Joe O'Leary

Joe accepts instructions in all of chambers’ areas of practice. Joe prosecutes and defends regularly in the Magistrates' and Youth Courts and is developing a Crown Court practice.

Joe is Youth Court qualified.  He has been instructed in serious Youth Court cases, both prosecuting and defending and has been commended for his thorough and pro-active preparation of his cases.

Under the supervision of Ini Udom, James Fletcher and Sarah Wood, Joe has observed all areas of chambers' practice, including, extradition, complex criminal trials, POCA matters and a range of civil proceedings.

Articles and Legal Updates

Joe often writes articles and legal updates. His most recent articles include:

Conscientious care needed to assist Circuit Judges when applying for search warrants (R (Ashbolt & Arundell) v HMRC & Anor) – with Alexa Le Moine. July 2020. Parole Hearings - consideration of unproven allegations (Morris v Parole Board) – with Georgia Beatty. April 2020. Disclosure in the Magistrates Court (for Lexis PSL) – With David McNeil. September 2020.

Before pupillage, Joe successfully acted pro-bono for excluded children in the exclusion appeals process at all levels. Joe would appeal a school’s decision to exclude a child acting as their advocate. He would represent the child and parents at hearings before school governors and appeals to the local authority. These were contested hearings where the schools may be represented. 

Joe regularly prosecutes and defends in the Crown Courts, and has particular experience in cases involving drugs, fraud and serious violence. Joe also has particular expertise in representing young people in the youth court, having represented individuals charged with robbery, drugs supply offences, violent crimes and crimes of a sexual nature. In addition to general crime Joe also has significant experience in driving matters, both at summary trial and on appeal.

Joe’s active practice in professional disciplinary and regulatory work often sees him appearing for regulators at final and interim FTP hearings, having handled matters throughout the spectrum of severity including allegations of a sexual nature and child destruction.

In addition, Joe has a frequent extradition practice, often appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court and with experience in High Court proceedings. Joe welcomes instructions in extradition proceedings.

Joe also has particular experience in local authority work having dealt with matters of planning enforcement (pre-charge and post charge) and education (including SEN, exclusion and attendance).

University of Law: Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent). University of Liverpool: LLB in Law (First Class Honours).