Michelle is a senior criminal barrister whose practice encompasses serious sexual offences, serious violence, and complex and organised crime.

She has particular experience representing vulnerable defendants, including young people and individuals with significant mental health difficulties. Her cases frequently require the careful management of intermediaries, expert evidence and issues concerning a defendant’s effective participation.

Michelle acts both as a leading junior and junior alone. She adopts a practical and methodical approach and is experienced in handling sensitive cases involving vulnerable defendants, witnesses and complainants.

Michelle has also been invited to contribute as a panel member to academic research being undertaken by the University of Bath into autism and the criminal justice system.

Key cases

Serious Sexual Offences

  • R v V – Defended in a historic intra-familial rape case involving complex issues arising from dementia and witness management.
  • R v JT – Defended in a rape trial involving parties with additional needs. The case required the use of an intermediary and structured questioning directions.
  • R v WC – Leading junior in a complex historic intra-familial sexual offences trial involving allegations made by a daughter against her father.
  • R v BG – Defended in a second rape trial following an earlier acquittal and the emergence of further complainants. The defendant was acquitted.
  • R v P – Defended allegations of child sexual abuse involving sensitive cultural and religious issues affecting welfare and effective participation.
  • R v CR – Represented an autistic defendant facing allegations arising from online contact with children. The case involved psychological evidence concerning autism and criminality.
  • R v DC – Defended in a multi-defendant case involving allegations of kidnap and sexual offences, with issues concerning grooming and vulnerability. The proceedings against Michelle’s client were discontinued.
  • R v D – Represented a profoundly vulnerable young defendant facing allegations of intra-familial sexual assault.
  • R v I – Defended an allegation of sexual assault arising in a detention setting, involving safeguarding and vulnerability issues.

Serious Violence

  • R v M – Defended a serious violence allegation. The proceedings were stayed as an abuse of process and the prosecution’s appeal was refused.
  • R v W – Leading junior defending an allegation of attempted murder involving a defendant who had been detained under the Mental Health Act.
  • R v N – Defended in a group violence case involving knives and machetes, with racial and religious issues forming part of the case.
  • R v K – Defended in a violent disorder case arising from a street confrontation between two communities.

Complex and Organised Crime

  • R v B – Defended in a complex bank fraud involving the impersonation of account holders. The case required careful management of the client’s vulnerability.
  • R v BW – Defended in modern slavery proceedings in which grooming and vulnerability were central issues.
  • R v T – Leading junior in a large-scale sham marriage conspiracy. The case subsequently prompted changes to registrar practice.

General Crime

  • R v A-L – Defended in a serious animal cruelty prosecution involving very young animals.

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