Experience
Simon is a criminal defence and regulatory law specialist with significant experience of providing high quality advice and representation to a range of clients. He is regularly instructed by insurers, corporate bodies, and individuals to defend a broad range of criminal offences, including motoring and regulatory offences, from initial investigation and interview up to and including representation in court.Simon is recognised as a 'Leading Associate' in Crime by Legal 500 (2026).
Simon is recognised as an 'Associate to Watch' in both Crime and Health and Safety by Chambers and Partners (2026).
Additionally, Simon is an Associate Lecturer teaching criminal advocacy on the Bar Training Course at the University of the West of England.
Testimonials
Simon gives frank and practical advice in a sympathetic and clear manner. His commercial instincts are sound and he couples them with an enormous body of experience within the court system. As an advocate he is effective and wins the trust of any tribunal. As a litigator he has excellent tactical acumen and is both charming and tenacious. (Legal 500, 2026)
Simon is professional, conscientious and very diligent. He always goes the extra mile to ensure that the job is completed properly. (Chambers and Partners, 2026)
Simon is without doubt an extremely knowledgeable lawyer. His level of support is outstanding, he never fails to be prepared and he provides an excellent service. (Chambers and Partners, 2026)
He combines strong commercial instincts with the most robust representation. He understands every facet of criminal procedure and always gives every ounce of effort possible to his clients. (Chambers and Partners, 2026)
Simon Macfarlane is a talented associate within the DWF team. He has notable experience of advising clients on HSE investigations. (Chambers and Partners, 2026)
Simon is very diligent and he goes the extra mile. (Chambers and Partners, 2025)
He is fantastic. He is very detailed, diligent, invested and inventive. (Chambers and Partners, 2025)
He is very experienced and pragmatic. (Chambers and Partners, 2025)
Simon Macfarlane, who dealt with our case, was exceptional. He was enthusiastic, meticulously thorough in his preparation and had a great depth of knowledge. He was confident and inspired confidence which gave a huge amount of comfort and relief. (Legal 500, 2025)
I appreciated your time, skill and sensitivity throughout this extremely difficult period. The outcome could not have been better and this is entirely thanks to your efforts and thoroughness. My family and I feel very much in your debt. (A defendant prosecuted for Causing Death by Careless Driving, 2024)
Recent Cases
Regulatory Cases:
- HSE v WOM Ltd – Defence of a limited company and its director in a prosecution following a fatal incident whereby a contractor was electrocuted after contact with an overhead power line.
- DEFRA v AGF Ltd - Defence of a limited company and its director prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service on behalf of DEFRA for offences in relation to the unauthorised use, storage, and possession of prohibited pesticides, rodenticides, and an authorised veterinary medicine.
- MHRA v T Ltd – Defence of a limited company under investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency following the death of a child whilst using one of the company's therapeutic products.
- EA v CF Ltd – Defence of a farmer prosecuted for environmental offences by the Environment Agency.
Road Traffic Cases:
- R v LJ – Defence at the Crown Court for a driver charged with Causing Death by Dangerous Driving. Defendant acquitted following trial.
- R v ID – Defence at the Crown Court for a driver charged with Causing Death by Careless Driving. No evidence offered by the Crown before the trial commenced.
- R v CT – Defence of a driver charged with Careless Driving and Driving a Vehicle in a Dangerous Condition. The Careless Driving prosecution was discontinued after Simon served written representations. In relation to the outstanding charge, Simon secured an Absolute Discharge for the driver and successfully argued against mandatory licence endorsement.
- R v BE – Successfully argued for the Magistrates' Court to accept jurisdiction and secured a suspended sentence for a driver charged with two offences of Causing Serious Injury by Careless Driving, as well as Drug Driving whilst over the prescribed limit for Cannabis.
- R v BJ – Secured a financial penalty at the Magistrates' Court for a driver charged with Causing Death by Careless Driving.
- R v LR – Secured a suspended sentence at the Crown Court for a driver charged with Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving, Failing to Stop (at the scene of the accident) and Excess Alcohol after a collision with a cyclist.
- R v KB – Secured an acquittal for a defendant charged with Driving without Due Care and Attention after a submission of no case to answer.
- R v BP - Defence of a driver charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis. Simon obtained medical evidence in relation to the defendant’s learning difficulties and successfully argued that he could not have understood the statutory warning. Case discontinued.
- R v HT - Secured an acquittal for a defendant charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis. Simon's cross examination of a police officer revealed that the request for the specimen was not borne from a bona fide investigation and as such should not have been sought.
- Police v TB - Representation at the police station of a suspect accused of Causing Death by Careless Driving. No further action taken and the suspect released following Simon's representations regarding insufficient evidence.
Inquests:
- Represented a distributor of medical equipment following the death of a child in a therapeutic cot supplied by the company.
- Following successful defence during an investigation by the HSE, represented a partner from a farming partnership following a fatal incident at a farm whereby a 360 excavator overturned.
- Representing a local authority in relation to the deaths of three individuals following the release of a detainee experiencing mental health challenges from police custody.
- Representing a local authority following the death of a member of the public fatally injured by a fallen tree.