Lisa Hardy has a busy and diverse practice across England. She is a jury advocate who presents her cases in a compelling and persuasive way. She prosecutes and defends in complex and serious criminal offences in equal measure. Lisa is regularly instructed in cases of homicide, grievous bodily harm and causing death by dangerous driving. She has recently concluded a highly complex drugs case which lasted for over 12 months. She is chosen to act in cases involving large volumes of evidence that require forensic analysis data management, consideration of surveillance, ANPR and cell-site evidence. In addition, Lisa had expertise in firearms cases.

Lisa is sought-after to advise pre-charge for the prosecution in cases of child homicide and serious injury. Lisa has a detailed knowledge of the complex pathology and medical evidence in these cases. Her detailed and thorough advices had resulted in guilty pleas at an early stage in the proceedings.

Lisa is a considerate and thoughtful advocate who builds trust with her clients and with her witnesses, enabling them to share their concerns and to confide in her. She has exceptional skills in client care. She has expertise in neuro-diverse conditions and in assisting those with protected characteristics. Her examination-in-chief and cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses is often commended by Judges and opponents alike.

Lisa is a persuasive jury advocate who has the ability to help juries to focus on the key issues in a case. She is a fearless advocate who persists with her submissions in the face of rejection and often alters judicial opinion. Whatever the outcome, Lisa’s clients know that she has given them all of her attention and skill set to obtain the best possible outcome.

Lisa is an advocacy trainer for new practitioners and pupils on the Midland Circuit. She is the Co-Chair of the Midland Circuit Social Mobility Committee. She is heavily engaged in the Midland Circuit ED Committee and Women’s Forum. She has assisted for several years in the Hammond Cup Advocacy Competition run by the Nottinghamshire Law Society and has given talks to students at the local Universities about pathways to the Bar. Additionally, Lisa sits as Independent Legal Chair for Paddle UK (formerly British Canoeing).

CPS Panel appointments

General Crime Level 4
RASSO Level 4

Key cases & testimonials

R v P & Others May 2023-March 2025 – Leading Counsel (defence)

Lisa was instructed as Leading Junior for one of the nine defendants in this multi million pound drugs conspiracy which was heralded as the largest drugs seizure in the Midlands; the trial took 23 months to conclude and involved over 60 written judgments covering a variety of complex legal arguments, including objecting to the adducing of nuanced “bad character” evidence of individuals who had never been arrested or charged in connection with the conspiracy, objection to the amendment of the indictment, re-opening of the prosecution case, disclosure issues and robust cross examination of experienced police officers whose evidence was conflicting. The case was prosecuted by Kings Counsel and Junior Counsel and one other defendant was also represented by Kings Counsel with a junior.

R v K & C (2024)

Lisa advised pre-charge the police team on the medical evidence necessary in this complex baby shaking case where there were two suspects. Lisa advised strategically and was instrumental in advising on the nature of the medical evidence needed, and once obtained, the translation of it into working terminology for other team members to work with. Ultimately, the suspect identified as being the perpetrator pleaded guilty.

R v R & R (2024)

Lisa advised on the collation of evidence pre-charge in a harrowing neglect case where the child involved had been subject to isolation and starvation over a period of months, leading to complex medical and psychological trauma and delays in his development. Compilation of physical evidence alongside careful analysis of evidence from phones seized from the suspects led to charges being laid. The case resulted in guilty pleas by both defendants.

R v LH (2024)

Prosecution of a defendant who was charged with 12 offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, including the incitement of teenage girls to engage in sexual activity whilst the defendant was posing as a teenage boy. He incited children to engage in sexual conversations, sexual acts and produced indecent images. There were over 2,200 images and seven child complainants. The careful preparation and presentation of the evidence caused the defendant to enter a guilty plea.

R v J (2024)

Lisa was prosecution counsel in this attempted murder. The defendant was captured on CCTV stabbing the victim multiple times. He initially argued self-defence but on production of the CCTV analysis pleaded guilty.

