Niamh is a busy junior practitioner, specialising in Crime and Regulatory work.

Crime

Since commencing practice, Niamh has obtained significant trial experience both defending and prosecuting. She has represented clients in a range of offences including: offences of violence, drugs matters, sexual offences, fraud cases and driving charges. Niamh has acted as junior counsel and deals with cases at all stages of case management. In addition to her defence practice, Niamh has developed an equally busy prosecution practice as a CPS Panel Advocate (Cat 3) and a RASSO panel advocate. Niamh has also acted in private prosecutions.

Confident and approachable, Niamh has shown she has the necessary “soft skills” which allow her to communicate effectively with others as well as support clients through the process. In addition to her friendly and dedicated approach, Niamh is noted for her ability to present robust legal arguments.

Regulatory

Niamh has a flourishing regulatory practice and accepts instructions in all areas.

Niamh regularly acts on behalf of the GMC in Fitness to Practice proceedings and has previously acted as defence counsel in such matters. The experience accumulated from both defending and prosecuting cases has given Niamh a wealth of knowledge which she is able to utilise in many different types of cases. Her experience as a criminal practitioner, with specialised RASSO training, is also invaluable given the adversarial nature of this type of work.

Niamh has also acted for Social Work England and the Care Quality Commission in regulatory proceedings and has previously been appointed as Special Counsel in a case of serious sexual assault. Niamh has acted for the Home Office in forfeiture proceedings and receives instructions to act on behalf of Local Authorities in matters such as trading standard infringements and school non-attendance.

Notable Cases – Crime

• R v B Represented a defendant convicted of distributing indecent images at a slip rule hearing; securing a reduction in the custodial term of 1/3.

• R v K – Successfully prosecuted a Defendant in the Crown Court charged with fraud; securing a conviction in 40 minutes

• R v F – Secured a non-custodial sentence for a Defendant charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine

• R v S – Successfully made a submission of no case to answer in a case with a Defendant charged with a Public Order offence, captured on BWV. The Defendant was of previous good character

• R v S – Secured an acquittal for a Defendant charged with assault. In advance of the hearing, I made an application for an intermediary, advised regarding an intermediary assessment and conducted a ground rules hearing.

• R v O – Secured a non-custodial disposal for a Defendant charged with possession of indecent images. Successfully argued against the imposition of a SHPO on the basis that it was not necessary in the circumstances.

• Social Work England Regulatory – Acted as Special Counsel in a case where the defendant was accused of serious sexual assault.

• Social Work England – Presented a case at an interim order review and successfully submitted that an interim order of suspension was appropriate.

• GMC v Dr L – Medical Practitioner’s Tribunal Service. – Represented a Doctor, in Fitness to Practice Proceedings, accused of dishonestly submitting a fraudulent CV to a recruiter.

Professional Associations

• The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
• Northern Circuit
• CPS Panel – Level 2

Education

• University of Manchester – BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics – First Class
• Graduate Diploma in Law – Commendation
• Bar Professional Training Course – Very Competent

Awards

• Winston Churchill Award – Middle Temple
• BPTC Excellence Award – BPP University
• BPTC Regional Award – BPP University
• Cohens Excellence Award – BPP University
• Career Guarantee Scholarship – BPP University