Ashleigh Metcalfe > New Park Court Chambers > Leeds, England > Barrister Profile

Ashleigh Metcalfe

+44 (0)113 243 3277 clerks@newparkcourt.co.uk

Work Department

Crime, Regulatory

Position

Ashleigh Metcalfe has developed a strong criminal law practice that belies her level of Call.

Crime

Having been appointed as a Grade 4 prosecutor at 7 years full practice, she is routinely instructed on behalf of the prosecution in complex and multi-handed cases across the full spectrum of criminal law. She acts as junior – either leading or led – as well as alone. Her practice over recent years has involved the prosecution of wide-ranging Operation cases involving, but not limited to offences such as murder, organised crime, serious violence and drugs. Ashleigh has recently been instructed to act as prosecution Junior in a Counter-Terrorism trial lasting six weeks at Leeds Crown Court.

When defending, she is routinely instructed to represent clients charged with serious allegations including matters of sexual and violent offending. She is accustomed to dealing with young and vulnerable clients having cross-examined child witnesses as young as five-years-old.

Ashleigh is known on Circuit as being a barrister who is meticulous in her preparation and presentation of cases. Whilst being a confident and articulate advocate, she prides herself on her approachability for both lay and professional clients, maintaining her down-to-earth attitude when giving sound legal advice.

Regulatory

In 2019, Ashleigh was successful in her application to join the List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates at List C allowing her to prosecute for bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, Care Quality Commission.

Ashleigh has been regularly instructed in licensing hearings in relation to the revocation of private hire and Hackney taxi licences in both the Magistrates and Crown Court.

Ashleigh has been instructed by the Environment Agency to appear in the Magistrates’ Court. The hearings commonly related to rod licencing and relevant byelaws and rules, including cross-examination of defendants on their history of compliance with byelaws and rules and whether they had at the time of the offence the appropriate licences to fish.

Ashleigh has also been instructed by the Environment Agency to prosecute contested hearings in relation to offences under The Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Memberships

• CPS Level 4 Prosecutor
• CPS Specialist Counter Terrorism Panel at Level 3
• Specialist Regulatory Advocate in Health & Safety and Environmental Law (List C)
• Member of the Criminal Bar Association