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Kirsty Gregson

kirsty gregson crown court litigator nottingham
Kirsty Gregson, trainee solicitor at our Nottingham office

Kirsty joined VHS Fletchers in January 2023 as a Trainee Solicitor at our Nottingham office.

Kirsty completed her law studies at the University of Leicester in 2021, graduating with first-class honours. Kirsty then completed her Legal Practice Course and Masters in Nottingham at the University of Law.

Kirsty grew up in Mansfield and developed a passion for helping people accused of crime. Before commencing her studies, Kirsty had a great deal of work experience with VHS Fletchers, shadowing cases and helping on reception. Providing a first hand experience of the running of the firm and dealing with vulnerable clients.

During Kirsty’s studies she was the director of a Pro Bono project helping young people access the law and understand the implication of the law around them. Additionally, legal assistance was provided in the county courts for people submitting civil claims, helping people to understand the civil process and comply with the Civil Procedure Rules.

Kirsty’s criminal interest strengthened during her studies when she opted to write her dissertation in criminal law for her undergraduate degree. This discussed the use of sexual history evidence used in rape trials and its implications. In undertaking this work, Kirsty developed a greater understanding of the manner in which such evidence might be used, and the restrictions imposed on a defendant.

Outside the realm of legal studies and work, Kirsty enjoys hiking in the Peak District, live comedy and reading.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: kirsty.gregson@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Patrick Fisher

Derby Office Trainee Solicitor Patrick Fisher
Derby Office Trainee Solicitor Patrick Fisher

Patrick, known to many as Paddy, joined VHS Fletchers in July 2022 as a Trainee Solicitor in our Derby office.

He completed his undergraduate degree in Law at Nottingham Trent University, graduating in 2021 with a 2:1 classification.

Following this, he went on to study for his Legal Practice Course and master’s degree, continuing at Nottingham Law School, from which he is due to graduate in October 2022. During his time at university, Patrick undertook a half year placement beginning his journey into Criminal Defence Law.

His interest in criminal justice was honed during his dissertation for his master’s degree, examining the relationship between the policing of protest and human rights, and the impact of the latest legislation, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

Outside of work, Patrick is a keen athlete, competing in American Football, currently as a member of the Nottingham Caesars.

Contact:

Derby Office:
8 St Mary’s Gate,
Derby,
DE1 3JF

Tel: 01332 546818
Email: patrick.fisher@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Danielle Lunn

Nottingham Trainee Solicitor Danielle Lunn
Nottingham Trainee Solicitor Danielle Lunn

Danielle joined VHS Fletchers in July 2022 as a Trainee Solicitor at our Nottingham office.

Danielle completed her undergraduate legal studies at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2020, graduating with a first-class honours Law degree. She then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course and Master’s in Law at Nottingham Trent University achieving a distinction.

Danielle developed her interest in working in crime early on in her studies she also completed her dissertation on a section of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 which governs the powers of the police. During her Masters degree, Danielle worked full time as a Court of Protection Paralegal, assisting lawyers, attending on clients and preparing evidence.

Danielle works in the Crown Court department and is currently completing the Police Station Accreditation Qualification to enable her to provide advice and to attend on clients who are detained at police stations.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: danielle.lunn@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Chloe Wright

Chloe Wright trainee solicitor
Chesterfield Trainee Solicitor Chloe Wright

Chloe joined VHS Fletchers in January 2022 as a Trainee Solicitor at our Chesterfield office.

Chloe graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in the summer of 2020 with an undergraduate degree in Law. Chloe then continued her studies at Leeds Beckett University, completing the Legal Practice Course in the spring of 2021 and is due to complete a masters degree in Summer 2022.

During Chloe’s studies at Sheffield Hallam University, she took on the role as Student Legal Advisor at the Helena Kennedy Prison Clinic, where she provided free legal advice to those individuals detained in prisons across the country. This role provided Chloe with the vital knowledge and experience of managing cases and dealing with various prison law matters including re-categorisation reviews and sentence progression.

Chloe is due to begin the Police Station Accreditation Qualification to enable her to provide advice and assistance to clients who are detained by the police.

