Practice Overview

Hayley Parkes manages a mixed criminal practice covering a broad range of work both prosecuting and defending in the Crown Court.

She is establishing herself as a junior practitioner on the Northern circuit after being instructed on matters at all stages of criminal proceedings and encompassing offences as follows:

• Violent offences
• Attempted rape and serious sexual offences
• Drugs offences
• Driving offences
• Breaches of court orders
• Arson
• Dishonesty offences

Her approach to practice prioritises diligent preparation, considered written work, reliable communication and a personable manner with lay clients and professional clients alike. Her advocacy style has attracted favourable results for lay clients in challenging circumstances and has found favour with tribunals on the Northern Circuit.

Hayley is particularly adept at representing clients with English as a second language and is passionate about acting in cases which involve young people in the Crown Court. Education and Outreach are also important facets to Hayley’s practice, and she hopes to use her previous experience, which included working in schools and with people with complex learning needs, to good effect at the Bar.

Hayley was called to the Bar in 2023 after leaving a 10-year career in Classical Arts. She trained as a classical pianist and has given both live and broadcast performances across the UK and Europe.

She became a tenant at Exchange Chambers in 2025 after completing a successful and busy pupillage under the supervision of Chloe Fordham.