Michael McAlinden
- Called to the Bar in 1997
- Middle Temple
- Practice Area: Crime
Michael has been ranked in the Legal 500 UK Bar Guide 2025 London Bar: Crime as a tier 4
“Michael fights his cases with zeal. He is fearless and thorough in his approach to the evidence which is naturally demonstrated through his effortlessly genuine style of advocacy. This is why clients insist on instructing him repeatedly”
To instruct Michael McAlinden, contact his clerks at clerks@2drj.com or call 020 7936 2613
Biography
Michael is a specialist criminal defence barrister.
Over the last 25 years Michael has successfully represented defendants in relation to every major offence in criminal law.
Michael is adept at dealing with defendants who are mentally disordered or violent. He has great experience in dealing with young defendants of either sex.
His practice includes cases of murder and manslaughter variously involving firearms and knives, together with other serious and gang related violence.
Michael has experience in defending in many cases investigated by the National Crime Agency and is adept at dealing with complex telephone and cell site evidence. Michael also has vast experience of dealing with scientific evidence including DNA and fingerprint analysis and the causation of injuries.
Michael also undertakes work in the areas of Organised Crime Groups, people trafficking, armed robbery, the importation and supply of drugs (including numerous County Lines cases), serious sexual offences, fraud and money laundering, kidnapping, aggravated burglary, arson, the possession of firearms and ammunition and Death by Dangerous Driving amongst many others.
Michael has gained a justified reputation for skillfully dealing with the most demanding and sensitive cases and has an outstanding record of securing acquittals in the most difficult circumstances.
Qualifications
- LLB (Hons); Inns of Court School of Law (BVC)
- Member of the Criminal Bar Association and the Middle Temple
- Michael is able to accept Direct Access instructions from the public
Selected Notable Cases
- Michael is currently instructed to represent Clifford Cowen at the Central Criminal Court who is charged with murder by drowning.
- R v Christian Assi: represented the first defendant in 3 handed Attempted Murder in Brixton where CA fired a shotgun in broad daylight at a rival gang member. Mr Assi was acquitted of Attempted Murder.
- R v Gerson Lala: Represented an alleged Albanian organised criminal on counts of kidnapping, false imprisonment, blackmail and possession of firearms where Michael made detailed legal submissions on the admission of hearsay evidence where the prosecution's witnesses were too fearful to come to court.
- R v Barry Levitt. Representing the defendant Levitt, who was charged with murder having strangled, stabbed his mother with a knitting needle and smothered her with a pillow was convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey and placed under an indefinite hospital order by reason of diminished responsibility.
- R v Morteza Ahmadi. At Southwark Crown Court represented Ahmadi who was reported widely in the media as The Regent Street hammer attacker, went on a crime spree in London's West End, when he attacked four people, sexually assaulting two of them.
- R v Alfie Drage & others. At Northampton Crown Court represented Drage in a charge of murder. Four were found guilty of murder and given life sentences while another man was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for 16 years. Reported widely in the BBC and press.
- R v Alexander & others: murder by stabbing involving many young defendants on Chiswick High Road representing former actor from The Bill (Central Criminal Court);
- R v Quirke & others: manslaughter of naked man pushed into lake at Lakeside Shopping Centre referred to in The Sun as ‘Happy Slap Killing’;
- R v Faley & others: murder by shooting in Mill Hill tried at the Old Bailey: Mr Faley acquitted of murder;
- R v ML: Trident case involving sub machine gun described in ‘Metro’ as ‘the most dangerous weapon ever seized on the streets of London’;
- R v Szypusz: Tottenham ‘Hit Man’ trial at Central Criminal Court, later subject of BBC ‘Murder Blues’ documentary;
- R v Rafael Fernandez & others: Southwark Crown Court: Mr F charged with harbouring 107 kilograms of cocaine: F the only defendant acquitted of 7 standing trial;
- R v Michael Nelson & others: Central Criminal Court: Trident case of triple shooting outside Too Sweet restaurant in Hackney;
- R v AE: Isleworth Crown Court: successful defence of an Emirates air steward accused of the rape of an air stewardess at Heathrow; reported extensively in The Sun and The Mirror;
- R v Griffiths & others: Central Criminal Court: represented main defendant in conspiracy where ex Flying Squad officer led a team of armed robbers who entered various businesses disguised as firemen, attracted national news coverage;
- R v E-C: Guildford Crown Court: causing death by dangerous driving: obtained non custodial sentence for E-C;
- R v Mansoor: Inner London Crown Court: defendant had a kilogram of heroin delivered to his address in his name: acquitted;
- R v Azad & others: Inner London Crown Court: multi handed kidnapping case where victim’s blood was found in the boot of A’s BMW: acquitted;
- R v Tesfay & 12 others: Wood Green Crown Court: case arising from the Tottenham aspect of the London Riots in 2011. T was the only defendant acquitted after Michael successfully challenged three police identifications from CCTV of T as a ringleader.
