Evie Dean

Criminal, Family and Civil Barrister

Year of Call
2019

evie.dean@walnuthouse.co.uk

Criminal Law

Overview

Evie regularly appears in the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts, where she prosecutes and defends in all stages of proceedings. She is frequently instructed in trials, committals for sentence, applications, and appeals.

During her practice, Evie has become experienced in cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants, and she frequently represents individuals with mental health difficulties. She has been complimented on her pragmatic and personable manner with her clients.

Evie is a Level 2 CPS prosecutor and is regularly instructed by the CPS and the police.

R v A

Evie successfully made an application to dismiss at the Crown Court due to insufficient prosecution evidence. The case was dismissed, and the client maintained their good character.

R v D

Evie successfully defended a male charged with drug driving due to the late service of evidence. The case concluded by the Crown offering no evidence. Evie was commended for her legal argument.

R v B

Evie prosecuted a male charged with racially aggravated public order offences, and he was convicted of both. Through Evie’s cross-examination, the defendant admitted he had used racist language.

R v M

Evie defended a male charged with possession of an offensive weapon. She successfully made a submission of no case to answer, and the case was dismissed.

R v K

Evie prosecuted in the first hearing of a defendant charged with murder.

Family Law

Overview

Evie regularly acts for parents in both private and care proceedings from application stage through to contested interim and final hearings. Having assisted clients in her role as a Personal Support Unit volunteer prior to coming to the Bar, Evie has extensive experience in this area.

Re D

Evie represented a mother in a Re W hearing where there were allegations of sexual abuse against the father.

Re B

Evie represented a father in a public law matter which involved concurrent criminal law proceedings.

Re W

Evie represented a mother in a final hearing where there were issues of historic domestic abuse between the parties.

Re L

Evie represented a vulnerable client in a successful transfer of tenancy application.

Re D

Evie was repeatedly instructed to represent a mother in both private child proceedings and financial proceedings

Biographical and Other Information

Biographical and Other Information
CPS Advocacy Panel, Level 2 • 2019-2020: As a county court advocate, Evie appeared in a variety of civil hearings across the Western Circuit • 2019: Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) (Very Competent) • 2018-2019: During the BPTC, Evie volunteered in HM Prison Pentonville, teaching debating to inmates • 2018: Queen Mother Scholarship and Blackstone Entrance Exhibition Award from The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple • 2018: Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) (Commendation) • 2017: BA Hons English, University of Exeter (First)

Civil Law team members

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Mark Treneer

Year Of Call : 1987

The main focus is in ancillary relief (financial remedies) for husbands, wives and children, especially where there are trust and/or business assets and farms. Mark cuts through volume of paper to the core and critical issues and is focussed and blunt with his clients and the Court alike.

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Lara Spencer

Year Of Call : 2000; Head of Civil

Lara has represented both Claimants and Defendants in a variety of matters for over 20 years and has appeared before most Courts and many different Tribunals. She has also given numerous talks and seminars in civil litigation to CPD providers and assisted in writing civil litigation material for online CPD providers. Lara is authorised to conduct all areas of litigation. She is a member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association and the Personal Injury Bar Association. Many of Lara’s cases are high value. As such, she often appears against KCs. Although based in Exeter, Lara undertakes court work throughout England and Wales. Lara’s wide common law practice affords her with a thorough understanding of the processes and tactics of civil law and litigation, and enables her to provide specialist, pragmatic and practical advice. Similarly, her early experience at the criminal bar, during which time she prosecuted and defended in the Magistrates Court and Crown Courts, and her continued work there in planning and environmental matters, provides her with a continued specialist knowledge and experience of criminal law and practice.

lara.spencer@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Emma Smith

Year Of Call : 2005

Emma is a practitioner who accepts instructions in both civil and family law. Personable and approachable to clients, Emma has a practical and down-to-earth style both in conference and in court.

emma.smith@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Felicity Payne

Year Of Call : 2010

Felicity is a common law barrister with an established and varied practice in all aspects of criminal and civil law. Felicity is thorough, practical and robust in her approach, whilst remaining personable.

felicity.payne@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Laura Searle

Year Of Call : 2011; Head of Family / Deputy HoC

Laura is a family barrister with a busy and varied practice acting and advising in public and private law proceedings, applications for injunctive relief and financial remedy proceedings. She is a personable and approachable advocate who prides herself on going the extra mile for her clients. She has studied and worked internationally in France, Brussels, Luxembourg and New Zealand and is a Denning and Eastham Scholar of Lincoln’s Inn

Legal 500 2025 – Leading Junior Tier 4

laura.searle@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Evie Dean

Year Of Call : 2019

Evie accepts instructions in both criminal and family law. She regularly appears in the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts where she prosecutes and defends in all stages of proceedings. She also acts for parents in both private and care proceedings from application stage through to contested interim and final hearings.

Since joining Walnut House after successfully completing a twelve-month pupillage in chambers, Evie has continued to enjoy a busy and varied practice. She has been complimented on her pragmatic and personable manner with her clients.

evie.dean@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Sam Wysocki

Year Of Call : 2020

Sam has developed a diverse practice across Chambers’ family and civil teams, representing clients throughout the South West. He prides himself on his attention to detail, being approachable and offering pragmatic advice.
Sam completed his pupillage and accepted tenancy from Walnut House in October 2021. Furthermore, Sam successfully obtained his public access qualification in October 2022.

sam.wysocki@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Zoe Kuyken

Year Of Call : 2021

Zoe joined chambers after successfully completing a 12 month pupillage in 2022.

Zoe accepts instructions in criminal and family law.

zoe.kuyken@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Azzam Bhatti

Year Of Call : 2017

Azzam has a mixed Civil, Criminal and Family practice at Walnut House.

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Mark Treneer (1987)
Lara Spencer (2000; Head of Civil)
Emma Smith (2005)
Felicity Payne (2010)
Laura Searle (2011; Head of Family / Deputy HoC)
Evie Dean (2019)
Sam Wysocki (2020)
Zoe Kuyken (2021)
Azzam Bhatti (2017)