Shane joined Hassans in April 2024. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in November 2018 and admitted as a barrister in Gibraltar in February 2020.
He maintains a busy common law practice, with instructions spanning crime, public and administrative law, personal injury, and clinical negligence.
Shane has actively worked to enhance Hassans’ profile in criminal practice, having established and now leading a dedicated crime team alongside eminent figures in the field[1].
Criminal
Shane predominantly practises in criminal defence, regularly appearing before all levels of domestic courts, including the Court of Appeal. He has notable experience representing both juveniles and adults charged with violent offences such as robbery, wounding, and violent disorder.
He is experienced in conducting jury trials and has secured acquittals in cases involving allegations of violence, robbery, and sexual offences. Shane is frequently instructed in high-profile prosecutions.
With the rise in investigations and prosecutions related to sexual offences, Shane is regularly instructed to defend cases ranging from rape and sexual assault to grooming and non-contact offences, including possession of indecent images of children. He is also privately instructed by complainants and employers in an advisory capacity across a range of offences, including sexual misconduct. Shane has experience in handling vulnerable witnesses.
He also accepts instructions in drug-related offences and serious traffic matters, including fatal accidents.
Shane has appeared before the Court of Appeal in appeals against sentence and is instructed in appeals against conviction.
Police
Shane has represented claimants in civil actions against the police, including claims for assault, trespass, and false imprisonment.
He also receives regular instructions from serving and former police officers who are either under arrest; facing criminal charges, or subject to disciplinary proceedings. These include high-profile cases involving allegations of misconduct in public office and an inquest into deaths at sea.
Business Crime / Financial Crime
Shane’s criminal practice includes handling mutual legal assistance requests and applications for production orders in connection with investigations into financial crime.
Mental Health
Shane maintains a busy mental health law practice, representing patients appealing admissions under the Mental Health Act. He also has significant experience acting for patients detained under hospital orders.
Clinical Negligence / Personal Injury
Shane is regularly instructed by the local health authority in high-value claims, including those involving catastrophic injuries. He has appeared before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal in such matters. He also handles personal injury claims arising from workplace accidents and road traffic collisions.
Other Areas
Shane has experience in judicial review claims and accepts instructions for parole applications. He has previously represented asylum seekers in immigration matters.
Additionally, he accepts instructions in employment disputes and landlord and tenant matters, including claims involving business tenancies.
Education & Memberships
- University of Law, London, Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)- Very Competent
- King’s College London, International Financial Law (LLM) – Distinction
- Kingston University, Law (LLB) Hons – First Class
- Associate of King’s College London (AKC)
- University of the West of England, Bristol- Professional Skills Course (PSC)
- University of Gibraltar- Professional Certificate of Competence in Gibraltar Law
- Member of the Housing Tribunal
Outside of work, Shane is a keen sportsperson having played rugby for a local club and enjoys watching football.
Trials (previous and on-going), Judgments, Sentencing Pronouncements and press releases
R v EB –2025 (Ongoing)
Instructed by Defendant accused of sexual offences. Listed for a 3- week trial in September 2026.
R v PJ – 2025 (Ongoing)
Instructed by Defendant, a serving soldier in the Royal Gibraltar Regiment charged with rape. Listed for a 5-day trial in April 2026.
R v DF, AG & Ors– 2025 (Ongoing)
Instructed by two (of 5) Defendants charged with misconduct in public office involving an alleged incident aboard a vessel.
R v Sean Picton & Antony Bolanos– 2025 (Ongoing)
Instructed by a Defendant facing an allegation of assisting a misconduct in public office.
