Lucy Tapper Barrister

Testimonials

“Lucy is a deeply committed advocate. Clients are attracted to her ability to communicate complex ideas easily and succinctly in a matter that is easily digestible. She is always fully prepared for any conference or hearing and always has a comprehensive grasp of the case. Her advocacy is fluent and accomplished.”
Legal 500 Leading Junior, 2024
“We can never thank you enough for your dedication, professionalism and expertise in proving X’s innocence.”
Client
“Lucy Tapper was brilliant from the start. She was understanding and considerate to the whole family. I could not have asked for any more of her and most of all, I felt like she truly cared.”
Client
“It is rather hard to put into words just how grateful we are, not only for the incredible job you did but for your kindness throughout the whole process. You were, in short, amazing. We have had a few family meals since the verdict and each time we have raised a glass to you and I imagine we will continue to do so for many years to come… You have given the ultimate gift of liberty to X. Thank you.”
Client
“Lucy is a superb advocate and a formidable opponent to be against in court.”
Legal 500, 2023 Edition

Lucy Tapper

Barrister and Complex Crime Litigator

Oxford

01865 260 230

Areas of law:

Criminal Defence Solicitors, Crown Court, Appeals Against Conviction, Appeals Against Conviction and Sentence, Fraud Solicitors, Commercial Fraud and Serious Fraud, Confiscation and Asset Recovery, Corporate Manslaughter, Money Laundering

Lucy Tapper is a Barrister and Complex Crime Litigator, based in our Oxford branch. Lucy has again been recognised by the Legal 500 as a Leading Junior at the London Bar in the 2023 edition where she is described as ‘a superb advocate and formidable opponent’.

Leading Juniors -2024 - Reeds Solicitors

As a barrister of over 20 years’ call, Lucy is comfortable acting alone, as leading or led junior and appearing against Queen’s (now King’s) Counsel (alone), as well as having accrued many years of litigation experience over a period of almost 30 years working within the criminal justice system. Lucy was described by the legal 500 as “a superb advocate and a formidable opponent to be against in court” (2023).

Lucy has a 20 year history with Reeds, both as instructed counsel, as a former Director and now within our Complex Crime and Private Client Teams where she acts as both litigator and advocate.  She also retains door tenancy at Furnival Chambers.

Lucy Tapper has for many years been sought after and recommended counsel to deal with cases involving serious sexual allegations of all descriptions and has established a strong reputation in the field where she is known for her measured, sensitive and meticulous approach which instils confidence and yields impressive results.  Lucy has now conducted fourteen s.28 cases and provided training on the same ahead of more widespread roll-out.  She has also accrued extensive experience in dealing with allegations of making/possessing indecent images/prohibited images/images of extreme pornography and other online sexual offending.

Lucy draws on her courtroom advocacy skills, combined with her ability to digest and distil large volumes of material enabling her to home in on the key issues in a case when acting in her capacity as litigator in the Complex Crime Team (where she deals with allegations of murder, firearms, serious organised crime, gang violence, trafficking/slavery, fraud, money laundering and large-scale drug supply conspiracies/importation).

Lucy’s extensive experience in trial presentation and preparation as counsel similarly provides her with the focus and intellectual clarity necessary to determine the best strategic approach and shape a case from an early stage in proceedings.  Lucy regularly advises on and drafts representations which have resulted in many cases avoiding charge or being discontinued before trial.  In court, she is a persuasive and engaging jury advocate and with a keen tactical eye.  She also regularly undertakes appeals where she has not had conduct of the original proceedings.

Her straight-forward, personal approach puts clients at ease and engenders a strong relationship of trust.

In accordance with the Solicitors’ Regulatory Transparency Rules for motoring offences we confirm that Lucy Tapper charges Level A hourly rates.

Professional memberships: 

  • Barrister (door tenant at Furnival Chambers)
  • Specifically authorised to conduct litigation
  • Member of the CBA and South-Eastern Circuit
  • Founder Member of Women in Criminal Law
  • Pupil Supervisor;
  • Duty Solicitor;
  • Accredited Police Station Representative;
  • CLAS;
  • LLB with First Class Honours;
  • Associate Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University;
  • Retained Guest Lecturer for Santa Clara University Summer Law School;
  • Member of the Justice Working Party on ‘Prosecuting Sexual Offences’

Murder and manslaughter Solicitor

R v M – (led junior) – defendant aged 16 at the time, accused of joint enterprise murder in context of gang-related, ‘rideout’ revenge shooting in the Turnpike Lane area.  Murder with two associated attempted murder charges on basis of transferred malice.

