News - Dere Street Barristers

25/02/2026

Rachel Kelly Secures Acquittal

Rachel Kelly was instructed by Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors to represent a man of good character accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The trial was heard over three days and on the third day, after just 45 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict. To instruct Rachel or any […]

24/02/2026

Liam O’Brien Secures Conviction of Detective Constable charged with Misconduct in a Public Office

Liam O’Brien was instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service North East’s Complex Case Unit to prosecute an experienced Detective Constable accused of misconduct in a public office. The charges related to inappropriate messages the Defendant sent to a vulnerable fourteen-year-old who had made a historic allegation of rape. The Defendant, then working in the Adult […]

23/02/2026

Sarah Preest provides Family Moot training to University Students

Sarah Preest rolled out some training recently for a Family Moot that is being run at Newcastle University this week. Sarah talked the students through how to approach a case and how to prepare for a Moot. The Speed Moot is being judged on 23 February at the university. The winners will be announced later […]

16/02/2026

With The Law on Our Side: Lady Hale on Why We Must Stand Up For Our Legal System

An article by Jonathan Walker-Kane. The doors of the Royal Courts of Justice swing open and so begins our journey through the legal system with a most distinguished and informative guide, former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, Lady Hale. At every page turn, this book compels readers to think carefully about […]

02/02/2026

We are hiring!

We are a thriving multi-disciplinary set of approximately 100 barristers including Silks and Junior Counsel who offer specialist advocacy, advisory and drafting expertise at every level of seniority. We have a vacancy for a Barristers’ Clerk based in our new modern offices in Teesside. The role would ideally suit an experienced Barristers’ Clerk, although applications […]

26/01/2026

Chambers extends a warm welcome to Julie Richardson

We wish Julie well as she continues her career with us at Dere Street Barristers, a thriving multi-disciplinary set of approximately 100 barristers including Silks and Junior Counsel.

20/01/2026

Hurry – time is running out!

There are only a few days left before the 2026 Pupillage competition closes. The pupillage gateway opened on 5th of January and Chambers invited candidates to apply between 5 January 2026 and 22 January 2026, Successful candidates will receive an invitation to attend a first round interview by Saturday 31 January 2026. Chambers intends to hold first […]

19/01/2026

Laura Peto successfully quashes conviction for breach of a restraining order

Laura’s client was charged with breaching a restraining order by entering a shop where his ex-partner, the subject of the order, worked. At the time he was subject to a restraining order, made in 2024, that prohibited direct or indirect contact with her and entering any building he reasonably knew her to reside or work. […]

12/01/2026

Rachel Kelly secures acquittal

Rachel Kelly had a jury trial last week where a female defendant was acquitted after just 45 minutes of jury deliberations. The Defendant was accused of attempted robbery and after 3 days (2 days of evidence) and around 45 minutes of deliberations the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts. Rachel was instructed by Tilly, Bailey […]