Outside of work, Chloe enjoys local walks in the Peak District and baking cakes for her friends and family.

Contact:

Chesterfield Office:
5 Beetwell Street,
Chesterfield,
S40 1SH

Tel: 01246 387999
Email: chloe.wright@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Noteable Cases

R (DVSA) v L. Crown Court. Forgery of Tachograph Records. Crown Court Litigator representing professional LGV driver charged with 39 offences of falsifying tachograph records. Allegation of forging records to enable him to work for longer hours than permitted under European driver rules and domestic legislation. Successful representations led to the prosecution dropping 17 charges. Our client pleaded guilty to the remaining 22 charges. Despite sentencing case law indicated that these offences should result in an immediate custodial sentence, a successful plea in mitigation led to a Suspended Sentence Order being imposed.

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Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: kinga.nowak@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Kinga Nowak

Nottingham solicitor Kinga Nowak

Kinga is a solicitor in our criminal defence department. She completed a law degree in her native Poland before moving to the UK.  She took an access course in criminal law before completing her Law Degree at the University of Lincoln.   Following that Kinga completed her Legal Practice Course and Masters in Law at Nottingham Trent University.

While studying in Lincoln, Kinga began to provide advice and assistance to those in need through the University Law Clinic.  After being an adviser in her first year she became ‘Head of Firm’, managing a team of 10-15 student advisers.   The pro bono advice included areas such as unfair dismissal, insolvency, data protection disputes, advice on how to open a business or landlord- tenant disputes.

Kinga is fluent in both English and Polish, and speaks Spanish at an intermediate level.  She has worked as an interpreter for an agency, interpreting and translating for the NHS, local council and Coroner’s Court.  Her work took to to prisons and psychiatric units, assisting the most vulnerable.

Kinga successfully completed her training with us and is a fully qualified solicitor.

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Kelly Parsons (formerly Shaw)

Kelly Parsons, Head of Prison Law Department

Kelly Parsons is the Head of our fast growing Prison law Department.

Kelly has over 20 years’ experience in criminal law specialising in Prison Law and Crown Court litigation. She is also a qualified Police Station Representative.

The qualifications and experience gained over that time have allowed her to take a ‘cradle to grave’ approach, allowing her to see cases through from their initial investigation stage with the Police to conclusion at the Crown Court, later representing clients at Parole, Recall and Adjudication hearings within a prison setting.

Kelly has experience of dealing with the full range of criminal cases including murder, complex drug conspiracies, historic and current sexual offences, alongside serious violence and dishonesty allegations such as burglary and armed robbery.

Clients value Kelly’s thorough approach to every case. She is extremely sympathetic and personable meaning that both the client and their family build a good rapport with her. She has a history of dealing with clients with mental health issues and also youths who find themselves within the criminal justice system. Kelly will always go the extra mile to assist clients during some of the most mentally and physically exhausting times of their lives.

Whether she is representing a client in front of a parole panel, in-house advocate or independent counsel, clients can be confident that Kelly will work independently and obtain all the relevant information and evidence to present their best case.

Contact:

Chesterfield Office:
5 Beetwell Street,
Chesterfield,
S40 1SH

Tel: 01246 387999
Email: kelly.parsons@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Noteable Cases

Prison Law

R v CD – Client re-released on licence following a recall for failure to be of good behaviour.

R v LB – Successful application for oral hearing to consider re-release following revocation of his licence for committing a further offence.

R v TM – Client’s adjudication dismissed in front of a District Judge. This related to an allegation of assault against a prison officer.

R v GK – Client serving an IPP Sentence (Imprisonment for Public Protection). GK has severe mental health issues and Kelly has assisted along with a number of fellow professionals to facilitate GK’s move to a lower secure hospital unit which can continue to assist with his day to day care. The IPP status is currently being reviewed by independent counsel and an application for Judicial Review may be submitted.

Crown Court

R v DB – Client pleaded guilty to four murders following complex investigations into his health and mental state and health at the time of the offending.

