Francisca da Costa > Chambers of David Berkley KC > Winchester, England > Barrister Profile

Francisca da Costa

Work Department

Crime.

Position

Francisca da Costa is an experienced advocate who enjoys a good rapport with clients, colleagues, and the judiciary. Francisca practices criminal law, representing both the prosecution and the defence.

Francisca is compassionate and understanding, and is regularly instructed in sensitive cases involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses. She has earned a reputation for her careful and intuitive handling of clients with complex emotional and educational needs.

In the course of her career, Francisca has dealt with a wide range of criminal matters but has particular strength in sexual offences and violence. She tackles each case with the same level of care and determination, and strives to provide a prompt and thorough service to those instructing.

Francisca has delivered accredited numerous CPD lectures, and sings with the 3PB house band ‘Out of Office!‘

Crime 

Francisca da Costa has practiced Criminal Law from the very start of her career. She has a strong grounding in defence work, but is a Grade 3 Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, and is a RASSO (rape and serious sexual offences) appointed advocate.

Francisca prosecutes and defends a broad range of criminal offences including: drug matters, theft, fraud, burglary, robbery, violence, firearms, offensive weapons, murder, manslaughter, kidnap, false imprisonment, and road traffic matters.

In recent years, Francisca has been regularly instructed in cases concerning rape and sexual offences. She has dealt with some particularly difficult cases involving historical allegations, multiple complainants, and pre-recorded cross examination of child and vulnerable witnesses (section 28 hearings). During the pandemic, Francisca was seconded to the RASSO team at the Crown Prosecution Service.

While she predominantly appears in the Crown Court, Francisca also works in the Magistrates’ Court, the Court of Appeal, the Privy Council, Courts Martial, and specialist tribunals.

Cases of note

R v C: Francisca acted for the Appellant in an appeal against sentence for offences of rape, false imprisonment, and class A drug dealing. The Court of Appeal quashed a life sentence and replaced it with 10 years.

R v M: Francisca represented a non-English speaker in an emotionally charged male rape trial. The proceedings were conducted through a translator. The defendant was acquitted.

R v E & others: Francisca successfully prosecuted a complex multi defendant conspiracy to commit a number of burglaries.

R v J: Francisca represented a defendant charged with grievous bodily harm. The matter went to trial and the defence was mistaken ID. He was acquitted by the jury.

R v S: Francisca was led by Richard Onslow in a lengthy and complex prosecution concerning the supply of Class A drugs. The case resulted in convictions for all 4 defendants.

R v T: Francisca represented a vulnerable lady charged with historic sex offences upon several family members.

R v L: Francisca defended a teenager charged with sexually assaulting two children aged 8 and 9. The case involved cross examination of four children under the age of 10.

R v W: Francisca was led by Nigel Lickley KC in a murder trial. The defendant was acquitted of murder and sentenced for manslaughter which he accepted.

S v The Queen: Francisca was Junior Counsel for the Appellant in an appeal against conviction to the Privy Council. The Appellant had been convicted of murder in Jamaica and sentenced to 15 years hard labour.

 

Career

Year of call 2006

Memberships

• Middle Temple
• Western Circuit
• Level 3 Prosecutor for the CPS
• RASSO appointed advocate

Education

• LLB (Hons) Law with Politics, The University of Southampton
• Bar Vocational Course, BPP Law School London
• Banerjee Memorial prize – Faculty of Law, The University of Southampton