News - Dere Street Barristers

17/09/2025

Helen Scourfield contributes to ITV News feature about the extremes gangs go to, to recruit children

Helen was honoured to be asked to contribute to this amazing news piece about such an important subject. Gang crime and the use of children and young people in those gangs is an increasing problem. This news feature encapsulates it perfectly. You can watch the full news report here. If you would like to book Helen […]

15/09/2025

Dere Street’s Pupil Deck

We are looking forward to welcoming our 5 new pupils, Samantha Herman, Lydia Gibson, Lidia Beqiraj, Robert White and Amelia Taylor. The pupils will be commencing their pupillages on the 29 of September 2025 and each week, leading up to their start, we shall be introducing each of them individually. Taking centre stage this week […]

09/09/2025

Financial Remedies update

Our final podcast from the summer is brought to you by Eleanor Irons who brings us a Financial Remedies update. Eleanor specialises in all areas of family law, with a particular emphasis on Private Children and Financial Remedies. Eleanor’s practice currently encompasses financial remedy matters, she also accepts instructions for financial provision under Schedule 1 […]

08/09/2025

Success in Court for Katie Spence

Katie Spence represented a Defendant who was unanimously acquitted of Robbery following a four day trial in Newcastle Crown Court. Katie joined Dere Street following a successful eighteen months working as an inhouse barrister (and pupil) at one of the largest criminal defence firms in London. She is a criminal practitioner and accepts instructions in the […]

08/09/2025

Dere Street’s Pupil Deck

We are looking forward to welcoming our 5 new pupils, Samantha Herman, Lydia Gibson, Lidia Beqiraj, Robert White and Amelia Taylor. The pupils will be commencing their pupillages on the 29 of September 2025 and each week, leading up to their start, we shall be introducing each of them individually. In the spot light this […]

03/09/2025

Congratulations to Victoria Hajba-Ward on her appointment as Deputy District Judge

Dere Street Barristers are delighted to announce that Victoria Hajba-Ward has been appointed as a Deputy District Judge on the North Eastern Circuit to sit within the Civil and Family (Private Law) Jurisdiction. The appointment is a part time position and Victoria will continue with her busy family practice accepting instructions in both public and […]

02/09/2025

Success in Rape Trial for Katie Spence

Katie Spence successfully defended a man who was unanimously acquitted of three charges of rape and one intentional strangulation, following a four day trial prosecuted by King’s Counsel in Durham Crown Court. If you would like to instruct Katie or any of the Criminal Team please contact the Clerks here.

02/09/2025

Dere Street’s Pupil Deck

We are looking forward to welcoming our 5 new pupils, Samantha Herman, Lydia Gibson, Lidia Beqiraj, Robert White and Amelia Taylor. The pupils will be commencing their pupillages on the 29 of September 2025 and each week, leading up to their start, we shall be introducing each of them individually. The limelight this week goes […]

01/09/2025

Michael Forrest joins Dere Street’s Criminal Team

The criminal team and all members of Chambers and staff are delighted to welcome Michael. Michael practices exclusively in crime both prosecution and defence and joins Dere Street after relocating to the North East from Hull where he was an extremely popular and successful junior tenant. Michael was acknowledged as a Rising Star with the […]