Helen Longworth joined Chambers in 2017 following a pupillage under the supervision of Vanessa Thomson. She has quickly developed a practice in the Crown Court, including instructions to represent both the prosecution and defence in trials, as well as Newton hearings, plea and trial preparation hearings, appeals to the Crown Court, on fitness to plead matters, and in applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Diligent and personable, Miss Longworth is a category 2 prosecutor and is on the specialist panel for matters under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Notably, she has been led in the prosecution of a multiple defendant fraud case, Operation Maxton. Miss Longworth has appeared for the defence in a wide array of cases, including hearings in matters such as rape and murder, as well as representing clients funding their own defence in the magistrates' court. She has defended in trials before juries, including allegations of fraud in breach of trust.
Before returning to her native Manchester and coming to the Bar, Miss Longworth had a successful career in the charity sector. She ran national campaigns on issues such as welfare rights, prison reform and education. This has given her significant experience of working with people from a wide range of backgrounds, particularly young people. As a volunteer, Miss Longworth has conducted choirs, was a trustee for a charity dealing with parental working rights, and spent a year as a youth development adviser in The Gambia with Voluntary Service Overseas. During her BPTC year Miss Longworth was awarded a prize for her outstanding contribution to the course. She was also the Middle Temple student representative on circuit, arranging a qualifying session for Bar students with the Rt Hon Sir Christopher Rose QC.
Miss Longworth brings her previous experience in the charity sector and her commitment to her legal career into the work she does for those that she represents. She is committed to excellence in advocacy and is enthusiastic about helping people who have the capacity to become excellent advocates. Driven by this enthusiasm, she gives regular talks to students at Manchester Metropolitan University and others.
Bar Professional Training Course, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2016 (Outstanding)Graduate Diploma in Law, City University, 2015BA (Hons) English, University of Wales, Swansea, 2003
Appointments:Contribution to the Course Award, Dean’s Award, BPTC Scholarship, MMUGodfrey Heilpern QC Memorial Prize Scholarship, Blackstone’s Entrance Exhibition, Baron Dr Ver Heyden de Lancey Prize, Middle Temple