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Karen Squibb-Williams

Karen Squibb-Williams

  • Called to BAR: 1999
  • Criminal Law
  • Inquests
  • Professional Regulation

Summary

Karen is an independent practising barrister with an extensive, and arguably unique, experience of Forensic Science and Expert Evidence within the UK criminal justice systems, spanning the last decade.

Specialist areas of law include

  • Criminal Law
  • Inquests
  • Professional Regulation

Profile description

Unusually, she holds dual practising status and, after a 12 year career at Crown Prosecution Service Headquarters, in 2013 she established Acorn Chambers, specialising in providing high level independent services regarding the use within the UK criminal justice context of:
•    Forensic Sciences, eg: DNA, Fingerprints, Fibres, Glass;
•    Technologies, Cell Site analysis, CCTV, Cyber crime etc.;
•    Expert Evidence & Expert Witness obligations;
•    Procurement Processes in the CJS;
•    Regulation and Quality Assurance Mechanisms;
•    Disclosure Obligations;
•     Non-Accidental Head Injuries in Infants (Shaken Baby Syndrome);
•    Legal Advice & Representation in the above fields;
•    Individual & Organisational training +  materials;
•    Lecturing (Professions & Universities);
•    Conference / plenary speaker ;
•    Communications & Media support /presentations;
•    Strategy & Policy guidance;
From 2004 – 2013 Karen was national lead for prosecution policy in cases involving scientific evidence, expert witnesses and disclosure obligations. She was responsible for briefing, supporting and advising successive Attorney Generals and  Directors of Public Prosecutions regarding strategic policy and legal issues within her specialist portfolio.

Karen regularly worked with Ministers and their senior advisers at the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General’s Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the judiciary at all levels including Lord Chief Justices, the Masters of the Rolls and Senior Presiding Judges, leading forensic scientists and commercial forensic science providers, a wide range of experts, leading academics and the Forensic Science Regulator. She has given written and oral evidence at Parliamentary Select Committee inquiries, and was a key member of the cross-government group responsible for creating the office  of the Forensic Science Regulator.
Her experience includes: Chair of the DNA Specialist Working Group for the Forensic Science Regulator; a member of the Home Office Forensic Transition Board, the Home Secretary’s Pathology Delivery Board, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Forensic Science Portfolio Board, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) Crime Scene working group and the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI). Karen has also been involved in a several Metropolitan Police ‘Gold Group’ Strategic Reviews examining the forensic science issues arising from a number of very high profile cases.

In particular, she is well known for being a critical driving force in the development and implementation (in 2013) of Streamlined Forensic Reporting (SFR), enabling robust, effective compliance with the Criminal Procedure Rules (CrPR) for all participants.


 

Testimonials

Ruth Clark

“I called Clerks Room Direct in February and two days later one of their barrister’s Stephen David, was representing me in court. From my first phone call to Rory I felt that I was in safe hands.” “I called Clerks Room Direct in February and two days later one of their barrister’s Stephen David, was representing me in court. From my first phone call to Rory I felt that I was in safe hands.” Read more Read less

Natalie Ryan

“The speed and quality of the service was astounding. I was recommended two extremely qualified, competent experts to discuss my matter with and had a telephone consultation within 24 hours.” “The speed and quality of the service was astounding. I was recommended two extremely qualified, competent experts to discuss my matter with and had a telephone consultation within 24 hours.” Read more Read less

Saleem

“The clerks were promptly aware of my requirements and were able to recommend a number of specialist barristers at competitive prices.” “The clerks were promptly aware of my requirements and were able to recommend a number of specialist barristers at competitive prices.” Read more Read less

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Contact Karen today
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  • We’ll find the right barrister for you
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    1000+ barristers: all direct access specialists
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    Save up to 42% with fixed costs
    • Karen Squibb-Williams
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