1 Inner Template Lane, Barristers Chambers
Lesley has gained vast experience in crime and general common law. Examples are the County Court, Mental Health Tribunals, Magistrates' Courts, Coroner's Court, Chancery Division, Family Proceedings Division and Crown Courts. Year of call: 1983
Experience
For the last 16 years the main focus of practice has been criminal law. Lesley has acted as leading and junior counsel in all types of serious criminal cases and is frequently instructed to review cases with a view to referring them to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Currently she mainly undertakes defence work and has particular expertise with defendants who have mental health difficulties. She has represented mentally disordered defendants in connection with allegations of attempted murder when they have been involved with social services and/or been released by mental health tribunals when the subject of restriction orders. All types of criminal allegations have been defended. They range from arson; drugs supply cases (that have been the subject of undercover police operations), racially aggravated offences, dishonesty, firearms, violence, and child cruelty. She has represented numerous defendants of both genders and ranging from the very young to the very elderly. She has extensive experience with cases involving allegations of sexual offences both current and historic. This experience encompasses allegations of rape and offences committed by means of the use of modern technology. Several cases have had media coverage. In particular the case of the serial rapist Bernard Wright was of note.
www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-5537102-rapist-gets-15
Although predominantly a defence advocate she has considerable experience in prosecution work. For many years she prosecuted trading standards, environmental and health and safety matters on behalf of the London Borough of Camden. This included cases where fatal accidents had occurred. She also prosecuted frauds on behalf of the DSS and is a grade 3 prosecutor for the CPS. She has prosecuted extremely serious offences against children at Croydon Crown Court and the Central Criminal Court, including a case where the perpetrator filmed his own abuse against a child over a period of 7 years. Her most recent instructions this year were the prosecution of a multi-handed kidnap.
Recent Defence Cases
R v Eigridas & Others at Snaresbrook Crown Court
Defended an allegation of kidnap. The defendant Mr Eigridas was the only defendant to be acquitted. He was awarded costs from central funds.
R v D and M Gorecia at St Albans Crown Court
The allegation was of cheating the revenue of 1.4 million pounds. Counsel from other chambers had originally represented the defendants. Previous counsel had advised a plea of guilty and payment to the revenue of £500,000. Abuse of process had been argued and rejected by the Judge. Instructed on a private basis, Miss Manley, co-defending with Isaac Jacob, a tax specialist, used a multi-disciplinary approach. Further disclosure was sought and after scrutiny of interviews conducted under the “Hansard” procedure the prosecution was stayed for abuse of process and the defendants were awarded legal costs from central funds.
R v T Woolwich Crown Court
Rape of child aged 13 by man with brain injuries.
R v B Woolwich Crown Court
Rape and sexual touching by father of his daughters when they were aged 8 and 11 (historic rape case).
R v B Maidstone Crown Court
Defendant acquitted of historic sexual abuse of male child
Inquests
During the course of her career Lesley Manley has gained wide experience of inquests. She has represented in the following types of cases
Representing a custody sergeant at Newcastle Coroners Court. A prisoner died in the cells when a bag of cocaine he had swallowed burst in his stomach. The family alleged malpractice against the police. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.
Representing a husband who assisted his wife to commit suicide and originally had been charged with murder.
Representing the bereaved. In particular a mother, whose twin baby boy died after being overlaid in bed by a relative and an elderly driver whose driving error caused the death of his wife.
Representing various parties in numerous fatal road traffic matters.
Miss Manley is a pupil supervisor and an advocacy trainer for newly qualified barristers at Middle Temple and a member of our Public Access team.
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