Monica Stevenson
  • Monica is an extremely assured and able barrister.

    Legal 500 2024, Crime

  • Her legal submissions are authoritative and persuasive and her detailed preparation allows her to be very agile during the trial process in relation to tactical decisions.

    Legal 500 2024, Crime

  • Hard-working, tactically-astute, good judgement, jury-friendly, a skilful cross-examiner particularly of vulnerable witnesses.

    Legal 500 2023, Crime

  • Monica is an exceptional barrister. Her attention to detail is excellent. She is an extremely able advocate.

    Legal 500 2022, Crime

  • She is a committed, hardworking member of the bar who manages to bring integrity and humour to her chosen profession.

    Legal 500 2022, Crime 

  • She has a fine legal brain. First-class advocate and excellent at attention to detail with case preparation. Very personable with clients.

    Legal 500 2021

  • A pleasure to work with. 

    Legal 500 2021

  • Great at trial, particularly during cross-examination.

    Legal 500 2020

Called 2004

Monica Stevenson

Barrister

"Monica is an exceptional barrister. Her attention to detail is excellent. She is an extremely able advocate. She is a committed, hard working member of the bar who manages to bring integrity and humour to her chosen profession" 

Monica is instructed in a range of serious and complex cases including homicide, serious violence, drugs offences and public justice offences such as perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Experienced in all criminal courts, including the Court of Appeal, Monica is a skilled and measured advocate, with almost two decades’ experience defending in criminal trials.

Monica’s expertise includes acting for vulnerable defendants and she is accredited to train other barristers in the techniques of vulnerable witness questioning.  She has spoken on this topic for several organisations, including Kingsley Napley Solicitors, the Criminal Law Review Conference and the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association.

In addition to criminal law work, Monica has been instructed to work for core participants to both the Undercover Policing and Post Office Horizon IT Inquiries. 

Monica has written on a range of legal topics for publications including the New Law Journal and Criminal Justice Quarterly. She was a contributory author for Human Rights in Criminal Law (Bloomsbury) and Abuse of Process (Oxford University Press, 4th Edition). 

Before being called to the Bar, Monica lectured on the subject of Public International Law at a private law college. She is formally accredited to supervise trainee (pupil) barristers and assists with advocacy training at Middle Temple.

Recent Testimonials 

  • "Monica is an extremely assured and able barrister. Her legal submissions are authoritative and persuasive and her detailed preparation allows her to be very agile during the trial process in relation to tactical decisions." Legal 500 2024, Crime
  • "Hard-working, tactically-astute, good judgement, jury-friendly, a skilful cross-examiner particularly of vulnerable witnesses." Legal 500 2023, Crime
  • "Monica is an exceptional barrister. Her attention to detail is excellent. She is an extremely able advocate. She is a committed, hard working member of the bar who manages to bring integrity and humour to her chosen profession."  Legal 500 2022, Crime
  • "She has a fine legal brain. First-class advocate and excellent at attention to detail with case preparation. Very personable with clients." Legal 500 2021
  • "A pleasure to work with." Legal 500 2021
  • "Great at trial, particularly during cross-examination." Legal 500 2020

Associated Professional Work

  • Appointed to sit as a Barrister panel member of The Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service. 
  • Accredited Training Facilitator, The Vulnerable Witness Training Scheme
  • Accredited Pupil Supervisor (Middle Temple)
  • Current Member, Criminal Bar Association Education & Training Committee (2008-Present)
  • Accredited Advocacy Trainer, Middle Temple
  • Contributing Author - Human Rights in Criminal Law, Bloomsbury Professional  
  • Contributing Author – Abuse of Process, Colin Wells, Oxford University Press (4th Edition)

Professional Memberships  

  • Criminal Bar Association
  • Bar Pro Bono Unit
  • Women in Criminal Law

Published Articles

Education & Awards

  • BPP Law School (Grade awarded: Outstanding) [2003]
  • Baron Ver Hayden De Lancy Award, Middle Temple [2003]
  • LLB, Bachelor of Laws, Cardiff University [1994-1997]
  • LLM, Public International Law, University of Nottingham [1997-1998]

mstevenson@25bedfordrow.com