[photo] Jessica Russell-Mitra (2003)Jessica Russell-Mitra (2003)

Teams

Actions against the Police, Animal Welfare & Dangerous Dogs Act, and Crime


Education

B.A. (Honours) Latin and English Literature (University of Bristol)
Harmsworth Scholarship (Middle Temple)


Practice

Jessica has a wide practice in a number of areas:


  • in criminal law, appearing for defendants in Crown Courts (both as Led Junior and Junior alone), Magistrates' Courts, Youth Courts, stand-alone and post-conviction ASBO hearings, and prison discipline and parole hearings.Jessica has been instructed as junior counsel in a heroin and cocaine importation trial, a 14 count misconduct in public office trial (R -v- John-Ayo), and in a multi-handed case of conspiracy to defraud. She specialises in cases involving difficult clients or family members and has a particular interest in young defendants and those subject to the provisions of the Mental Health Act.
  • in civil actions against the police where she regualrly advises and represents clients undertaking actions against the Police and prison services.
  • defending in Health and Safety Law proceedings, including most recently in a complex fairground machinery case and in food hygiene regulation
  • defending in Regulatory Disciplinary matters, including matters before the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the General Pharmecutical Council and the General Dental Council.

 


Profile

Jessica's background is in community work having been a dedicated adviser at Lewisham Law Centre, Toynbee Hall Legal Centre and with the Witness Service. She continues to undertake pro-bono cases.

Jessica is a member of Middle Temple, CBA, Liberty, The Howard League for Penal Reform, and a regular supporter of the Longford Trust.

When not dancing (ballet, samba, jive etc) or cycling, Jessica regularly attends theatre, dance, music, poetry and art events.

Jessica believes that this is a crucial time for ensuring that civil liberties are preserved; the cause must be supported on a case-by-case basis because, without committed defence, there would be greater social injustice. She also enjoys fighting in adversity and championing difficult cases.