EXPERTISE
Laura is regularly instructed in complex and serious criminal cases, including offences of murder, terrorism, firearms and explosives, serious violence, human trafficking, large scale drug conspiracies and fraud.
Laura has extensive trial advocacy experience in cases involving vulnerable and child witnesses, complex medical, ballistics, gun shot residue and financial expert evidence, intricate legal arguments and novel points of law.
Furthermore, Laura is regularly instructed to represent vulnerable defendants, and is proficient in conducting complex legal argument during ground rules hearings and where appropriate, in relation to the imposition of hospital orders under Section 37, Section 37/41 and Section 45A of the Mental Health Act 1983.
Laura also receives instructions in relation to regulatory crime, having prosecuted and defended proceedings involving Housing Act, environmental, trading standards and food hygiene offences. She has extensive experience of confiscation proceedings and appeals.
Prior to being called to the Bar, Laura qualified as a solicitor advocate defending cases against the Crown Prosecution Service, National Crime Agency, HMRC, RSPCA and the Environment Agency.
Laura is also a tenant at Libertas Chambers, London.
Terrorism & Explosives
Laura receives instructions in cases involving allegations of terrorist activity, including defending allegations of membership of proscribed organisations, possession of materials of use to terrorists and proceedings brought under the Explosives Act 1883, both as a led junior and junior alone.
Violent & Organised Crime
Laura is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend cases of serious violence and organised crime – including allegations of murder, serious violence, human trafficking, large scale drug conspiracies and offences under the Immigration Act.
Laura has a strong understanding of the law relating to the imposition of Serious Crime Prevention Orders, Criminal Behaviour Order, Gang Injunctions, confiscation proceedings and restraint.
Sexual Offences
Laura regularly defends allegations of sexual offending. She has substantial experience of Section 28 YJCEA 1999 and its practical application.
Laura also has experience of challenging the imposition of various associated court orders – such as sexual harm prevention orders and restraining orders.
Fraud & Proceeds of Crime
Laura has developed an in-depth knowledge of the law and procedure relating to fraud and money laundering offences, as well as confiscation proceedings, restraint and cash forfeiture.
She is an active member of the Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association, the Female Fraud Forum and the Young Fraud Lawyers Association.
Appellate
Laura has a broad experience of appellate work, including appeals against conviction and sentence and Judicial Review proceedings.
Laura has a special interest in Judicial Review of decisions not to prosecute, specifically in relation to allegations of stalking and hate crime and decisions to prosecute juveniles, vulnerable persons and victims of trafficking.
APPOINTMENTS
- Crown Prosecution Service Advocates Panel – Grade 3
- Accredited Duty Solicitor
- Accredited Police Station Representative
MEMBERSHIPS
- Criminal Bar Association (CBA)
- Constitutional and Administrative Law Association (ALBA)
- Proceeds of Crime Lawyers Association (POCLA)
- Female Fraud Forum (FFF)
- Young Fraud Lawyers Association (YFLA)
- Middle Temple Young Barristers Association (MTYBA)
ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS
SEMINARS
- Webinar 2021: Consent and the Impact of Intoxication in Sex Cases.
- Seminar 2019: Mandatory Minimum Sentences and Knife Crime Prevention Orders
- Seminar 2019: Police Powers: Stop and Search
EDUCATION
- Northumbria University – LPC – Distinction
- Northumbria University – Law LLB Hons
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Laura is authorised to accept cases on a direct access basis.
Laura is authorised to represent persons interviewed by the police under caution. She qualified as an accredited police station representative in 2010.
In 2013 Laura was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors as a Solicitor Advocate.
In her spare time Laura enjoys attending pop up theatre events and restaurants.