Katrina Byrne
Katrina qualified as a Solicitor in 2001.
Prior to qualification she worked as a paralegal for a large criminal practice in Nottingham. Katrina started out in Criminal Law in 1988 and has carved out a very successful career for herself. She was previously a Partner in a Specialist Criminal Law firm in Exeter and a Consultant at another local firm before founding KB Legal.
During her years in Nottingham she represented what were regarded locally as “heavy weight” criminals.
Katrina has continued to represent people accused of a wide range of offences. She has extensive experience of dealing with drug related offences including conspiracy to supply drugs and “county line” cases.
She also has vast experience and expertise in matters involving sexual offences including rape, sexual assault, historic sexual offences and indent images.
Katrina has represented clients at the Police Station and at Court in relation to very high profile cases, a number of which have made the national press. She has been involved in and prepared a case that was heard by the Supreme Court and led to a change in the Law.
She has particular interest in Mental Health and has considerable experience in representing people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and other vulnerabilities. She has been involved in a case where her client was found not guilty of Murder on the grounds of insanity. She has also been involved in numerous other cases including, Homicide cases, where there were complex Mental Health and medical issues.
She is well respected by the Court and her fellow Professionals. Katrina is hardworking, committed and focused.
Katrina prides herself on her eye for detail and always strives to provide the best possible advice and representation to all her clients. She has very strong client care skills and is clear, calm, patient. She has a great ability to give direct advice plainly yet sympathetically.
Katrina and her team have access to, and work with, the very best Barristers and Experts ensuring that every client has the best possible representation.
Katrina is committed to the Legal Aid system and access to justice. She played a leading role in the Save UK Justice campaign which was set up by her and a colleague to challenge the Government’s policy on reducing the Legal Aid budget and client choice. This campaign went a long way in convincing the Government that individuals should have the right to choose their own Solicitor should they need one at Court or in the Police Station and to ensure that Legal Aid was protected.
Katrina sits on her local Council’s School Independent Appeals Panel. This is a voluntary post but one which is very important to the local community.
In recognition of her extensive experience she was awarded the Higher Rights (Criminal) qualification in 2007. She is a Duty Solicitor on both the Court and Police Station Schemes and has been an accredited police station representative since 1994.
In September 2018 Katrina was appointed as an Independent Qualified Legal Chair for Police Misconduct Hearings by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall and Dorset Police. These panels are there to ensure that the highly skilled and trained police force maintains public credibility and scrutiny if a complaint of misconduct is made.
We are available 24hrs 7 days a week | info@kblegal.co.uk
tel:01392 927705