On 1 March 2021, Terry was appointed as legal advisor to the Master of the Rolls. Prior to this, he worked as a senior researcher at the House of Commons Library.
Criminal Defence
When in private practice, Terry was entrusted to defend in cases of seriousness and complexity and his practice encompassed the full range of criminal offences, including murder. One of the authors of 'The Confiscation Manual' (Sweet & Maxwell, 2014), Terry had a busy practice defending in proceedings brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Terry was frequently instructed to defend in protest cases and had a particular interest in opposing civil applications made in the criminal courts (such as ASBOs and football-banning orders). He also regularly advised convicted prisoners on the merits of out of time appeals against conviction and sentence.
As a former youth mentor, Terry is mindful of the law's greater impact on vulnerable defendants and continued to represent children and young people in the Youth Court. He represented many young, first-time offenders prosecuted following the 2011 riots in London.
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Inquests and Inquiries
Overview
Terry was regularly instructed to represent bereaved families at inquests. His particular focus was on deaths in custody and following police contact. He regularly advised on related civil claims arising out of inquests. He was a member of the INQUEST Lawyers' Group and contributed to Inquest Law magazine.
Notable Cases
Inquest touching on the death of Adnan Rafiq, a young prisoner murdered by fellow prisoners at HMP Hewell (March 2015).
The jury returned a conclusion of unlawful killing with a critical narrative highlighting the failure by prison staff to consider whether Adnan was at risk. The inquest was reported in national and local media.
Inquest touching on the death of Colin Berry, who died following a struggle with an officer during the execution of a drugs warrant at his home (June 2015).
The case was widely reported in the local and national media, including the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror and the Independent.
Inquest touching on the death of Wsam Noorwali (December 2013), a 14-month-old infant who died following ingestion of a button battery.
In a narrative verdict the coroner criticised the hospital recording a number of missed opportunities to treat Wsam. The inquest was reported in the national media, including the BBC, The Telegraph, Daily Mail and Daily Mirror.
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Claims Against the Police and Public Authorities
Terry represented claimants in civil actions against public bodies, with a particular focus on claims brought against the police. He regularly advised on complaints of false imprisonment, assault, trespass to goods and property, malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office, as well as on claims under the Human Rights Act 1998.
