Patrick Canessa ED
picture_as_pdf Year of Call:
2007
Notable Cases
R v Celecia – Supreme Court of Gibraltar
Attempted Murder. Defence counsel in a jury trial involving an allegation of attempted murder.
R v L – Supreme Court of Gibraltar
Rape and Serious Sexual Offences. Represented the defendant in proceedings involving two counts of rape. One count was withdrawn following a successful submission of no case to answer at the close of the prosecution case. The defendant was unanimously acquitted of the remaining count.
R v A and Another – Supreme Court of Gibraltar
Robbery. Represented a defendant who was 14 years old at the time of an alleged robbery involving an imitation firearm. Secured a verdict of not guilty.
X v R – Court of Appeal of Gibraltar
Appeal Against Sentence. Represented a young defendant convicted of a serious sexual offence who had complex developmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. The Court of Appeal quashed a two-year custodial sentence and substituted a three-year Community Order.
R v Smith and Others – Supreme Court of Gibraltar
Complex Fraud. Defence counsel in substantial fraud proceedings arising from an alleged Ponzi scheme. Secured acquittals following successful submissions of no case to answer.
R v Essien – Croydon Crown Court (2017)
Successful Appeal Against Conviction. Successfully represented the appellant in an appeal against conviction for common assault. Following the examination of witnesses and defence submissions, the Crown Court allowed the appeal and quashed the conviction.
R v Fayaz – Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court (2017)
Fatal Road Traffic Collision. Represented the defendant in proceedings arising from a fatal road traffic collision. The case involved a charge of failing to stop or report an accident.
R v Mokarram – High Wycombe Magistrates' Court (2017)
Food Safety and Regulatory Offences. Represented a defendant facing 13 food safety offences prosecuted by Chiltern District Council.
R v J – Bromley Youth Court (2017)
Youth Justice and Serious Sexual Offences. Represented a young defendant in proceedings involving serious sexual offences. The proceedings involved sensitive safeguarding considerations.
Mohamed v Transport for London – City of London Magistrates' Court (2017)
Regulatory and Licensing Appeal. Represented a private hire driver in an appeal concerning a Transport for London licensing decision arising from the driver’s failure to disclose a criminal conviction received overseas.
Patrick has experience of regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, both as an advocate and as a chairman of disciplinary tribunals.
He chairs disciplinary hearings conducted under the Gibraltar Football Association’s disciplinary framework and separately chairs appeals against disciplinary decisions.
His responsibilities include presiding over hearings, determining issues of admissibility and relevance of evidence, interpreting disciplinary regulations, considering procedural fairness and determining sanctions and appeals.
His regulatory experience also includes health and safety proceedings, food safety prosecutions and licensing appeals.
Education and Qualifications
The Open University
Bachelor of Laws – LLB (Hons), Upper Second Class (2:1)
The College of Law, London
Bar Vocational Course
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Called to the Bar, 2007
Gibraltar
Called to the Bar, 2007
Languages
English, Spanish and Italian.
