Professional Associations
- BA (Hons.) Law, LLM
- Called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 1994
- Member of the Criminal Bar Association.
- Member of the European Criminal Bar Association.
- Member of the South Eastern Circuit
- Approved Pupil Supervisor
Areas of Specialisation
Catherine’s practice is a mix of both serious prosecution and defence cases. As a Rape Specialist, a large proportion of her practice involves serious sexual matters, involving both adults and children.
She also accepts instructions involving serious cruelty to children.
Catherine has also undertaken representation of remand and serving prisoners at numerous Prison Adjudications, as well as sentenced prisoners on determinate and non-determinate sentences at Review and Parole hearings.
Very recently, she has been Counsel to the Inquiry to two Inquests. Both of the Inquests related to the shooting by police officers of civilians. One of those was of the first woman in England to be shot by a police officer in the course of duty.
Catherine has completed an accredited public access course and is available for direct instruction under the Bar Council Public Access scheme.
Recent Notable Cases
R v R - 2007 – junior counsel for the defence of a mother charged with serious sexual assaults of her daughter while her partner videoed what was happening.
R v R and Others – 2007 – prosecuted a four handed grievous bodily harm with intent.
R v J – 2008 – junior counsel for the defence of a husband/father accused of raping his daughter, along with this wife.
R v G and Others – 2008 – junior counsel for the prosecution in a seven handed pornography case.
R v M and Others – 2008 – prosecuted a four handed rape and prostitution case.
R v W and W – 2009 - prosecuted a mother and father for cruelty to their 4 week baby by breaking its arm.
R v M and Others – 2009 – defended a teenager in a seven handed case of attempted murder.
R v T – 2009 - leading counsel for the defence in an eight-handed conspiracy to import heroin.
R v R – 2009 – prosecuted a stranger rape of teenagers.
R v X – 2009 – defended a case of harassment and serious domestic violence.
R v I – 2009 – prosecuted a 14 year old boy charged with attempted murder.
R v R – 2010 – prosecuted a stranger rape of an adult and of a teenager.
Re. T – deceased – 2010 - Counsel to the Inquiry into the death by shooting by police of a man.
Re. S – deceased – 2010 – Counsel to the Inquiry into the death of the first woman to be shot by police.
R v K and S - 2010 – prosecuted a rape within a religious community with aspects of “honour” matters within the family and community.
R v B and Others - 2010 – prosecuted an arson by 4 teenagers involving £800,000.00 worth of damage.
R v S – 2010 – Basildon Crown Court – defended a serious domestic assault.
