Irene Tolley
Irene has been undertaking criminal work for about 40 years, initially assisting clients at the police station, preparing Magistrates’ Court cases and undertaking Crown Court litigation. She headed the Crown Court department at VHS until 2007.
She holds the PSQ permitting her to represent clients in the police station who have requested the Duty Solicitor.
Since 2007, Irene has concentrated upon providing quality advice and representation in prison law matters. She is a well-known representative at many prisons across the country owing to the length of time that she has been involved in criminal work.
Her passion about prison law will be obvious to all clients who meet her, as will be her ability to deal with a wide range of issues arising from a client’s situation in custody. These can include parole, recall, adjudications or re-categorisation. Initial advice will always be given as to whether legal aid is available to assist with these matters, but if not then she will undertake the work at competitive private rates.
Irene has had significant successes undertaking advocacy before the Independent Adjudicator and Parole Board. Where appropriate she will select skilled independent counsel to make such representations on a client’s behalf. In addition, she has successfully fought challenges by way of Judicial Review against prison governors, the Parole Board, the Secretary of State for Justice and Independent Adjudicators.
Irene is a member of the Association of Prison Lawyers.
