Gemma joined chambers in 2011 following the successful completion of her pupillage and has quickly built up a busy practice. Gemma predominantly appears in Crown, Magistrates' and Youth Courts across London, Essex and East Anglia. She is a Grade 1 Advocate for the Crown Prosecution Service.
Gemma has defended in a variety of cases ranging from violence and dishonesty to drugs and fraud, and is experienced in defending breaches of non-molestation and sexual offences prevention orders. Recent cases include R v GK, where Gemma successfully defended an individual acquitted of common assault by reason of insanity and R v IM, a multi-handed robbery sent from the Youth Court to the Crown Court for trial under the “grave crime” provisions.
Gemma is regularly instructed in private road traffic cases and is adept in dealing with clients charged with offences including drink driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving with no insurance. Her experience includes successfully arguing special reasons in a case of driving with no insurance where the court found that the defendant had been mislead by his mother as regards the nature of his policy.
In addition to her defence practice, Gemma prosecutes on behalf of agencies including the Crown Prosecution Service, National Probation Service and Essex County Council. Gemma has particular experience in prosecuting offences under the Education Act and has appeared in the Family Court on behalf of the local authority in applications for education supervision orders.
Other experience
Before undertaking pupillage, Gemma spent two years working as a paralegal at a high profile criminal defence solicitors in the East End of London. She is a fully accredited police station representative and as such, has a unique insight into the police station stage of the prosecution process.
