- The University of Reading – LLB(Hons) 1995
- The College of Law – Diploma in Legal Practice 1996
- Police Station Accredited Representative 1997
- Admitted to the Roll 1998
- Duty Solicitor 1999
Caroline qualified as a solicitor in 1998 after completing her training contract in a specialist criminal defence firm. In 2001 she was appointed as a Senior Crown Prosecutor and quickly specialised in cases of rape and serious sexual offences.
In 2013 Caroline had the opportunity to join Gray & Co as a director. She was responsible for preparing the firms successful bid in the government’s 2015 legal aid tender. Caroline gathered material from freedom of information requests which was put to the then Lord Chancellor Chris Grayling to challenge the governments statistical evidence.
Caroline continues to concentrate on defending serious or complex crime in the Crown Court. She has a particular interest in cases charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and its predecessors. This is complex legislation which can have limitation and jurisdictional issues.
Caroline is responsible for the regulatory compliance of the practice and was responsible for the firms successful Lexcel award. Caroline has regular contact with the Legal Aid Agency and will assist legal aid clients in dealing with their applications for funding.
Notable Cases
R v G – RAPE
Our client was a transgender woman who had been accused of rape on the basis that the complainant had not consented to sex with a trans-woman. The police took over 2 years to charge our client, during this time Caroline advised on the appropriateness of requests for medical evidence made by the police. Expert evidence was obtained on behalf of our client to explain to the jury the process of transitioning and to dispel any myths and pre-conceptions. The jury took under an hour to acquit our client.
R v H – MENTAL HEALTH
Our client was prosecuted by the RSPCA. The client was severely mentally ill, she was unable to live independently and all decisions about her life were made by The Court of Protection. We instructed two psychiatrists to prepare a full assessment of our client’s mental capacity and she was found to be unfit to plead. Representations were repeatedly made for the case to be withdrawn however the RSPCA were insistent that our client be prosecuted to ensure that she be prevented from keeping animals in the future. Caroline submitted legal argument to the District Judge that such an order could not be imposed as the client was not a convicted person due to her mental health condition. The Judge agreed and the prosecution withdrew the case.
R v F – DRUGS CONSPIRACY – OPERATION SAMURAI
This was a multi-handed conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, prohibited firearms and ammunition by an Organised Crime Group based in Warrington. A detailed examination of the phone attribution was used to challenge the prosecution conclusions. On the day that the trial was due to start, the prosecution offered no evidence against our client.
More Of Our Team
Testimonials
We just wanted to say thank you to yourself, not just for the time and work you’ve put in but also for your support throughout
Mr & Mrs S – Flintshire
Caroline I would like to thank you- you have made a distressing situation a lot easier to live with than it would have been without your advice and support
Mr C – Cheshire
Thank you for everything you have done for me throughout my case, you were amazing. I cannot thank you enough
Miss B – Cheshire
Caroline, may I send you our deepest thanks for all your support, advice, knowledge, and skill throughout a most difficult time in all our lives. You have been a tower of strength
Dr W – Flintshire