Caroline Liggins

Caroline Liggins is a Partner in the Criminal Defence team and Head of the Youth Team at Hodge Jones & Allen.

Caroline understands the importance of building a relationship of trust and the need for continuity when representing young and vulnerable clients. She works with a wide range of other professionals in order to ensure that her clients are empowered to effectively participate in their defence and navigate their way through the criminal justice system.

Caroline is regularly instructed in Crown Court cases involving allegations of the most serious crimes. She has acted in cases concerning sexual offences, murder, assault, fraud, conspiracies, the possession or use of firearms and drug supply. Caroline’s expertise has seen her regularly called upon to discreetly represent high profile individuals as well as their children.

Caroline is seen as a leader in the field of youth justice. She was asked to speak to the House of Commons as a part of the Justice Select Committee opposing the introduction of Knife Crime Prevention Orders and she currently sits on the committee for Youth Justice Specialist Panel and Quality of Advocacy Working Group with the Ministry of Justice. She is often asked to talk at conferences on aspects of Youth Justice. Caroline is also part of an All-Party Parliamentary Group which hopes to reduce the amount of time children can be lawfully kept in police custody. She also provided the impetus for the formation of the Youth Practitioner’s Association (YPA) which aspires to promote and ensure proper representation for young people within the criminal justice system.

Clients rely on Caroline’s practical, no nonsense but empathetic approach and sound judgement when making difficult decisions. Her willingness to support clients to achieve the right results justifies her enviable track record.

• Young Legal Aid Lawyers

• LCCSA

• Young Fraud Lawyers

• The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

• Standing Committee for Youth Justice

• The Traveller Movement

• Hybrid Orders Working Party Group

Caroline is a co-author of Dalton & Liggins: Blackstone's Magistrates' Court Handbook 2024, due to be published in 2024.