Caroline specialises in criminal law, and her practice has encompassed almost every type of case. Within the last year Caroline has been instructed on various extremely serious matters, including: murder, rape, child rape and kidnapping, a case involving bombs being left around central London, a large scale drugs importation worth 20million, counterfeiting Microsoft software, unlawful sexual intercourse with a 12 year-old, a complex forgery involving a 101 year-old victim, serious sexual assaults on children, charities fraud, GBH, armed robbery and arson. She has also defended in video pornography and cases involving automatic life sentences.
Caroline was awarded the Ver Heyden de Lancey Prize in Forensic Medicine and Science (ICSL 1992) and a Diploma in Forensic Medical Sciences (Society of Apothecaries of London 2002).
Caroline is currently instructed on various cases, a selection of which includes: two murders, an IRA case, GBH, robbery, aggravated burglary, importation and conspiracy to supply class A drugs, violent disorder, threats to kill, a multi-handed controlling prostitution, and possession of a rocket launcher amongst other matters.
Caroline Sumeray advises BBC Holby City on Legal / Coronial matters. She is also a Visiting Lecturer on the Legal Aspects of Surgical Practice Faculty at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Notable Cases
R v Solomon Appleby and Others
An eight-handed murder case where I was unable to find a Leader due to the Bar’s refusal to take VHCC work at the time - and consequently acted alone through a plea to manslaughter and mitigation on sentence.
R v Daniel Palmer
A murder committed by a 18 year old, which went on to create an authority on appeal for the sentencing of young people in very serious matters.
R v James Moloney and Others
Originally charged as terrorism with IRA links, this case concerned a conspiracy involving a large quantity of heavy-duty firearms and ammunition.
R v Sanjay Jani
A complex fraud involving forgery and breach of trust on an elderly lady of 101.
R v Anthony Odlum
A case involving child rape and the distribution of activated bombs around Central London. The client was severely mentally ill and regarded as being the 40th most dangerous man in the country at the time.
Appointments
Coroner for the Isle of Wight [part time jurisdiction]
Assistant Deputy Coroner for The City of Manchester
Assistant Deputy Coroner for the Western District of West Yorkshire.
Assistant Deputy Coroner for the District of Outer London North.
Assistant Deputy Coroner for Cheshire.
Assistant Deputy Coroner for the District of Inner London North.
Assistant Deputy Coroner for East London.
Memberships
SE Circuit
CBA
British Academy of Forensic Sciences
Forensic Science Society
Justice
Amnesty International
Association of Women Barristers
The Coroners’ Society
South East England Coroners’ Society.
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), Diploma in Forensic Medical Sciences (DipFMS)
