PracticeJulia has a wide-ranging criminal practice which covers all areas of criminal defence work. Recent cases have included murder, serious violent and sexual offending, arson, kidnap, firearms, fraud, money laundering, brothel keeping and drugs. She is regularly instructed in cases of serious sexual offending, including historic sex abuse in a children's home (proceedings stayed), internet grooming, and in late 2009 successfully defended in a gang rape which received considerable publicity in the London press. Julia's forthcoming cases in 2010 include two attempted murders, a number of serious sex cases (including some with child complainants), brothel keeping, money laundering, and (as junior counsel), a high profile child murder which will be tried at the Old Bailey in the autumn and will undoubtedly receive a great deal of publicity. Julia's particular area of interest and expertise is the representation of mentally disordered defendants. She is regularly instructed in cases where issues of fitness to plead and/or effective participation arise. At any one time her workload will include cases where psychiatric issues arise. Her experience in the assessment of psychiatric evidence in the Mental Health Tribunal (see below) enables her to advise promptly and effectively as to the necessary steps to be taken in these often difficult cases. She has recently conducted a number of contested fitness to plead hearings, representing defendants with autism and learning disabilities. In 2003 Julia was appointed a Judge of the Mental Health Tribunal. She sits in the Tribunal for around 30 days a year. She also represents patients at mental health tribunals, most recently at Rampton Hospital (a number of personality disorder cases) and elsewhere. In 2009 Julia took some time out of court to work on the 2nd edition of Advising Mentally Disordered Offenders (see below), writing the book's chapters on contested summary proceedings, the crown court and on sentencing. The book has led on to the development of a training course for solicitors. Julia has also run a training course for many years for Chambers' pupils on the representation of mentally disordered offenders. Notable CasesR 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 Shen: three-handed "honeytrap" blackmail and false imprisonment 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 R v Miah: rape of wife by husband within an arranged marriage 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. BackgroundJulia trained as a solicitor at Bindman & Partners. She then worked in a Law Centre before spending a number of 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 (on criminal law and evidence) and for the Royal Society of Medicine and Justice on mental health issues. She has recently provided training to one of London's biggest legal aid providers on the representation of mentally disordered offenders. 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 July 2010
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