Practice Overview
Harriet has experience in defending in the most serious cases, including murder and Class A drugs supply. She has been praised by others including members of the judiciary for her high standard of trial advocacy. Confident and approachable, Harriet has also shown she has the necessary “soft skills” which allow her to communicate effectively with others as well as support clients through the process. She is well equipped to deal with the most vulnerable clients.
Harriet completed a three month secondment with the Crown Prosecution Service back in 2020, enabling her to gain valuable experience that ordinarily only employees of the Crown Prosecution Service would have. She is now a confident Level 3 prosecutor and has been instructed by the Complex Case Unit. She has prosecuted large scale drug supply cases involving Encrochat evidence.
Harriet has also applied her skills as a criminal advocate in regulatory work and inquests. Some examples include representing a local council in taxi licensing cases and presenting on behalf of Nursing and Midwifery Council.
See below for notable cases.
Cases
Serious Violence
R v KM and Others – Client acquitted of participating in activities of an organised crime group.
[See press report – https://www.exchangechambers.co.uk/not-guilty-of-participating-in-activities-of-ocg/]
R v BC – Client was charged with attempt s.18 (grievous bodily harm with intent) and affray in respect of an allegation that he shot a crossbow at his two young children. Client acquitted by the jury after a trial.
R v SR – Client was charged with s.20 (grievous bodily harm) however was unfit to stand trial due to having learning difficulties. Client acquitted by the jury after a four day finding of fact hearing.
Drug offences
R v CY – Prosecuted defendant in drugs conspiracy of multi kilos of Class A using Encrochat device.
[See press report – https://www.exchangechambers.co.uk/operation-venetic-harriet-lavin-secures-conviction-in-class-a-drugs-conspiracy/]
R v OE – Prosecuted defendant in drugs conspiracy involving Class A drugs worth over £2 million pounds.
[See press report – https://www.exchangechambers.co.uk/operation-kingman-fiona-clancy-harriet-lavin-convictions/]
Sexual offences
R v MB – Led by Paul Hodgkinson in a trial defending client accused of rape and attempted murder.
R v Darren Coathup – Prosecuted police officer convicted of sexual misconduct.
[See press report – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-64677459]
R v Ghani and Others – Prosecuted eight defendants for alleged grooming of two young girls.
[See press report – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-67279790]
R v TDL – Prosecuted church minister accused of historical sexual offending.
[See press report – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-68451708]
Driving offences
R v Wesley Royle – Client convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving avoided immediate prison sentence.
[See press report – https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/21254432.driver-collided-motorbike-rider-a5902-trying-overtake-hgv-hill/v]
Football related offences
R v Callum Wright and Others – Client avoided immediate prison sentence after plea deals made in two separate football disorders.
[See press report – https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/you-f-scouse-c-football-23604852]
R v Mark Rosbottom and Others – Client was the only defendant in a multi handed case who avoided imposition of football banning order. This was appealed by the police to the Crown court and was ultimately dismissed.
[See press report – https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/three-more-football-fans-sentenced-21042852]
Other
R v Yahya Werfalli [2020]
[See press report – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-55091681]
