Our latest news, views, and industry insights


19/03/2024

Katie Spence secures acquittal in case of Racially Aggravated Harassment.

G was represented by Miss Spence at trial for a racially aggravated offence of harassment. Following a two day trial the jury unanimously acquitted G. G was able to retain her 75 years of good character. Katie joined Dere Street following a successful eighteen months working as an inhouse barrister (and pupil) at one of […]

18/03/2024

Current pupils available for work from 02/04/2024.

Our Current pupils are rapidly coming to the end of their first six  months and will be able to undertake bookings for work on or after Tuesday 2nd April 2024. We have Katherine Walton who is a family specialist pupil under the supervision of Claire Middleton and Jordan Parkinson who is a criminal specialist pupil […]

18/03/2024

Andrew Pike successfully represents father alleged to have shaken his baby.

Andrew Pike, led by John Vater KC, has recently represented a father alleged to have inflicted closed head injuries to his baby by shaking them. The father’s case was that the baby had collapsed and become unresponsive, and that he inadvertently caused the acute head injuries as a result of his panicked attempts to resuscitate […]

18/03/2024

York and North Yorkshire Local Family Justice Board Conference.

Chambers was delighted to again be a sponsor for this year’s York and North Yorkshire Local Family Justice Board Conference, which took place on Friday 8th March at The Principal York Hotel. The event was a huge success with over 120 delegates in attendance.

13/03/2024

Special permission’ granted for law clinic’s family court base.

Family barrister Helen Scourfield attended Middlesbrough Family Court yesterday to support final year LLB law students in a new project, which is a collaboration between Teesside University and the Court. The new Law Clinic, which now has a base at the Family Court , offers emotional support and procedural advice given by the students to […]

12/03/2024

Congratulations to Ruth Gray on her recent appointment.

Chambers would like to congratulate Ruth Gray who has recently been appointed by the President of the Council of the Inns of Court to sit, as a barrister member, on the Bar Tribunal Adjudication Service (BTAS) Disciplinary Tribunal, hearing tribunal proceedings for barristers facing charges of misconduct under the Bar Standards Board Enforcement Regulations.  If […]

05/03/2024

Secure your place on ‘Not the Jordans’ Financial Remedies Day Conference 2024 York

With an impressive line up of speakers, including The Honourable Mr Justce Peel as keynote speaker, secure your place early as this yearly event is extremely popular. Wednesday, 8th May 20240845 – 1700The GuildhallSt Martins Courtyard,Coney StreetYORKYO1 9QL£95.005 CPD Hr(s) The programme for the day can be found here. To secure your place please register HERE  and […]

04/03/2024

Newcastle grooming gang jailed for raping 13-year-old girl

Anne Richardson recently prosecuted a gang who groomed and raped a 13-year-old girl, using threats to kill and kidnap. The four attackers have now been handed jail terms. You can read the full media coverage here. To instruct Anne or any other members of the Criminal Team please contact the clerks here.

29/02/2024

Dere Street Barristers are proud to announce that Stephen Twist has been appointment as Chair to the County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust’s Organ Donation Committee.

It is important for barristers to offer their skills in support of a wide range of pro bono initiatives. Today,  Stephen Twist has accepted appointment as Chair to the County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust’s Organ Donation Committee – a further example of Dere Street Barristers’ commitment to social issues.

21/02/2024

James Robinson successfully represents a senior forensic social worker on behalf of Gateshead Council.

James Robinson successfully represented a senior forensic social worker on behalf of Gateshead Council at an Inquest in South Shields before His Majesty’s Senior Coroner Terence Carney and a Jury arising from the death of a man detained under s37/41 Mental Health Act 1986 who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. The deceased had manufactured a ligature […]