Summary
Carla is a highly experienced legal professional with a multidisciplinary background spanning family law, criminal law, prison law, judicial review, and human rights. Called to the Bar in 2024 at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn and dual-qualified as a solicitor and Higher Court Advocate (civil and criminal), she brings over 15 years of experience to complex and sensitive legal matters.
Carla has completed the Public Access Course (September 2024) and undertaken the Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training (March 2025). She has a longstanding commitment to defending and supporting vulnerable individuals and communities, with a special interest in mental health, psychology, and neurodiversity. Her approach combines rigorous legal analysis with compassion and sensitivity, making her a powerful advocate for the most marginalised.
Having first gained her Police Station Accreditation in 2007; Carla qualified as a solicitor in 2009. She became a Duty Solicitor in 2010 and attained Higher Rights of Audience (Crime) in 2018. Her criminal law practice includes extensive advocacy in the Magistrates’ and Crown Court, with a particular focus on defending vulnerable adults and young people. She spent eight years working as a consultant solicitor across the Midlands, later joining the Crown Prosecution Service.
In the field of prison law, Carla has represented both adults and juveniles serving life, IPP, and determinates sentences, when applying for release before the Parole Board. Her commitment to public law and access to justice is reflected in her work on judicial review proceedings.
Notably, in 2010, she received the Young Solicitor of the Year award from the Leicestershire Law Society due to her pro bono work on behalf of British prisoners detained in Thailand. This resulted in judicial review proceedings before the High Court, challenging the enforcement of Thai sentences upon repatriation to England. Carla was later engaged by the British Embassy in Bangkok from 2013 to 2014 to work with British prisoners detained across Thailand.
Carla became a Higher Court Advocate (Civil) in 2022.
Since focussing on family law, undertaking roles at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, and Cheshire East Council. She has experience across a broad spectrum of cases, including s.31 Care Proceedings, Discharge of Care Orders, Deprivation of Liberty applications (in both the High Court and Court of Protection), injunctions, adoption and post adoption contact orders involving cases of neglect, injury, and abuse.
Carla has experience in private law proceedings, including parental alienation, implacable hostility, drug and alcohol misuse, coercive control, domestic abuse and injunctions. Her experience includes securing appropriate arrangements for children, non-molestation orders and occupation orders. Carla represents clients at directions hearings, fact-finding hearings and final hearings.
