Lauren Smith
Call: 2019
Lauren Smith
University of York – LLB – First Class Honours [2015]
University of York – LLM in Legal and Political Theory – Distinction [2017]
BPP Leeds – BPTC (Part-time) – Outstanding [2017-2019]
University of York – York Masters Opportunity Scholarship [2017]
Middle Temple – Harmsworth Scholarship [2017]
Blackstone Entrance Exhibition [2017]
Certificate of Honour [2019]
BPP – Criminal Litigation Prize (for highest mark on Criminal Litigation module) [2019]
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 / 0113 246 2600
Lauren is instructed in criminal cases involving serious violence, sexual offences and drug trafficking. She has significant experience in cases involving vulnerable individuals, including children and adults with protected characteristics. She has appeared before criminal courts up to and including the Court of Appeal.
Lauren also has a developing regulatory practice. She has provided written advice to regulatory bodies on fitness to practice proceedings and has represented a Registrant before a professional disciplinary tribunal. She is keen to develop her practice further by undertaking work for regulatory bodies (including public authorities) and Registrants subject to professional disciplinary proceedings.
Lauren completed her pupillage at Broadway House Chambers under the supervision of Peter Hampton (now HHJ Hampton).
Lauren welcomes instructions in inquest work.
Lauren is a Grade 2 Prosecutor.
Expertise
Prior to commencing pupillage, Lauren worked as a paralegal in the regulatory department at Capsticks Solicitors. On behalf of Social Work England, Lauren assisted with drafting applications to the High Court for Interim Order Extensions and investigating fitness to practise concerns by interviewing witnesses. Lauren was also responsible for preparing cases for final and interim hearings, for example by identifying material for disclosure. As such, Lauren has experience and knowledge of professional discipline, and is keen to develop a practice in regulatory law.
Lauren welcomes instructions in inquest work.
Whilst studying for the BPTC, Lauren undertook pro-bono work for the Criminal Appeals Project, AMICUS ALJ and Support Through Court at Leeds Combined Court Centre. Consequently, Lauren has experience of working alongside litigants in person and vulnerable clients, such as those with mental health difficulties or victims of domestic violence.
Lauren is a Grade 2 Prosecutor.
Notable Cases
Defence
R v O [2025] Bradford Crown Court: Defence of O, who was charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and one count of witness intimidation. Following a 4-day trial, O was acquitted of all charges.
R v A [2025] Bradford Crown Court: Defence of A, who was charged with sexual assault. Following a 5-day trial, A was acquitted.
R v C [2025] Bradford Crown Court: Defence of C, who was charged with multiple offences including child abduction, supplying a psychoactive substance and sexual assault. Case involved cross-examination of a child. Following a 4-day trial, C was convicted of a single count of child abduction only.
R v K [2025] Preston Crown Court: Defence of K, who was charged with a knifepoint robbery. Following a 3-day trial, K was acquitted.
R v C [2025] Bradford Crown Court: Defence of C, who was charged with controlling and coercive behaviour and intentional strangulation. Following a 3-day trial, C was acquitted.
R v H [2024] Bradford Crown Court: Defence of H, who was charged with ABH and two counts of intentional strangulation. Following a 4-day trial, H was acquitted.
R v M [2024] Newcastle Crown Court: Led Junior for the defence of M, who was charged as a co-conspirator in six offences including conveying prohibited articles into prison. Case resolved with a plea to one lesser alternative offence. M ultimately sentenced to a community order.
R v C [2024] Bradford Crown Court: Defence of C, who pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position (value £110,000+). Lauren secured a suspended sentence order, despite the sentencing guidelines suggesting that a sentence in excess of 2 years was appropriate.
R v X [2023] Bradford Magistrates Court: Lauren secured acquittal for client charged with causing death by careless driving, following a 1-day trial. Case involved prosecution and defence expert evidence on reaction times.
W v R [2023] Court of Appeal: Defence of W, who had pleaded guilty to an offence of stalking causing fear of violence. Lauren advised that the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive. She then successfully appeared before the Court of Appeal, who substituted the sentence of 27 months' imprisonment for one of 16 months. This meant the appellant had served his sentence and was immediately released.
R v P [2023] York Crown Court: Defence of P at sentence, who had pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon. Lauren secured a suspended sentence order.
R v L [2023] Bradford Crown Court: Defending L, who had pleaded guilty on the day of trial to s.20 GBH, having struck V to the back of the head with a hammer. Lauren secured a suspended sentence order.
R v M [2022] Bradford Crown Court: Defending one of the first defendants to be sentenced in Bradford for the new offence of intentional non-fatal strangulation.
Prosecution
R v H [2025] Bradford Crown Court: Currently instructed by the prosecution as Led Junior in a fraud, where the alleged losses total more than £3,000,000.
R v H [2025] Sheffield Crown Court: Prosecution of a defendant charged with multiple breaches of a non-molestation order. Child complainants who were assisted by an intermediary. Defendant convicted of the majority of charges.
R v W [2023] Bradford Crown Court: Prosecution of a defendant charged with numerous domestic violence offences. The case involved two child witnesses who underwent s.28 cross-examination. Defendant pleaded on the day of trial.
R v B [2023] Leeds Crown Court: Lauren's first contested jury trial involved the prosecution of a defendant charged with burglary. The case involved presentation of expert evidence (fingerprint, blood and cell site). The defendant was convicted.
R v B, C and H [2023] Sheffield Crown Court: Prosecution of a multi-handed robbery trial with 3 defendants, all of whom pleaded on the day of trial.
R v C [2022] Leeds Magistrates' Court: Prosecution of a defendant charged with ABH in the domestic context. The complainant had retracted their support for the prosecution and did not attend trial. Lauren made a successful res gestae application to rely on their initial account. The defendant was convicted.
Youth Court
R v X [2025]: Defended a 15-year-old, who was charged with a knifepoint robbery of a 13-year-old. Defendant was assisted by an intermediary. Following a 1-day trial, defendant was acquitted.
R v X [2025]: Instructed to defend a 16-year-old who was charged with s.18 GBH. Following negotiations with the prosecution, case resolved with a plea to the lesser offence of s.20 GBH. Defendant was sentenced to a Referral Order.
R v X [2023]: Defended 14-year-old, who pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, two counts of possessing an imitation firearm, possession of a bladed article and handling stolen goods. The prosecution asked for defendant to be committed to sentence to the Crown Court. Following mitigation, the Magistrates declined to commit the offences and imposed a Youth Rehabilitation Order.
R v X [2023]: Defence of a 14-year-old, who was convicted of various offences including robbery, ABH and assaulting emergency workers. D was assisted by an intermediary. Following mitigation, the Magistrates sentenced defendant to a Referral Order.
Clerks