R v MS – Client acquitted of Murder following a 5-week trial.

R v CB – Client acquitted of a number of sexual offences against a child

R v IB – Charge of s18 GBH reduced to s20 against a family member. Client received a suspended sentence.

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Chesterfield trainee solicitor crime Georgia Collins
Chesterfield trainee solicitor Georgia Collins

Georgia qualified as a solicitor in January 2021 having completed her period of training. She qualified as a Duty Solicitor in 2021 and became an Associate Solicitor in April 2023.

She grew up and lives in East Midlands. She graduated from the University of Chester in 2017 with an undergraduate degree in law, before continuing to study her postgraduate masters in law at Nottingham Trent University in 2018.

Georgia is passionate about access to justice for those involved in criminal cases.  As part of her Masters, Georgia wrote her dissertation on miscarriages of justice arising from limited access to legal aid and disclosure failures. This piece of work has enabled her to gain a considerable amount of knowledge on the current restrictions of accessing justice and the importance of ensuring every client receives legal representation.

In addition to her studies, Georgia undertook work experience with VHS Fletchers and has volunteered at her local Citizens Advice Bureau. While engaged in the latter, Georgia assisted some very vulnerable clients giving her first hand experience of dealing with the most vulnerable in situations where her calm and caring manner is a great help.

Georgia is also an active blogger, posting articles about her experiences in the law, whether that be during the period of her studies or from her work experience and volunteering.  You can find Georgia’s blog here.

Georgia works from our Chesterfield office crime department.

Contact:

Chesterfield Office:
5 Beetwell Street,
Chesterfield,
S40 1SH

Tel: 01246 387999
Email: georgia.collins@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Siobhan McGuinness

Derby Crime Solicitors Siobhan McGuinness
Derby Crown Court Litigator Siobhan McGuinness

Siobhan has extensive experience as a Crown Court Litigator. She works tirelessly with clients to ensure thorough preparation of their cases.

She has experience in dealing with complex cases including cases arising out of the summer of public unrest in 2012. These cases involved detailed knowledge and analysis of telephone call date and cell site information. She has continued to assume responsibility for other complex and sensitive cases including those of clients charged with historic sexual abuse. Such cases involve Siobhan undertaking careful planning, as well as demonstrating a sensitive approach and attitude towards clients and building up a relationship of trust in order that full instructions may be taken in very difficult circumstances.

Siobhan has been praised by clients as being easy to talk to and considerate, as well as thorough in her approach.

Siobhan has built on her knowledge of criminal law by passing the PSQ accreditation which allows her to represent clients in the police station who have asked for VHS Fletchers or the Duty Solicitor to represent them.

Contact:

Derby Office:
8 St Mary’s Gate,
Derby,
DE1 3JJ

Tel: 01332 546818
Email: siobhan.mcguinness@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Noteable Cases

R v H Violent Disorder. The client was one of 11 defendant’s in a case, a 16 year old, pleaded guilty and received maximum credit

R v S Historic Sexual Abuse. Successful application to dismiss in relation to six counts of indecent assault.

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Sarah Lees-Collier

nottingham crime solicitor sarah-lees collier
Crown Court Litigator Sarah-Lees Collier

Sarah has 20 years’ experience as a Crown Court caseworker. During that time she has qualified as a legal executive and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. She also holds the PSQ accreditation which allows her to represent clients who have asked for the duty solicitor and those facing the most serious allegations.

She has substantial experience of dealing with cases involving cell site and ANPR evidence and the instruction of defence experts. Sarah has previously undertaken preparation on a significant number of benefit fraud cases involving prosecutions by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Additionally, the cases that she has dealt with have qualified as Very High Cost Cases, involving the need for Sarah to prepare the case plans that are a requirement of this type of work. Even when not VHCC, she specialises in complex cases proceeding to trial with large numbers of defendants. She has the ability to assess complex evidence at an early stage without the need to rely on the advocate providing direction, and as a result early preparation including the instruction of defence experts can take place to best advance her clients’ cases.

