Jessica Ward
- Kalisher Bursary (2012)
- Exhibition Award, Inner Temple (2012)
- Drapers Scholar, University of Sussex (2011)
- Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding), College of Law
- LLM (Distinction) Criminal Law & Criminal Justice, University of Sussex
- LLB Law, University of Sussex
Instructing Jessica Ward
To instruct Jessica or for any further information please contact our clerks.
Clerk: John Grimmer
Telephone: +44 (0)7776 154 664
Email: Click here
Jessica Ward appears regularly in the Crown Court in a wide range of Criminal matters, including; serious violence, drugs and sexual offences. Jessica is also a Grade 2 prosecutor.
Jessica’s practice also includes professional discipline and she has represented the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Prior to pupillage, Jessica worked at a solicitors firm investigating and preparing cases on behalf of the Health and Care Professions Council, General Dental Council and Teaching Agency.
Jessica also accepts instructions in prison law matters and has represented clients at parole hearings and at adjudications.
Between June 2016 and June 2017, Jessica was seconded to the Financial Conduct Authority working with the Enforcement Team on a cross-border investigation into alleged breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007.
Practice Areas
Jessica’s practice covers the full spectrum of criminal offences and has represented clients facing charges of GBH section 18 and other violent offences, robbery, sexual assault, possession of drugs and weapons, death by dangerous driving, burglary, theft and fraud.
As well as Crown Court work, Jessica is frequently instructed to appear in the Magistrates’ Court for individuals charged with road traffic offences such as speeding, driving with excess alcohol and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. Jessica has also advanced successful arguments in relation to exceptional hardship and special reasons.
Notable crime cases
R v AD (2018)
Successful defence of a man charged with GBH where the Crown’s case consisted of eye witness accounts and DNA evidence.
R v AA (2018)
Successful defence of a man charged with driving without a licence. The sole issue was identification and Crown’s case consisted of police officers purportedly seeing the Defendant drive.
R v MF (2017)
Successful defence of a female of good character charged with ABH. Her co-defendant was convicted.
R v KK (2017)
Successfully represented a man with learning difficulties charged with possession with intent to supply. Jessica wrote detailed and lengthy representations to the Crown and the matter was dropped.
R v AW (2017)
Successful defence of a man of good character charged with sexual assault where the alleged incident was captured on CCTV. Defence based on what constitutes ‘sexual’ within the meaning of the Sexual Offences Act.
R v RS (2017)
Successful defence in a multi-handed case of affray and possession of offensive weapon.
R v JW (2016)
Successful defence of a youth charged alongside two others with three violent street robberies, involving issues of identification and joint enterprise. One charged was dismissed following a successful submission of no case to answer and the Defendant was acquitted of the other two charges.
R v HN (2016)
Successful defence of a youth charged with assaulting two police officers. The matter was dismissed at half time after extensive cross examination of the officers in relation to their powers under PACE.
