
Caroline Liggins
Caroline understands the importance of building a relationship of trust and the need for continuity when representing young and vulnerable clients. She works with a wide range of other professionals in order to ensure that her clients are empowered to effectively participate in their defence and navigate their way through the criminal justice system. Caroline is regularly instructed in Crown Court cases involving allegations of the most serious crimes. She has acted in cases concerning sexual offences, murder, assault, fraud, conspiracies, the possession or use of firearms and drug supply. Caroline’s expertise has seen her regularly called upon to discreetly represent high profile individuals as well as their children. Caroline is seen as a leader in the field of youth justice. She was asked to speak to the House of Commons as a part of the Justice Select Committee opposing the introduction of Knife Crime Prevention Orders and she currently sits on the committee for Youth Justice Specialist Panel and Quality of Advocacy Working Group with the Ministry of Justice. She is often asked to talk at conferences on aspects of Youth Justice. Caroline is also part of an All-Party Parliamentary Group which hopes to reduce the amount of time children can be lawfully kept in police custody. She also provided the impetus for the formation of the Youth Practitioner’s Association (YPA) which aspires to promote and ensure proper representation for young people within the criminal justice system. Clients rely on Caroline’s practical, no nonsense but empathetic approach and sound judgement when making difficult decisions. Her willingness to support clients to achieve the right results justifies her enviable track record. · Hodge Jones & Allen
About
Caroline Liggins is a criminal defence practitioner at Hodge Jones & Allen who specialises in youth justice and represents young and vulnerable clients in Crown Court cases involving serious offences including sexual offences, murder, assault, fraud, firearms and drug supply. She sits on youth justice committees with the Ministry of Justice, has spoken to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee, helped form the Youth Practitioners' Association, and is a co-author of Dalton & Liggins: Blackstone's Magistrates' Court Handbook 2024.