George Smart

Year of Call: 2023

“His advocacy is clear, measured, and persuasive, and he presents his cases with both confidence and courtesy.”

Feedback from Judge

Our specialist clerks can be contacted by email on clerks@5sah.co.uk or phone on 020 7332 5400. To contact our Chambers Director directly in relation to a specific members’ practice, please email dscothern@5sah.co.uk

Overview

George prosecutes and defends in a wide range of criminal cases. George has experience of cases involving serious violence, public order, dishonesty, weapons, drugs, sexual offences, and road traffic incidents.

He also accepts instructions in proceeds of crime and related areas and extradition proceedings.

George successfully completed pupillage at 5 St Andrew’s Hill under the supervision of Dominic Connolly, Louisa Collins, and James Fletcher.

Before his pupillage, George worked with vulnerable detainees as an Appropriate Adult in various police stations across North London.

Here is what some of those who have worked with George have said about him:

“His attention to detail in case preparation is meticulous.”

Client Feedback

“His advocacy and interpersonal skills far exceed that of his years of criminal law experience.”

Client Feedback

“George is approachable, helpful, and I would be happy to brief him on more complex matters and recommend him to my colleagues.”

Client Feedback

“Mr Smart’s representation was, as far as I could tell, excellent. He took points that were proper to make and conceded appropriately as well.”

Feedback from Judge

Criminal Defence

George has a busy defence practice and is instructed in a wide range of criminal cases. He has experience of cases involving serious violence, public order, dishonesty, weapons, drugs, sexual offences, and road traffic incidents.

Criminal Prosecutions - Private & Public

George accepts instructions to prosecute cases on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service and Probation Service. He is on the CPS General Crime Advocate Panel (Level 1).

Extradition & International

George has had experience of extradition applications at Westminster Magistrates' Court and is keen to grow a practice in this area.

Asset Forfeiture, Confiscation & Civil Fraud

George accepts proceeds of crime and asset forfeiture instructions.

Additional Information

Professional Panel Appointments

  • Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) General Crime Advocate Panel: Level 1

Education

  • Bar Vocational Studies (BVS), City, University of London – Distinction
  • Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), City, University of London – Distinction
  • English Literature BA Hons, University of Exeter, Upper Second Class

Scholarships

  • City Law School Scholarship for Academic Excellence

Awards

  • The Jean Monnet Prize for European Law (1st in GDL year group)
  • The Monckton Chambers Prize for European Law (1st in GDL year group)

Articles

 

Professional Memberships

  • The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
  • The Criminal Bar Association
  • Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum (DELF)
  • Justice

Cases of Note

R v KL

No evidence offered following a successful s.78 application to exclude evidence gathered during a vulnerable defendant’s time in custody after being denied access to an Appropriate Adult.

R v C

Successful defence of a client charged with threatening with an offensive weapon.

R v P

Successful defence of a vulnerable client charged with a s.4A public order offence.

R v SF

Defence counsel for sentence of a young defendant charged with four counts of possession of a bladed article in a public place. The Crown also sought a CBO with five proposed conditions. SSO imposed, CBO ordered with one condition.