Janet McDonald > Chambers of Paul Hopkins QC > Cardiff, Wales > Lawyer Profile

Janet McDonald

029 2038 2731 clerks@9parkplace.co.uk

Position

Barrister specialising in crime. Particular expertise in alleged offences involving vulnerable defendants or witnesses: sexual impropriety ( with or committed by children or adults). Specialist rape panel advocate. Other areas of major criminal expertise include large-scale fraud, murder, manslaughter and lesser crimes of violence; robbery; kidnap; blackmail, drugs conspiracy. Reported CA cases include R v Pressdee [2007j EWCA Crim 1289. Other cases include lone prosecuting counsel R v Aird (attracted national press headlines; plea financially motivated murder); R v Lockwood and James (4 week child cruelty trial, involving issues re ‘Aspergers syndrome’, mutli-discipline disclosure, competence); R v Smith successful prosecution of a mutli-rapist that attracted media attention; R v Courtney, fraud on elderly (described by judge as ‘among the most appalling abuse’ he’d encountered). Noted ability in effective communication with defendants.

Career

Called 1984, Gray’s Inn.

Education

University College of Wales, Cardiff (1981 LLB Hons).