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University of Newcastle, BA (Hons) English Literature, 1999

College of Law, CPE, 2000

College of Law, BVC, 2001

Scholarships:

CPE Scholarship, Linclon’s Inn 1999

Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn 2000

Sir Thomas More Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn 2000

Pupillage Scholarship, Lincon’s Inn 2001

Career:

Called to the Bar 2001, Lincoln's Inn

Pupillage at Sovereign Chambers, 2001-2

Member of the North Eastern Circuit

Member of the Criminal Bar Association      

Grade 3 Crown Prosecutor

Catherine began her career with a general pupillage at Sovereign Chambers, and has experience in crime, civil, family and regulatory work.

Catherine has extensive experience in criminal defence work. She has defended in many multi -handed conspiracies, including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to supply vast quantities of Class A drugs, conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to murder. 

She has over 7 years experience in defending rape and other serious sexual offences including those involving children. She has significant experience of led cases, as both junior and leading junior. She was led by The Recorder of Leeds, Peter Collier Q.C. in one of his final cases at the bar.

Catherine has represented Defendants as young as 12 and has experience in dealing with Defendants suffering from many psychological and psychiatric disorders from those with an IQ of less than 60, through heroin addiction to schizophrenia. She has much experience of calling and cross examining medical, and other, expert witnesses.

Catherine regularly drafts skeleton arguments and advices and has conducted both sentence and conviction appeals at the Court of Appeal.

Catherine is a Grade 3 prosecutor and has also prosecuted a number of Grade 4 cases.

She has prosecuted on behalf of CPS, DWP, HM Customs and Excise, CSA and Food Standards Agency.  She undertakes a variety of work, including drugs, violence, serious sex, dishonesty and fraud. 

Catherine is happy to provide written advice on cases at any stage including pre charge.

For further details, please contact Yvonne Crosbie or Zoe Bellwood on 0113 245 1841