Year of Call: 2016
Inn of Court: Gray’s Inn
Libby Anderson
Libby’s practice covers all areas of general crime, corporate crime, military justice and international public law, in particular the law of armed conflict. She also appears in extradition and regulatory matters.
Particularly respected for her attention to detail, Libby is recognised for her ability to cross-examine upon memory contamination issues and Turnbull challenges. Having acted in fitness to plead proceedings, Libby has experience of cases involving vulnerable clients and witnesses. She has also appeared in actions against the police.
Through the GLD’s Junior Junior Panel, Libby has been instructed in a number of high-profile public law matters. She is currently instructed on behalf of the Home Office in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. In previous cases she has assisted with legal research, analysis, drafting statements, and assessing quantum in historic abuse claims.
Prior to the Bar, Libby gained experience of social security, employment and housing law through her role as a volunteer caseworker at the Z2K Trust in Westminster, and as a Gateway Assessor at North Lancashire Citizens Advice Bureau.
Crime
• Valiati v DPP [2018] EWHC 2908 (Admin), [2018] WLR(D) 676) – represented the Appellant in a successful appeal by way of case stated in which the issue was the use to which the Magistrates’ Court can put statements made in a PET form.
• R v M [2018] – Harrow Crown Court. Represented a father convicted of two counts of ABH upon an 8 year old child. Persuaded the court to impose a conditional discharge.
• R v SS [2018] – Leicester Crown Court – On day of trial, negotiated an acceptable basis of plea in a joint enterprise robbery of a vulnerable victim in his own home. (Reported in Leicester Mercury)
• R v KH [2017] – Wolverhampton Crown Court – Defendant was sentenced for multiple offences including robbery, ABH and dangerous dogs. Dealt with issues of dangerousness and totality. (Reported in Birmingham Mail)
• R v AS & ors [2017] – Leicester Crown Court – In a 19-handed conspiracy to supply drugs, represented a defendant who was sentenced to time served.
• R v SK [2017] – Woolwich Crown Court – Persuaded the court not to activate a suspended sentence imposed for GBH following multiple breaches of the suspended sentence order.
Courts Martial
- SPA v Sig A [2017] – Colchester Military Court Centre – Represented a soldier with a poor disciplinary record charged with disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind. The defendant received a sentence of 60 days detention. His co-defendant received 90 days.
Environmental
- Birmingham City Council v JD [2018] – Birmingham Crown Court -Represented defendant charged with environmental offences involving using a vehicle to deposit controlled waste. (Reported in Birmingham Mail)
Actions against Police
- RS v Metropolitan Police [2017] – Ealing Magistrates’ Court – Successfully argued under the Police Property Act for the return of an unlawfully seized dog.
Qualifications
- Direct Access qualified
- Vulnerable witness training completed
- ADR Group Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator
- LLM Professional Legal Practice, BPP University Law School
- Bar Professional Training Course, BPP University Law School
- Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Sheffield
- MA Medieval Studies, University of York
- BA (Hons) English and Philosophy, University of Bristol
Scholarships & Awards
- Pegasus Scholar 2019
- Ann Goddard Pupillage Scholarship, Gray’s Inn
- BPP University Law School Outstanding Performance Award
- Birkenhead Award BPTC Scholarship, Gray’s Inn
- Ann Ebsworth CPE/GDL Award, Gray’s Inn
Affiliations
- CPS General Crime Panel, Grade 2
- CPS Proceeds of Crime and Fraud Specialist Panels, Grade 2
- Government Legal Department Junior Junior Scheme
- Criminal Bar Association
- Association of Military Court Advocates
- South Eastern Circuit
- The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
- Security clearance – DV level
Areas of Specialism
Crime
Libby is developing a busy Crown Court practice both prosecuting and defending in cases of fraud, drugs, driving offences, serious violence, and offensive weapons. She prosecutes and defends in hearings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and has experience of POCA beyond her years of call.
International Law
She has a stand-alone interest in international law, and has attended advocacy training at the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague. Through the GLD Junior Junior Scheme, Libby has been instructed in the Kenyan Emergency Group Litigation and the Cyprus Colonial Litigation.
Military Law
She has a strong interest in the law of armed conflict and all aspects of military justice. Libby receives instructions from AFLAA to defend service personnel at court martial. Through the GLD Junior Junior Scheme, she has been instructed in the Castlemartin Firing Range Inquest.
Environmental Law
Libby has appeared in a case involving substantial fly tipping in Birmingham. She has also been instructed in statutory nuisance claims under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Other Details
Sentencing Environmental Offence
Collusion, Collaboration and Contamination: Testing the Credibility of Historic Complaints – CrimeLine Complete
The Military Drone: Regulating the 21st Century Hunter-Killer – Counsel Magazine
Fake Claims Don’t Pay: Sentencing Cash for Crash Frauds – CrimeLine Complete
Fraud Indicators: Investigating Cash for Crash – CrimeLine Complete
The Dublin Convention and Asylum
Single Parents and Surrogacy: An Argument for the Reform of HFEA 2008 (Highly Commended in the Bar Council Law Reform Essay Competition 2016)
A Practical Guide to the Law of Military Justice – Law Brief Publishing