Olivia has quickly developed a very successful Crown Court practice on circuit and is considered to be a strong junior with a practice beyond her year of call. She is a grade 3 prosecutor and is often instructed against senior practitioners who are of significantly more years call. She regularly undertakes multi day trials on behalf of both the prosecution and the defence. Outside of court she undertakes instructions as a disclosure junior. Olivia has advised on Court of Appeal cases against both conviction and sentence and often undertakes matters with complex legal issues. She also accepts instructions in youth court work.
Olivia is recognised for her calm, clear and practical approach to cases as well as her strong interpersonal skills which allow her to develop a strong rapport with her clients. She is also know for her succinct and concise advocacy style and incisive cross examination skills.
Olivia also has an advanced family practice which allows her to have an insight and understanding beyond that of her peers into issues that arise from family proceedings and social services disclosure which give her useful skills which directly apply within her criminal practice. She has also undertaken cross examination of medical professionals and other experts which assists her in understanding complex disclosure within criminal proceedings.
Olivia undertakes a range of both private and public childrens work. Since beginning her second six she has appeared on behalf of both parents and guardians in public work and has represented individuals in a number of private law children’s cases. She also acts for individuals seeking occupation and non-molestation orders.
Notable Cases
R v AF (2020)
Olivia represented a youth defendant in a trial on a number of aggravated burglary charges which required a number of legal submissions including bad character and s.78 alongside extensive cross examination of a number of police officers.
R v DM (2021)
Olivia was instructed on behalf of the defendant in his Crown Court trial for robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. She undertook extensive cross examination of the complainant as well as calling the defendant to give evidence. The defendant was facing serious charges and a lengthy sentence if convicted. She successfully secured his acquittal on all counts.
R v GR (2021)
Olivia was instructed on behalf of the prosecution for a trial of issue following a plea by the defendant to a count of s.18 wounding. The case involved particular sensitivities due to the defendant being transgender. Following substantial prosecution and defence evidence she was successful in ensuring the basis of plea put forward by the defendant was rejected.
R v HJ (2021)
Olivia was instructed on behalf of the defendant in his multi day burglary trial. There were a number of complex legal issues which required consideration and applications including; opposing hearsay applications, opposing a non-defendant bad character application, making an application to have evidence declared inadmissible and an application to discharge the jury.
R v RP (2021)
Olivia was instructed on behalf of a defendant who had previously been found to be dangerous and had now pleaded to a knifepoint robbery. Olivia was successful in making submissions that a previous finding of dangerousness did not mean the court needed to find him dangerous on this occasion and therefore he was made subject to a sentence of 4 years, the minimum on the guidelines, and not made subject to dangerousness provisions on this occasion.
R v XY (2022)
Olivia was instructed to represent a defendant who was found in possession of 11kg of cocaine and heroin. She assisted in advancing his basis that he was a courier only and under a degree of coercion. He received a sentence of 3 years and 4 months.
R v MR (2021-Present)
Olivia is instructed for a lead defendant who faces serious charges of modern slavery and blackmail. The trial is expected to take place in 2022.
Awards
Lord Mansfield Major Award Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
University of Birmingham College of Social Science PhD scholarship
Memberships
Criminal Bar Association
Lincoln’s Inn
Denning Society
Qualifications
BPTC – University of Law
GDL – BPP Law School
PhD – University of Birmingham
MA (hons) – University of Birmingham
BA (hons) – University of Birmingham