Former RGP commissioner gives evidence in trial of ex-officer
R v Bruce Garcia & Nicholas Valverde– 7 November 2025
Instructed by Mr Garcia. Conducted a 2-week trial following which the Jury unanimously acquitted both Defendants of two counts. The two men were charged with robbery relating to an incident in a local shop. Prosecutors alleged both Defendants were part of a joint criminal enterprise (the robbery); one acting as the lookout and the other as a getaway driver, whilst a third man, Jose Antonio Ojeda Martin, carried out the robbery at knife-point (Ojeda Martin pleaded guilty). A separate charge of conspiracy to commit robbery was also brought against Garcia and Valverde which was dismissed at half-time following a submission of no case.
Two men found not guilty of robbery after Supreme Court trial
Michael Stainton v Rex– Appeal Against Sentence -30 October 2025
Appearing before the Court of Appeal. Successfully brought an appeal against sentence principally involving considerations relating to the reliance on Victim Personal Statements and the need to exercise caution relating to their contents.
Desiree Da Silva v Gibraltar Health Authority – 30 September 2025
Instructed by the Local Health Authority conducting a hearing before the Court of Appeal. Successful defence of an appeal brought following a successful strike-out application at first instance involving matters related to defective service of a claim.
desiree_da_silva_paulino_v_gha.pdf
R v BC – 19 August 2025
Instructed by a Defendant involved in a tragic car accident resulting in the fatality of one of the passengers within the vehicle. Mr Camilleri pleaded guilty and was represented by Mr Danino throughout, including at the sentencing hearing.
21 year old sentenced to over five years in prison for fatal car crash
R v Charles Benyunes– 15 May 2025
Instructed by Charles Benyunes; facing six counts of sexual assault of a child. Following 2 days of the child complainant giving evidence, the Crown offered no evidence and the jury acquitted Mr Benyunes of all six counts.
Not Guilty: Man facing child abuse charges cleared
R v Zakaria Laraaj – 28 February 2025
Conducted a 2 week trial, Instructed by Defendant facing 20 counts of sexual offences against a child and an adult. The Defendant was acquitted of 7 counts; convicted of the others.
r_v_zakaria_laaraj_sentencing.pdf
R v GC– 1 August 2024
Instructed by former police officer charged with a data protection offence and a computer misuse offence; acquitted of computer misuse offence following a 3-day trial.
RGP officer fined for unlawfully disclosing personal data- Gibraltar Chronicle – 1st August 2024
The King on the Application of Karim Rudge v Parole Board 2023/MISC/035 -29 May 2024
Instructed by Mr Rudge bringing a judicial review claim concerning the application of the Rehabilitation of Offenders provisions in the deliberations of the Parole Board.
R v MBS – 15 February 2024
Successful defence of a man accused of sexual assault of his step-daughter. Acquitted by a jury of all five counts.
David Mark Pilkington v The Commissioner of Police 2021/ORD/087 19 January 2024
Instructed by Mr Pilkington bringing successfully, a civil claim against the police in battery and false imprisonment.
David Mark Pilkington v The Commissioner of Police, 2024/GSC/003
R v Antonio Gavizo & anor – 12 January 2024
Mr Danino represented Mr Gaivizo who faced two counts- one of violent disorder and another of dangerous driving. These offences related to events having allegedly taken place during a brawl in broad daylight which involved the use of a firearm and the mowing down of an individual with a car. These events were the subject of a widely circulated video in Gibraltar. Mr Gaivizo claimed to have been acting in self-defence and denied the dangerous driving count. The jury acquitted him of both counts following a 2 week trial.
Five sentenced and two acquitted after 2021 Waterport brawl – Gibraltar Chronicle (pagesuite.com)
https://www.gbc.gi/news/legal-cases-resulting-2021-waterport-brawl-reach-conclusion-
R v Maximus Azopardi – 23 November 2022
Acting for Defendant charged with being in possession (with intent to supply) of 6.42grams of Cocaine- secured a suspended sentence
R v MAXIMUS AZOPARDI 2022/CRIM/001
R v Virginia Osuna Gil – 20 September 2021
Instructed by the Defendant accused of a burglary and theft of jewellery of an approximate value of £100,000.00
