Catherine Pattison

Practice Profile

Catherine was appointed Junior Treasury Counsel by the Attorney General in May 2020. She is a specialist criminal and appellate practitioner with substantial experience in cases involving homicide, sexual offences and serious, complex and organised crime.

Catherine is instructed by several different divisions of the CPS, including the Homicide Unit, Complex Casework Unit (London and North West), Special Casework Division, RASSO and the Appeals Unit. She has a reputation for detailed and analytical preparation and the skill to condense complex, voluminous evidence into simple, coherent presentations.

Catherine has been instructed as leading counsel for the prosecution in cases that involve multiple defendants, multiple victims (often vulnerable), expert evidence and intelligence-led policing. She is frequently instructed as junior counsel led by Senior Treasury Counsel and Kings Counsel in high-profile cases and homicide cases, often multi-handed.

Catherine is a skilful and personable advocate who is highly regarded by her peers at the Criminal Bar.

Catherine's Privacy Policy can be downloaded here.

Appointments

• 2020 - Junior Treasury Counsel

Commendations

• Following the successful prosecution of a stranger rape case, the victim wrote to the Commissioner of Police, Dame Cressida Dick. A ceremony was subsequently held where the victim and Commissioner expressed their thanks and appreciation in recognition of the complexity of the case and the successful outcome
• Catherine received a police commendation for her role as leading counsel in the prosecution of a multi-handed trial, 10 defendants charged with conspiracy to commit robbery

News

Notable Cases

• R v ST [Central Criminal Court] 2024

  Teen Guilty of Neighbour's Murder

  The defendant stabbed a man using a sword. The issue was self-defence. The defendant was convicted of murder.

  Catherine was instructed as leading counsel for the prosecution

  News reports here:

  https://news.sky.com/story/kentish-town-sanchez-tate-18-jailed-for-murder-after-fatally-stabbing-bike-enthusiast-neighbour-in-the-chest-13257921

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdj3kd74r7wo

   

• R v JT & 3 Ors [Central Criminal Court] 2024

  Four Jailed Over Machete Murder

  A group armed with machetes stab two people outside Dagenham Heathway Underground Station. All four defendants were convicted of murder and attempted murder (and other offences)

  Catherine was led by Anthony Orchard KC for the prosecution.

  News reports here:

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czegzdz6ynxo

  https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/24693598.east-londoners-jailed-october-2024-including-killers/

• R v TW & Anor [Snaresbrook Crown Court] 2024

  Two Guilty of Child Abuse

  Two defendants pleaded guilty to causing or allowing a little boy (under 3 yrs) to suffer serious physical injuries, including: an intracranial injury; fractured jaw; multiple compression vertebral (backbone) fractures (chest level); laceration and swelling to the scalp; damage to the brain tissue; multiple bruises and lacerations.

  Catherine was instructed as leading counsel for the prosecution

  News reports here:

  https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/24418960.brentwood-man-woman-face-prison-childs-abuse/

  https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/faces-brentwood-man-woman-who-9375522

   

• R v TOK [Central Criminal Court] 2024

  Man Charged with Murder 5 Years After Stabbing

  The defendant stabbed the victim in 2016. The victim survived but deprived of oxygen for such a period of time that he suffered catastrophic brain damage which left him in a vegetative state. The defendant was convicted of wounding with intent. The victim subsequently died resulting in the defendant being charged with murder. The key issue leading up to trial was causation. The defendant changed his plea to guilty.

  Catherine was led by Deanna Heer KC for the prosecution

  News report here:

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgpp0dxy3qo

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/jamel-boyce-murder-man-jailed-stabbing-b1198725.html

   

• R v DI & Anor [Kingston Crown Court] 2024

  Fatal Stabbing Over A Box of Beer

  The defendants targeted males who had just bought a box of beer. An argument and fight ensued. Ivanov fatally stabbed one of the males and injured another. Ivanov had consumed an excessive quantity of alcohol and said that he could not remember the events and suffered blackouts. He was convicted of murder, wounding with intent and having an offensive weapon. One other defendant was convicted of manslaughter, ABH and having an offensive weapon.

  Catherine was led by James Mulholland KC.

  News report here:

  https://brentford.nub.news/news/local-news/hounslow-23-year-old-found-guilty-of-killing-arpith-mandava-in-stabbing-225437

  https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/killers-who-stabbed-man-heart-28908794

• R v OO, IE & BE [Central Criminal Court] 2023

  Organ Harvesting Plot

  This was the first prosecution of trafficking for the purpose of organ harvesting in English legal history.

  Catherine was led by Hugh Davies KC for the prosecution.

  News report here:

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-65494027

  https://news.sky.com/story/nigerian-politician-wife-and-medical-middleman-jailed-for-organ-harvesting-plot-12873475

• R v NV [Central Criminal Court] 2023

  28 Years for Man who Killed Sister-In-Law

  The defendant murdered his sister-in-law. The defence advanced at trial was diminished responsibility. This was rejected by the jury. The defendant was convicted of murder and making a threat to kill.

  Catherine was instructed as leading junior for the prosecution.

  News report here:

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67057664

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/murder-ilford-met-police-nicolae-virtosu-svetlana-mihalachi-b1112395.html

   

• R v SS & JS [Central Criminal Court] 2023

  Couple Convicted of Murder after Forced Confession

  The defendants were partners at the relevant time. They were convicted of the murder of SS’s stepfather and preventing the lawful and decent burial of his body. SS ultimately admitted to an undercover police officer that she and JS had murdered her stepfather. They were both convicted.

  Catherine was led by Bill Emlyn Jones KC for the prosecution.

  News reports here:

  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67349145

  https://news.sky.com/story/frank-mckeever-couple-killed-widower-after-forcing-him-to-film-video-confession-13002784

  https://www.times-series.co.uk/news/23908419.highbury-woman-boyfriend-guilty-murdering-missing-man/

  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/old-bailey-highbury-london-crimestoppers-crown-prosecution-service-b2443200.html

• R v DM & Ors [Central Criminal Court] 2023

  Five Found Guilty of Murder following Robbery

  The defendants broke through the front door of a known home address looking for a substantial quantity of drugs, They were armed with several bladed weapons. One of the occupants tried to resist but was fatally stabbed in front of two friends. DM was convicted of murder and four others were convicted of manslaughter.

  Catherine was led by Bill Emlyn Jones KC for the prosecution.

  News reports here:

  https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/robbery-ilford-east-london-crime-knife-stabbing-murder-manslaughter-five-guilty-b1093798.html

• R v IC & Ors 2021

  Gang Related Murder

  Catherine was led by Alan Kent QC. The defendants were convicted.

  News report here.