in dealing with high-profile criminal cases involving high levels of media attention. He has a track record of dealing with defending cases across the spectrum of crime including sexual offences, violence and organised complex and financial crime.

His trial experience includes the use of forensic scientific evidence for the defence and using his understanding to undermine that evidence when presented by the prosecution. This includes the analysis of fingerprint evidence, DNA evidence, mobile telephone cell site evidence and the enhancement and management of considerable volumes of CCTV evidence. He is also used to dealing with the assessment of expert medical evidence, including in cases involving post-mortem pathology and the complicated issues surrounding mental health and its impact on criminal responsibility.

George has experience in dealing with the largest, most complex and high profile of cases. He has acted for the defence in the largest joint enterprise murder trial in British legal history, the largest flying squad robbery investigation into the robbery of jewellers. In the summer of 2009 he represented one of the men charged with the Graff jewellery robbery where £40 million of diamonds were taken during a daylight armed raid at the Bond Street store.