Practice Overview

Gaby commenced her Common Law pupillage in January 2025 under the supervision of Mr Alex G Williams and Mr David Birrell.

During her first six, Gaby has been exposed to and assisted on a wide variety of Criminal, Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, and Inquest cases.

Gaby approaches her work with a keen eye for detail and thorough preparation, whilst ensuring she provides a down to earth and personable approach.

In respect of Criminal matters, Gaby has observed hearings across both the Crown Court and Magistrates Court. She has observed and assisted on a variety of complex criminal cases with Mr Birrell and other counsel throughout chambers, including serious sexual offences (historic and recent), POCA, serious and organised crime, violence, and drugs.

Gaby has completed tasks and drafted documents to assist counsel throughout her first six. Examples of Gaby’s work includes:

• Analysing unused material in a complex sexual offence trial
• Drafting a 24-count prosecution opening for sentence
• Drafting advices on matters such as robbery and intentional strangulation
• Conducting research for counsel, including for POCA proceedings.
• Preparing pleas in mitigation, bad character applications, cross examination, and closing speeches.

In terms of Inquest, Personal Injury, and Clinical Negligence matters, Gaby has gained experience in the County Court, High Court, and Royal Courts of Justice in respect of both Claimant and Defendant work. Gaby has gained experience and assisted various counsel by:

• Drafting skeleton arguments for liability claims in the County Court and High Court
• Drafting advice on liability, including in respect of contributory negligence, and quantum.
• Attending Joint Settlement Meetings
• Observing various CCMCs, CMCs, and applications
• Attending conferences with clients and experts, advising on prospects, quantum, and medical evidence.
• Attending a hearing under s13 of the Coroners Act 1998 at the Royal Courts of Justice and observing inquests.
• Attending and preparing for small claims, fast track, and multi-track claims, stage 3 hearings and applications, including via draft submissions and cross examination.

Prior to pupillage, Gaby gained advocacy experience as a Senior Litigation Consultant at Peninsula, for over two years, where she advised and represented clients in Employment Law matters. This consisted of preliminary hearings (substantive and administrative) and multi-day final hearings across England and Scotland, including a 5-day discrimination and harassment trial. Gaby has experience appearing against advocates and litigants in person. She regularly analysed cases to advise on prospects, drafted pleadings, applications, and legal arguments. Gaby has also worked as a Commercial Litigation and Regulatory paralegal at Brabners LLP where she gained experience of litigation across a broad array of matters including defamation, competition, clinical negligence, health and safety, and firearms appeals.

By way of additional legal placements, Gaby advised at a legal clinic in South Africa – visiting youth detention centres to aid rehabilitation; and completed an internship with the Northern Irish Civil Service.