Laura Shepherd

Practice Overview

Laura became a tenant at 30 Park Place in 2017 following successful completion of her pupillage where she gained experience across all of Chambers’ practice areas.

Since becoming a tenant, Laura has developed a busy Civil and Public Law practice.

Laura has developed a busy Court of Protection practice and has been recognised as a rising star practitioner in the Legal 500 rankings (see Recommendations). She regularly acts for Local Authorities, Health Boards, RPRs, ALRS, and family members in Mental Capacity Act 2005 applications. As well as mental capacity, Laura also has experience of Mental Health Act cases including applications to displace the nearest relative and has represented clients in the Mental Health Review Tribunal who wanted to challenge their section.

Laura also represents parties in Education matters and has been recognised as a rising star in the Legal 500 rankings for education (see Recommendations). She represents parties both in the Special Education Needs Tribunal for Wales and in appeals to the Upper Tribunal.

After having studied English at Oxford University Laura went on to study for the GDL and Bar Course in Birmingham.  Whilst studying for the GDL Laura volunteered for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, advising clients across a wide range of topics including debt, housing and benefits. This experience gave Laura the opportunity to hone her skills in advising members of the public, and particularly in dealing with vulnerable people.

Notable and Reported cases

• COVID Inquiry

  Laura is part of the team representing COVID Bereaved Families for Justice Wales

• Infected Blood Inquiry

  Led by Lloyd Williams QC, instructed by hundreds of infected and affected individuals in an inquiry into the infection of thousands of individuals with Hepatitis B and C, HIV and vCJD by the NHS through blood and blood products in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

• The King (on the application of P) (by her litigation friend SP) v London Borough of Croydon

  https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2022/2886.html 

• Chancery and Commerical

  Laura accepts instructions to advise, draft documents, and represent clients across a wide range of chancery and commercial matters relating to wills and probate, unpaid contracts, breach of contract, unfair contract terms, credit hire, possession actions, rights of way, adverse possession and boundary disputes.

  Laura is developing a successful practice in contractual disputes and has represented clients at CCMC, small claims, fast track and multi track trials in respect of such matters.

  She is regularly instructed in a broad range of civil applications including applications to: set aside judgment in default, resile from pre-action admissions, set aside judgment following non-attendance at trial, strike out, obtain relief from sanctions, and obtain disclosure.

• Court of Protection

  Laura is developing a Court of Protection practice, both in relation to residence and welfare, and property and affairs. Laura accepts instructions from Local Authorities, Health Boards, RPRs, the Official Solicitor and family members in relation to applications to the Court of Protection. Laura accepts instructions in contested property and affairs disputes to include the appointment and removal of deputies and attorneys.

  Laura has recently been involved with the National Independent Safeguarding Board Wales’s publication, A Practitioner’s Guide: Basic Legal Principles, which was co-authored with Ruth Henke QC, and Abla O’Callaghan. Laura focussed mainly on Deprivations of Liberty and Data Protection and Information Sharing. 

• Education

  Laura accepts instructions to advise, draft case statements and represent clients across a range of education law matters including admission, exclusion and SENTW appeals. Laura is actively involved in providing presentations and training with the Education Law Team at 30 Park Place. In particular, Laura has recently given a talk at the Welsh Education Law Conference 5 concerning The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018, Draft Additional Learning Needs Code for Wales, and Draft Education Tribunal for Wales Regulations 2019.

• Personal Injury

  Laura is quickly developing a successful practice representing both claimants and defendants in all areas of personal injury and clinical negligence including road traffic accidents, employers’ liability, occupiers’ liability, slips and trips and credit hire. She accepts instructions to draft and advise on liability and quantum, pleadings and wider issues including on a Conditional Fee Agreement basis.

  Laura has been successful in Fast Track and Small Claims trials for both the Defendant and Claimant, in particular: obtaining judgment for a minor who slipped in a restaurant; successfully defending a claim against an employer for an accident on a production line;  and successfully arguing that a Credit Hire agreement was unenforceable.

  Laura also regularly accepts instructions to draft pleadings, even in complicated cases. She has utilised her experience and knowledge in the Public Law domain to draft complicated particulars in a sexual harassment claim.

• Regulatory and Inquests

  Laura is pleased to accept instructions for regulatory matters, inquiries and inquests. 

• Appointments
  • Level 2 Prosecutor
  • Attorney General's regional civil panel C
• Related Publications

  Amendments to Mental Health Act 1983 made under Coronavirus Act 2020

  A Practitioner’s Guide: Basic Legal Principles, with Ruth Henke QC and Abla O’Callaghan, for the National Independent Safeguarding Board Wales

  Lucy’s Law and Third Party Sales – talk at the Institute of Licensing National Training Conference 2018 alongside Marc Abraham (Lucy’s Law Campaigner) and chaired by Sarah Clover

  Appealing and the Code – talk at 30 Park Place’s Welsh Education Law Conference 5 alongside Oliver Harris

• Memberships
  • Institute of Licensing
  • Criminal Bar Association
  • UK Environmental Law Association
• Education
  • Degree – English Language and Literature, 2:1, Oxford University (2013)
  • Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), University of Law, Birmingham – Commendation (2015)
  • Bar Practice Training Course (BPTC), University of Law, Birmingham – Very Competent (2016)
• Awards
  • Lord Justice Sachs Entrance Exhibition
• Recommendations
  • ‘She is a very promising junior with a particular flair for education law. Her advocacy and attention to detail are excellent.’ - Legal 500, 2024 - Education 
  • 'She is an articulate and persuasive advocate. She is meticulous in her preparation and is very popular with clients for her calm, straight-talking approach and clear advice.  She is a pleasure to work with.' - Legal 500, 2024 - Court of Protection & Community Care 
  • "As an advocate, she is tenacious and unflappable. She has an impressive depth of knowledge and gives clear advice. She is a very calm presence with clients and her preparation and attention to detail are second to none." - Legal 500, 2024 - Administrative & Public Law 
     
  • 'An approachable junior who sets out advice clearly' - Legal 500, 2023 - Education
  • 'Laura's advice is measured, well prepared and thorough. Her knowledge is extensive and impressive.' - Legal 500, 2023 - Court of Protection & Community Care 
  • Rising Star - Legal 500, 2022 - Court of Protection 
  • Rising Star - Legal 500, 2022 - Education