Park Square Barristers

Crime

Brogan Riley successfully completed her pupillage and became a Crown Advocate at the Crown Prosecution Service in 2024, before becoming a tenant at Park Square Barristers in January 2025.

During her pupillage year, Brogan was seconded to Park Square Barristers for one month, under the supervision of Gill Batts, during which she observed complex trials from a defence perspective. She will continue to be mentored by Gill as a junior tenant.

Whilst at the Crown Prosecution Service, Brogan frequently appeared in the Crown and Magistrates' Courts. In the Crown Court, Brogan prosecuted a variety of hearings, including sentencing hearings for a broad range of criminal offences including lengthy courses of dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply controlled drugs in cases involving undercover officers and vast amounts of telecommunications data, cases involving numerous breaches of Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and cases involving defendants aged under eighteen at the time of the offending, but who had been charged as adults.

In the Magistrates Court, Brogan has prosecuted a variety of trials including assaults, thefts, possession of offensive weapons and various driving matters. Brogan has been recognised for her thorough case preparation, attention to detail and advocacy skills. She has been commended by members of the Judiciary for her thoughtful and clear presentation of cases and the preparation of documents that have effectively assisted the court. Although Brogan's experience to date has been largely from a prosecution perspective, this has given her insight into how CPS cases are prepared, which means she is well placed to respond from a defence perspective.

Prior to undertaking pupillage, Brogan's potential and commitment was recognised by the award of the main, inaugural diversity scholarship by the North Eastern Circuit in 2021. Brogan also received one of twenty major scholarships from the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in 2022. She also received a BPP Excellence Scholarship. The numerous awards presented to her at an early stage of her career reflect her ability as an advocate.

Brogan is establishing herself as an approachable advocate, with an ability to communicate with people from a range of different backgrounds and to explain complex legal issues and law in a way that is easy to understand.

Brogan will shadow further defence cases in January 2025, before welcoming instructions in both criminal prosecution and defence cases from February 2025.

2023 - Pupil at Crown Prosecution Service

2024 - Crown Advocate at Crown Prosecution Service

2025 - Tenant at Park Square Barristers, Leeds

2022 - University of York, LLB (Hons)

2023 - BPP University Leeds, Bar Training Course, Distinction