R v W – Death by Dangerous Driving. Established detailed chronology to demonstrate that sent text message could not have been sent while driving (as alleged). Acquitted. Acted alone.

R v S – (led junior) – defendant was a law graduate accused of murdering an elderly couple for financial gain. Litigated by Julian Richards.

R v L – (led junior) – defendant killed his manager while working at a golf club, decapitating him with a cheese knife.  Complex mental health issues – established manslaughter on basis of diminished responsibility.  Self-litigated.

R v B – (led junior) – defendant strangled his pregnant girlfriend, hid her body in a suitcase in a field, then moved it to bury it in family grave (litigated by Stuart Matthews).

R v F(acting alone against King’s Counsel) – allegation of attempted murder.  Defendant committed vicious knife attack in busy Stoke Newington High Street. Complex mental health issues established he was suffering from post-ictal psychosis.  Not guilty by reason of insanity. 

Child Sex Exploitation ‘Grooming’ Conspiracies

R v H – ‘Operation Bullfinch’ (led junior). 9-handed, 6 month trial at the Central Criminal Court involving multiple allegations of serious grooming/trafficking/CSE by Asian sex gang. Represented the only defendant to be acquitted of all charges.  Litigated by Julian Richards.

R v T – (led junior) a single defendant, charged with CSE in relation to three complainants and would have been tried as part of Operation Bullfinch but had not been located by police in time. Self-litigated.

R v S – ‘Operation Nautical 1’ (led junior). 8-handed CSE – Asian sex gang allegations of multiple CSE grooming/trafficking offences. Acquitted of all charges. Self-litigated.

R v Sz – ‘Operation Nautical 2’ – (leading junior). Defendant accused of CSE.  Not guilty of all charges. Self-litigated.

R v MI – ‘Operation Silk (2)’ – (led junior).  Multi-handed Asian sex gang CSE allegations representing a defendant charged with conspiracy to rape and conspiracy to commit indecent assault.  Proceedings were concluded after a successful application to dismiss was made in respect of both charges. Co-defendants were convicted after trial. Litigated by Julian Richards.

R v I – (acting alone) Retired headmaster accused of historic sexual allegations.  Successfully opposed previous acquittal for similar allegations being adduced on application of R v Z analysis. Acquitted.

 R v W – (acting alone) teacher and PCSO accused of sexual assault on two children he tutored and making indecent images of children. Section 28 procedure utilised for both complainants (aged 10 and 11). Acquitted of all charges of sexual assault and no evidence offered on IIOC allegations following detailed representations on technical weakness of evidence.

 R v G – (acting alone) Oxbridge student accused of incitement/sexual assault, sexual activity with a child. Acquitted of all charges following detailed analysis/deployment of extensive social media material.

 R v A – allegation of making indecent images of categories A, B and C as well as possessing prohibited images and extreme pornography.  The defendant was in possession of approximately 7 million images, almost all of which were sexual. It was not feasible to examine all of them so the investigation stopped at the point that 1000 indecent images were found. Following expert analysis, and legal submissions, as well as diagnosis of the defendant as suffering from OCD (his collecting images was essentially due to his extreme hoarding rather than sexual addiction) pleas were entered to possession of category B and C images and the defendant received a community order.

Other Notable/Complex Cases

Syed v DPP [2010] EWHC 81 (Admin) – Appeal by way of case stated. Successfully challenging police power to enter premises without a warrant under s.17(1)(e) PACE 1984. Widely reported and cited in many legal texts as an authority.  Instructed by Julian Richards.

 R v P – (acting alone) – defendant charged as providing ‘safe-house’ and money laundering for ringleader of high-level conspiracy to supply cocaine. Encrochat communications and 50-60 kilo conspiracy.

R v S – (led junior) defendant charged with offences under the Terrorism Act.  Possession of XRW propaganda, along with unedited footage of the NZ Christchurch massacre, a draft ‘manifesto’ and a partially constructed sub-machine gun and ammunition. Hung jury – awaiting retrial.

R v Rendell [2019] EWCA Crim 621 – Successful appeal against an IPP sentence following subsequent diagnosis of emotionally unstable and dissocial personality disorder which, had it been known to the court at the time of sentence, would have provided the opportunity of imposing a hospital order with restriction. CoA persuaded to quash the IPP sentence and replace it with orders under ss. 37 and 41 MHA 1983. Self-litigated.

Endorsements/awards

Legal 500 Leading Junior 2023 - Reeds SolicitorsConsistently ranked in the Legal 500 as a Leading Junior (London Bar)

Middle Temple Scholar (Blackstone and Jules Thorn Scholarships)

Linnell’s Prize for highest marked Law Degree