PRACTICE

Nerida has a wide ranging criminal practice and she is regularly instructed as a leading junior. She has led on multi handled drug cases, money laundering and fraud cases as well as for defendants charged with sexual offences, (including those charged with multiple rape, historic rape and gang rapes.) In the past year she has been instructed on a number of frauds, two murders, (she represented one of the three defendants charged with the murder of Ben Kinsella,) money laundering, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation, serious violence, rape and indecent assaults. She has a particular expertise and interest in representing mentally disordered defendants and has represented a number of women who have killed their children. whilst suffering from mental disorders

In 2004, Nerida defended John Barrett, a schizophrenic, who stabbed a cyclist to death in Richmond Park. This case led to an enquiry and the publication of a damning report on the Mental Health service revealing "serious flaws" by the authorities who released Barrett and failed in their care of him. In 2009 she contributed to a book entitled Forensic Medical Health, (published 2010 OUP) edited by two imminent forensic psychiatrists, Annie Bartlett and Gill McGauley. She has represented a number of defendants on contested fitness to plead and trial of fact hearings.

Nerida practises in two other discrete areas Mental Health; representing patients at Mental Health Review Tribunals and representing families at Inquests.

At the start of 2007 Nerida represented Alan Hedgcock, a Hollywood make-up artist, in a high profile case involving child pornography and an internet conspiracy to rape. The case was the first time defendants have been convicted of serious conspiracy charges solely as a result of online exchanges. .

Some Notable cases

MURDER/HOMICIDE

R v McCarvill, Maidstone CC (murder by mother of her child.)
R v Begum, Central Criminal Court (manslaughter/child cruelty.)
R v Latta, Winchester CC (baby shaking murder of baby.)
R v John Barrett, Central Criminal Court (stabbing of cyclist in park.)
R v Rashid Alla, CCC (Gang stabbing)
R v Alan Hedgcock, Southwark CC (Conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to rape in virtual reality.)
R v Faisal Wangita, CCC (gang land mob stabbing.)
R v Miah CCC (Mother accused of murder by shaking baby.)
R v Braithwaite CCC ( Ist Defendant charged with the murder of Ben Kinsella.)

VIOLENCE (INCLUDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE) AGAINST THE PERSON
R v Kamarra, Inner London CC (non fatal stabbing by school boys.)
R v Sheralam, Inner London CC (multiple stranger rapes.)
R v Ostertag, Luton CC ( incest/ rape between mother/son.)
R v Szabavo, Middlesex Guildhall CC (people trafficking/false imprisonment.)
R v Hotti, Harrow CC (child rape.)
R v Palacios Blackfriars CC (Historic child rape.)
R v Ball Inner London CC (attempted murder stabbing of stranger on a bus.)

DRUG OFFENCES
R v Asonye, Woolwich CC (Conspiracy to import Cannabis and Cocaine.)
R v Theodore, Kingston CC (Conspiracy to manufacture class B drugs.)

ANIMAL RIGHTS
R v Sean Kirtley, Birmingham CC (Conspiracy to interfere with contractual; relations.)
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FRAUD
R v Maharaj, Southwark CC (Million pound Post Office Fraud.)
R v Robinson, Kingston CC (14 handed Banking Fraud.)
R v Zaidi, Kingston CC (5 handed fraud concerning Medicines and trade marks.)

BACKGROUND

Nerida started of in practise in general common law. In these early years she had considerable experience in both family law and personal injury and this background has been invaluable for much of the criminal work she has done, in particular where there has been complex medical evidence such as in the so called "baby shaking" cases but also cases of alleged child cruelty. Researching, preparing for and cross-examining forensic and medical experts are amongst her strengths. She sees it as important to establish an easy rapport with clients, particularly with younger, immature or inarticulate members of the public to enable them to have a voice and to articulate whatever they have to say. She will represent all who come to her to the best of her ability, regardless of the crime with which they are charged. Having done a lot of cases involving serious sexual assaults and serious and often fatal assaults on children she has a particular expertise in cross-examining medical and forensic experts.

Nerida lives in North London with her partner and three sons, the latter take much of her time and attention outside of work. Prior to having children she was very active as an adviser at the Fulham Law Centre.

Societies

Amnesty International, JUSTICE and Criminal Bar Association.

Last updated March 2010

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