Clients will always warm to Sarah as she is extremely sympathetic and empathetic in sensitive cases. She has a particular expertise dealing with defendants with mental health, drug and drink issues and instructing experts in that regard that will assist the court but also the client.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: sarah.leescollier@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Noteable Cases

R v P and others. Murder. The client was one of 9 accused charged with a joint enterprise murder that proceeded to trial.

R v H and others. Murder. The client was one of a family said to be implicated in the murder of a family member followed by disposal of the body. She was represented throughout several days of complex interviews.

R v D and others. Public Disorder. The client was said to be one of the lead figures in the Nottingham Riots, charged with conspiracy to commit violent disorder and involved in the making of petrol bombs used to attack a local police station.

R v Thompson. Rape. The case involved a defence of automatism to a rape allegation, with the client maintaining that the offence was committed whilst he was sleepwalking. The case preparation involved the instruction of a sleep expert who undertook a sleep analysis and confirmed a sleep disorder.

R v Ali and others. Public Disorder. The client was involved in a large multi-defendant incident of disorder.

R v H.  Conveying prohibited articles into prison.  Unusual outcome of a suspended sentence for Nottingham client in this particular case.  Read more here.

R v RB. Conspiracy to supply firearms.  Sarah was Crown Court Litigator on a case for a client charged with conspiracy to supply firearms. Extensive preparation included instructing an expert in drill music. At trial, significant evidence was called in our client’s defence, including character witnesses. The jury unanimously acquitted our client of all charges.

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Lisa Sawyer

VHS Fletchers Lisa Sawyer crown court
Crown Court Litigator Lisa Sawyer

Lisa has been preparing and litigating Crown Court cases for over 25 years. She holds the PSQ permitting her to represent clients in the police station who have requested the Duty Solicitor.

She specialises in Crown Court casework, and has experience of dealing with the full range of cases involving fraud, murder, immigration offences, serious sexual offences many of an historic nature, drug conspiracies, money laundering and major public order incidents. Lisa also has significant experience of confiscation proceedings.

Lisa’s years of experience gives her an encyclopaedic knowledge of how best to progress Crown Court matters. She is calm and confident in her dealings with all cases, which clients no doubt benefit from, and she recognises that all cases of whatever type are serious to the client. Her thorough approach always means that clients know she has gone the extra mile in their case, whether that be locating witnesses or poring over complex telephone data schedules. Whether it is a case being prepared for an in-house advocate or independent counsel, they can be confident that Lisa will work independently and present them with the client’s best case.

Her personable manner means that she is patient and sympathetic, and it is perhaps for that reason that she is identified as the appropriate litigator for those suffering from mental health difficulties. She aims to treat all clients with dignity and respect.

Details of a recent unusual case that LIsa has dealt with can be found here.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: lisa.sawyer@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Noteable Cases

R v B False Imprisonment. Client’s medication had been improperly supervised and as a result he had a recurrence of mental health issues. Despite doctors maintaining he was fit to stand trial, they were eventually persuaded that he was not due to Lisa’s knowledge of the client and he was transferred to hospital for treatment.

R v S Murder. Represented a client accused of involvement in contract killing due to money owed for a drug debt.

R v B Murder. Represented client at trial prosecuted for procuring a contract killing of partner’s ex-husband in a financial dispute.

R v R Explosives offence. Client was suffering from mental illness and had made an explosive device at home.

R v B Burglary. Client was charged with a string of burglaries, the bulk of the evidence coming from mobile phone data. A detailed analysis of the cell site material led to the defendant’s acquittal on the judge’s direction.

R v J Child neglect. Client faced allegations of joint neglect with the mother of his child who subsequently died.

R v F and others. Nottingham Riots. Represented one of 16 who took part in the riots in Nottingham in the summer of 2011, preparing the case for a complex trial lasting several weeks.

R v H. Firearms Offence. Client alleged to have produced a firearm in a bar in Nottingham following an earlier confrontation. He was aquitted after trial when the evidence of eye-witnesses was successfully challenged.

R v B.  Sexual offences.  Not guilty verdicts for this client before Nottingham Crown Court. Read more here.

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