Laura Jeffrey

Laura has been instructed on behalf of the prosecution and the defence in a breadth of trials, in both the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court. Laura’s trial work includes violent offences, theft, a full range of driving matters and fraud cases. She has also been instructed on behalf of the prosecution and the defence in relation to first appearances for individuals charged with conspiracy to murder and various serious drugs offences.

In the magistrates’ court, Laura has experience of dealing with multiple day trials, including complex harassment and stalking trials. In her defence practice, she has secured acquittals for clients, including successfully running self-defence arguments, after making a non-defendant bad character application.

Laura has experience of a range of public law matters and is particularly interested in cases at the intersect of criminal and public law. She was instructed in relation to the Attorney General’s reference in the Colston statue case, providing research on whether the rights found in Articles 10 and 11 of the ECHR were engaged by the potential conviction of defendants for criminal acts arising out of acts of protest.

Laura has experience of public inquiries, both assisting core participants and working for the inquiry itself. Laura was previously instructed in relation to the Infected Blood Inquiry. She is currently instructed on the Post Office Inquiry.

Laura was recently instructed as junior defence counsel in relation to a BSB disciplinary matter. She has also assisted with research in relation to proceedings brought by the FCA.

Before joining Chambers, Laura worked as an asylum law paralegal at both Fladgate LLP and Harbottle & Lewis. In these roles, she worked on the preparation of asylum claims for high-profile, political asylum seekers. Laura gained experience of asylum claims often involving a complex financial background and contentious, international litigation.

Laura also has over a year’s experience at the Serious Fraud Office as a document reviewer. She has worked on two of their investigations, each involving cross-border bribery and corruption allegations.

In addition, Laura was a volunteer caseworker at the National Central for Domestic Violence for two years, helping clients to secure either non-molestation or occupation orders. In this role Laura dealt with vulnerable and often traumatised individuals, assisting them to give their best evidence.

• Law (with senior status), The University of Oxford, (first class) (2018)
• English Literature MA, The University of Edinburgh, (first class) (2016)
• BPTC, City Law School, (outstanding) (2020)

• The Tobias Law Award, Oxford (2018)
• Major Exhibition Scholarship, Inner Temple (2018)