In answering what would happen if a defendant, having pleaded guilty, was later discovered to be unfit, Kate Davies considers the judgments in Ismael and Marcantoni.
Kate Davies
Year of Call: 2022
Email Address: [email protected]
CJSM: [email protected]
Telephone: 01962 868884
Clerk Details
- Clerk Name: Natalie Bryan
- Clerk Telephone: 01962 868 884
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
Overview
Kate is a criminal barrister based in 3PB’s Winchester office. She accepts instructions from across the Western Circuit in crime and court martials. Kate is a Level 1 Prosecutor on the CPS Advocate Panel General Crime List.
Kate completed her pupillage with a set of Chambers in London. During her pupillage, Kate appeared in a wide array of cases for both defence and prosecution in the Magistrates Court, Crown Court and Court Martial. She also appeared in County and Family Courts.
Prior to undertaking pupillage, Kate studied at the University of Portsmouth and graduated with a first-class law degree in 2021. Kate studied the Bar Training Course at the University of the West of England (UWE) and received an Outstanding. She won the prize for highest-performing student in 2021-2022. During her time at UWE, Kate won the St John’s Chambers Mooting Competition, was the runner-up in the Guildhall Chambers Mooting Competition and was a finalist in the Albion Chambers Mooting Competition.
Alongside her studies, Kate worked as a Crown Court caseworker at a criminal defence law firm.
Outside of work, Kate enjoys horse riding, clay shooting and running.
Crime
Criminal barrister Kate Davies has a strong caseload with cases of note in 2023 and 2024 for both defence and prosecution cases. She also has an excellent practice in defending court martial cases (see separate profile).
Defence:
R v C (2024): Kate secured a not guilty verdict after trial by jury for her client who was charged with having a bladed article in a public place without good reason or lawful authority. The jury returned their Not Guilty verdict after just 15 minutes of deliberations.
R v R (Court Martial) (2024): Kate represented a Corporal in the Royal Marines who was accused of sexual assault. The Prosecution called nine witnesses, all of which Kate cross examined extensively. Kate secured a not guilty verdict after trial, with the Board returning their verdict after just 30 minutes of deliberations.
R v W (2024): Kate secured an acquittal after trial by jury for her client who was charged with intentional non-fatal strangulation.
R v B (2024): Kate secured a not guilty verdict for her client after trial by jury. Kate's client was charged with ABH and was alleged to have brutally attacked the complainant with a rounders bat, leaving him unconscious and with injuries to his head.
R v D (2024): secured an acquittal for her client who was D1 in a multi-handed joint enterprise ABH youth trial.
R v R (2024): 2 counts of breach of a criminal behaviour order - client acquitted on both counts after trial by jury. The jury were in retirement to consider their verdicts for just 35 minutes.
R v R (2023): secured an acquittal for a woman charged with being drunk in charge of a minor.
R v G (2023): successfully defended a man charged with ABH (domestic). Kate successfully opposed the Crown’s application to adjourn the trial. The Crown offered no evidence.
R v H (2023): secured an acquittal for a young man charged with possession of class A drugs.’
R v W (2023): successfully defended a young Defendant in a case of failing to provide a specimen of blood. The Crown offered no evidence on the day of trial, following arguments regarding disclosure.
R v H (2023): secured an acquittal for a teacher charged with domestic violence assault, theft and criminal damage.
R v S-P (Court Martial) (2023): successfully defended a Sergeant in the Army charged with fighting, contrary to s21(1) Armed Forces Act. The Crown offered no evidence on the second day of trial after extensive cross examination of the complainant.
R v M (2023): successfully argued for the defendant to receive a suspended sentence order in a case of controlling and coercive behaviour, whilst already serving a suspended sentence.
R v F (2023): successfully opposed the Crown’s application to adjourn the trial despite the defendant not attending. The Crown offered no evidence.
R v B (Court Martial) (2023): successfully defended a young Lance Bombardier in the Army who was accused of sexual assaults. A successful submission of no case to answer was made after the Prosecution case.
Prosecution:
R v S (2023): secured a conviction in case of an assault of an emergency worker.
R v H (2023): secured a conviction in case of driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance and possession of cannabis.
R v L (2023): successfully opposed a hearsay application during an appeal against conviction, made by Defence Counsel who was a KC and a Judge at the Old Bailey.
R v A (2023): prosecuted the sentence of a Defendant who piloted a rigid inflatable boat with migrants on board across the English Channel. The Defendant was convicted and sentenced for facilitating unlawful immigration and attempting to enter the UK without valid entry clearance. The report can be found here.
Military/Courts martial
Criminal barrister Kate Davies has a strong expertise in acting for members of the armed forces facing criminal charges, such as:
R v R (Court Martial) (2024): Kate represented a Corporal in the Royal Marines who was accused of sexual assault. The Prosecution called nine witnesses, all of which Kate cross examined extensively. Kate secured a not guilty verdict after trial, with the Board returning their verdict after just 30 minutes of deliberations.
R v B (Court Martial) (2023): successfully defended a young Lance Bombardier in the Army who was accused of sexual assaults. A successful submission of no case to answer was made after the Prosecution case. This case involved careful attention to detail, and after Kate cross-examined the witnesses, the Crown dropped the case on the grounds that there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
R v S-P (Court Martial) (2023): successfully defended a Sergeant in the Army charged with fighting, contrary to s21(1) Armed Forces Act. The Crown offered no evidence on the second day of trial after extensive cross examination of the complainant.
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Articles -
What happens if a defendant, having pleaded guilty, is later discovered to be unfit?
30th May 2024View Article
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Recommendations "It was well structured, methodical, clear with a good firm but polite tone. You had obviously thought about it really carefully and it was well prepared. I am extremely impressed! I had hoped to catch you after the trial to comment on your cross-examination." District Judge (in R v P 2024 after her cross-examination of two children aged 10 years old)
"She is tenacious, determined, and hardworking and displays a calm manner in court which inspires confidence. Her advocacy is measured and persuasive. I watched Kate present a third strike burglary sentence in the Crown Court, which she did with ease and a natural flair." Supervising barrister, 2024
"I would like to say from the bottom of my heart, from my family and friends as well, thank you for all the work you have done for me. Not only from what you did in the court room but also for all the behind the scenes work we didn't get to see. You are an amazing lawyer. Again I can not express how thankful I am to you for everything you've done." Lay client (2023)
“Our client called yesterday and said he was very happy and that ‘Kate was amazing'.” Instructing Solicitor (R v W 2023)
“We are really impressed with Kate; she gets on with the clients really well.” Instructing Solicitor (2023)
“Brilliantly argued, Miss Davies.” Chair of Magistrates (2023)
“I want to praise you for your dealings with this case and your sensitive cross examination of the complainant.” District Judge (2023)
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