'She is extremely good with clients and really knowledgeable.' Chambers UK 2023
'A formidable opponent and absolute expert in her work.' Chambers UK 2023
'Susannah is so tenacious and thorough; her hard work has a massive impact on the outcome of inquiries.' Chambers UK 2023
‘A junior who operates at the level of a silk.’
Legal 500 2020
Overview
Experienced in high profile, sensitive cases, Susannah Stevens is regarded as a highly persuasive advocate, dedicated to her clients. She is a favourite of the privately paying clients.
Corporate & Financial Crime
Susannah is sought after by corporate clients due to her reputation and proven track record for providing clients with the highest standard of advocacy and representation. She brings to cases her extensive experience in both defending and prosecuting financial crime cases. Susannah is experienced in cases that attract national media coverage and is astute at dealing with reputational concerns. Susannah’s caseload includes document-heavy cases that involve complex jurisdictional and evidential issues.
She is renowned for her ability to tease out weaknesses in the prosecution case, demonstrating disclosure and evidential failings. She has vast experience of abuse of process applications.
Recent cases include defending in Amazon EU Sarl’s first private prosecution, representing a bank employee accused of insider dealing and advising a top tier, solicitor’s firm facing a production order.
Regulatory
Susannah is recognised by the directories as a leader in this field, having specialised in regulatory and professional disciplinary work for the last 15 years. She is one of the few senior juniors in this field who is experienced in dealing with regulatory issues across the professions, including the GMC, police misconduct hearings, the NMC, RDC, SRA and HCPC. This knowledge of case law across the regulators has proved invaluable when advancing legal argument and is combined with exceptional advocacy skills honed in the criminal courts.
Susannah is sought after in the most complex and serious of cases, frequently those attracting media attention and with national concerns. Recent cases include: deaths in police custody due to positional asphyxia; the death of an elderly patient as a result of inappropriate conservative management; the alleged racist assault of a mother in Great Ormond Street hospital and misappropriation of the accounts of the Law Society.
Crime
Susannah Stevens is a highly regarded senior criminal advocate. Her diverse practice has developed from its origins in general crime over 20 years ago. Susannah is a firm favourite of the private paying client and is astute at dealing with the reputational concerns that are often involved, having represented company directors, solicitors, accountants and police officers. Susannah’s cases are invariably high-profile. She is instructed through every stage of the process, from pre-charge through to appeal and is recognised for her ability to develop and advance legal arguments, particularly abuse of process and disclosure arguments. Recent cases include the following allegations: the alleged murder of a plumber; rape of a fellow university student; misconduct in public office by a court clerk; domestic violence by a dentist and fraud by a senior member of the Law Society.
Public Law
Susannah’s prominence in the field of professional discipline has led to instructions in cases of national importance, with complex legal and evidential issues being considered often in the glare of the media. She recently represented the family of PC Palmer in the Westminster Inquest and successfully judicially reviewed the IOPC in a case involving the arrest of a Police Federation Representative. She is highly experienced in challenging the decisions of regulators in the High Court and of guarding the interests of professionals as they face the scrutiny of the Coroner’s Court in inquests. She is a master of the detail and has the ability to identify key issues quickly and deal with novel points of law with ease.
