Ms Helena Williams > Exchange Chambers > Manchester, England > Barrister Profile

Ms Helena Williams

Work Department

Criminal

Position

Helena was called to the Bar in 2018. She joined Exchange Chambers in March 2021 following the successful completion of her pupillage at chambers in London.

Since then, Helena has built a busy criminal practice both prosecuting and defending. She has appeared in variety of cases involving:

• Serious violence
• Drugs offences
• Dishonesty offences including fraud, burglary and robbery
• Motoring offences
• Sexual offences

She is a Level 2 prosecutor and as well as being instructed as junior counsel, has been instructed as prosecution junior in cases involving multi-handed drugs conspiracies and firearm offences.

Helena has experience in complex confiscation matters, as well as having appeared for the defence in contempt of court proceedings relating to breaches of a restraint order.

Helena has experience in regulatory matters. She has represented the local council in taxi licensing cases and a Minister in disciplinary proceedings within the United Reformed Church.

Prior to her career at the Bar, Helena worked as a paralegal at a busy criminal defence firm working on a variety of matters, including cash forfeiture, dishonesty offences, sexual offences, drug offences and judicial reviews.

Helena previously volunteered with the Free Representation Unit, where she represented clients at the Social Security Tribunal and the Personal Support Unit, where she assisted litigants in person in the civil and family courts. She gained particular experience working with those who had never attended court before and vulnerable clients.

Outside of crime, Helena has worked as a paralegal in public children law acting on behalf of local authorities, parents and guardians.

Career

Called 2018

Memberships

The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
Women in Criminal Law
Criminal Bar Association

Education

Qualifications

BPP University, BPTC: Outstanding
BPP University, GDL: Commendation
Newcastle University, BA (Hons), History: First Class

Scholarships

Buchanan Prize, Lincoln’s Inn
Winner of the Lincoln’s Inn Debating Shield (2018)
Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
BPP Excellence Award
Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lincoln’s Inn
Lord Haldane Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn