Michael Field

Michael Field is a specialist barrister and has been in legal practice for over 25 years, first as a solicitor and subsequently, and presently, as a barrister. He specialises principally in serious crime and housing enforcement. He also undertakes road traffic and motoring work. 

In criminal matters, he acts both as Leading and Junior Counsel and is Joint Head of Freemans’ Crime Department, which he established and has developed into a highly respected criminal defence practice. Michael’s work has been consistently recognised by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 directories. He has been described as “an outstanding trial advocate”, “very experienced”, “excellent”, and “a superb lawyer”. He has been praised for his keen attention to detail, patience, and expertise, and has also been described as “a brilliant barrister and an expert in his field” and “a seasoned and very good technical lawyer who comes up with novel approaches”. 

Michael also has a significant practice and notable expertise in housing enforcement law. He is frequently engaged by both professional and non-professional individual landlords, as well as corporate entities. Michael leads a small dedicated team of specialists in housing enforcement, with a particular expertise in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The team has been involved in important cases that have influenced this area of law. Michael authored the grounds of appeal for the Upper Tribunal case of Hallett v Parker, a case that notably shifted Rent Repayment Order awards in favour of landlords. In 2026, Michael was instructed in the Upper Tribunal case of – Fletcher v Portsmouth City Council, a case that limited the ability of local authorities to impose blanket conditions on HMO licenses and clarified key principles related to the lawful exercise of licensing powers. 

HOUSING ENFORCEMENT 

Michael’s professional experience and expertise in housing enforcement enables him to provide advice at each stage of the enforcement process. Michael integrates strategic legal analysis with his seasoned, robust advocacy skills to identify evidential weaknesses, procedural irregularities, and defences capable of defeating enforcement action. If no defence is available, he will look to mitigate the effects of enforcement action. His practice has included complex housing law issues, high-value disputes, and cases with substantial financial and reputational implications. He delivers practical and commercially oriented advice and works with clients to contest regulatory decisions, reduce financial exposure, and seek favourable outcomes pre-tribunal and in tribunal or court proceedings. 

The areas that he can provide expert advice on include: 

• Appeals against HMO and Selective Licensing decisions 

• Alleged HMO and Selective Licensing offences under the Housing Act 2004 

• Alleged breaches of the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 

• Housing Act 2004 prosecutions 

• Civil financial penalties imposed under the Housing Act 2004 

• Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) 

• Improvement Notices, Prohibition Orders and Emergency Remedial Action 

• Banning Orders 

• Rogue Landlord Database decisions 

• Illegal eviction and harassment allegations, and prosecutions 

• Statutory Nuisance proceedings 

• Appeals and applications before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) 

• Appeals to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) 

• Judicial Review and public law challenges arising from housing enforcement decisions 

• Appeals by way of case stated and other appellate proceedings 

SERIOUS CRIME 

Michael is instructed in the most serious and complex criminal proceedings before the Crown Court. His practice has included allegations of homicide, attempted murder, serious sexual offending, organised criminal activity, large-scale drug trafficking and importation, money laundering, fraud, kidnapping, and serious violence. He has appeared in a number of lengthy and legally complex trials both as Leading Counsel and as a led Junior, frequently in cases involving substantial evidential and legal complexity. 

He has appeared in a number of high-profile cases, including those concerning assisted suicide and murder, and has significant experience in proceedings involving vulnerable defendants with serious mental illness or learning disabilities. He has also been appointed by the court to represent defendants found unfit to plead under the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964. 

Notable instructions have included a two-month murder trial at the Central Criminal Court involving exceptionally complex issues of secondary participation and joint enterprise. The trial judge described it as the most complicated joint enterprise murder trial over which she had presided. The case pre-dated the Supreme Court’s decision in Jogee and resulted in his client being acquitted of murder. 

He appeared in a murder trial as Junior Counsel to King’s Counsel that was one of a tiny number that explored the interface between assisted suicide and murder. The High Court trial Judge allowed a no case to answer submission on murder at the conclusion of the Crown’s case. 

He also appeared as sole Junior Counsel in a three-month serious fraud trial against a leading King’s Counsel, who was supported by two Junior Counsel. In that prosecution, involving a central four-member family, Michael’s client was the only family member not convicted of at least one count. 

Michael acted as Leading Counsel for the chauffeur of the principal defendant and a close associate of the individual responsible for placing fake explosive devices in Gray’s Inn, in a widely reported fake bomb conspiracy prosecution. The case centred on allegations that the devices formed part of a campaign of intimidation directed against barristers instructed by the National Crime Agency. The trial involved extensive digital, and surveillance evidence and featured the involvement of a number of King’s Counsel.

Michael’s appellate practice has included appointment by the Court of Appeal as Junior Counsel to leading King’s Counsel in a murder appeal arising from a Criminal Cases Review Commission referral. The case had very complex expert evidence across many disciplines and was unsurprisingly described as “extremely complex” by Lord Justice Dyson at the first appeal. 

Michael is known for his thorough preparation, sound judgement, and measured advocacy. He enjoys an impressive record of winning jury trials, which he prepares meticulously. He has received positive feedback from judges, clients, solicitors, and peers. 

ROAD TRAFFIC AND MOTORING OFFENCES 

Michael also advises and represents clients in road traffic and motoring cases ranging from summary proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court to cases involving death. 

Michael has significant experience advancing Exceptional Hardship and Special Reasons arguments in cases where disqualification would have adverse and far-reaching consequences for a defendant, their family, employees, clients, or wider business interests. His clients have included Premier League footballers and others facing serious professional or commercial repercussions arising from motoring allegations. 

Clients value his strategic approach, detailed preparation, and persuasive advocacy. He combines technical legal expertise with a practical understanding of the personal and commercial implications that often follow a motoring conviction, allowing him to provide clear advice and effective representation throughout proceedings. 

APPOINTMENTS 

• Fee-Paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), following appointment by Lord Justice Dingemans, Senior President of Tribunals. 

• Independent Funding Adjudicator, having been appointed following recommendation by an Advisory Assessment Panel to the Lord Chancellor. 

Both appointments are undertaken on a part-time basis alongside Michael’s full-time practice as a barrister 

TRAINING/PERSONAL 

Michael has delivered training to senior legal practitioners and landlords, and has been a guest lecturer in criminal law at university level 

Outside of his practice, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, playing padel, watching films, and following football, particularly Arsenal.