Lucy has developed a broad prosecution and defence practice. She acts in a range of criminal matters including sexual offences, money-laundering, fraud and dishonesty, offensive weapons, drugs, domestic violence and motoring offences. Her submissions have been described by the court as “exceptionally able”.
Lucy is currently instructed by the FCA in an investigation into a multi-million pound fraud. She has undertaken a review of extensive digital evidence, which she has been advising on as the matter proceeds to charge. She is also instructed as junior counsel in the prosecution of individuals for fraud offences and breach of the provisions of FSMA.
In 2022 Lucy was seconded to Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP to work in their business crime and investigations department.
Lucy is a Grade 3 CPS Prosecutor. She is also instructed in regulatory matters, presenting on behalf of Social Work England.
Background and Expertise
Lucy comes to the Bar with considerable experience in Government policy and journalism.
Prior to pupillage, Lucy was Head of Economic Crime and Criminal Law Reform at the Ministry of Justice. In this capacity, she advised the Secretary of State for Justice on financial crime, including the Bribery Act and corporate liability.
Before joining the civil service, Lucy worked on a Government-commissioned review of prison education reform. She was also part of a small team that established a highly-successful scheme to recruit university graduates as prison officers, to improve prison conditions and reduce reoffending.
Lucy began her career as a journalist. She wrote for The Daily Telegraph for three years, covering domestic and foreign affairs, politics and sport.
Notable Cases
R v M, 2021
D was a carer acquitted of fraud despite using their patient’s bank cards after his death.
Financial CrimeR v W, 2023
D faced a multi-count indictment against a vulnerable complainant including fraud, robbery and threatening with a knife. After persuasive submissions at sentence, the court imposed a sentence which did not require D to serve any additional custody time.
R v M, 2021
D accepted spitting in a police van. Acquitted of criminal damage after successful defence that the spitting was due to a medical condition.
CrimeR v O, 2022
D unanimously acquitted in a two-handed ABH where defence related to the use of reasonable force against an individual wanted for rape.
R v F, 2022
Represented D for a dwelling robbery which involved the victim being stabbed in the head. After successful mitigation on D’s personal circumstances, D was sentenced to a custodial term of 4 years and 8 months.
R v G, 2022
Represented D who faced a charge of wilful assault on a child. After successful legal argument the case was discontinued and client retained good character.
R v C, 2022
Represented D who accepted carrying a knife during a neighbour dispute. Lucy successfully applied to vacate the plea after her legal research revealed a technical defence. The proceedings were subsequently discontinued.
R v S, 2021
Defence counsel for a case involving arson and assault in a hotel. D was sentenced to a Community Order despite the Judge considering the custody threshold had been passed.
ViolenceR v J, 2023
Represented a youth facing PWITS Class A where the defence was Modern Slavery. Despite D having previous convictions; after successful representations the case was discontinued.
YouthsNews
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Achievements
- Inner Temple
- Women in Criminal Law
- South Eastern Circuit
- CPS Panel (Grade 3)
- University of St Andrews: Modern History and International Relations – 2:1 MA (Hons)
- Columbia University in the City of New York - M.S Journalism
- BPP University, GDL – Commendation and BPTC – Very Competent
- Advocacy Scholarship (BPP University)
- Exhibition Award (Inner Temple)
- Ede & Ravenscroft Prize (Inner Temple)