Michelle Fawcett

Year of Call: 1993

Specialist practice areas: Serious Crime, Criminal/Civil Fraud, Serious Sexual Offences, Asset Forfeiture, Police Disciplinary, Inquests & Public Inquiries

A barrister ‘with considerable ability’ who ‘always seems to hit the right nerve at the right time’, according to QCs and senior counsel she has worked with, Michelle Fawcett is also described as ‘a clear, concise and sensitive advocate’. Undertaking both prosecution and defence work, she is regularly instructed in serious criminal cases involving violence, such as murder, manslaughter and sexual offences, as well as mental health issues, the import and supply of drugs, and white collar fraud.

While she was designated counsel for Kent County Constabulary, Michelle was involved in numerous cases under the Police Property Act, as well as firearm appeals and deaths in police custody. A number of her recent successes involving the defence of serious criminal allegations have received high-profile media coverage. These include: defending a bus driver accused of causing death by dangerous driving following the death of a cyclist on Blackfriars Bridge; negotiating with the Crown to have charges reduced to a minimum in the case of a defendant accused of the kidnap, false imprisonment and assault of her lesbian police officer partner; and defending a case alleging GBH brought against a defendant with serious mental health issues accused of attacking a woman with a hammer at Embankment underground station.

Michelle is a member of the South East Circuit and the Criminal Bar Association.