Mary Prior

36 Crime

In the past two years Mary has secured the acquittal of the youngest person in the United Kingdom to be accused of terrorism. She represented the stepmother of Arthur Labinjo Hughes at her trial for murder and cruelty and successfully argued at the Court of Appeal that her sentence was not unduly lenient. She secured the acquittal of the alleged leader of a significant organised crime group who was said to run the sale and supply of drugs and firearms in the Coventry area of the Midlands by violence and threats. She secured the conviction on retrial of Emma Magson and the conviction of John Jefferies who killed two young men in revenge for damaging his car. She is currently instructed to prosecute two horrific murders of 10 month old babies in the Derbyshire area.

Mary Prior KC has a reputation for being a powerful, persuasive advocate who commands the respect of the court room and gets results. She has especial expertise with the vulnerable including people on the autistic spectrum, with ADHD, learning difficulties, addictions, sex workers, those in the “looked-after” system. She is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend cases where the key witnesses are vulnerable (children/special needs). Mary takes highly complex factual and legal cases and presents them in a simple manner to ensure everyone understands the issues. She takes great care to ensure that all relevant material is considered and utilised. When prosecuting, she gains the trust of the families of the deceased and works well as part of a team of officers and lawyers. When defending she regularly visits her clients, gains their trust and determines a focussed trial strategy. Mary is fearless when cross-examining those who require a robust approach. She ensures that the best points in a case are not lost by focus on irrelevancies. She prosecutes and defends in equal measure in the best traditions of the independent Bar. She provides early and thorough written advice and strategy as to the best approach. She is often commended by Judges for her handling of cases and of witnesses.

She is often instructed in murders of children involving complex medical evidence, homicides by groups of young people, homicides with a history of domestic violence, all homicides, organised crime groups using firearms and violence to distribute drugs on a massive scale. She is instructed in multi-defendant and complainant historic sexual offences which involve the control of people, slavery and sexual exploitation.

She was called to the Bar in 1990 and has over 30 years experience as a criminal barrister.

TIER ONE LEADING SILK MIDLAND CIRCUIT LEGAL 500

WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2020 WOMEN IN THE LAW UK

FINALIST FOR LEADING SILK OF THE YEAR 2019 LEGAL 500

RECORDER IN CRIME

RECORDER IN FAMILY

Work undertaken:

Terrorism Organised crime groups Homicide – death of children Homicide – history of domestic violence Homicide - youths Rape and serious sexual offences and historical sexual offences Large scale child sexual exploitation Institutionalised child sexual abuse Large scale conspiracies to import drugs Work which crosses family and criminal law - arson, child abduction, homicide, cruelty.

Anglia Ruskin University (LLB (Hons)); Inns of Court School of Law (BVC (Very Competent)).