Overview
I was called to the Bar of England and Wales by the Honourable Society of Middle Temple in 2001, having completed the Bar Vocational Course at Cardiff University.
I went on to complete my pupillage in 2002 at 30 Park Place in Cardiff, where I remained as a tenant for 7 years. In 2009 I moved to 9 Park Place where I practised until I joined the teaching team at Cardiff Professional Legal Studies in December 2018. I remain an Associate Tenant at 9 Park Place, although I am currently non-practising.
Throughout my 17 years of practice I specialised exclusively in criminal law, appearing both for the prosecution and the defence. In 2012 I became a Grade 4 Prosecutor and Member of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel of Prosecution Advocates. From that time I developed a particular specialism for cases in involving sexual offences and was involved in some high-profile Cardiff cases:
R v Sadiq [2017] - Prosecuted a mosque teacher for sexually abusing 4 of his pupils. The prosecution was upheld following an appeal, although the sentence was reduced. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/mosque-teacher-who-sexually-assaulted-14038096
R v Thatcher, Thomson and Wright [2017] - Prosecuted three individuals in relation to the rape and chronic sexual abuse of two very young chiildren. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/trio-jailed-total-45-years-13493289
In 2023 I attained Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE).
Teaching
I teach a range of knowledge and skills subjects on the Bar Training Course, with a particular emphasis on advocacy and crime. I share joint module responsibility with Nicola Harris for the Criminal Litigation module and with Sarah Waters for the Trial Advocacy modules.
In addition, I supervise students on both the BTC and LPC who are undertaking the LLM.
Biography
EXPERIENCE
2018 - present Lecturer, Cardiff Professional Legal Studies.
2009 – 2018 Barrister, 9 Park Place Chambers, Cardiff.
2001 – 2009 Barrister, 30 Park Place Chambers, Cardiff.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2012 Grade 4 Prosecutor
Member of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel of Prosecution Advocates
2000 Wales and Chester Circuit Prize for the Outstanding Student on the Cardiff BVC
Middle Temple Crystal Macmillan Prize for the Highest Achieving Student on the Cardiff BVC
Angel Chambers Prize for the Best Performance in Criminal Litigation and Evidence on the Cardiff BVC
Contact Details
Specialisms
- Criminal law
- Advocacy