Olivia Bennett

Olivia has a multi-disciplinary practice and welcomes instructions within Chambers’ core areas of expertise.

Olivia has conducted cases across Civil, Crime, and Family law. In the County Court, she has experience of fast-track trials, case management conferences for multi-track claims, and interim applications. She advises on merits and quantum in proposed actions concerning personal injury and clinical negligence.

She regularly appears on behalf of the prosecution and defence in the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court for serious matters involving violent and sexual offences, drugs, and proceeds of crime. Olivia has had conduct of private prosecution work concerning allegations of fraud. In Family law, her experience includes international abduction hearings in the High Court, financial remedy hearings, fact-finding hearings, and care proceedings.

Olivia has appeared in the Court of Protection in health and welfare proceedings concerning interim declarations of capacity. She is particularly keen to develop her work in the Court of Protection, having co-authored a chapter regarding the area in the APIL textbook and an article on interim orders pursuant to s.48(a) Mental Capacity Act 2005 which featured in Barrister Magazine. Prior to joining the Bar, she was a Mental Health Advocate for the charity Voiceability, advocating for clients’ rights pursuant to the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

As regard to pro-bono work, Olivia taught debating to young offenders in prison as a Vocalise Mentor. She also represented clients in the Social Security Tribunal as a volunteer advocate with the Free Representation Unit.

Olivia has a First Class degree in Cardiac Physiology and received a prize for achieving the highest grade in the cohort. She studied the Barrister Training Course at Nottingham Law School, funded in full by a Major Exhibition Award from the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.