Nerida Harford-Bell

Practice

Nerida started her practice in 1984 in general common law and now practises exclusively in criminal defence work, predominantly as a leading junior. Nerida has been instructed in cases covering all areas of criminal law including murder, people smuggling, sexual exploitation, serious violence, rape and indecent assaults. She also appeared as a sole advocate for women charged with the murder or manslaughter of their children.

In 2004, Nerida defended John Barrett, a violent schizophrenic, who stabbed a cyclist to death in Richmond Park. This case led to an enquiry and the publication of a damning report on the Mental Health service revealing "serious flaws" by the authorities who released Barrett and failed in their care of him.

Throughout 2006, Nerida has worked on R v Latta, a baby shaking case in Winchester, which was won after submissions on the principles in Cannings; R v Sriragavan, a Sri Lankan gang-warfare case; various murder cases, and was lead junior counsel on a drug conspiracy case at Woolwich Crown Court. In September 2006, she worked on a sexual exploitation case, R v Szabova, at Middlesex Crown Court. This was a people trafficking case where women were brought into the country and sold into prostitution.

At the start of 2007 Nerida represented Alan Hedgcock, a Hollywood make-up artist, in a high profile case involving child pornography and an internet conspiracy to rape. The case was the first time defendants have been convicted of serious conspiracy charges solely as a result of online exchanges. Her practice encompasses judicial review, civil actions against the police and inquests.

Most Notable since 2003

MURDER/HOMICIDE

R v McCarvill, Maidstone CC (murder by mother of her child.) 2003
R v Begum, Central Criminal Court (manslaughter/child cruelty.) 2003
R v Latta, Winchester CC (baby shaking murder of baby.) 2004
R v John Barrett, Central Criminal Court (stabbing of cyclist in park.) 2006
R v Rashid Alla, CCC (Gang stabbing) 2006
R v Alan Hedgcock, Southwark CC (Conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to rape in virtual reality.)
R v Faisal Wangita, CCC (gang land mob stabbing.) 2007

VIOLENCE AGAINST THE PERSON

R v Kamarra, Inner London CC (non fatal stabbing by school boys.) 2004
R v Sheralam, Inner London CC (multiple stranger rapes.) 2006
R v Renata Ostertag, Luton CC ( incest/ rape between mother/son.) 2005
R v Monica Szabavo, Middlesex Guildhall CC (people trafficking/false imprisonment.) 2006
R v Hotti, Harrow CC (child rape.) 2007

DRUG OFFENCES

R v Charles Asonye, Woolwich CC ( Conspiracy to import Cannabis and Cocaine.) 2005/6
R v Theodore, Kingston CC (Conspiracy to manufacture class B drugs.) 2007

ANIMAL RIGHTS

R v Sean Kirtley, Birmingham CC (Conspiracy to interfere with contractual; relations.) 2008
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FRAUD

R v Maharaj, Southwark CC (Post Office Fraud.) 2004
R v Robinson, Kingston CC (Banking Fraud.) 2004
R v Zaidi, Kingston CC (Medicines and trade marks.) 2008

Other Information

Nerida is a fighter, but is also a realist and a pragmatist. This means she will not take bad points and will always try and obtain the best possible result for the client. Her strength is in establishing an easy rapport with clients, particularly with younger, immature or inarticulate members of the public. She sees it as an importantpart of her role to enable them to have a voice and to articulate whatever they have to say. She will represent all who come to her to the best of her ability, regardless of the crime with which they are charged.

Societies

Amnesty International, JUSTICE and Criminal Bar Association.

Year of Call

Education

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