Robert Benzynie
Year of Call: 1992 LLB
Appointments: Council for the University of Buckingham
Specialist Areas: Serious Violent Offences, Large Drugs Related Offences, Serious Fraud & White Collar Crime, Courts Martial
BiographyAfter a 9 year career in Pharmacy working for 3M and ICI Pharmaceuticals, Mr Benzynie decided on a change of direction and joined the Bar. His current major areas of practice are Criminal law in drug and fraud cases specialising in confiscation cases. His other areas of focus maintained over a number of years are:
Criminal Injury Compensation
Regulatory Law
Common Law (Predominantly contract and negligence cases at all levels)
Drugs
Violent crime
Fraud – including DSS fraud
Military – especially Courts Martial
From 1992 to 1997 his practice consisted of 80% Civil work while during the period from 1997 to date he has had a pre-dominantly Criminal Practice. Mr Benzynie has dealt with a number of criminal trials in the Crown Court, Military Courts in the UK and in Germany and cases in the Court of Appeal. He has represented a number of Applicants in Appeals at the CICA.
INTERESTS
Robert was head of the Civil Team in Chambers from 2000 to 2002 and outside of his practice he is a member of Council for the University of Buckingham which oversees the running of the University. He would describe himself as having a decreasing ability in tennis and an increasing interest in golf.
CasesMURDER
R v Mashozera [2006] (Murder case which required careful management of psychiatric reports and forensic investigation).
FRAUD
R v Pryce (Court of Appeal case which applies the updated monetary values to be considered in DSS fraud cases as was considered in R v Graham and Whatley [2005] 1 Cr App R(S) 115.)
(The production of forged credits cards where the defendant was supplying the machinery and software to produce the cards)
DRUGS
[2009] (Represented a defendant charged with a conspiracy to import 2.7 tons of cannabis in which he was acquitted.)
THEFT
(A case involving the theft of caravans throughout the UK in excess of £1m)
OTHER
(Confiscation of some £3m where the benefit was settled at £153,000 with a payment of £5,000)
CIVIL CASES
Crowe v Sedgefield Borough Council – Divisional Court (The application of the regulations in regard to Hackney Carriage Licences and the regulation governing the driving to Taxis. Successfully argued against the Sedgefield Council)
(A case concerning the advance of a regulated loan from a bank where the bank unilaterally changed the interest charges and the total amount to be repaid)
(A case involving the application of the regulations of a “Tied” public house and the enforcement of those regulations)