Lauren Smith
Call: 2019
Lauren Smith
University of York – LLB – First Class Honours [2015]
University of York – LLM in Legal and Political Theory – Distinction [2017]
BPP Leeds – BPTC (Part-time) – Outstanding [2017-2019]
University of York – York Masters Opportunity Scholarship [2017]
Middle Temple – Harmsworth Scholarship [2017]
Blackstone Entrance Exhibition [2017]
Certificate of Honour [2019]
BPP – Criminal Litigation Prize (for highest mark on Criminal Litigation module) [2019]
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 / 0113 246 2600
Lauren completed her pupillage at Broadway House Chambers under the supervision of Peter Hampton (now HHJ Hampton). Lauren started tenancy on 1st September 2022.
Lauren has experience of cases involving driving offences, sexual offences, offences against the person, theft offences and drug offences. She has appeared before criminal courts up to and including the Court of Appeal.
Lauren is a Grade 2 Prosecutor.
Reputation
Prior to commencing pupillage, Lauren worked as a paralegal in the regulatory department at Capsticks Solicitors. On behalf of Social Work England, Lauren assisted with drafting applications to the High Court for Interim Order Extensions and investigating fitness to practise concerns by interviewing witnesses. Lauren was also responsible for preparing cases for final and interim hearings, for example by identifying material for disclosure. As such, Lauren has experience and knowledge of professional discipline, and is keen to develop a practice in regulatory law.
Lauren also has an interest in public and administrative law, and would welcome instructions in judicial review matters.
Whilst studying for the BPTC, Lauren undertook pro-bono work for the Criminal Appeals Project, AMICUS ALJ and Support Through Court at Leeds Combined Court Centre. Consequently, Lauren has experience of working alongside litigants in person and vulnerable clients, such as those with mental health difficulties or victims of domestic violence.
Lauren is a Grade 2 Prosecutor.
Notable Cases
R v H [2024] Bradford Crown Court: Defence of H, who was charged with ABH and two counts of intentional strangulation. Following a 4-day trial, H was unanimously acquitted.
R v M [2024] Newcastle Crown Court: Led Junior for the defence of M, who was charged as a co-conspirator in six offences including conveying prohibited articles into prison. Case resolved with a plea to one lesser alternative offence.
R v C [2024] Bradford Crown Court: Defence of C, who pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position (value £112,000). Lauren secured a suspended sentence order.
R v H [2024] Bradford Crown Court: Currently instructed by the prosecution as led junior in a fraud, where the alleged losses total more than £3,000,000.
R v X [2023] Bradford Magistrates Court: Lauren secured acquittal for client charged with causing death by careless driving.
W v R [2023] Court of Appeal: Defence of W, who had pleaded guilty to an offence of stalking causing fear of violence. Lauren advised that the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive. She then successfully appeared before the Court of Appeal, who substituted the sentence of 27 months' imprisonment for one of 16 months. This meant the appellant had served his sentence and was immediately released.
R v B [2023] Leeds Youth Court: Defence of B, a 14-year-old, who was convicted of various offences including robbery, ABH and assaulting emergency workers. He was assisted by an intermediary. Following mitigation, the Magistrates sentenced B to a Referral Order.
R v L [2023] Carlisle Crown Court: Defending a Vietnamese asylum seeker who faced a count of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. Drugs valued at £130,000.
R v P [2023] York Crown Court: Defence of P at sentence, who had pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon. Lauren secured a suspended sentence order.
R v P [2023] Bradford Crown Court: Defence of P at sentence, who had been convicted of possession with intent to supply class B drugs after trial. Lauren secured a suspended sentence order.
R v M [2022] Bradford Crown Court: Defending one of the first defendants to be sentenced in Bradford for the new offence of intentional non-fatal strangulation.
R v L [2023] Bradford Crown Court: Defending L, who had pleaded guilty on the day of trial to s.20 GBH, having struck V to the back of the head with a hammer. Lauren secured a suspended sentence order.
R v W [2023] Bradford Crown Court: Prosecution of a defendant who is due to stand trial for numerous offences committed in the domestic context. The case involves two child witnesses who are eligible for s.28 cross-examination.
R v C [2022] Leeds Magistrates' Court: Prosecution of a defendant charged with ABH in the domestic context. The complainant had retracted their support for the prosecution and did not attend trial. Lauren made a successful res gestae application to rely on the complainant's initial account. The defendant was convicted.
R v B, C and H [2023] Sheffield Crown Court: Prosecution of a multi-handed robbery trial with 3 defendants.
R v B [2023] Leeds Crown Court:Prosecution of a defendant charged with burglary. The case involved presentation of expert evidence (fingerprint, blood and cell site). The defendant was convicted.
R v B [2023] Bradford Crown Court: Defending B at sentence, who had pleaded guilty to two knifepoint robberies, with relevant previous convictions. The sentencing guidelines gave a starting point of 5 years and suggested consecutive sentences were appropriate. Following mitigation, the Judge imposed two concurrent sentences of 4 years.
R v W [2023] Harrogate Magistrates' Court: Defending W at sentence, who had been convicted of an offence of domestic burglary after trial. The sentencing guidelines gave a starting point of 6 months imprisonment, but Lauren persuaded the Bench to impose a 12-month community order.
R v W [2023] Nottingham Crown Court: Defence of W at sentence, who had pleaded guilty to numerous offences including robbery, arson and dangerous driving. The defendant had relevant previous convictions. The sentencing guidelines gave a starting point of 13 years. Following mitigation, a total sentence of 10 years, 6 months was imposed.
R v W [2023] Leeds Youth Court: Defended W, a 14-year-old, who pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, two counts of possessing an imitation firearm, possession of a bladed article and handling stolen goods. The prosecution asked for W to be committed to sentence to the Crown Court. Following mitigation, the Magistrates declined to commit the offence and imposed a Youth Rehabilitation Order.
Clerks
