Lara McCaffrey

Lara is a capable and diligent junior known for her excellent writing skills, analytical mind and meticulous attention to detail. Her ability to master voluminous material with ease and precision means that she is regularly instructed in paper heavy cases. She is quick to dissect complex information, identify the key issues and present them in a clear and succinct way. Lara recently acted as junior counsel to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the Manchester Arena Bombing Inquiry, where she had been described as “an asset” and “a star…her work is of the very highest quality.” She is commended in particular for her drafting skills and efficiency; “she has been given a lot to do, with tight deadlines, and has consistently delivered a high standard of work.” 

Lara is currently instructed as Junior Counsel on Module 2 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Lara successfully completed her pupillage at 25 Bedford Row in London, where she became a tenant in 2016. Her practice involved work across all areas of criminal defence, with a particular focus on violent crime and cases involving vulnerable witnesses. Shortly after gaining tenancy, Lara was instructed as junior counsel to represent the principal in a multi-million pound conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The case was regarded as one of the most complex and significant investigations into serious organised crime in Northern England. It covered some 250,000 telephone calls spanning a sixteen month investigation, in which nineteen defendants were arrested. Lara was responsible for detailed analysis of cell site evidence and co-location of telephones, along with crucial aspects of disclosure and witness anonymity. She was also instructed as a led junior in a murder case which involved complex issues of causation, substantial legal argument and forensic analysis of pathological evidence.

Lara previously worked for the Prisoners’ Advice Service, where she was responsible for advising clients on issues such as parole, categorisation, adjudications and appeals to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. She gained extensive experience as a County Court Advocate on the South Eastern circuit, appearing on behalf of litigants in over 1,650 hearings in the County Courts, the High Court, and in the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. She was instructed by numerous firms of solicitors to deal with a broad spectrum of civil matters including case management hearings, residential and commercial landlord and tenant disputes, applications for summary judgment, bankruptcy proceedings, appeals and small claims trials. Lara was ratified by the Free Representation Unit to represent clients in the Employment Tribunal and trained at the National Centre for Domestic Violence, where she handled sensitive cases involving victims of abuse.