Katy Laverty

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Called to the Bar in 2013

Katy Laverty undertook pupillage at Furnival Chambers in London, under the supervision of Caroline Carberry QC and Richard Hearnden. During pupillage, Katy assisted her supervisors on a number of murder trials, historic sexual offences and people-trafficking cases.

Katy defends and prosecutes in Crown Courts, Magistrates Court and Youth Courts on a daily basis. She has particular expertise in representing vulnerable defendants, understanding the sensitivity required when handling their cases and concerns. Katy has been instructed in a wide range of matters, acting for those who have been charged with sexual offences, offences of violence, drug offences, dishonesty offences and driving offences amongst others.

Having been appointed to the CPS Advocate Panel, Katy also prosecutes.

Katy is an effective and persuasive advocate, described by those instructing her as highly-competent, articulate and “terrifyingly thorough”. She is professional and robust in her approach to all of her cases, with a clear understanding of the law and the ability to quickly assimilate complicated facts. Her skeleton arguments have been praised by members of the judiciary as cogent, well-structured and succinct.

During a sabbatical, Katy provided assistance to attorneys on capital cases in Houston, Texas. She interviewed inmates on Death Row and in county jails, tackling difficult conversations with both professionalism and empathy. Katy also conducted legal research, reviewed evidence and drafted plea-bargains.

Prior to commencing pupillage, Katy assisted a sole practitioner with a multi-track dental, clinical and cosmetic negligence caseload. She frequently negotiated settlements, conducted conferences with experts and advised clients at all stages of the legal process. Having practised as a clinical negligence paralegal for a number of years, Katy accepts instructions in that area.  She has particular experience in misdiagnosis, surgical errors, prescribing errors and failures in aftercare.

As a paralegal in the Healthcare Team at Weightmans Solicitors, Katy frequently represented NHS Trusts in applications to set aside judgments and in Costs and Case Management Conferences.  In addition to assisting partners on multi-track clinical negligence cases, Katy managed her own caseload of fast track pre-litigation and litigated EL/PL/OL cases.  She was also seconded to Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, where she assisted the legal department with inquests, personal injury and clinical negligence claims.

Katy accepts instructions regarding all aspects of Personal Injury, undertaking work at Small Claims and Fast Track level for both Claimants and Defendants. Katy has experience in a broad range of areas, including road traffic accidents, accidents at work, occupiers’ liability claims and highway tripping claims. She undertakes advocacy at all stages of a claim and can draft advices, pleadings and schedules/counter-schedules.

Having represented prisoners in parole hearings and appellants in asylum hearings, Katy also accepts instructions in Prison Law and Immigration matters.

Katy has some experience in representing family members in inquests, having recently represented the mother of the deceased in an inquest at the Coroners’ Court in Heywood. She is keen to expand her practice in this area.

To instruct Katy Laverty, please contact her clerks.

Notable Cases

R v JD (2018)

  • Suspended sentence received in a case of arson involving the reckless endangerment of lives. The case law indicates that such matters ordinarily attract an immediate custodial sentence, with a starting point of 4 and a half years.

R v AK (2017)

  • Led by Michael Holland QC in a historic sex case at Wood Green Crown Court.

R v TM (2017)

  • A Youth Court sentence for violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and five breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order. Katy secured a Youth Referral Order with extended supervision and surveillance.

R v TD (2017)

  • Katy successfully opposed an application to adjourn a youth court trial involving a s18 wounding with intent. The Defendant and the Complainant were both 13 years old and the Defendant was alleged to have stabbed the Complainant with a knife. The Crown subsequently offered no evidence.

R V PS (2017)

  • Katy represented a Defendant suffering from schizophrenia in a case involving wounding with intent.

R v AI (2017)

  • A successful submission of no case to answer in a case involving possession of a bladed article in a public place.

R v DN (2017)

  • A successful appeal against conviction and sentence for three assaults by beating.

R v AF (2017)

  • Katy secured a suspended sentence order in a committal for sentence where the offence had a starting point of 3 years in custody. The judge remarked that “Having heard what has been said on your behalf, I am persuaded to take a different course to that which I originally intended”.

R v JWH (2017)

  • The Defendant received a suspended sentence for a s20 offence. Katy persuaded the court to allow the order to continue despite the fact that the Defendant had breached the order on a number of occasions.

R v GR (2017)

  • Successful application for the early removal of a driving disqualification.

 

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