Abigail Langford

Abigail Langford

  • Year of Call: 2005
  • LL.B (Hons), Leeds University (2003)
    LL.M, Newcastle University (2005)
    Lincoln’s Inn

    Practice

    Abigail Langford is a Criminal Law practitioner who undertakes all types of prosecution and defence work. She operates predominantly in the Crown Court but a significant portion of her practice is devoted to young offenders, youth crime and sentencing in both the Crown Court and the Youth Court.

    As well as dealing with young people Abigail has a particular specialism in cases involving Mental Health Act issues and often appears in Mental Health Tribunals. Abigail has appeared in cases involving serious offences of violence, drugs and dishonesty, Abigail Langford has an expanding practice and has been led by Michelle Colborne QC on a number of occasions in murder and manslaughter cases, all of which involved complex Mental Health issues.

    Abigail notably appeared for the defence in the first "sham marriage" case in the region, and she accepts instructions in new areas of the criminal law. In 2005 she completed a Master's degree in criminal law, with particular concentration on the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and its provisions relating to bad character. Prior to qualification Abigail was employed as an in-house advocate by a national leading law firm, dealing specifically with road traffic and personal injury cases, contractual matters and construction disputes in the civil courts.

     

    Professional Memberships

     

    Criminal Bar Association

    North Eastern Circuit

     

    Notable Cases

     

    Court of Appeal

    R v Middlebrook (2011)

    This was an appeal against sentence in the Court of Appeal, in which Abigail appeared for the Prosecution. The charge was causing death by dangerous driving and the case involved a complex analysis of the relevant JSB Sentencing Guidelines as well as dealing sensitively with the family of the victim.

    Crown Court

    R v G (2009), Bradford Youth Court

    This case involved a 17-year-old male charged with knifepoint robbery. The issue was one of identification, and most critically the evidence of a witness who was 14 years of age. This case required an ability to appropriately examine and cross-examine child witnesses, as well as detailed cross examination about the description of the "offender". The case included applications in respect of special measures, reluctant witnesses, bad character and the admissibility of the Defendant’s interview. The leading authorities of Turnbull and Lucas also featured.

    R v G (2011), Bradford Crown Court

    In this case Abigail appeared for the prosecution. The case involved an allegation of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. There were complex evidential issues involved which necessitated the  calling of expert evidence and the examination of forensic and firearm experts. Issues of bad character and submissions of no case to answer where also involved.

    R v A, Bradford Crown Court

    This was a prosecution case involving threats to kill, witness intimidation and robbery. The case was sensitive as it involved feuding families, and during the case further allegations were made against the Defendant. Several procedural difficulties were encountered and hearsay evidence, special measures and adverse inferences were also live issues.