Naomi Aylwin

Naomi has built a broad practice prosecuting and defending a range of offences. Naomi is regularly instructed to appear in trials, sentences and appeals in the Crown Court. Displaying a firm knowledge of law and procedure, Naomi is at ease on her feet and very capable when it come to producing written advice or arguments. Naomi has received praise from both judges and her opponents for her thorough preparation, robust approach in court and skilled handling of witnesses. Naomi’s results and her skills in client care frequently attract positive feedback from those instructing her.

Naomi is a grade 2 prosecutor on the CPS General Crime panel and has recently completed the Vulnerable Witness training course through Gray’s Inn.

Recent cases include:

• Successfully opposed a dismissal application following written and oral argument in the Crown Court; the defendant thereafter entered guilty pleas
• Securing a conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a four-day trial in the Crown Court
• Successfully representing an appellant in a two-day appeal to the Crown Court; A was found not guilty of two of the four charges of which he had been convicted at the Magistrates’ Court, his sentence being reduced from a suspended sentence to a community order.
• Defending a client charged with historic sexual offences against a child family member; following written submissions and oral argument on totality and abuse of position of trust, the Court found that abuse of trust was not applicable, leading to a sentence of 2.5 years’ imprisonment
• Prosecuting a two-day appeal against conviction for sexual assault involving three prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses; conviction upheld
• Representing a client charged with drug and identity document offences through Crown Court proceedings; the Crown offered no evidence following a finding that the defendant had been the victim of human trafficking
• Successfully representing a client of previous good character charged with possession of Class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon; following cross-examination of two police officers, the defendant was found not guilty of the weapons offence and sentenced by way of a fine in respect of the drugs offence
• Prosecuting a property developer and his company on behalf of HMRC for tax-related fraud matters, resulting in guilty pleas and fines against the defendants amounting to £27,000
• Representing a client accused of failing to provide a specimen whose defence of reasonable excuse was accepted by the Magistrates, resulting in a not guilty verdict

Naomi is experienced in acting in public law children cases representing parents, children, local authorities, grandparents and other interveners. Naomi’s instructions cover the full range of public law children matters: she is regularly instructed in cases alleging chronic neglect, sexual abuse and non-accidental injury. Naomi frequently acts in final hearings and fact-findings, bringing with her the skills she has honed in her criminal practice in client care and witness handling. Naomi also has experience representing both parents and local authorities in applications to discharge care and placement orders. Naomi welcomes instructions from clients who may be vulnerable by virtue of mental health or learning difficulties, including those who benefit from the assistance of advocates and intermediaries or are represented by the Official Solicitor. With her ability to quickly assimilate information and get to the core issues, Naomi is happy to accept instructions on an emergency basis in ICO or EPO hearings. Equally, Naomi understands how clients and solicitors appreciate continuity in representation and has represented numerous clients through the entire duration of care proceedings.

Recent cases include:

• Successfully representing a grandparent at a contested final hearing, resulting in the children being placed in her care
• Acting for a vulnerable mother in a fact-find hearing concerning historical allegations of sexual abuse
• Representing an applicant mother who was seeking to discharge a care order
• Acting for a respondent mother in care proceedings alleging multiple instances of non-accidental injuries and failure to protect
• Representing a father through the entire length of care proceedings, including at the lengthy final hearing during which evidence was received from multiple expert witnesses