Reviews
Chambers UK 2023: Crime - Band 4; Police Law: Mainly Defendant - Band 3
Legal 500 2023: Crime – Tier 2; Police Law (Forces and Constables) – Tier 1; Inquests and Inquiries - Tier 4
‘Susannah is brilliant. She’s a real fighter and stands up to difficult opponents and judges. Her preparation is phenomenal, such that she is able to out-expert prosecution experts even in particularly technical areas of science. Her advocacy is measured but impactful.’ Legal 500 Crime (2024)
"A superb and terrifying opponent in equal measure. She is absolutely excellent and always straight down the line." Chambers UK Crime (2024)
"Susannah is superb, very hard-working, very tenacious, persuasive in her submissions, very informed and particularly impressive. She knows the papers in incredible detail." Chambers UK Police Law: Defendant (2024)
"She really fights for clients; her thorough submissions are what changed the outcome of the inquest." Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2024)
'Susannah is so tenacious and thorough; her hard work has a massive impact on the outcome of inquiries.' 'A formidable opponent and absolute expert in her work.' Chambers UK Police Law: Defendant (2023)
'She is extremely good with clients and really knowledgeable.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)
‘Her advocacy is calm, authoritative and impressive. She is economic with her work, focusing only on the issues that assist the court and which are relevant to her clients’ interests. This is a skill which is often overlooked and should always be appreciated.’ Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2023)
‘If you are lucky enough to get Susannah, you know you are in good hands. She combines vast experience, great courtroom presence and tenacity, and a wonderfully disarming manner – a winning combination. Clients love her.’ Legal 500 Crime (2023)
‘Susannah is all over the detail of a case and very thorough. She is an impressive and persuasive advocate and excellent with lay clients. She can deliver difficult news in a clear way.’ Legal 500 Police Law (Forces and Constables) (2023)
'Incredibly thorough and fought her corner; her written submissions were so good that she changed the coroner's mind, which was a real game-changer.' Chambers UK Police Law: Defendant (2022)
'A brilliant defence advocate who fights hard for her client.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)
'Incredibly thorough, fights every point for her clients, and her attention to detail and forensic questioning can really change the outcome in an inquest.' Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2022)
'Highly organised, thorough and has impeccable attention to detail.' Legal 500 Police Law (Defendant) (2022)
'She is spectacularly diligent and her police law knowledge is really incredible.' 'She is a superb barrister who prepares meticulously. She is a fearless advocate who will argue every point that might assist her client.' Chambers UK Police Law: Defendant (2021)
'Gifted counsel, who fights the client's corner to the nth degree and is very good at representing the vulnerable.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)
'She has all the skills and expertise that a real star at the Bar should have and achieves outstanding results. Susannah is first class and has a huge intellect and comprehension of complex legal issues.' Legal 500 Crime (2021)
'Courageous, eloquent and works tirelessly for her clients.' Legal 500 Police Law: Defendant (2021)
'Always incredibly well prepared, and will argue every possible point for her clients. She is a brave advocate who can really make the difference to the outcome of an inquest.' Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2021)
‘Very measured and unflappable in court.’ ‘She fights her corner to the nth degree, and is very good at representing vulnerable clients.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)
‘A strong advocate willing to persist with unpopular points when needed.’ Legal 500 Crime (2020)
‘A junior who operates at the level of a silk.’ Legal 500 Police Law (Defendant) (2020)
‘A great lateral thinker - she will always find a way out of or around a problem.’ Legal 500 Crime (2018)
‘Hardworking and tireless.’ Legal 500 Police Law (Defendant) (2018)
‘She has excellent and very patient client care skills.’ Legal 500 Crime (2017)
‘Once instructed, she is unwavering in her commitment to the case.’ Legal 500 Police Law (2017)
‘Knows the applicable law backwards and deploys it well.’ Legal 500 Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (2015)
Education
- LLB, Manchester University (First Class Honours)
Appointments
- CPS Grade 4 Advocate
- CPS Fraud List
Professional Memberships
- Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers
- Criminal Bar Association
- Fraud Lawyers Association
- Proceeds Of Crime Lawyers’ Association
Recent Cases
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Inquest into the death of Thomas Orchard. Susannah Stevens led Thomas Coke-Smyth representing four Devon and Cornwall police Response Officers who were involved in the arrest and detention of Thomas Orchard, prior to his death. Mr Orchard died in hospital...
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Susannah represented a young man accused of the rape of his ex-girlfriend. The case was complicated by the client’s alleged confession in the form of text messages sent after the incident apologising for what he had done. The client was acquitted un...
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Susannah represented the Prosecution in relation to the trial and appeal against conviction of a Labour MP accused of harassment.
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Susannah successfully argued the appeal against sentence on behalf of a doctor who had put his builder’s details on a Gay Escort website.Susannah was instructed by Kingsley Napley.
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The Prosecution offered no evidence after Susannah’s cross-examination of the complainant in a case of sexual assault. A seventeen year old girl accused a Company Director of sexually assaulting her during a train journey. The case involved the defe...
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Susannah Stevens was instructed to advise on the legal arguments available in a twelve-handed drugs conspiracy, where the Crown’s case was reliant on Encrochat evidence.Susannah was instructed by HJA.
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Susannah secured a non-custodial sentence for a Company Director who admitted being drunk on an aircraft and urinating on a fellow passenger.Susannah was instructed by PCB Byrne and Partners.
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Susannah was lead counsel in relation to a seven-handed county lines drugs and modern slavery conspiracy.
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Susannah Stevens and Paul Wakerley were instructed to represent three police officers in police misconduct proceedings. The case concerns an individual detained in police custody and subsequently died.Susannah will also represent the police officers at t...
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Susannah Stevens is instructed to advise as to breach of data protection concerning a professional standards department who contacted a rehabilitation centre. The department disclosed the nature of the investigation to the centre. The centre then refused ...
