Jessica Peck

Barrister

Introduction and background

Jessica Peck is a highly driven and determined advocate. She acts in matters across the spectrum of crime, from serious violence to driving offences. She is known for her meticulous attention to detail and dedicated research.

Jessica has an established and vast defence practice, appearing regularly in the Crown, Magistrates’ and Youth Court. She has a particular interest in defending young and vulnerable lay clients and has a natural skill for building rapport and trust with the lay client. She is fast establishing a strong Prosecution practice across the Crown Court in all criminal matters including sentencing of sexual offences.

Before coming to the Bar, Jessica worked as a paralegal with Sonn Macmillan Walker Solicitors which allowed her to gain experience in and an understanding of extradition law; something in which she maintains a particular interest in. Her previous experience working as an intern at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the Extraordinary Chambers of the Court of Cambodia fuelled her interest in international criminal law and working with vulnerable clients.

General Crime

Jessica defends and prosecutes across the Crown Court, Magistrates’ Court, and Youth Court. She has a busy and diverse criminal defence practice, ranging from serious violence to dishonesty to driving offences.

Jessica has a particular interest in representing youth defendants and has been instructed in a number of cases concerning more complicated youth matters. She is experienced in drafting complex legal arguments including an abuse of process and applications to dismiss. This has resulted in numerous instructions in quasi criminal-civil matters including TFL appeals against the revocation of licences.

Jessica is building her prosecution practice by appearing on behalf of the CPS regularly in sentencing hearings and appeals. She has also prosecuted on behalf of the Probation Service for breaches of orders.

Notable Cases

R v DF (Uxbridge Youth Court) (2023

A youth client was initially charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm from a snapchat conversation. Following the drafting of written representations to the CPS, this charge was discontinued on the argument that it was not possible to determine if the item depicted was an actual firearm or an imitation.

R v GB (Guildford Crown Court) (2022)

Following a change of plea on the day of trial to a third-strike offence of possession with intent to supply of a controlled drug of class A, Jessica successfully presented an argument that it was not in the interests of justice to impose the mandatory minimum sentence due to the previous convictions being committed as a youth. The lay client was instead sentenced to a total of 3 years and 4 months for two charges of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of a class A drug, being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class B and three breaches of a criminal behaviour order. Jessica further successfully opposed the imposition of a further criminal behaviour order.

R v VL (Isleworth Crown Court) (2022)

Having been instructed as a return brief before trial for a multi-handed conspiracy to burgle, steal and defraud, Jessica successfully negotiated with the Crown to accept a plea to a single offence of handling stolen goods.

R v VL (Central Criminal Court) (2022)

Jessica was instructed on a return basis the evening before trial in matter relating to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. Following indications from the Learned Judge, the lay client received a suspended sentence.

R v MG (Snaresbrook Crown Court) (2022)

Acquittal secured in an allegation of assault of an emergency worker after a number of concerns were raised as to the officers’ treatment of the defendant.

R v JA (Woolwich Crown Court) (2022)

Acquittal secured in a matter of ABH for which the lay client had been recalled, following detailed cross-examination of the complainant.

R v TS (Isleworth Crown Court) (2022)

The matter was conceded by the Crown after having been set down for an application to dismiss on the basis that the police had forced the lay client to be in possession of a bladed article in a public place when evicting him.

R v CA (Basildon Crown Court) (2022)

The Crown offered no evidence to two charges of robbery and two charges of possession of a bladed article following the service of the defence case statement raising alibi and seeking cell site evidence and forensics.