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Until taking silk in March 2009, John was for many years recognised as the UK's top junior for police work in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. He was also highly ranked in the Professional Discipline section of Chambers and Partners. As the quotations from clients and practitioners below illustrate, John is a first rate advocate and trial lawyer, renowned in particular for his tactical skills and his effective cross-examination.
Since taking silk his practice has included libel, judicial review, regulatory proceedings (including the SDT, GMC and police gross misconduct panels), High Court and County Court civil actions involving the police, serious inquests and specialist criminal defence work.
John Beggs is highly thought of throughout the profession and is considered “one of the best and most efficient practitioners around." Commentators note that he is "imaginative, has a great eye for detail and does not suffer fools gladly.” Chambers and Partners 2010. He is known for the "excellent professional service" and "clear and concise views" he furnishes his clients with. Chambers and Partners 2010
'John Beggs is renowned for his tough advocacy skills: “If you have a case with really heavy facts, and you want somebody to cross-examine it into the ground, he’s your man.”' Chambers & Partners 2009
'“Robust, approachable and pragmatic,” Beggs "is your man if you’re looking for a good, forceful advocate.”' Chambers & Partners 2009
‘As one solicitor said: "Beggs' mantra is 'I win cases.' He's not wrong."’ Chambers & Partners 2008
"For 'encyclopaedic knowledge' of police work John Beggs is highly regarded. 'His work in sensitive cases is unparalleled'; he is an 'innovative pleader'..." Legal 500 2008
'John Beggs has "superb presentation skills." Interviewees singled him out for his "polished delivery and his skill in examining every angle of a case," lauding him as a "siren voice in the courtroom." His practice is heavily freighted with police disciplinary work, which he "attacks with venom and great gusto." Those lucky enough to instruct him do so because he is a "proven winner".’ Chambers & Partners 2008
'“Robust advocate” John Beggs is "the best jury advocate of his generation by a long way and understands juries and how they work.“ Commentators believe that he understands the police service better than anyone else”' Chambers & Partners 2008
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John lectures widely within and for the police service.
He has particular expertise in police firearms operations; public order operations; police misconduct investigations; police performance issues; terrorism.
Particular training projects of note have included:
• Providing the training for the Met’s superintendents on the Human Rights Act 1998
• Providing an award winning video for the police service on “Giving Evidence” (which won the 2001 New York Film Festival Gold Medal in the “Training” category)
• Co-chairing in 2002 a 2 day conference run by Europol in the Hague on contract killings
• Key note speaker at the ACPO Professional Standards Conference in 2006 and 2007
John is accredited as an “Approved Provider” by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) for training for the new Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008 and Police (Performance) Regulations 2008.
He recently published, with Hugh Davies, though Oxford University Press, “Police Misconduct, Complaints and Regulation”, the definitive guide to the new police complaints, misconduct and performance regime.
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