Steph joined VHS Fletchers in May 2024 as a Trainee Solicitor in our Nottingham office. She graduated with a degree in Psychology with Criminology from Nottingham Trent University before going on to study a Masters degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nottingham.
Following this, Steph has completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Law at Nottingham Trent University and is undertaking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination in 2024.
Steph’s interest in criminal defence grew while writing her dissertation for her Masters degree, which examined the psychological research and moral theories supporting the ‘loss of control’ defence.
Steph is an accredited police station representative permitting her to represent her own clients and those that request a duty solicitor during interview.
Harry joined VHS Fletchers in March 2023 as a Paralegal at our Nottingham office.
Harry completed his undergraduate qualifying law degree at Nottingham Trent University in 2022, graduating with second-class Honours, First Division.
Harry’s interest in criminal defence law sparked from work experience with VHS Fletchers that he had done during his time at university. Once Harry had got a taste for the criminal defence side of the law, he took every opportunity he could to come into the office and shadow as many people he could as his interests turned into a passion.
Harry started working with VHS Fletchers as a Paralegal. In this role, Harry would chase the police for updates on their investigations, ensuring that clients were kept up to date with any progress in their cases. This role was particularly important in the maintaining of our relationship with clients, reassuring them that Harry would inform them of any updates on their case and that they would not be left in the dark.
Harry is currently completing his Legal Practice Course and Masters at Nottingham Trent University whilst he undertakes his Training Contract with us as a Trainee Solicitor in the Crown Court Department.
Harry has worked with the public throughout his whole working life and strives to ensure that client care is a priority.
Outside of work, Harry’s interests are going to the gym, hiking and watching competitive strongman events.
Kirsty joined VHS Fletchers in January 2023 as a Trainee Solicitor at our Nottingham office. After completing her training and qualifying as a solicitor, she is an integral part of our Magistrates Court advocacy team.
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 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.
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 complete his Legal Practice Course and Master’s Degree, continuing at Nottingham Law School. 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.
Paddy completed his solicitor training at VHS Fletchers and is an integral part of our Magistrates Court team.
Outside of work, Patrick is a keen athlete, competing in American Football, currently as a member of the Nottingham Caesars.
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.
During her training with VHS Fletchers Danielle completed her police station accreditation allowing her to represent all clients in police interview for the full spectrum of offences.
Now that she has qualified, Danielle will provide excellent service to those appearing before the Magistrates’ Court. She will continue to provide police station advice as well as representation before the Magistrates’ Court. She will also retain conduct as litigator of Crown Court cases.
Chloe joined VHS Fletchers in January 2022 as a Trainee Solicitor at our Chesterfield office and has now qualified and is employed as an assistant solicitor.
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 completed a masters degree in the summer of 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.
During her training, Chloe completed the Police Station Accreditation Qualification to enable her to provide advice and assistance to all clients who are detained by the police, including those requesting the duty solicitor, for the entire range of offences.
Now that Chloe has qualified as a solicitor she will begin to work towards her duty solicitor qualification permitting her to provide such representation at court. She will continue to provide advice and representation in the police station, as well as representing those charged with offences before the Magistrates’ Court. Chloe will also continue in her role as a Crown Court litigator.
Outside of work, Chloe enjoys local walks in the Peak District and baking cakes for her friends and family.
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.
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 her to prisons and psychiatric units, assisting the most vulnerable.
Kinga successfully completed her training with us and is a fully qualified solicitor.
He graduated from the University of Derby in 2020 with an undergraduate degree in law, before continuing his studies completing the Legal Practice Course in the spring of 2021. Declan also holds a master’s degree which focused on reflective legal practice skills.
During his studies Declan worked in the University of Derby’s Student Legal Advice Centre, where he provided free legal advice to incoming clients who were unable to pay for legal services. Declan advised on criminal and family law matters, which allowed him to work very closely with vulnerable and disadvantaged people who were in need of legal advice. Declan gained an in-depth knowledge of legal aid and gained a sense of appreciation for the importance of access to legal representation. Declan’s advice assisted multiple clients at court and has also allowed litigants in person to reliably use this advice in court.
Whilst working for VHS Fletchers Solicitors, Declan has gained an in-depth understanding of the Criminal Justice System. He has provided advice at the police station on a wide variety of criminal allegations, some being of the most serious criminal offences.
Declan has litigated cases at the Crown Court, which has included large scale drug conspiracies, fraud and murder. Declan also provides advice and representation for all matters heard before the Magistrate’s Court. Declan is well liked for his thorough approach to cases, his friendly manner, and his excellent client care.
Declan completed his training contract with us in Summer 2023 and has since gained his Duty Solicitor qualification permitting him to represent those at court who request the services of the Duty Solicitor.
Outside of work Declan is a keen sportsman having previously competed at a national level in swimming – training alongside current Olympic champion Adam Peaty
Contact:
Chesterfield Office:
5 Beetwell Street
Chesterfield,
S40 1SH
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.
