Lydia Stephens

Lydia is a Grade 2 CPS General Crime Panel Prosecutor. Alongside Crown Court trials she regularly conducts PTPHs, appeals from the Magistrates’ Court, ground rules and other interlocutory and interim hearings as well as complex sentencing hearings and proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Her prosecution practice includes cases involving serious violence, domestic abuse, sexual offences, weapons (including firearms), drugs and arson.

Within those areas Lydia is particularly skilled at taking on cases requiring detailed and advanced preparation. She takes a thorough approach to case preparation and is attentive to ensuring that the relevant evidence and information are properly before the Court. She is able to provide practical advice on procedural and evidential issue, preliminary applications and acceptable pleas. She is a fair and measured prosecutor and a confident advocate well versed in CPS policies.

R v AG: Prosecuted a complex series of committals for sentence involving a young defendant who crossed several relevant age thresholds and had committed a large and significant range of offences including violence, weapons and motoring. Lydia produced a 35-page sentencing document outlining the relevant law, guidance and ancillary matters to assist in the sentencing hearing.

R v KES: Prosecuted a defendant charged with a section 18 wounding against an individual who sustained life changing injuries. Lydia was able to question experts as to the complex effects that the defendant’s mental health conditions may or may not have had on his ability to form the requisite intent.

R v SG: Successfully prosecuted a defendant charged with arson and criminal damage after attempts to start a fire in a hotel room.

Lydia represents defendants in the Magistrates’, Youth and Crown Court and is increasingly instructed in serious and complex defence matters. Her practice encompasses a range of offences including violence, domestic abuse and sexual offences.

She is known for her thorough preparation, clear advice and focused, robust advocacy. She is particularly comfortable representing vulnerable or challenging clients from a range of different backgrounds and approaches sensitive cases with vigour and without judgment.

Her recent experience includes acting as led junior defence counsel in a murder case in which her client had been charged with murdering his wife. The case involved complex psychiatric evidence. The Crown ultimately accepted a plea to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and the defence were able to persuade the Court to exercise their discretion in departing from the starting point ultimately securing a 2-year suspended sentence for the client.

R v AK: Represented a defendant in the Crown Court for breach of a suspended sentence order. Notwithstanding the accepted breach, Lydia mitigated on the defendant’s behalf and persuaded the Court not to activate the SSO. The breach was instead marked by way of a fine and the order allowed to continue with reduced conditions.

R v RD: Represented a defendant charged with obstructing a police officer at a first appearance. The defendant had provided a false alibi on behalf of another who was under police investigation. After the defendant pleaded guilty Lydia mitigated on the defendant’s behalf and they received a conditional discharge.

R v AB: Defended a sentence in the Crown Court whereby the defendant faced a significant period in custody for strangulation. Lydia persuaded the Court to accept an adjournment for the preparation of an expert report to assess the defendant for any mental health issues and the impact they may have had on his culpability.

Lydia represents clients in applications for domestic violence injunctions such as non-molestation, occupation orders. She can form a rapport with her clients quickly and engage with litigants in person on their behalf in a calm manner despite the often emotionally charged nature of such cases.

Lydia has acted for parents in private children cases and for parents and Local Authorities in public children cases. Lydia is aware of the law and the importance of managing expectations at Court.

Prior to pupillage Lydia gained extensive pro bono experience as a volunteer at Support Through Court at the Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre. She also has a long-standing interest in family law and she actively welcomes instructions in this area.

Lydia’s practice in criminal law where she deals with highly emotive issues, clients from a wide range of backgrounds who are in very stressful circumstances, and allegations of domestic abuse, has equipped her with the skills needed to undertake instructions in this area.

K v M: Represented a private law applicant seeking a NMO against her partner following various allegations of controlling and abusive behaviour. The bench found the majority of the allegations proven and ordered the NMO.

C v C: Represented an applicant seeking a child arrangement and prohibited steps order following concerns about drugs use. The Court granted the orders in the terms proposed and ordered the applicant’s costs be paid by the respondent at Lydia’s request.

To instruct Lydia in criminal matters, please contact Alex Coomber.

To instruct Lydia in family cases, please contact Jay Dorton.  

Lydia has experience acting for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the early stages of fitness to practise proceedings. She is developing her regulatory practice and welcomes instructions in NMC proceedings.