Katie accepts instructions in all criminal defence matters in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and Youth Court, as well as prison law matters (Parole Board Reviews, prison-related Judicial Reviews, Category A reviews, representations for Executive Release etc).

Katie successfully completed pupillage under supervision of Daniel Darnbrough, James Hay, Anne Faul, and Natasha Dardashti.

Feedback from professional clients

“Ms Knafler is organised, efficient, extremely competent, and has excellent rapport with our members of staff. Her communication skills, both written and verbal, are excellent.”

“Katie is proving to be a very competent and able barrister who has shown that she can grasp a brief which is given to her. She is most certainly a fighter.”

“She is proactive in preparation for deadlines and demonstrates comprehensive analysis of case papers to ensure a positive outcome for the client”.

“She showed a high aptitude for hard work and interests in our clients matters. She has always demonstrated remarkable knowledge in her work… once our clients have met her they always ask for her to continue to represent them throughout their proceedings”.

“I have been very impressed with how professional yet approachable Miss Knafler is. She engages well with clients and I have had positive feedback from clients she has represented”.

Katie previously worked at the Prisoners’ Advice Service providing advice to prisoners on all areas of prison law (with a focus on disability issues) and representation at Parole Board oral hearings, as well as Judicial Reviews of decisions taken by the Secretary of State. She has also worked as a paralegal at GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates running post-conviction appeals from the Crown Court to the Court of Appeal and Criminal Cases Review Commission, as well as assisting with life without parole appeals at the Innocence Project New Orleans. She has experience representing prisoners at Independent Adjudications.

Education

• Bar Vocational Studies with specialism in Advanced Criminal Practice with Masters – Distinction.
• Law with French and French Law LLB – First Class.
• Winner of Beinart Memorial Prize 2016/17 and Oxford University Press Prize 2016/17 for the most meritorious performance in Human Rights & Criminal Justice and Criminal Law modules respectively.

Memberships

• The Hon. Soc. of Lincoln’s Inn
• Women in Criminal Law (WICL)
• Association of Prison Lawyers
• JUSTICE

Trial

R v JF, appeal against conviction (MC to CC), possession of a bladed article (knife) in a public place and offensive weapon (hammer). Successful “no case to answer” submissions on offensive weapon, then acquitted of bladed article.

R v PS, indecent exposure, acquitted.

R v TO, dangerous driving, driving without a licence/insurance, failing to stop. Successful “no case to answer” submissions.

R v SC, possession of a bladed article in a public place, acquitted.

R v KQ, possession of a bladed article in a public place, acquitted.

R v DD, two counts of domestic assault, acquitted.

R v VH, domestic assault, acquitted.

R v JM, assault and harassment, acquitted.

R v JK, driving with excess alcohol, acquitted.

R v OO, failure to provide a specimen, acquitted.

 

Sentence

R v RJ, intentional strangulation, received 24-month Community Order.

R v BO, two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A, received 24-month Community Order.

R v JM, dangerous driving, received 9 months custody suspended for 18 months.

R v JAS, breach Community Order, Probation recommended revoke and re-sentence, court persuaded to extend the order.

R v DH, attempted sexual communication with a child, received 24-month Community Order.

R v LL, three counts of robbery, received 20 months detention suspended for 18 months.

R v KM, high value theft from a shop (over £3,000), received a fine.

R v HL, domestic assault in the presence of a child, guilty plea on the day of trial, received a fine.