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Susannah Stevens was leading counsel in an attempted murder case involving the gang land shooting of a youth in a Chicken Shop in Camberwell.
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Adrian Darbishire QC and Susannah Stevens acted for a major international law firm and partner under investigation for breaching tipping-off provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.Counsel were instructed by Charles Kuhn of Clyde & Co.
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Susannah Stevens represented a Police Federation Representative for the Metropolitan Police Service in a claim against the Metropolitan Police Service and the Independent Office for Police Conduct for false imprisonment.The police officer was the Police F...
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Susannah Stevens and Thomas Coke-Smyth represented three police officers accused of inappropriate conduct in the treatment of Thomas Orchard who died following a restraint with an emergency restraint belt in Exeter custody in 2012. Counsel successfully ar...
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Susannah and Tom represented the parents and siblings of PC Keith Palmer, the police officer killed in the Westminster terrorist attack on 22 March 2017.
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Susannah Stevens successfully represented a senior police officer in police misconduct proceedings. The case concerned the an individual detained and subsequently died in custody.Counsel was instructed by Scott Ingram of ...
...Susannah Stevens assisted by Nadesh Karu successfully applied for a judicial review of the IPCC’s handling of a complaint made against them by a Metropolitan Police Federation Representative.
...Ongoing defence of a company director facing a private prosecution for fraud by Amazon EU SARL.
...Susannah Stevens assisted by Nadesh Karu acted on behalf of a Police Federation Representative who successfully challenged the IPCC’s investigation into his complaints about their conduct.
...Susannah Stevens represented a former House Master at a leading public school who was accused of sexually assaulting pupils at the school, the master was acquitted.
...A PAT allowed the appeal, as a result of Susannah’s argument that the tribunal should have recused itself, having read prejudicial material.Susannah represented the officer at the re-hearing and successfully argued an abuse of process, having identi...
...Susannah Stevens was instructed to represent two officers facing a gross misconduct hearing, as a result of an allegation of racial misconduct, made by a fire-fighter following the London riots.
...Successfully defended a dentist accused of assault against his doctor wife.
News
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Susannah Stevens appears on behalf of Police Sergeant at the inquest into the death of Duncan Tomlin
...Duncan Tomlin died in July 2014 after being arrested in West Sussex.
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Mr Pitt was shot by Police after he had taken his fiancée hostage.
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Susannah and Thomas are representing the sisters of PC Keith Palmer.
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Susannah acted on behalf of PS Christopher Glasspool in IOPC proceedings.
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Matter concerned a bank employee who was alleged to have passed price sensitive information.
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Susannah Stevens represented a police officer facing gross misconduct proceedings. The case was stayed due to investigative failures. (Thames Valley Police).
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Susannah Stevens represented a nurse facing contempt of court proceedings brought by the FCA for breach of a restraint order at Southwark Crown Court.
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Susannah Stevens acted for a custody sergeant with the Metropolitan Police facing six allegations of misconduct in relation to a mentally vulnerable female. The charges were dismissed.
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The officers faced the hearing as a result of an allegation of racial misconduct, made by a fire-fighter following the London riots. The defence disclosure requests unearthed a failure by the IPCC to identify and then disclose key witness details and docu...
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The JR on behalf of a former Federation Representative who represented officers during the Sean Rigg inquest was an application to quash part of the IPCC’s handling of Susannah’s clients complaint against them. The application was successful a...
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QEB Hollis Whiteman barrister Susannah Stevens represented a police officer accused of causing actual bodily harm to a woman he was trying to eject from her daughter’s hospital room.The women, who the court was told sustained more than 40 injuries, ...
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Susannah represented the GMC against Dr P in a conviction case concerning a GP who had been involved in a sophisticated duty fraud and who falsely claimed that he had a Queen’s medal for saving a child from a burning building.
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Susannah Stevens represented a contractor who faced Health and Safety breaches, following the death of a workman on a construction site. The workman was killed when a dumper fell into an unguarded excavation, landing directly on top of him.
Articles
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This briefing note from Edward Henry QC, Read more
Susannah Stevens considers Joint Enterprise from the defence perspective. View article
Corporate and Financial Crime
Well versed in the complex, document-heavy and multi-jurisdictional, Susannah Stevens is sought after for her attention to detail, her judgement and her persuasive arguments, inside and outside the courtroom.
Overview
Susannah is a highly regarded senior junior with extensive experience in both defending and prosecuting financial crime cases. She is sought-after by corporate clients due to her reputation and proven track record for providing clients with the highest standard of advocacy and representation. She is experienced in cases that attract national media coverage and is astute at dealing with reputational concerns. Susannah’s caseload includes document-heavy cases that involve complex jurisdictional and evidential issues.
