Eleanor is particularly known for commanding court presence and exemplary cross-examination skills. Having specialised in serious crime for some time, she is now in the main instructed by private clients to represent them in the criminal courts, in university and school disciplinary hearings, defamation and civil harassment cases, personal injury (historical abuse claims) and to advise in private prosecutions.
Eleanor Laws KC's specialism includes pre charge advice and representation with a view to halting proceedings, Her clients, include celebrities and other well-known individuals. More recently, Eleanor has successfully represented youths and young adults under police investigation and /or subject to school/university proceedings, as a result of complaints generated by social media websites.
She helped to devise the Vulnerable Witness Training that is used by the Judiciary and Counsel practising within the field and she assisted in producing the training materials. The training was devised by a committee Headed by HHJ Rooke KC.
Eleanor Laws KC is instructed to advise in relation to private prosecutions and is a member of the Private Prosecutors’ Association. Also, she is instructed to represent parties in civil proceedings; including defamation and civil harassment cases. She is a Sex Ticketed Recorder and sits as a Judge in the Crown Court, presiding over the most grave and sensitive cases.
Eleanor is at the forefront of educating the Bar and outside agencies (including police, medical practitioners, the National Crime Agency and the Child Exploitation Online Protection Agency) on the treatment of vulnerable witnesses. She is an External Advocacy Trainer for CPS Grades 2-4, and recently assisted in compiling a training programme for the treatment of vulnerable witnesses as part of the launch of the Advocate's Gateway.
Eleanor was invited to attend an all-party parliamentary inquiry into the treatment of vulnerable witnesses and defendants, and also took part in Sarah Champion MP’s inquiry into sexual exploitation legislation. She also assisted with Keir Starmer KC’s Victims’ Taskforce to examine victims’ rights.
Eleanor is also frequently instructed to conduct hearings at the latter stage of the process. She has acted in sentences and appeals where she has not conducted the criminal trial. Her knowledge and presence, particularly in the field of serious sexual offences, make her the obvious choice for those who hope to achieve the best where they have been disappointed before. Eleanor is uniquely liked and respected by associates, partners, junior barristers, her peers and the Judiciary; she has a manner that makes you immediately feel at ease and part of a very effective team.
Recent successes:
- R v Mehta
- R v Lloyd Philips
- R v Katira
Eleanor is frequently requested to appear and advise on Radio 4, Channel 4, Sky news and BBC news. She is regularly requested to deliver lectures to the profession in the UK and in other jurisdictions; including African countries, Jersey, Australia, Canada, and Malaysia.
She has provided in person and online training on a variety of topics including sexual investigations, consent, “sexting”, revenge porn, vulnerable witnesses, indictments and sentencing, disclosure in criminal trials and the law in relation to recovered memories to the legal profession, police, medical practitioners, the National Crime Agency and the Child Exploitation Online Protection Agency.
Eleanor also provides in person or online training to sporting organisations, universities and schools in relation to all aspects of the dangers of sexting, revenge porn, issues relation to consent and police investigations. (To add link to film).
She is at the forefront of educating the Bar and outside agencies (including police, medical practitioners, the National Crime Agency and the Child Exploitation Online Protection Agency) on the treatment of vulnerable witnesses. She is an External Advocacy Trainer for CPS Grades 2-4, and recently assisted in compiling a training programme for the treatment of vulnerable witnesses as part of the launch of the Advocate's Gateway.
