Abigail Robinson
Called to the Bar in 2020

Abigail is regularly instructed to both prosecute and defend in the Magistrates Court, Youth Court and Crown Court. Abigail’s family practice means she has experience handling sensitive topics and is able to cross-examine vulnerable witnesses in a sensitive yet effective manner. Abigail also has experience representing vulnerable clients, including those where fitness to plead is in issue

Abigail is a Grade 2 prosecutor.

HER WORK INCUDES

• First appearances in the Magistrates Court;
• Magistrates Court cases, both prosecuting and defending at preliminary hearings and trial;
• Youth Court cases, both prosecuting and defending, handling initial applications (e.g. bad character, special measures) and taking cases through to trial and sentence. Abigail also has experience handling ancillary application (e.g. Criminal Behaviour Orders);
• Crown Court cases, both prosecuting and defending, taking matters from PTPH through to trial and sentence;
• Sentencing hearings, in the Magistrates, Youth and Crown Court;
• Exceptional hardship applications and appeals;
• Appeals against conviction and/or sentence, both prosecuting and defending;
• Applications to vary and/or discharge Restraining Orders;
• Probation breaches, dealing with initial pleas and contested breach hearings in both the Magistrates Court and Crown Court;
• Civil applications, including Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.

NOTABLE CASES

R v H (2022) (Prosecuting): ascertained a conviction following jury trial of a Defendant charged with a distraction dwelling burglary of a vulnerable victim where identification was in issue. The Defendant ultimately received a sentence of approximately 43 months for this offence and others.

R v M (2022) (Defending): represented a youth charged with possession of an offensive weapon and attempted section 18 using the weapon. Abigail successfully negotiated a plea to ABH on the basis of kicking and punching. The Defendant received a YRO despite previous convictions and having previously been subject to a YRO.

R v S (2022) (Defending): appeal against sentence. Defendant had been sentenced to a 12 month Community Order in the Magistrates Court for sexual assault, triggering notification requirements. The sentence was reduced to an 8 month Community Order on appeal resulting in the notification requirements being removed.

R v B (2022) (Prosecuting): committal for sentence following a guilty plea in the Magistrates Court to dangerous driving. This sentence attracted regional media attention.

R v T (2022) (Prosecuting): committal for sentence following a guilty plea in the Magistrates Court for causing serious injury by dangerous driving when the Defendant hit a 13 year old boy on a bike causing serious injury.

R v H (2021) (Defending): represented an individual charged with assault, criminal damage and animal cruelty within a domestic context. Abigail successfully obtained an acquittal following trial.

Abigail has a broad family law practice and is regularly instructed to act in both private and public law family matters. Abigail has experience dealing with vulnerable clients in both private and public law cases, including those where taking instructions can be particularly difficult.

Abigail is available both to provide representation at hearings and advise in conference, both prior to bringing proceedings and following receipt of relevant evidence (e.g. section 7 report).

Abigail routinely advises on private law matters as a volunteer at the Anglia Ruskin Law Clinic.

HER WORK INCLUDES

• Private children applications (Child Arrangements Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders), taking matters from FHDRA through to multi-day Final Hearings. Abigail also has experience in private children proceedings where the Local Authority has become involved and/or added as a party;
• Domestic Violence injunctions, including Non-Molestation Orders, representing clients at both initial hearings and contested applications;
• Care and adoption proceedings, taking matters from initial applications for ICOs through to multi-day contested Final Hearings and applications to discharge Care Orders. Abigail has experience acting on behalf of the Local Authority, the Guardian and parents.

 WHAT OTHERS SAY

[Abigail’s] assistance in helping the client see a path out of the litigation has been invaluable
Instructing Solicitor

Abigail is keen to develop a practice in all areas of employment law and is available to advise in writing or conference as well as represent clients at hearings.