Verity Barnes
Call: 2021
Verity Barnes
University of Law (Leeds), BPC, Outstanding (2021)
University of Law (Leeds), Legal Practice LLM, Distinction (2021)
Leeds Beckett University, Law LLB, First Class with Honours (2020)
Inner Temple Exhibition Scholar (2020)
Grade 2 Prosecutor
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 / 0113 246 2600
Verity has a criminal practice and accepts instructions in this area.
Verity prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court. Verity has experience prosecuting and defending a wide variety of trials in the Magistrates’ Court. She also regularly appears in the Crown Court for appeals, sentencing, bail hearings and breach hearings.
Verity commenced pupillage at Broadway House Chambers in October 2022 under the supervision of Abigail Langford. During pupillage, Verity observed a range of cases in the Crown Court involving sexual offences, offences against the person, drug offences and terrorism. Verity assisted in a prosecution case involving historic sexual offences and domestic abuse against multiple complainants. She was responsible for reviewing ABEs, amending indictments, preparing schedules of text messages to be presented to the jury and liaising with the officers in the case.
Reputation
Expertise
Prior to commencing pupillage, Verity worked as a family paralegal. She assisted with drafting applications, statements and legal argument in a wide range of private child disputes, matrimonial finance and divorce proceedings. She also assisted in relation to unmarried couples’ separation and particularly the provisions of TOLATA. In this role, Verity clerked on a number of hearings and also undertook advocacy for clients of the firm in Non-Molestation and Occupation Order applications. As such, she also has experience and knowledge in family and child law.
Whilst studying for her Law LLB and during her Bar Course, Verity undertook pro-bono work for her university’s Legal Advice Clinic. Consequently, she has experience dealing with litigants-in-person, vulnerable clients and particularly victims of domestic violence.
Notable Cases
R v Peel, Bradford CC (2024) - Defended a 18 year old at sentence for offences committed when he was 16. The starting point for an adult was 3 years imprisonment. Verity argued, due to his lack of maturity, that he should receive no more than he would have received had he been sentenced as a child and that there were grounds to impose a suspended sentence. The defendant received 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months as a result of her submissions.
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24724846.jayden-peel-allerton-sentenced-thornton-road-crash/
R v Baldwin and Moorby, Bradford CC (2024) – Defended a sentence involving the importation of class C drugs. Through mitigation, Verity Barnes argued the harm could appropriately be categorised into category 4 given the conclusions of the defence expert. The client avoided custody and received a 24 month community order.
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24578960.bradford-man-woman-ordered-liquid-ecstasy-netherlands/
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24425882.bradford-bound-bottles-liquid-ecstasy-intercepted-airport/
R v B (2024) – Convinced the prosecution to offer no evidence on the day of trial in the Magistrates Court for lay client charged with driving without due care and attention.
R v D (2024) – Defended lay client in the Crown Court for sentence for production of a controlled drug of Class B. The defendant had been discovered growing cannabis at his home address with 40+ plants worth over £25,000 if sold commercially. Achieved a community order by highlighting the unexplained delay prior to charging.
R v Thackray (2024): Defence for client charged with possesion of indecent images. https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24089951.paedophile-snared-decoys-posing-young-girls/
Clerks
