Jennifer Edwards

Date of Call 1992

GRAY’S INN 

 

RANGE OF EXPERIENCE

Jennifer was called to the Bar in 1992.  She has extensive experience of all aspects of criminal work both Defending and Prosecuting and has conducted a large number of cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants and the deployment of Intermediaries.  In 2011 when the CPS grading scheme was introduced Jennifer made the conscious decision to make no application, preferring to concentrate upon her Defence practice.  She became a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates Court) in March 2003 on her first application, sitting on average 30 days a year both in London and the provinces.

QUALIFICATIONS

1992: Inns of Court school of law Bar Vocational Course (Very competent)

1991: Common Professional Examination, Middlesex University (Commendation)

1971: BA (Hons) Mediaeval and Modern History, Nottingham University 2:ii

CAREER PATH

Jennifer was born and brought up in Lancashire.  After graduating, she enjoyed a successful career in Retailing, having experience of Personnel and Buying at Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser and Selfridges where she was Merchandise Director, Fashion.

Later, having chosen to fulfil her schoolgirl ambition she retrained as a Barrister and completed her pupillage at 4 King’s Bench Walk where she became a tenant in 1993.  Chambers later merged with others to become Charter Chambers, 2 Dr Johnson’s Buildings where she continued until joining 13 KBW in January 2005.  A proactive member of Chambers she has been the elected Head of the Crime Team since 2006/7 and regularly has made presentations at Chambers CPD accredited seminars.

Jennifer was recently (January 2012) invited to address the ‘SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT ’ Interpreters conference, sharing a platform with speakers including Andrew Slaughter MP, Shadow Justice Secretary.

Since her move to 13 KBW, her practice has developed largely in the Thames Valley but she lives in London and practises across the S.E Circuit and has defended in places as far afield as Sheffield, Bournemouth and Merthyr Tydfil.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

A general criminal practitioner who defends in all types of cases but with an emphasis upon sexual and violent crimes including rape, murder, robbery, kidnap and child cruelty.  Her prosecution experience has been broadly similar.  She is qualified to accept Direct access instructions and has periodically appeared on behalf of the Civil Aviation authority.