At New Park Court Chambers, we do things a little differently. With a total of 74 barristers, including 13 King’s Counsel, our reach and influence stretches far beyond the bounds of our Circuit.
As a Tier 1 Set based in Leeds and Newcastle we are home to a number of high profile and nationally and internationally reputable Counsel.
Helen Chapman has a mixed practice, with particular interest in cases involving heavy-weight complex crime, terrorism and serious sexual offences.
Helen is a meticulous and effective advocate with a personable style and an easy manner.
Helen prosecutes and defends the most serious cases either as a leading junior, sole junior or led junior.
Leading junior counsel in a six week trial defending of the owner of a limousine company who was accused of raping and sexually assaulting young women and girls in his limousines.
Leading junior counsel in a multi-handed grooming trial arising out of investigations into the grooming of girls by a gang of males in Rochdale. Helen acted for the eldest of the Defendants, said to have been the most sophisticated in his offending.
Led junior in the defence of a woman who stabbed her husband to death in the course of an argument at Christmas. The first jury were unable to reach verdicts and the matter was tried for a second time. Helen was able to persuade a judge to bail the Defendant, which is unusual in cases of this gravity.
Led junior in defence of an allegation of murder Complex case including issues regarding the defendant’s mental health and admissibility of the defendant’s interview.
Led junior in defence of multiple allegations against an independent financial advisor.
Defended allegations of familial rape and sexual assault. Defendant was acquitted.
Successfully defended allegations of multiple violent rapes.
Helen prosecutes and defences in equal measure. She is a Grade 4 prosecutor and is an accredited member of the CPS Rape Panel. Helen has particular expertise in cases involving Rape and Serious Sexual Offences. She is a well-regarded defence advocate noted for her sensitivity to vulnerable clients and robust cross-examination. She is sought after for private instructions in cases across the country.
Helen has successfully prosecuted and defended regulatory offences for many regulatory bodies. She has also defended individuals in respect of regulatory offences.
Notable regulatory cases:
Fraud Crime provides the mainstay of Helen’s practice. She prosecutes and defends offences across the criminal spectrum with a particular emphasis on fraud. Helen is instructed as sole counsel and as a led junior.
Skills:
Instructed in a 6 week immigration fraud (D2).
Instructed in two lengthy frauds, one as D1 in a 9 handed fraud.
Instructed for second defendant in multi-handed credit fraud. The case was paper heavy with reams of telephone records disclosed mid-way through the case. LC was the only defendant to be acquitted.
Instructed for first defendant in multi-handed NHS fraud. The case featured two QE witnesses, heavy volumes of invoices and financial documentation and cut-throat defences from several of the co-accused.
Led junior in prosecution of allegations of fraud against NHS employees.
Successfully defended client in both fraud and POCA proceedings in respect of £300,000 and various foreign bonds suspected to be part of a multi-million pound fraud.
