Exchange Chambers

Criminal

Helena was called to the Bar in 2018 and has built a busy criminal practice both prosecuting and defending in the Crown Court. She has appeared in a variety of cases including:

• Serious violence, including cases involving youths
• Drug offences
• Firearms offences
• Dishonesty offences including fraud, burglary and robbery
• Motoring offences
• Sexual offences

She is a Level 3 prosecutor and as well as being regularly instructed as sole counsel across a range of cases, has been instructed as prosecution junior in cases involving multi-handed drugs conspiracies and firearm offences.

Helena has experience in complex confiscation matters, as well as having appeared for the defence in a four day contempt of court hearing relating to breaches of a restraint order.

She has experience dealing with applications to vacate pleas, abuse of process arguments and applications to admit hearsay evidence into proceedings.

Helena has experience in regulatory matters having represented the local council in taxi licensing cases and a Minister in disciplinary proceedings within the United Reformed Church.

She has gained a reputation as a hardworking and capable advocate. Prior to her career at the Bar, Helena worked as a paralegal at a criminal defence firm as well as volunteering with the Free Representation Unit, where she represented clients at the Social Security Tribunal and the Personal Support Unit. As a result, she gained particular experience working with those who had never attended court before and vulnerable clients.

Called 2018

CPS Panel Advocate (Level 1)

The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn Women in Criminal Law Criminal Bar Association

Qualifications

BPP University, BPTC: Outstanding BPP University, GDL: Commendation Newcastle University, BA (Hons), History: First Class

Scholarships

Buchanan Prize, Lincoln’s Inn Winner of the Lincoln’s Inn Debating Shield (2018) Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn BPP Excellence Award Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lincoln’s Inn Lord Haldane Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn