Serena joined Chambers in October 2022, following the successful completion of her pupillage. Her practice focuses on public law.
As a pupil (supervised by Philip Rule), Serena gained experience of a wide range of public law matters and related areas including judicial review, prison law and parole, inquests and coronial law, Court of Protection and immigration.
Serena’s drafting and advisory experience includes:
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civil actions against the police;
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civil actions relating to personal injury and negligence in prison
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judicial review of Parole Board, recall and re-categorisation decisions
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judicial review and interim relief applications relating to accommodation and financial support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
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judicial review of decisions taken by public authorities including government departments, regulatory bodies, the NHS and the police
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applications to the European Court of Human Rights.
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Serena regularly represents clients in oral hearings before the Parole Board.
Serena has a busy and growing inquests practice. She recently represented the family of Christopher Kapessa, who drowned aged 13 after being pushed into a river by another child, and was led in that case by Michael Mansfield KC. Previous experience includes assisting Philip Rule KC in representing the family of the deceased in an inquest involving the self-inflicted death of a prisoner whilst in custody. Her experience includes Article 2 and non-Article 2 inquests and she is happy to consider instructions on a pro bono basis where appropriate.
In the Court of Protection, Serena has represented family members of P. Serena’s experience in education law includes representing both parents/appellants and local authorities in the First-Tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability).
Prior to commencing pupillage, Serena was a volunteer caseworker at Intervene, a specialist legal charity providing advice and representation to prisoners. In this role she developed experience of prison law and related matters including Rule 39 breaches, breaches of the Public Sector Equality Duty, discrimination, failures to make reasonable adjustments, failures to follow PSIs, issues with healthcare provision and mishandling of prisoner property.
She previously volunteered in the Advocacy team at Southall Black Sisters, and at HMP Brixton as a Vocalise mentor.
Appointments
Appointed to the Young Barristers’ Committee in September 2022
Memberships
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Bar Human Rights Committee
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Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association
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JUSTICE
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The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Awards
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Major Scholarship (Inner Temple)
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Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award (Inner Temple)
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Exhibition Award (Inner Temple)
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Academic Scholarship (City University)
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Dean of the Law School Scholarship (BPP)
Qualifications
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BPTC, City University
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GDL, BPP University
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BA (Hons) History, University of Bristol – First Class
