Kate Stone

"We are grateful to Counsel for her assistance in this case. [Client] has specifically stated he is happy with the representations"

Instructing solicitor 2009

"...I would be grateful if you would extend my thanks to Miss Stone for her endeavours this morning as I understand she deserves millions of brownie points..."

Instructing solicitor 2006

Practice

Public Law
Kate practises in public law with a particular interest in the rights of detainees. She regularly advises on and conducts judicial review proceedings on behalf of prisoners in relation to a wide range of issues including parole, adjudications, categorisation, licence conditions, prison conditions, breach of Article 5 and discrimination.

Also advises on public law actions in mental health proceedings and is keen to develop her public law practice into associated areas.

Recent cases include a successful application for habeas corpus on behalf of a prisoner unlawfully detained following a Parole Board recommendation for release.

Prison law and police actions
In addition to her judicial review work in this area Kate undertakes the full range of prison law, including adjudications, parole board hearings and civil actions including Human Rights Act claims, discrimination, false imprisonment and negligence. Also experienced in conducting out of time appeals.

Regularly advises on civil claims against the police including negligence, false imprisonment and misfeasance. Keen to develop her practice in this area.

Inquests
Regularly appears on behalf of bereaved families at inquests and pre inquest hearings. Practice includes deaths in custody.

Discrimination and employment law
Kate is experienced in conducting discrimination claims in the employment field, against public authorities and in relation to goods and services.

Currently developing an expertise in equal pay claims having been instructed as junior counsel for the successful claimants in the GMF hearing in Bridges and others v Bury MBC, Kate is instructed on behalf of claimants in several other ongoing large multiple equal pay claims against local authorities.

Crime
Deals with full range of criminal offences in the Crown Court and magistrates' courts. Appears in Court of Appeal and has a particular interest in appellate work (including appeals by way of case stated), cases involving vulnerable defendants, those with a civil liberties emphasis and judicial review. Recently instructed in several cases involving protesters. Also instructed as junior counsel in serious and complex cases including large multi handed gang related conspiracy to kidnap (2008).

Publications

"Cleaning up the Act: Kate Stone looks at how the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 addresses some of the concerns over the dangerous offender regime introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003." by Kate Stone - Independent Lawyer January 2009 > more

"Indeterminate ethics of sentences: What is the framework behind sentences of imprisonment for public protection, why are they so widely imposed and how can they be avoided?" by Farrhat Arshad and Kate Stone - Independent Lawyer May 2008 > more

Other Activities

Kate was a 2009 Pegasus Scholar and spent 6 weeks in Washington DC gaining experience in all aspects of the US legal system from parole hearings to Supreme Court appeals and the legislative process on Capitol Hill.

Kate has an interest in international human rights law.
Registered with Bar in the Community.
FRU employment representative.
Intern at JUSTICE (2003)

Professional Associations

Amnesty
Criminal Bar Association
Lawyer for Liberty
Human Rights Lawyers' Association

Languages

Fluent French speaker.