Susannah is renowned for her ability to tease out weaknesses in the prosecution case, demonstrating disclosure and evidential failings. She has vast experience of abuse of process applications.
Experience
As a senior junior Susannah has experience of an array of financial and corporate crime offences. She defends in serious, high-profile and complex matters, often as leading counsel.
Her successes include defending a company director charged with a multimillion-pound VAT fraud alleged to have involved offshore bank accounts, shelf companies and numerous false identities. The prosecution’s case folded following Susannah successfully arguing an abuse of process application based on prosecutorial failings.
She has represented a company director facing a private prosecution for fraud by Amazon EU SARL. The case involved complex jurisdictional and evidential issues.
Susannah is instructed privately to advise in respect of restraint and asset forfeiture, recently doing so for a company director facing numerous allegations of VAT fraud.
Susannah is advising a top-tier solicitor’s firm facing a production order in relation to a tipping off investigation.
Susannah is also instructed in health and safety cases, defending recently in a fatality at work case that involved numerous health and safety breaches.
She appears on behalf of the CPS fraud team as well as other specialist units and is a Grade 4 Prosecutor experienced in multi-handed fraud and money laundering cases.
Susannah is a Middle Temple advocacy trainer and regularly provides advocacy and legal training in this field.
Notable Cases
R v G (2017)
Privately instructed to defend a nurse facing contempt of court proceedings, brought by the FCA and arising from her father’s non-compliance with a confiscation order. Successfully argued that the mens rea on the part a third party was not made out.Amazon EU Sarl v D (2017)
Defended a company director facing a private prosecution for fraud in Amazon EU Sarl’s first prosecution. The case involves complex jurisdictional issues relating to the country in which the prosecutor and company director are registered and the location of the alleged crime.R v S (2017)
Defended a company director facing multiple counts of VAT fraud, including a number of different companies.R v B (2014)
Represented a contractor who faced Health and Safety breaches, following the death of a workman on a construction site when a dumper fell on top of him.R v M (2012)
Junior counsel representing a company director charged with a multimillion-pound fraud said to involve offshore bank accounts, shelf companies and numerous false identities. Successfully argued on abuse of process application founded on prosecutorial failings.Recent Cases
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Adrian Darbishire QC and Susannah Stevens acted for a major international law firm and partner under investigation for breaching tipping-off provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.Counsel were instructed by Charles Kuhn of Clyde & Co.
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Ongoing defence of a company director facing a private prosecution for fraud by Amazon EU SARL.
News
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Susannah Stevens represented a nurse facing contempt of court proceedings brought by the FCA for breach of a restraint order at Southwark Crown Court.
A serious and respected senior criminal advocate, Susannah Stevens is instructed in grave, high-profile and complex areas of criminal law.
Overview
Susannah Stevens is a highly regarded senior criminal advocate. Her diverse practice has developed from its origins in general crime over 20 years ago. She has developed a devastatingly effective style of advocacy across the full spectrum of offences and has become a favourite of the private-paying client, particularly professionals. Susannah’s cases are invariably high-profile. She is instructed through every stage of the process, from pre-charge through to appeal and is recognised for her ability to develop and deliver legal arguments, particularly abuse of process arguments. She is thorough, tenacious and commanding in court.
Experience
Susannah Stevens has an extensive criminal practice and is instructed to defend and prosecute in serious, complex cases covering the whole spectrum of criminal work, including murder, kidnap, serious fraud, money laundering, drugs and firearms offences, rape, child cruelty, misconduct in public office, immigration issues and assault. Susannah’s expertise in the professional regulatory sphere has placed her exceptionally well to represent professionals when they face criminal charges. She has successfully represented: company directors, doctors, dentists, solicitors, accountants, police officers, teachers and court clerks. Accordingly, she has a wealth of experience in assisting with reputational concerns and clients describe her as a master tactician.
Susannah is renowned for being meticulously prepared, sensitive to the requirements of the client and the case, and fiercely committed to getting the best result. She has particular expertise in difficult cross-examinations and identifying legal arguments.
Susannah is instructed by some of the most prominent defence firms and prosecutes for a variety of specialist CPS branches; she is a Grade 4 prosecutor.
Susannah is an advocacy trainer for Middle Temple and regularly provides both advocacy and bespoke legal training.
