Steven Hayden

I am a criminal defence barrister working from the Chambers of Michael Mansfield KC and fully qualified in 2010. I have represented hundreds of people in both the Magistrates Courts and Crown Courts across a whole of offences.  I offer a free 30-minute initial telephone consultation.

My wealth of experience has seen me successfully represent a number of people for allegations ranging from motoring offences to serious violent assaults and for the individual facing any criminal matter there is simply no such thing as a minor offence.  

My approach

I am here to guide, assist and help you through it.  I engage with everyone I represent in the same way, direct, upfront and honest.  I am friendly and approachable, priding myself on my attention to detail and high client care.  I grasp cases quickly and empathise with those I work so hard to represent.  It can be very daunting and worrying for anyone facing criminal charges.  

My work

My practice in crime spans all aspects and there is not a matter that I would be unable, unwilling or incapable of dealing with.  

I am also Police Station accredited meaning that I can represent Clients at their very first dealings within the Criminal Justice System.

I can help you with any of the following:

  • First Appearances
  • Guilty Pleas
  • Not Guilty Pleas
  • Driving Offences
  • Driving Licence Issues (particularly keeping it!)
  • Insurance Issues
  • Magistartes Trials
  • Crown Court Trials
  • Appeals against Convictions
  • Appeals against Sentence
  • Case Stating Court Decisions
  • Any hearings prior to trial
  • Advising on any of the above

About me

I completed my training (known as pupillage) back in 2010 when I practiced exclusively in crime.  Throughout the first few years of my career I was regularly instructed in cases ranging from the Youth Court to the Crown Court.  Whilst I predominantly defended, I occasionally prosecuted for the Department for Work and Pensions, The London Probation Service and The Crown Prosecution Service.  After several years of practicing, my workload is now a mix of attending court and papers-based work from chambers, which would often involve advising clients on evidence and prospects of success. My work has diversified into the areas of civil disputes and family law, the latter of which forms the lion share of my working life. 

What my clients say

Steven and I have worked together for many years and he is our main Counsel for all our PI work.  He is dependable and we trust him to get the job done

MH – professional client 

Steven was instructed on a high value PI case involving historic rape, he successfully appealed against a Master’s decision not to set aside the Claimant’s default judgment and went on to achieve a fantastic result for the Client.  His attention to detail was meticulous and we have instructed him on multiple cases since

GDC – professional client

Steven’s attention to detail and ability to grasp the complex issues in a case makes him our primary choice when it comes to instructing Counsel.  He is approachable, personable and dependable and we have confidently recommended him to other firms

LE – professional client

We had never instructed a barrister directly but found Steven very approachable and easy to communicate with.  His service was fantastic and we have continued to use him and recommend him to others

KH – lay client (direct access) 

We instructed Steven when a family member was accused of a criminal offence they did not commit.  Steven’s attention to detail was second to none and his presence in court was powerful and compelling.  We appreciated how he was always willing to give his time and how clearly he explained things to us; she was acquitted

MH – lay client (direct access) 

Steven provided a level of support that went beyond my expectations.  He believed in me when no one else did and he helped me through the complicated and difficult legal process                                                          

TA – lay client (direct access)