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Laura Duff

Barrister

Crime


Laura both prosecutes and defends in the Crown, Magistrates’ and Youth Court.

Cases:

R v G – Represented a defendant who pleaded guilty to the offence of drunk in charge. Defendant’s breath sample placed them in the highest sentencing bracket indicating a community order and disqualification but secured a fine and points.

R v B – Successful submission of no case to answer resulting in the defendant being acquitted of all charges.

R v W – Successfully opposed the Crown’s application to admit hearsay evidence thereby securing an acquittal for the defendant.

R v M – Appeared for the Crown and resisted defence counsel’s application to admit additional bad character evidence in respect of the complainant. Conviction secured.

R v M – Persuaded the magistrates not to activate a suspended sentence order despite the fact that the defendant had a history of offences similar to the two new convictions.

R v X and Y – Secured an acquittal in the Youth Court for a youth charged with robbery and attempted robbery.

R v S – Secured a conditional discharge for a client charged with driving whilst disqualified despite a late guilty plea and a significant history of relevant offences and despite the Judge having initially indicated that a custodial sentence was likely.

R v A – Secured an acquittal in the Youth Court for a youth charged with two counts of sexual assault. This case required an understanding of how to handle vulnerable witnesses and of intermediaries and how they are involved in the court process. This case also involved legal arguments on matters such as bad character evidence and adverse inferences.

R v D – Successfully resisted an application to adjourn, the Crown having failed to comply with disclosure requirements ahead of the trial date resulting in no evidence being offered an acquittal for the client who was charged with careless driving.

Regulatory and Local Government


Laura is instructed by local authorities in a range of regulatory and local government matters.
Cases:

B v B – Successfully obtained a closure order for the Council following a contested hearing.

R v T, T, L and C-G – Secured convictions for the Council in Education Act hearings in respect of four parents. The Council was particularly impressed with the sentences given and costs obtained.

G v C – Assisted the Council in their preparation of a court bundle in order to apply for a closure order. Represented the Council at the hearing and successfully obtained the order.

S v F – Appeared for the Council in an appeal following their decision to revoke a private hire taxi licence. Appeal dismissed.

Property and Social Housing


Laura accepts instruction in all areas of housing and regularly appears for housing associations to secure gas, electrical and other access injunctions.

Laura also regularly appears for both housing associations and local authorities to secure ASB injunctions and in possession claims.

W v G – Secured an order for outright possession following a trial.

WCH v B – Successfully resisted an application to suspend a warrant for possession.

A v D – Secured a final ASB injunction following a successful application for substituted service.