Notable Cases
R v R (2022)
The Prosecution offered no evidence after Susannah’s cross-examination of the complainant in a case of sexual assault. A seventeen year old girl accused a Company Director of sexually assaulting her during a train journey. The case involved the defence of sexsomnia.R v S (2022)
Susannah represented a young man accused of the rape of his ex-girlfriend.R v R (2022)
Susannah represented a twenty-three year old university student accused of the rape of a young woman he met on Tinder.R v M (2018)
Successfully defended a police officer accused of perjury and perverting.R v G (2017)
Successfully represented a dentist accused of domestic abuse by his doctor wife. Argued out the alleged confession that the family had covertly recorded on the grounds of unfairness.R v P (2016)
Privately instructed in the defence of a former House Master of a top public school acquitted of sexually assaulting a young boy on the tube.R v L (2015)
Susannah Stevens successfully defended a Metropolitan Police officer accused of causing actual bodily harm to a mother tending to her child at Great Ormond Street Hospital.R v B (2014)
Represented a contractor who faced health and safety breaches, following the death of a workman on a construction site when a dumper fell on top of him. Instructed by Emma Brookes, Byrne and Partners.R v Yelland (2014)
Defended an RAF airman who admitted offences of manufacturing and selling firearms on the ‘dark web’ site Black Market Reloaded.R v T (2014)
Secured the acquittal in an attempted murder case of a man who accepted stabbing the complainant five times, and having assaulted him with a baseball bat on a previous occasion.R v S (2014)
Leading junior representing a police sergeant accused of serious sexual assaults against colleagues and victims of crime. The case generated considerable media interest. Susannah, and her junior, identified bias and misconduct on the part of the prosecuting team. Susannah successfully argued an abuse of process on the basis of bad faith and prosecutorial failings relating to disclosure and the collation of evidence. Junior: Katherine Buckle, and at the first trial Rhys Meggy. Instructed by John Downes, Slater and Gordon.Reviews
Chambers UK 2023: Crime - Band 4
Legal 500 2023: Crime – Tier 2
'She is extremely good with clients and really knowledgeable.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)
‘If you are lucky enough to get Susannah, you know you are in good hands. She combines vast experience, great courtroom presence and tenacity, and a wonderfully disarming manner – a winning combination. Clients love her.’ Legal 500 Crime (2023)
'A brilliant defence advocate who fights hard for her client.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)
'Gifted counsel, who fights the client's corner to the nth degree and is very good at representing the vulnerable.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)
'She has all the skills and expertise that a real star at the Bar should have and achieves outstanding results. Susannah is first class and has a huge intellect and comprehension of complex legal issues.' Legal 500 Crime (2021)
‘Very measured and unflappable in court.’ ‘She fights her corner to the nth degree, and is very good at representing vulnerable clients.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)
‘A strong advocate willing to persist with unpopular points when needed.’ Legal 500 Crime (2020)
‘A great lateral thinker – she will always find a way out of or around a problem.’ Legal 500 Crime (2018)
‘She has excellent and very patient client care skills.’ Legal 500 Crime (2017)
Recent Cases
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Susannah represented a young man accused of the rape of his ex-girlfriend. The case was complicated by the client’s alleged confession in the form of text messages sent after the incident apologising for what he had done. The client was acquitted un...
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Susannah represented the Prosecution in relation to the trial and appeal against conviction of a Labour MP accused of harassment.
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Susannah successfully argued the appeal against sentence on behalf of a doctor who had put his builder’s details on a Gay Escort website.Susannah was instructed by Kingsley Napley.
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The Prosecution offered no evidence after Susannah’s cross-examination of the complainant in a case of sexual assault. A seventeen year old girl accused a Company Director of sexually assaulting her during a train journey. The case involved the defe...
-
Susannah Stevens was instructed to advise on the legal arguments available in a twelve-handed drugs conspiracy, where the Crown’s case was reliant on Encrochat evidence.Susannah was instructed by HJA.
-
Susannah secured a non-custodial sentence for a Company Director who admitted being drunk on an aircraft and urinating on a fellow passenger.Susannah was instructed by PCB Byrne and Partners.
-
Susannah was lead counsel in relation to a seven-handed county lines drugs and modern slavery conspiracy.
-
Susannah Stevens was leading counsel in an attempted murder case involving the gang land shooting of a youth in a Chicken Shop in Camberwell.
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Susannah Stevens represented a former House Master at a leading public school who was accused of sexually assaulting pupils at the school, the master was acquitted.
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Successfully defended a dentist accused of assault against his doctor wife.
