Laura Peto

Laura secured tenancy in September 2025 after completing a specialist criminal pupillage under the supervision of Andrew Walker 

Laura is a Grade 2 prosecutor and has been instructed by the CPS in jury trials for GBH, burglary and ABH, as well as complex sentences involving drug-related offending, fraud, and sexual offences. She also receives instructions from the Probation Service and Northumbria Police, recently assisting in an extensive LPP review regarding highly sensitive allegations of police corruption. 

She undertakes a variety of defence work for both regional and national solicitor firms, representing clients for a wide range of offences including dangerous driving, coercive and controlling behaviour, cultivation and supply of controlled drugs, serious violence, and sexual assault. She has received praise from clients and judges alike for her case management as well as honest and impartial advice.

She has drafted applications of bad character and res gestate, and recently succeeded in a submission of no case to answer- appealing a conviction for her client charged with breach of a restraining order. 

During her pupillage she assisted in complex matters of sexual violence involving both adults and children, multi-handed drug conspiracies and a range of violent offences. She applied this to her practice, where in second six she did both defence and CPS sessions work, in the GAP/NGAP courts as well as prosecuting back-to-back trials. She has also completed Youth Court work and intends to explore this further in her practice. She has appeared at multiple courts across Circuit including Newcastle, Teesside, York, Carlisle, North/South Tyneside, Bedlington, Peterlee, and Newton Aycliffe.

 Before coming to the bar, Laura gained a variety of experience across different areas of law including criminal, family and civil. This involved undertaking work experience for prominent Newcastle-based firms and chambers. Laura also worked for notable international firms Clyde & Co and Kennedys, specialising in both personal injury and specialist liability by managing a caseload of multi-million-pound claims. She also dealt with sensitive evidence involving abuse of the care process within foster homes and local authorities.