Mark Robinson: From Crime to Criminal Justice

Alex and Nicole sit down with newly qualified criminal defence solicitor, Mark Robinson, to discuss his unconventional path to the legal profession, and insights on the legal ramifications of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

The odds were against him. At only 3 months old, Mark Robinson was placed in foster care, where he stayed until he was adopted six years later. Growing up in Forest Gate, he was expelled from secondary school and finished secondary education without any qualifications, after which he subsequently joined a gang. When accused of stealing a push bike around the age of 16, Mark found himself at youth court, and received a referral order to probation where his probation officer willed him to find a different part. Mark, taking inspiration from her, vowed to make something more of himself; he recalls this as the turning point for his life.

Seeking more inspiration and purpose, Mark began his next endeavour – music. Attending warehouse parties ignited an ambition in him to DJ; he saved up his money until he acquired his own decks. Surrounded by competition, people asserted that he would never make it as a DJ. Mark responded by: presenting on BBC Radio 1 Xtra, signing a record deal and releasing an album with Ministry of Sound. 20 years into his illustrious music career, Mark hosted an event, where a close friend was stabbed and unfortunately killed. Upon much reflection, he chose to retire from music. Sometime after, things went from bad to worse, when a disagreement with an ex-partner of his wife culminated in Mark being accused of attacking him with a hammer, and charged with ABH. His knowledge of the legal system was almost nothing, however growing frustrations with his counsel meant that Mark ended up representing himself in court – with all but 24 hours to prepare. His conviction in proving his innocence meant that he won the case, and more importantly his freedom. Then acquitted, Mark worked to become an accredited police station legal representative. Upon embarking on a legal career,

Mark’s life was once again altered by a diagnosis of dyspraxia. Nevertheless, he began studies at Birkbeck university’s law school, having earned his place through an impressive case analysis, and graduated with a 2:1. Impressed by his story, partners at EHB solicitors took him out to dinner, where he was offered a Training Contract before he had even completed his second year university exams.

The Law Hub’s Nicole and Alex interviewed Mark (left), gaining a deeper insight into his inspirational and unconventional journey.

What kinds of traits are important for criminal lawyers in particular?

In terms of key traits, interpersonal skills are crucial in criminal law. So is a passion for wanting to help people, your community and society as a whole. The criminal lawyers I know are involved in a variety of projects to do with social issues, charity and campaigning. For us, this is about more than just the law. Criminal lawyers cannot be driven by money as the pay is not great compared to other legal careers.

Is your goal to be a solicitor or a barrister?

My intention is to become a barrister soon, however, I am currently a qualified solicitor because I was offered a Training Contract that promised many valuable learning opportunities. Training as a solicitor has given me an insight to litigation and the full scope of criminal defence which a lot of barristers do not have. I am now in the process of switching over to the Bar because I feel I am best suited to advocacy. 

What was it like training to be a criminal lawyer?

Law courses are mostly geared towards the commercial side. My most valuable experience and training specific to criminal law was on a Police Representative Accreditation scheme, which entailed a portfolio of casework and lots of hands-on client care. Although in criminal law, trainees are not allowed to go to court, I got the opportunity to represent someone in a housing repossession case in county court. This was brilliant for me because criminal defence lawyers are in court more than other types of lawyers, so advocacy skills are very important. 

How will your experience as a radio presenter and DJ benefit you in your legal career?

When I secured a slot on the BBC 1 extra show, I went to two months of intensive elocution training. I learnt how to speak ‘properly’ when announcing news live on air. As a person with dyspraxia, this experience brought out a newfound confidence in me. The music industry taught me how to deal with real people - I can’t emphasise the importance of that skill enough. You can have a stellar academic track-record, but if you can’t connect with real people, you will struggle in this profession. 

What is the highlight of your career so far?

Qualifying after studying for five years! My favourite case so far was one last year in the central family court. As a trainee, I had to handle a lot of complex factors, missing documents and high-running emotions. I felt very accomplished after that.

What would you like your legacy to be?

I’d like to be known as a good trial advocate. Also, I want to inspire and help people from working class backgrounds access law. Many firms have racial diversity quotas, but I don’t believe this fully addresses the disadvantage of working class people, who are of all races. A lot of young people want to earn respect, but some go about it the wrong way. My aim is to show them that by learning how to speak with confidence and reason, you can get respect from people you thought would never respect you. I want them to see that a career in law can do this for you, even if you haven’t got an academic background. 

What is your advice for people considering switching to law?

I say, go for it! Even if you are unsure of what your end-goal is specifically, law is such a broad field that everyone can find their place. Even if you decide to do something else afterwards, being a qualified lawyer is a transferable skill that will benefit you in all professions. 

What reforms should be made to the justice system to make it more accessible for underrepresented groups?

Big law firms should be more open to universities outside Russell Group status and focus their interview processes more on interpersonal skills rather than just grades and university ranking. More scholarships and state funding at all levels would help people from low-income backgrounds afford their studies. More support should be given to local high-street law firms who would like to offer more opportunities to aspiring lawyers in the community, but cannot afford to. There should be more programmes that encourage kids from all backgrounds to get into law. This is true for all top professions, but law in particular needs to open up and stop being such a ‘secret society’.

What are your thoughts on the Black Lives Matter protests?

I support the peaceful protests. The Black Lives Matter protest is a necessity; after decades of police violence, enough is enough. The whole world is still in the hangover period after a long stretch of slavery and segregation. When there is a problem with a minority person, they always seem to be dealt with more harshly by the police and the criminal justice system. Although I support the protest, I do not condone violence on any side, especially from anarchists who latch on to the Black Lives Matter cause and deliberately stir up trouble. 

How can people maintain the fight against racism after the protests?

The starting point is to bring white people to acknowledge the past and accept that colonialism and slavery shaped the society we are in today. Next, we must reopen the dialogue about race, which has become a taboo subject. These Black lives Matter protests are resonating deeper and showing signs of longer-lasting effects because America is now in an election year. I think this could be a watershed moment. The pressure is on Joe Biden to deliver a much-needed political change. 

I hope in the future police are better held to account for acts of violence against black people like Mark Duggan. We need to see the guilty police officers sacked from the force, convicted in court and sent to prison. I think Robert Buckland QC seems a fairly competent Justice Secretary, David Gauke as he had some really refreshing ideas. I also think members of Labour's shadow cabinet are very well-equipped to keep pushing for justice, namely, Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy and party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, who is a former head of department for public prosecutions.

What legal advice would you give to the Black Lives Matter protestors who get into trouble with police? 

If you are joining the protest, have a solicitor’s phone number beforehand. If you are arrested in the heat of the moment, don’t resist. Be aware that you are entitled to free, independent legal advice if you are taken into custody. In this case, contacting a criminal defence solicitor whose details you have to hand may well be quicker than allowing the police to contact a solicitor from the duty scheme.