Laura Black
Pupil
background and expertise
During her first six months of pupillage, Laura was supervised by Richard Paton-Philip and Max Hardy. She assisted in the preparation of both prosecution and defence matters involving drugs, violence, and sexual offences.
Prior to commencing pupillage, Laura worked as a criminal defence paralegal. She was responsible for managing her own caseload, which included a combination of Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court matters. Laura also undertook a legal internship at the Women’s Legal Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. Her work focused on the prosecution of rape cases where the suspect is a person known to the complainant.
Laura studied Law at Swansea University and ranked second in her cohort. She was awarded an Exhibition Award scholarship from Inner Temple, and an Excellence Award from BPP University.
Notable cases
Laura secured an acquittal for her client accused of assault. The prosecution case was supported by two independent eyewitnesses who both stated that they had seen W pushing the complainant. Laura's analysis of the CCTV evidence enabled this to be disproved at trial. As a result of the acquittal, W maintained his good character.
P was charged with possession with intent to supply a Class B drug. Laura drafted written representations to the CPS highlighting the issues with proving their case and invited them to consider substituting the offence for one of possession of a Class B drug. These representations were accepted, and the case was remitted back to the police who administered a caution for Mr P.
Laura secured a community order for M charged under the Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Act 2018. M had admitted to deliberately shining his laser at a police helicopter for several minutes causing the pilot to become distracted. Despite case law suggesting that similar cases were dealt with by way of immediate custodial sentences measured by way of years not months, Laura successfully argued that a community-based penalty was the appropriate disposal of M's case.
PROFILE: Laura Black
Year called
2021
Contact
020 7489 2727
Education
LLB Law, First Class Honours, Swansea University.
BPTC, Very Competent, BPP University.
Memberships
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
Women in Criminal Law.
Appointments
CPS Panel (Grade 1)