R v KG (2024)

Lisa prosecuted this case of importation and supply of class B drugs. The case involved the organisation and sourcing of cannabis from the US disguised as innocent media, and then the wholesale distribution of drugs through social media sites. The case involved careful and thorough analysis of the defendant’s various phones alongside the invoices for the imported materials. Lisa recommended that a table, setting out the various relevant exhibits and their evidential value was produced. The strength of the evidence caused the defendant to plead guilty.

R v R&R (2023)

Lisa was led by King’s Counsel in a murder trial which lasted for eight weeks. The defendant suffered from a significant learning disability, requiring the use of an intermediary during his evidence-in-chief and cross-examination. Lisa gained the trust of this vulnerable defendant in a number of conferences and obtained his instructions before the instruction of the intermediary.

R v RJ (2023)

Lisa was by King’s Counsel representing a 67 years’ old man charged with the murder of a young female who befriended him to facilitate the use of class A drugs. Mitigation focussed on considering the aggravating features of the case and submissions that his previous convictions had little relevance to the issues in the case.

R v B&T (2023)

Prosecution of two defendants for false imprisonment, where the victim was falsely lured into a flat on the promise of sexual activity, then subjected to false imprisonment and robbery.

R v ME (2023)

Prosecution of a stranger rape, where the evidence was contested until the day of trial when the complainant attended. Lisa ensured that the evidence did not focus on consent but on demonstrating the movements of the victim in the city centre and the defendant’s movements earlier that day and after the assault which could be demonstrated by CCTV. This negated the defence.

R v D (2023)

Lisa was led by King’s Counsel in defending in this complex manslaughter where the Crown alleged the defendant had administered a controlled drug for the purposes of sexual gratification leading to the death of the female involved. The case involved the instruction of toxicologists specialising in hair analysis, DNA experts, expert pharmacologists and had 17 separate phases of disclosure of unused material amounting to several thousand pages. Lisa’s attention to detail led to her making applications for warrants to obtain material from internet providers. These ultimately lead to the discovery of a purchase history which significantly undermined the prosecution case. Lisa undertook the cross-examination of hostile prosecution witnesses who were the relatives of the deceased. The defendant was ultimately acquitted.

Lisa Hardy fights tooth and nail. Chambers UK, 2026
'Lisa is a highly passionate advocate. She researches the evidence thoroughly and never fails to find flaws. She is a persuasive jury advocate who never ceases to fight for her clients and justice.’Legal 500, 2026
Lisa has a very good eye to detail; she is very thorough and provides advice on the evidence well in advance of hearings. She has excellent client care skills and creates a rapport with clients within seconds.Legal 500, 2025
She cares very much and gives a passionate ear to her clients and she goes the extra mile to help.Chambers UK, 2025
Lisa is a terrific barrister.Chambers UK, 2025
She has a lot of experience and is tenacious and forceful in making submissions.Chambers UK, 2025
Lisa prepares very thoroughly and always advances her client's best interest in court.Chambers UK, 2025
Lisa is very thorough in the preparation of any case and always establishes a positive relationship with the client. She is always very well prepared and has a wonderful ability to put the client at ease very quickly. She is confident and always offers sound advice to anyone she represents. Legal 500 2023 Crime (General and fraud)
I would like to sing the praises of the Barrister who represented me. Yet again she was absolutely brilliant, completely professional and got an amazing result!Lay client

Further information

Appointments & Memberships

Member of Lincoln’s Inn

Member of the Midland Circuit

Member of the South Eastern Circuit

Member of the Criminal Bar Association

Chair of the Midland Circuit Social Mobility Committee

Committee Member on Midland Circuit Women’s Forum

Committee Member on Midland Circuit Equality and Diversity

Committee Criminal Bar Representative for Nottingham Law Society

Independent Panel Member and Legally qualified Chair of the Disciplinary Committee for British Canoeing

Independent Disciplinary Panel Member UK Athletics and Home Country Athletics Federations

Grade 4 CPS Prosecutor, Rape and Serious Sexual Offences panel advocate

Chief Constable’s Commendation for outstanding performance and professionalism in Operation Elucidate, prosecuting a historic cold sexual assault case using DNA

Divisional Commander’s Commendation for diligence and professionalism in compiling and prosecuting a defendant for a series of dwelling burglaries (180 burglaries) where the victims were very elderly or otherwise vulnerable

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