Roger Brice DL

Roger Brice is Head of our Crime and Military Law Department.

He oversees and directs his departments on all aspects of criminal advocacy, ensuring each and every client receives the best representation and service possible. He brings over 35 years’ experience of practice in the Criminal and Military Courts to bear on each and every case with which he deals.

Experience

Roger Brice completed his training with Gepp Solicitors and was admitted as a Solicitor in 1978. He then practised in Oxford and Cambridge before returning to the Firm in 1981 to grow and establish the Criminal Litigation Department. He was made a Partner in 1984 and became our Senior Partner in 2018.

He is a Higher Court Advocate, regularly appearing in the Crown Court and in Court Martials throughout the United Kingdom. He also acts for Clients in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.

Specialisms

Roger heads up the Criminal and Military Law Departments and leads an experienced and specialist team of Solicitors and Higher Court Advocates. In addition to dealing with Serious Organised Crime and Major Court Martials, he has a particular interest in Road Traffic matters, which is a complex and ever changing area of law and he frequently represents Clients throughout the Country. He has considerable experience in representing Clients charged with driving with excess alcohol or speeding, particularly camera cases and cases involving the use of mobile telephones, Clients whose licences and previous convictions are such that a further conviction would lead to a period of disqualification.

Approach

His straight forward, “no nonsense” approach to complex criminal matters has made Roger the choice of both the business owner and high net worth individual. Understanding and evaluation of each case and the ability to focus on attention to details, Roger is possibly the most experienced Advocate in the region.

Case Studies

Criminal Law

• R v Y and Others – representing the former celebrity bodyguard charged on an Indictment alleging conspiracy to murder and other serious offences. This case involved extensive analysis of telephone communications and forensic evidence. After a lengthy Trial, Mr Y was acquitted and described his Defence representation as being “The Dream Team”, Co-Defendants convicted.
• R -v- C. Elderly gentleman of good character charged with a matter of “historic rape” offences. The case required sensitive and careful handling – client was acquitted at York Crown Court following trial.
• R -v- L. Large scale drug importation by foreign nationals via Essex port. Whilst initially remanded in custody the defendant was subsequently admitted to bail and acquitted at trial.
• R -v- M. Sophisticated “Boiler Room” fraud investigated by specialist teams in London. Lengthy trial at Southwark Crown Court – client acquitted.
• R -v- P. Complex Crown Court case involving multiple allegations of serious sexual and physical assault. All sexual allegations were dismissed.
• R -v- C. Acting for care professional – charged with abuse of patient following TV documentary exposure.
• R -v- M. Serving Soldier charged with causing grievous bodily harm – at Crown Court extensive use of forensically enhanced recordings – client acquitted.
• Military Law
• The Iraq Fatalities Enquiry – Involvement in a major public enquiry led by Sir George Newman concerning a former member of HM Forces and deaths and civilians in the Iraq conflict set up following the decision of the Divisional Court in R (Ali Zaki Monsa) v Secretary State for Defence No.2.
• The Police Service of Northern Ireland Legacy Inquiry.
• Involvement in and acting for Service personnel subject to investigation following deployment many years ago during “the troubles” between the years 1968 and 1998.
• The inquiry re-examines all deaths “attributable” to “the troubles”.
• The Police Service of Northern Ireland Investigation Branch replaced the Historical Enquiries Team, which ceased to exist in 2014.
• R v Trooper G – successfully defending a member of the Household Cavalry Regiment charged with desertion after a ten year absence.
• R -v- Privates W and F. Representing two soldiers from the same Battalion charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent S18 – Half time submission that charge dismissed, all charges dismissed at conclusion of case.
• R -v- Major M. Acting on behalf of Senior Officer alleged to have sexually assaulted female – Acting from the beginning of the investigation successfully defending the same all allegations dismissed.
• R -v- Guardsman M. Acting on behalf of Guardsman alleged to have violently assaulted complainant causing grievous bodily harm. Acquitted at Court Martial.
• R -v- Craftsman W. Soldier alleged to have caused serious injury to complainant with a knife – case robustly defended evidence challenged and allegations dismissed at Court Martial.
• R -v- Cpl P. NCO charged with double rape whilst serving on operations aboard. Lengthy legal submissions on abuse of process and evidential admissibility – Acquitted at Court Martial.
• R -v- Warrant Officer Class 1. Acting for Senior NCO charged with theft from employer – matter dealt with by fine thus preserving rank and pension rights.

Memberships

Roger Brice is a former Member of the Law Society Standing Committee on Criminal Law, a Member and Past Honorary Secretary of the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association and is a former Committee Member of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association and Member of the Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk Criminal Justice Board, past Chairman of the United Kingdom Forces Law Network and a Member of the Institute of Military Court Advocates. He has also previously served as a Solicitor Trainer at Grays Inn.

He is a High Court Advocate. In 2014 Roger was appointed as Under Sheriff of Essex and a Deputy Lieutenant of Essex in November 2020. He is a member of the Court of the University of Essex.