Zoe Kuyken

Barrister

Year of Call
2021

zoe.kuyken@walnuthouse.co.uk

Overview

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

Zoe accepts instructions in criminal and family law.

Criminal Law

Zoe is developing a busy practice in the Crown, Magistrates’ and Youth Courts at all stages of proceedings. She has experience in Crown Court trials, both prosecuting and defending in matters relating to violence, sexual assault and dishonesty offences.

Zoe is a Grade 2 CPS Panel Advocate. She is regularly instructed by the CPS and the police.

R v D – Zoe successfully argued that there had been an abuse of process in that the Crown had not fulfilled their disclosure obligations at an Appeal Conviction.

R v P – Zoe successfully defended in a domestic burglary trial in the Crown Court.

R v N – Zoe prosecuted a sexual assault trial, securing a conviction.

R v G – Zoe defended in a trial for controlling coercive behaviour and strangulation, involving an application to exclude bad character and evidence presented by the Crown on day 1 of the trial.

CCDCP v N – Zoe successfully obtained a SRO for the police at a contested hearing, after a legal argument.

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Family Law

Zoe represents parents and professional clients in private law family proceedings, and proceedings under the Family Law Act.

Re N – Represented the mother at a two-day fact-finding hearing, resulting in findings of physical violence and abusive behaviours to mother and child.

Re L – Represented the mother at a final hearing resulting in a legal argument about the child’s best interests when being raised by parents with very differing religious views.

Re N – represented the Guardian at a two-day private law final hearing where both parties were litigants in person.

A v S – represented a mother at a contested non-molestation hearing, resulting in orders being made.

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Biographical and Other Information

Biographical and Other Information
Prior to pupillage, Zoe worked as a paralegal at an agricultural law firm, drafting written advices and preparing cases for the Court of Appeal. During her BPTC, she volunteered as an Appropriate Adult, supporting children in police station interviews, and at Support Through Court, assisting litigants in person with the court process. She has also completed internships assisting a children’s charity with their policy documents, and in the privacy department of an international firm.
Scholarships
Ann Felicity Goddard Scholarship- Gray’s Inn; Claudia Wright Scholarship- Gray’s Inn; Advocacy Scholarship- University of Law
Academic
BPTC LLM at the University of Law (Very Competent) (Distinction in Masters in Bar Practice) University of Oxford, Law (2:1)

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)