John Weate representing client on attempted murder charges

Who? John Weate, 53, criminal and prison law partner at Birkenhead firm Roberts Moore Nicholas Jones.

Why is he in the news? Acted pro bono for Liverpool football fan Michael Shields, 22, who was convicted by a Bulgarian court of attempted murder.

The case revolved around an assault on a Bulgarian national in the early hours of 30 May 2005. Shields was arrested, charged and sentenced to 15 years in prison, reduced on appeal to 10 years.

Weate produced evidence of mishandling in the investigation and witnesses to testify in his client’s favour. However Shields remains in custody, transferred to an English prison in November 2006.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw initially declined to grant a pardon on the grounds he could not overturn the ruling of another state’s court. However, last month the High Court ruled that Straw has the power to exercise the royal prerogative of mercy. He is now taking advice from senior counsel.

Thoughts on the case: ‘It was obvious there had been a gross miscarriage of justice, but I’m an English lawyer - and didn’t know the procedure for dealing with a Bulgarian conviction. We tried every avenue, submitting petitions to the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice, chief prosecutor and the courts.

‘Michael was eventually shipped back here, where the struggle for justice continued. Eventually we - a football fan supported by a provincial law firm - got Jack Straw in person into court. He is not appealing the High Court’s ruling, which suggests to us that he, too, believes in Michael’s innocence.

‘We believed in this case, which gave us the edge to give it our all. Let’s now hope Michael is released after more than three and half years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.’

Why become a solicitor? ‘I left school with a handful of
O-levels and became an office junior at Widnes Magistrates’ Court. I worked my way up from there.’

Career high-point? ‘In many ways, this case - Jack Straw in court and on-side.’