PracticeJulia is primarily a criminal practitioner. Her practice covers all areas of criminal defence work. Her particular interest is the representation of mentally disordered offenders. She is the author of a book on the subject (see below); she also sits as a part-time Judge of the Mental Health Tribunal. She is also regularly instructed in serious sex cases, including allegations of historic abuse. Her more general practice over the past 12 months has included murder (as a led junior), attempted murder (junior alone), other serious violence, rape, kidnap, fraud, money laundering, brothel keeping and drugs. Julia's forthcoming cases in 2011 include perverting the course of justice (in the context of a double murder and attempted murder, and other less high profile caes in which interesting issues arise; insanity, fitness to plead and witness competence. Julia has sat as a part-time Judge of the Mental Health Tribunal since her appointment in 2003. She has also maintained a small practice in Mental Health Tribunal representation (with a particular interest in forensic/restricted cases) and advises on appeal from Tribunal decisions, both those in which she has acted and others. Julia is an experienced lecturer and trainer (particularly of solicitors). Following the publication of her book Advising Mentally Disordered Offenders (see below),she has provided training to groups of solicitors on that particular topic. Notable CasesR v Deya: led junior in murder of child in which the issue was diminished responsibility R v Phillips: junior alone in attempted murder (strangling of nurse by psychiatric patient) R v Gardner: junior alone in attempted murder (multiple stabbing - defendant acquitted) R v Labastide: led junior in multi-handed murder (shooting at Notting Hill Carnival) R v Girmay: led junior in multi-handed murder/robberies where victims were sex workers R v Gunter: led junior in multi-handed murder (stabbing) of drug dealer R v Matthews: led junior in murder (stabbing) in Brixton's "Barrier Block" - defendant acquitted R v Mackenzie Saunders: multi handed gang rape of tourist from New Zealand in St James Park (acquitted) R v Wang: Brothel keeping and money laundering conspiracy in East Anglia which received much local publicity R v SR: multi-handed playground hammer attack in Swindon by youths on another youth, causing serious and permanent disability. The sentence was the subject of an AG's reference which was successfully resisted R v Horan: historical sexual allegation against the "Grand Prix Priest" (and more recently "Britain's Got Talent" competitor) - defendant acquitted R v Dwayne Brooks: allegations of sexual assault - proceedings stayed following a successful abuse of process application R v Stancovic and others: acted for the only female defendant in the "Pink Panther" raid on Graf Jewellers, Bond Street PublicationsJulia is a co-author of the second edition of Advising Mentally Disordered Offenders (Law Society Publishing 2009), a practitioner's guide aimed at those representing mentally disordered offenders at all stages of the criminal justice system. She is also a contributer to The Elderly Client Handbook (Law Society Publishing 2010). BackgroundJulia trained as a solicitor at Bindman & Partners. She then worked in a Law Centre before spending some years as a freelance solicitor advocate, defending throughout London's magistrates' and youth courts. In 1992 Julia transferred to the Bar, joining the chambers of Anthony Shaw QC at 4 Brick Court, and then Cloisters (chambers of Laura Cox QC) before joining Garden Court Chambers in 2000. Julia trained some of the first solicitor HCAs on behalf of the Law Society and the College of Law. She has lectured for the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, the Royal Society of Medicine and Justice. Julia is a life-long London resident and currently lives in Brixton. She has two children. Professional Memberships- Criminal Bar Association
- Lawyers for Liberty
- Justice
Profile updated February 2011
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