The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence.
She is also developing her practice in personal injury and clinical negligence. Prior to coming to the Bar, Patricia enjoyed an academic career specialising in European and International human rights law. Her doctoral thesis was awarded the Babsybanoo Marchioness of Winchester Thesis Prize by Oxford University for most outstanding thesis in the area of human rights and fundamental freedoms. She has published a number of articles and chapters in edited books in this field. She was also Editor-in-Chief of ‘Arlidge, Eady and Smith on Contempt’ (5th edition 2017).
Inquest touching on the death of SH (2023)
Article 2 inquest into the death of a minor, instructed by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.
Undercover Policing Inquiry (2017- 2023)
Junior counsel instructed by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service in the public inquiry into the conduct of undercover police officers, chaired by Sir John Mitting KC.
Inquest touching on the death of Yassar Yaqub (May 2021-Nov 2022)
Junior Counsel to the Inquest into shooting on the M62 motorway in West Yorkshire.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry (2019-2020)
Instructed by the Inquiry as disclosure counsel (Module 5, London Fire Brigade response to the fire).
Patricia continues to develop her practice in personal injury, clinical negligence and housing work. She accepts instructions from both Claimants and Defendants. Her background in criminal fraud makes her particularly well-suited to cases involving civil fraud. In addition, her inquest and inquiry experience for the police makes her ideally placed to accept instructions in civil actions involving the police.
Recent instructions include:
Patricia started her career at the Bar at a civil and commercial law set, and during that time was involved in work relating to personal injury, travel claims, employment disputes, immigration, company law (derivative actions and unfair prejudice claims) chancery, insolvency proceedings, contractual disputes including shareholders’ agreements, and claims of breach of trust/dishonest assistance. Between 2012 -2013, she was a Lecturer in Law at Brunel Law School teaching Contract Law and Trusts.
Patricia has prosecuted and defended in both the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court across a broad spectrum of offences as well as in extradition proceedings.
In recent years, her criminal work has focused more on fraud and business crime. She is experienced disclosure counsel and has acted in a number of high-profile, long-running frauds instructed by the SFO, ORR and the police. She has also acted as LPP counsel for the SFO. More recently, she has undertaken work for the Insolvency Service.
Patricia is particularly well-suited to complex and/or intricate, document-heavy work. She is also accustomed to working as part of a large team. She has been instructed in cases involving professional discipline.
R v H (2022)
Instructed by the Insolvency Service in a matter under s68 of the Companies Act 2006.
R v A (2022)
Instructed by the Insolvency Service in a matter under s360 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
BSB v D (2021)
Instructed by the Bar Standards Board in a matter before The Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service
R v J and Others (2019)
Led junior instructed by the CPS in multi-handed money laundering case.
R v LM (2019)
Advising on post-conviction reporting restrictions.
R v JB (2014-2018)
Led junior acting pro bono in prospective application to the CCRC in complex high-profile historic domestic murder.
Latvia v R (2018)
Acting for Judicial Authority in extradition case involving allegations of fraud, raising issues in relation to passage of time, fugitive status and Article 8 ECHR.
Latvia v M (2018)
Acting for Judicial Authority in extradition case involving allegations concerning the smuggling of firearms into the UK, raising issues in relation to forum, dual criminality and passage of time.
R v W and Others (2016)
Disclosure counsel instructed by the Office of Rail and Road in relation to a prosecution brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 arising from a death at work.
R v A and Others (2016)
SFO Disclosure counsel in a high-profile 6-handed £5m conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation in the provision of football training schemes.
R v M and Others (Operation Hornet) (Feb 2015 - July 2016)
Disclosure counsel instructed by Thames Valley Police in widely publicised 10-handed £250m fraudulent trading and corruption case involving employees of HBOS and members of the business community.
R v G and L (2015)
Represented one of two defendants (first on indictment) charged with numerous offences under the Consumer (Protection from Unfair Trading) Regulations 2008.
R v O (2015) (Court of Appeal, Criminal Division)
Successful appeal against sentence in case involving threats to kill
R v LMB (2015) (Woolwich Crown Court)
Successful appeal against conviction in a case involving domestic assault.
R v APL and others (2015) (Winchester Crown Court)
Represented a company and its directors in confiscation proceedings arising from offences committed under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
R v CA (Inner London Crown Court) 2015
Prosecuting offences under s 1 of the Fraud Act 2006 in relation to several counts of benefit fraud.
R v BL and AL (Yeovil Magistrates’ Court) 2015
Prosecuting in a case concerning offences under s 360 (1) (b) and 350 (6) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (failing to disclose bankruptcy for the purpose of obtaining credit or engaging in business).
R v M (2014)
Successfully prosecuted defendant accused of three counts of Fraud by False Representation where the Complainant had significant learning difficulties.
R v H (2014)
Successfully defended mother accused of failing to notify a change in circumstances in relation to Carers’ Allowance.
R v H (2014) (Ipswich Crown Court)
Represented Defendant accused of multiple counts of being concerned in the production of cannabis for commercial use and possession with intent to supply.
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. To see my privacy notice click here.
Awards