Joy Lewis

Barrister

Joy has a mixed criminal and public law practice, with particular expertise in public inquiry work.

Joy is instructed in all areas of criminal defence, with an emphasis on serious violent crime, drugs conspiracies and public order offences. She is known for her outstanding client care and robust advocacy in defence of her clients. She has a particular interest in representing young and vulnerable clients, including those with mental health disorders.

She is instructed both alone and as a led junior, and has experience before the appellate courts.

Joy has established experience in public inquiry work. Her background as a jury trial advocate brings particular strength in advocacy, witness handling and establishing effective rapport with a tribunal. She is valued for her sound judgement and ability to master substantial volumes of complex material while maintaining close attention to detail.

Joy works effectively and collaboratively within a counsel team, and has undertaken a supervisory role within a wider multi-counsel team.

Joy holds security clearance and is experienced dealing with sensitive material.

Education and Awards

2015 - LLM International Criminal Justice and Armed Conflict, University of Nottingham, Distinction.
2014 - BPTC, Nottingham Law School, Lord Denning Scholar of Lincoln’s Inn.
2013 - GDL, Nottingham Law School, Distinction.
2007 - BA History, University of Sheffield.

Languages

French (fluent)

Associated Work

Joy is passionate about the rights of prisoners and has since 2023 been a Trustee and Board member of the Prisoners’ Advice Service (PAS), a charity that provides legal advice and support to prisoners across England and Wales.

R v MJ: Led junior representing a vulnerable young defendant charged in connection with possession of a sub-machine gun linked to a murder. Secured an exceptional non-custodial sentence following plea to a lesser offence.
R v EZ: Represented the first defendant at trial in a conspiracy to evade £18.4 million duty on imported cigarettes.
R v SS: Secured acquittal after a 5-week trial for a vulnerable defendant charged in a serious double false imprisonment case involving multiple defendants.
R v TF: Court-appointed to represent a defendant found unfit to plead in proceedings for arson with intent to kill. Acquitted following an actus reus trial involving complex admissibility arguments.
R v HP: Secured acquittal as led junior in an £8m Royal Mail fraud prosecution involving allegations of bribery and contested evidence from an assisting witness who had previously pleaded guilty.
R v GJ: Represented at trial a client charged with arranging a serious child sex offence.
R v HB: Led junior in a 6-week armed robbery arising from the use of a firearm to steal a safe from licensed premises. The case involved extensive cell site and mobile telephone download evidence.
R v AK: Successful defence of client charged with possession with intent to supply nitrous oxide under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, involving extensive contested expert scientific evidence.
R v RM [2018] EWCA Crim 1588: Appeal against conviction before the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).

Public Inquiries

Joy has substantial experience acting for core participants. Her work has included:
- Advising on legal and reputational risk.
- Reviewing extensive disclosure and evidential material.
- Drafting opening statements and closing submissions.
- Drafting submissions on anonymity and restriction issues.
- Advocacy in closed material proceedings.
- Preparing for and attending evidential hearings.
- Leading workstreams within a multi-counsel team.

Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI)

Joy is currently instructed on behalf of a core participant in the UCPI. Her work relates to Tranche 3 of the Inquiry, concerning undercover policing in the 1990s and 2000s.
Undercover Policing Inquiry: Official Website (ucpi.org.uk)