Joe O'Leary > Chambers of David Josse KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Joe O'Leary

Work Department

Joe accepts instructions in all of chambers’ areas of practice. Joe prosecutes and defends regularly in the Magistrates' and Youth Courts and is developing a Crown Court practice.

Joe is Youth Court qualified.  He has been instructed in serious Youth Court cases, both prosecuting and defending and has been commended for his thorough and pro-active preparation of his cases.

Under the supervision of Ini Udom, James Fletcher and Sarah Wood, Joe has observed all areas of chambers' practice, including, extradition, complex criminal trials, POCA matters and a range of civil proceedings.

Articles and Legal Updates

Joe often writes articles and legal updates. His most recent articles include:

• Conscientious care needed to assist Circuit Judges when applying for search warrants (R (Ashbolt & Arundell) v HMRC & Anor) – with Alexa Le Moine. July 2020.
• Parole Hearings - consideration of unproven allegations (Morris v Parole Board) – with Georgia Beatty. April 2020.
• Disclosure in the Magistrates Court (for Lexis PSL) – With David McNeil. September 2020.

Before pupillage, Joe successfully acted pro-bono for excluded children in the exclusion appeals process at all levels. Joe would appeal a school’s decision to exclude a child acting as their advocate. He would represent the child and parents at hearings before school governors and appeals to the local authority. These were contested hearings where the schools may be represented. 

Position

Joe regularly prosecutes and defends in the Crown Courts, and has particular experience in cases involving drugs, fraud and serious violence. Joe also has particular expertise in representing young people in the youth court, having represented individuals charged with robbery, drugs supply offences, violent crimes and crimes of a sexual nature. In addition to general crime Joe also has significant experience in driving matters, both at summary trial and on appeal.

Joe’s active practice in professional disciplinary and regulatory work often sees him appearing for regulators at final and interim FTP hearings, having handled matters throughout the spectrum of severity including allegations of a sexual nature and child destruction.

In addition, Joe has a frequent extradition practice, often appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court and with experience in High Court proceedings. Joe welcomes instructions in extradition proceedings.

Joe also has particular experience in local authority work having dealt with matters of planning enforcement (pre-charge and post charge) and education (including SEN, exclusion and attendance).

Career

• Joe was called to the Bar in 2019.
• Government Legal Department – Junior Junior Scheme.
• CPS Grade 2.

Professional Discipline & Regulatory

Joe has developed an active practice in professional disciplinary and regulatory work has successfully appeared in fitness to practise hearings at the HCPC, GDC, NMC and SWE.

Joe operates at each stage of the professional disciplinary process, having represented registrants and regulators at interim order hearings, reviews, and final hearings with success. He has experience in cases that involve serious allegations including those of a sexual nature and child destruction.

Education Law 

In addition to fitness to practise, Joe also welcome instructions in education matters. Prior to his career at the Bar Joe successfully represented children and parents before school exclusion panels, both at governor and local authority level.

Joe also has an active interest in SEN provisions and the wider application of education law, and welcomes instructions in the area of education law.

Criminal Defence

Joe has a busy crime practice and regularly defends in the Crown Courts. Joe has dealt with offences that include weapons, sexual crimes, drugs and robbery.

With experience in appearing in lengthy and complex fraud cases Joe is able to analyse and assimilate large quantities of information quickly and effectively.

In addition, Joe has a broad range of experience in dealing with both young defendants and witnesses in the Youth Court, often dealing with incredibly vulnerable clients with success in cases featuring modern slavery.

Joe also has significant experience in road traffic matters and often deals with a range of road traffic offending. Joe has particular success in exceptional hardship cases.

Criminal Prosecutions – Private & Public

Joe’s has a wide practice in public prosecutions having dealt with a range of offences including drugs, robbery and violent crimes. Joe has experience in dealing with domestic violence cases and presenting ‘victimless’ prosecutions.

Joe often prosecutes on behalf of local authorities and has specific experience in prosecuting education matters, planning enforcement and unlawful evictions.

Extradition & International

Joe has experience at all stages of extradition proceedings, having appeared at initial, interim and final extradition hearings with success.

Joe often appears in matters concerning Part 1 warrants and has had success in cases involving s14 and Article 8. In addition, Joe has experience of appeal to the High Court.

Inquests & Inquiries

Joe accepts instructions in relation to Public Inquiries & Inquests.

Memberships

• Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum.
• Criminal Bar Association.
• Young Fraud Lawyers Association.
• The Inner Temple.
  

  Awards and Scholarships

  • Exhibition Scholar, Inner Temple.

Education

• University of Law: Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent).
• University of Liverpool: LLB in Law (First Class Honours).