News
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QEB Hollis Whiteman barrister Susannah Stevens represented a police officer accused of causing actual bodily harm to a woman he was trying to eject from her daughter’s hospital room.The women, who the court was told sustained more than 40 injuries, ...
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Susannah Stevens represented a contractor who faced Health and Safety breaches, following the death of a workman on a construction site. The workman was killed when a dumper fell into an unguarded excavation, landing directly on top of him.
Articles
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This briefing note from Edward Henry QC, View article
Susannah Stevens considers Joint Enterprise from the defence perspective. View article
Regulatory
Recognised by the Directories as a leader in the field, Susannah Stevens has brought her attention to detail and outstanding advocacy to the professional discipline forum for over 15 years.
Overview
Susannah is a highly regarded senior junior, instructed in the most serious and complex regulatory cases that frequently attract national media attention.
Experience
Susannah is one of the few senior juniors in this field who is experienced in dealing with regulatory issues across the professions, including the GMC, police misconduct hearings, the NMC, RDC, SRA and HCPC. This knowledge of case law across the regulators has proved invaluable when advancing legal argument and is combined with exceptional advocacy skills honed in the criminal courts.
Susannah is recommended by clients for her: meticulous case preparation; tactical nous and experience; devastating, surgical cross-examination and client care. Susannah is renowned for her ability to tease out weaknesses in the opposition’s case, and is an expert at identifying disclosure and evidential problems. She has vast experience in abuse of process applications and disclosure arguments.
Susannah is sought-after in particularly complex or sensitive cases, often in those that attract media attention or that could have a wider impact on law and policy. Recent cases include: representing the family of PC Palmer at the Westminster Inquest; deaths in police custody due to positional asphyxia; the death of an elderly patient as a result of inappropriate conservative management; the alleged racist assault of a mother in Great Ormond Street hospital and misappropriation of the accounts of the Law Society.
Susannah is one of the country’s leading experts in defending police officers, being counsel of choice for Police Federations and officers across the country, as a result of her proven track record. She has advised and appeared in countless misconduct hearings, including those attracting intense press interest. Susannah advises from the investigation stage to the PAT. She is an expert in inquests and those cases involving the IPCC. She is instructed by the Police Federation nationally to advise on areas of law.
Susannah can assist with all stages of the process that professionals may face, including the criminal trial, regulatory hearing, appeal, inquest and any judicial review arising.
Susannah regularly provides bespoke training and lectures to solicitors and regulatory bodies.
Notable Cases
Mr S (2018)
Consultant facing numerous allegations before the GMC in relation to the death of an elderly patient who received conservative management, rather than surgery, for a perforated bowel. The case concerned complex medical issues, involved expert evidence and a large number of witnesses.PC L (2015)
Susannah successfully argued an abuse of process on behalf of a police constable at a gross misconduct hearing. The officer faced an allegation of excessive use of force, having admitted punching and kicking a mother in the face, in front of her child at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Susannah had represented him at trial, when he was acquitted of ABH.PS G (2018)
Susannah defended a police sergeant cleared of gross misconduct following the death of Duncan Tomlin, an epileptic male who died following police restraint.Re G (2017)
Led by Jason Mansell, Susannah acted for a bank employee alleged by the FCA to have deliberately passed price sensitive information as a result of which profitable trades took place. Following a contested hearing before the RDC, the FCA was ordered to discontinue all proceedings.Insp. M and PC R (2017)
Susannah lodged an abuse of process argument in relation to this IPCC led investigation involving allegations of racial misconduct against a fire-fighter during the London riots. The defence disclosure requests unearthed a failure by the IPCC to identify and then disclose key witness details. After a week the case was withdrawn. The IPCC Commissioner involved is now subject to a criminal investigation.Dr P (2015)
GMC proceedings involving a GP convicted of a sophisticated VAT fraud and allegations of dishonesty, including falsely having claimed to have been awarded the Queen’s Medal for saving a child from a burning building.PC P (2015)
Susannah successfully made a half-time submission in a gross misconduct case involving an allegation of assault, made by four other officers who were allegedly present at the time. Her cross-examination revealed that two of the officers had not been present.DI F (2014)
Susannah identified and successfully argued an abuse of process application, on the basis of a failure to properly particularise the Regulation 15 Notice, incorrectly conducting a criminal interview and disclosure failures.Reviews
Chambers UK 2023: Police Law: Mainly Defendant - Band 3
Legal 500 2023: Police Law (Forces and Contables) – Tier 1
'Susannah is so tenacious and thorough; her hard work has a massive impact on the outcome of inquiries.' 'A formidable opponent and absolute expert in her work.' Chambers UK Police Law: Defendant (2023)
‘Susannah is all over the detail of a case and very thorough. She is an impressive and persuasive advocate and excellent with lay clients. She can deliver difficult news in a clear way.’ Legal 500 Police Law (Forces and Constables) (2023)
'Incredibly thorough and fought her corner; her written submissions were so good that she changed the coroner's mind, which was a real game-changer.' Chambers UK Police Law: Defendant (2022)
'Highly organised, thorough and has impeccable attention to detail.' Legal 500 Police Law (Defendant) (2022)
'She is spectacularly diligent and her police law knowledge is really incredible.' 'She is a superb barrister who prepares meticulously. She is a fearless advocate who will argue every point that might assist her client.' Chambers UK Police Law: Defendant (2021)
'Courageous, eloquent and works tirelessly for her clients.' Legal 500 Police Law: Defendant (2021)
‘A junior who operates at the level of a silk.’ Legal 500 Police Law (Defendant) (2020)
‘Hardworking and tireless.’ Legal 500 Police Law (Defendant) (2018)
‘Once instructed, she is unwavering in her commitment to the case.’ Legal 500 Police Law (2017)
Recent Cases
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Inquest into the death of Thomas Orchard. Susannah Stevens led Thomas Coke-Smyth representing four Devon and Cornwall police Response Officers who were involved in the arrest and detention of Thomas Orchard, prior to his death. Mr Orchard died in hospital...
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Susannah Stevens and Paul Wakerley were instructed to represent three police officers in police misconduct proceedings. The case concerns an individual detained in police custody and subsequently died.Susannah will also represent the police officers at t...
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Susannah Stevens is instructed to advise as to breach of data protection concerning a professional standards department who contacted a rehabilitation centre. The department disclosed the nature of the investigation to the centre. The centre then refused ...
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Susannah Stevens represented a Police Federation Representative for the Metropolitan Police Service in a claim against the Metropolitan Police Service and the Independent Office for Police Conduct for false imprisonment.The police officer was the Police F...
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Susannah Stevens and Thomas Coke-Smyth represented three police officers accused of inappropriate conduct in the treatment of Thomas Orchard who died following a restraint with an emergency restraint belt in Exeter custody in 2012. Counsel successfully ar...
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Susannah Stevens successfully represented a senior police officer in police misconduct proceedings. The case concerned the an individual detained and subsequently died in custody.Counsel was instructed by Scott Ingram of Read more
Susannah Stevens assisted by Nadesh Karu successfully applied for a judicial review of the IPCC’s handling of a complaint made against them by a Metropolitan Police Federation Representative.
A PAT allowed the appeal, as a result of Susannah’s argument that the tribunal should have recused itself, having read prejudicial material.Susannah represented the officer at the re-hearing and successfully argued an abuse of process, having identi...
Susannah Stevens was instructed to represent two officers facing a gross misconduct hearing, as a result of an allegation of racial misconduct, made by a fire-fighter following the London riots.
News
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Susannah Stevens appears on behalf of Police Sergeant at the inquest into the death of Duncan Tomlin
Duncan Tomlin died in July 2014 after being arrested in West Sussex.
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Susannah acted on behalf of PS Christopher Glasspool in IOPC proceedings.
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Matter concerned a bank employee who was alleged to have passed price sensitive information.
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Susannah Stevens represented a police officer facing gross misconduct proceedings. The case was stayed due to investigative failures. (Thames Valley Police).
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Susannah Stevens acted for a custody sergeant with the Metropolitan Police facing six allegations of misconduct in relation to a mentally vulnerable female. The charges were dismissed.
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The officers faced the hearing as a result of an allegation of racial misconduct, made by a fire-fighter following the London riots. The defence disclosure requests unearthed a failure by the IPCC to identify and then disclose key witness details and docu...
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The JR on behalf of a former Federation Representative who represented officers during the Sean Rigg inquest was an application to quash part of the IPCC’s handling of Susannah’s clients complaint against them. The application was successful a...
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Susannah represented the GMC against Dr P in a conviction case concerning a GP who had been involved in a sophisticated duty fraud and who falsely claimed that he had a Queen’s medal for saving a child from a burning building.
Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law
A senior junior with particular expertise in representing professionals, whether challenging the regulators in Judicial Review or ensuring they are represented in inquests and inquiries.
Overview
Susannah’s prominence in the field of professional discipline has led to a successful practice in Public Law. She is highly experienced in challenging the decisions of regulators in the high court via Judicial Review and of guarding the interests of professionals as they face the scrutiny of the Coroner’s Court in inquests. She is a master of the detail and has the ability to identify key issues quickly and deal with complex and novel points of law with ease.
