Practice Profile
Arron Payne is a talented advocate who has developed an impressive practice. He has become counsel of choice for many criminal defence solicitors and lay clients. Arron’s instructions are made up of the gravest offences in the criminal calendar, including murder, attempted murder, firearms offences, drug offences, fraud and money laundering.
Arron has a recognised reputation for meticulous preparation and a skillset which boasts passionate and persuasive advocacy. His knowledge of criminal law and procedure makes him an incredibly sought after advocate. Arron has a national practice which routinely exposes him to complex legal issues which he is able to navigate with a calm and confident presence. Arron’s demeanour and client-focused approach promptly establishes trust and ensures clients are put at ease.
Arron joined chambers following the successful completion of pupillage under the supervision of Head of Chambers, Balbir Singh. Prior to joining chambers, Arron was an Advocate instructed to represent clients in the County Court dealing with small claims trials concerning, amongst other areas, breach of contract, landlord and tenant disputes, motor claims, credit hire and parking charges.
Cases
Murder
R -v- ZA – Arron represented the first defendant on the indictment accused of murder and three counts of attempted murder, led by Alistair Webster K.C. The defendant was accused of driving his vehicle at three males on bikes. The defendant’s Audi S3 vehicle collided into one of the males causing serious injuries before mounting the pavement and killing a 16 year old pedestrian. The case was heard by a High Court Judge.
R -v- AS – Arron represented an 18 year old defendant accused of murdering a teenage boy in a vape shop in Birmingham, led by Gregory Bull K.C.
R -v- IF – Arron represented a 15 year old accused of murder in the course of a robbery, led by Timothy Raggatt K.C. The case was heard by a High Court Judge.
R -v- MK – Arron represented the defendant who was accused of murdering his 3 week old baby, led by Balbir Singh. He was acquitted of murder and convicted of the lesser alternative of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. This matter was heard by a High Court Judge.
R -v- AM – Arron represented this defendant who was accused of murdering his neighbour in a house share, led by Timothy Raggatt K.C. This defendant was accused of stabbing the deceased to the back. He was acquitted of murder and convicted of the lesser alternative, manslaughter.
R -v- RA – Arron represented a 18 year old defendant accused of murdering another male in a Birmingham nightclub, led by Talbir Singh K.C. This defendant was acquitted of murder.
Attempted murder
R -v- DN – Arron represented the first defendant accused of attempted murder as junior alone. The prosecution had two counsel; one of whom was King’s Counsel. The trial judge refused an application for King’s Counsel remarking that the case was well within Arron’s competence. The defendant was acquitted of attempted murder and the jury could not reach a verdict on the lesser alternative of wounding with intent.
R -v- ML – Arron represented the first defendant accused of three counts of attempted murder, together with Simon Williams. It was alleged that this defendant had discharged a firearm three times at the funeral of a rival gang member, shooting three people. The jury were unable to reach a verdict.
R -v- KL – Arron represented the defendant accused of two counts of attempted murder, having discharged a firearm at two individuals. Following negotiations, this defendant’s case was resolved on the basis of a plea to a lesser charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
R -v- DB – Arron represented a 15 year old defendant accused of attempted murder as junior alone. The case against him was resolved on the basis of guilty plea to a violent disorder. He avoided an immediate custodial sentence.
Serious violence and firearms
R -v- MW – Arron represented the defendant who was accused of stabbing another young man multiple times causing serious injury. The victim’s sister positively identified this defendant as the stabber. This defendant was acquitted of section 18 wounding with intent.
R -v- EF – Arron represented this young woman accused of cutting a fellow party goer causing him serious harm. The jury were unable to reach verdict and the prosecution offered no evidence.
R -v- ZJ – Arron represented a university student accused of stabbing another student in the shoulder. This defendant accepted causing the injury but denied intending to cause serious injury. The defendant was acquitted of section 18 wounding with intent. Arron persuaded the Court pass a suspended sentence.
R -v- KM – Arron represented a youth defendant who was accused of stabbing his step-father in the back twice. The defendant accepted he was the stabber but was acting self-defence. This defendant was acquitted.
R -v- DJ – Arron represented this defendant who was accused of supplying class A and class B drugs. The police discovered live ammunition in this defendant’s bedroom which carried a minimum sentence of fives years’ custody. This defendant pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition and supplying class B drugs (the Crown did not pursue the class A supply count). Arron persuaded the Judge to dis-apply to five-year minimum sentence and pass a suspended sentence.
Controlled Drugs
R -v- RD – Arron represented the defendant who was accused of possessing of a controlled drug of class A. The drugs were found next to a large sum of cash. This defendant was acquitted of possession the drugs with intent to supply, after a trial at the Crown Court at Birmingham.
R -v- LB – Arron represented the defendant who was accused of conspiring to import over 400 kilograms of heroin. He was acquitted of the conspiracy and convicted of the lesser alternative of assisting an OCG. Arron, after representing the defendant a trial, persuaded the Court to suspend the sentence of imprisonment.
R -v- JT – Arron represented the defendant accused of conspiring to supply class A drugs. He was one of five defendants. After a trial at the Crown Court at Grimsby, he was the only defendant acquitted.
R -v- MM – Arron represented the defendant accused of conspiring to supply class A drugs. The case alleged a county lines operation wherein this defendant was accused of supplying drugs in less sophisticated sea-side towns. This defendant was acquitted following a trial at the Crown Court at Bristol.
R -v- KK – Arron represented this defendant who was accused of producing cannabis. He had fallen asleep in his property whilst food was cooking, causing the fire alarm to sound. When the emergency services arrived the upstairs of the property was found to house numerous cannabis plants. The defendant was acquitted following a trial at the Crown Court at Warwick.
R -v- JL – Arron represented this defendant who was accused of conspiring to supply class A and class B drugs. He was also accused of conspiring to produce cannabis. Following negotiations, the Crown offered no evidence of the counts of conspiring to supply class A and class B drugs and this defendant pleaded guilty to conspiring to produce cannabis. This defendant had 10 years remaining on his licence and was sentenced to a suspended sentence.
Court of Appeal
R -v- Iqbal [2024] EWCA Crim 823
This case involved the supply of a minimum of 25 kilograms of class A drugs. Permission to appeal was refused by the single judge but Arron renewed the application before the full court and successfully persuaded the Court of Appeal that the start point of 24 years’ custody before credit was manifestly excessive. The sentence was quashed and substituted for a sentence of 14 years’ custody, after credit.
R -v- White [2023] EWCA Crim 400
Arron persuaded the Court of Appeal that there had been an error of approach in the sentencing exercise following a conviction for class A supply. Arron was described in the judgment as having argued succinctly, accurately and with force before the sentence was reduced significantly.
R -v- Pawelski [2023] EWCA Crim 653
Arron represented the third party applicant. This applicant was the wife of the defendant who had been convicted of a fraud involving over £1.2 million. The Crown Court made a confiscation order which included the equity in the four properties owned by this applicant and the defendant. Arron successfully applied for an extension of time to appeal as the appeal was 3 years 10 months out of time. The Court of Appeal quashed the section 10A determination in relation to the four properties and amended the confiscation order to allow this applicant a 50% share of the total assets.
Areas of practice
Serious Crime
Education
The University of Law
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Membership
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Member of the Midland Circuit
Member of the Criminal Bar Association
Awards
Wig Scholarship – University of Law
Plea in Mitigation Winner – University of Law