Mark Karpinski
Barrister | Called 2014
Practice Summary
Mark prosecutes and defends throughout the South Eastern, Western and Midlands Circuits, travelling wherever required in a wide variety of cases including drugs, sexual offences, violence and conspiracies. Although his main area of practice is criminal law, including the Court Martial, he also accepts instructions in professional regulatory and disciplinary matters.
Mark is a grade 3 RASSO prosecutor, and also has rights of audience in the Sovereign Base Areas Courts, Cyprus.
Education
• LLB Law with Criminology (University of Hull)
• LLM Criminal Law and Criminal Justice (University of Leeds)
• Legal Practice Course (BPP Law School)
• Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors (January 2012)
• Barrister (July 2014)
• Middle Temple – Harmsworth Major Scholarship
Mark’s expertise
Criminal Law
Mark served as an officer in the Royal Air Force where he qualified as a solicitor and later transferred to the Bar. He gained significant experience of prosecuting and defending in the military justice system, which included secondments to the Service Prosecuting Authority and Crown Prosecution Service.
In 2018 Mark joined Thames Valley Police as an Inspector. He went on to lead teams in a variety of departments including uniformed response, public order and counter-terrorism.
Mark returned to the legal profession with Cornwall Street in May 2024, and holds Developed Vetting.
Notable Cases
R v N – Prosecution counsel. Female soldier accused of multiple counts of sexual assault, including attempted digital penetration, against another female soldier.
R v H – Prosecution counsel. GBH with a vulnerable victim who was 85 years old and suffered from dementia. The defendant was his son.
R v SA – Defence counsel. D was a shopkeeper accused of sexually assaulting a 16 year old girl who worked for him part-time at weekends.
R v SC – Defence counsel. D was 28 years old and accused of multiple counts of sexual activity with a 14 year old girl.
R v M – Prosecution counsel. Counterfeit currency case.
R v P – Defence counsel. RASSO matter involving a mother sexually assaulting her own baby.
R v AS1 MC – Defence counsel (Court Martial). 2 handed GBH / ABH.
CC Staffs Police v J – Defence counsel (Police Disciplinary Tribunal). D was accused of 1 count of Gross Misconduct and 2 counts of Misconduct. The Gross Misconduct was found not-proven and D received a final written warning for the 2 counts of Misconduct combined. The Appropriate Authority had made submissions asking for dismissal.
R v CPO B – Prosecution counsel (Court Martial). D was accused of disobedience to lawful commands. The case was the first ever to go to the Court Martial Appeal Court as an interlocutory appeal.
Professional Discipline
Mark has experience of representing in professional disciplinary tribunals including the MPTS and Police Disciplinary Tribunal.
Military Law
During his military career Mark was involved in a plethora of cases, acting for both the defence and prosecution.