Experience
Susannah is a highly regarded senior junior who brings her considerable experience in the criminal and regulatory field to her representation of professionals facing inquests and requiring advice as to judicial review. She is sought-after in cases involving complex or novel points of law including issues of national importance and significant sensitivity for the client or organisation involved; many of her cases involve the added pressure for the client of media scrutiny. The quality of her work and subsequent reputation has meant that she is instructed in public law cases where others are represented by Queen’s Counsel. Clients recommend Susannah for her meticulous case preparation, astute judgement, experience, client care and persuasive advocacy.
Susannah has extensive experience of representing professional clients and is instructed to assist with public law issues arising from incidents at work. This has included representing police officers at inquests and in challenging decisions of the tribunals that govern them. She also has experience of representing serviceman at inquests as well as contractors following deaths arising from health and safety breaches. Susannah has experience of representing prisoners to judicially review parole board decisions and of appeals by way of case stated.
Recent cases have included: representing the family of PC Palmer at the Westminster inquest; advising a company director as to the prospects of judicially reviewing the magistrates’ decision to issue a summons in a private prosecution brought by Amazon EU Sarl and a judicial review of the IPCC’s failure to investigate fairly and adequately the complaint of a Police Federation Representative involving the Sean Rigg inquest.
Susannah is an advocacy trainer for Middle Temple and regularly provides both advocacy and bespoke legal training in the Public Law field.
Notable Cases
Re B (2014)
Represented a contractor at an inquest who was facing health and safety breaches and had been arrested for manslaughter. The inquest concerned the death of a workman on a construction site when a dumper fell on top of him.P v Parole Board
Susannah represented a prisoner serving a life sentence in a judicial review of the Parole Board on the basis that he was consistently refused parole for failing to attend a course that the prison he was in did not provide.S v Westminster Magistrates’ Court
​Susannah successfully argued, in an appeal by way of case stated, that a Magistrates’ Court had misapplied the Interpretation Act by seeking to interpret “him” in section 4 of the Protection From Harassment Act as including the words “or another”.Reviews
Legal 500 2023: Inquests and Inquiries - Tier 4
‘Her advocacy is calm, authoritative and impressive. She is economic with her work, focusing only on the issues that assist the court and which are relevant to her clients’ interests. This is a skill which is often overlooked and should always be appreciated.’ Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2023)
'Incredibly thorough, fights every point for her clients, and her attention to detail and forensic questioning can really change the outcome in an inquest.' Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2022)
'Always incredibly well prepared, and will argue every possible point for her clients. She is a brave advocate who can really make the difference to the outcome of an inquest.' Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2021)
Recent Cases
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Inquest into the death of Thomas Orchard. Susannah Stevens led Thomas Coke-Smyth representing four Devon and Cornwall police Response Officers who were involved in the arrest and detention of Thomas Orchard, prior to his death. Mr Orchard died in hospital...
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Susannah Stevens and Paul Wakerley were instructed to represent three police officers in police misconduct proceedings. The case concerns an individual detained in police custody and subsequently died.Susannah will also represent the police officers at t...
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Susannah Stevens represented a Police Federation Representative for the Metropolitan Police Service in a claim against the Metropolitan Police Service and the Independent Office for Police Conduct for false imprisonment.The police officer was the Police F...
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Susannah and Tom represented the parents and siblings of PC Keith Palmer, the police officer killed in the Westminster terrorist attack on 22 March 2017.
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Susannah Stevens successfully represented a senior police officer in police misconduct proceedings. The case concerned the an individual detained and subsequently died in custody.Counsel was instructed by Scott Ingram of Read more
Susannah Stevens assisted by Nadesh Karu successfully applied for a judicial review of the IPCC’s handling of a complaint made against them by a Metropolitan Police Federation Representative.
Susannah Stevens assisted by Nadesh Karu acted on behalf of a Police Federation Representative who successfully challenged the IPCC’s investigation into his complaints about their conduct.
News
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Susannah Stevens appears on behalf of Police Sergeant at the inquest into the death of Duncan Tomlin
Duncan Tomlin died in July 2014 after being arrested in West Sussex.
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Mr Pitt was shot by Police after he had taken his fiancée hostage.
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Susannah and Tom represented the parents and siblings of PC Keith Palmer, the police officer killed in the Westminster terrorist attack on 22 March 2017.
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Susannah and Thomas are representing the sisters of PC Keith Palmer.
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