Overview
Beth completed pupillage in 2022 under the supervision of Matthew Snarr and has developed a busy and varied practice with a growing client base in multiple disciplines, specialising in Personal Injury but with a growing caseload in Inquests and Public Inquiries and Crime.
Beth has experience in serious personal injury, road traffic accident and employers’ liability claims with a particular focus on brain injury, spinal cord injury, complex chronic pain and fundamental dishonesty.
Beth worked for many years as a legal assistant at blue chip, personal injury solicitor firms on both the Claimant and Defendant side. With this background she understands what matters to the instructing solicitor.
Outside of work Beth’s hobbies include cricket, football and golf. Beth plays for Croston Cricket Club weekly in the summer, though recently relinquished captaincy of the 2nd team to facilitate more time for work! Beth does find time to coach the junior teams and her under 11 squad finished runners-up in the 2024 season. Beth has also recently joined a golf club and is working on bringing her handicap down.
Beth also enjoys volunteering with aspiring barristers and has recently delivered advocacy training days to students from Bridging the Bar, and regularly judges moot competitions.
Personal Injury
Beth has a busy personal injury practice acting for both claimants and defendants. Beth has experience of multi-track, intermediate track, fast track and small claims track trials and frequently appears at quantum disposal, application and case management hearings. Beth also maintains a busy paperwork practice.
Beth regularly defends road traffic claims on grounds of fundamental dishonesty, on the full spectrum of RTA fraud cases from staged accidents, to phantom passengers and LVI arguments.
Notable Case
Elzbieta Szwed v Mark H Poskitt Ltd (2023): Beth appeared for the Claimant in a multi-track 2-day Employers’ Liability trial. Liability was determined for the Claimant on a 100% basis and the Claimant was awarded substantial damages.
Inquests and Public Inquiries
Beth is Deputy Head of the Inquest and Public Inquiries Team.
She has a wide-ranging inquest practice and is experienced in cases involving the engagement of Article 2 ECHR and the requirement for a jury. Beth draws on her experience in the criminal courts when representing interested persons at jury inquests.
Beth represents a range of interested persons, including families, local authorities, police forces, housing associations and care homes. This work can dovetail with Beth’s personal injury and medical negligence practice.
Notable Cases
Inquest touching the death of WL (2024): Beth appeared for Cheshire Constabulary and successfully submitted at the conclusion of evidence that Article 2 ECHR was not engaged.
Inquest touching the death of LJ (2024): Beth appeared for Warrington Borough Council and successfully submitted at the conclusion of evidence that Article 2 ECHR was not engaged.
Criminal
Beth has a good mixture of prosecution and defence work. She is a CPS Panel Advocate (general crime – level 1) with experience prosecuting in the Magistrates’ Court and appearing in the Crown Court. Beth also has experience of defending clients in Crown Court appeals and sentencing hearings.
Notable Case
R v Murise (2024): Beth successfully appealed sentence to the Court of Appeal, resulting in sentence being quashed. Beth drafted the advice and grounds of appeal and appeared as sole counsel in the appeal hearing.
Inquests and Public Inquiries
Having undertaken work for families, local authorities and care homes Beth is a capable advocate in cases where an understanding of procedures and personalities is required.
Education
BPP University (Manchester), Bar Training Course
University of Law (Manchester), GDL
University of St Andrews, M.Litt Medieval History
University of St Andrews, MA (Hons) History
Awards
University of Law Manchester Mooting Competition 2020, Winner
National Speed Mooting Competition 2020, Runner-Up
Gray’s Inn: Uthwatt Scholar (BTC)
BPP Manchester: Academic Excellence Scholarship
University of Law (Manchester): Highest Achieving GDL Student 2020
Gray’s Inn: Leonard Caplan Scholar (GDL)
University of St Andrews: Dean’s List
