Blog
OfS Condition E6: a first step towards a unified approach to harassment and sexual misconduct, but does it go far enough?
Laura Kruczynska
Laura is an Associate (CILEx) and has worked in the Criminal Litigation team since 2015
Serious Crime and General Crime
Laura is a key member of Kingsley Napley’s Criminal Defence team. She represents clients in a range of cases involving serious and general crime. The main focus of her work is in criminal defence and police investigations, and she has particular experience of defending allegations of a sexual nature, including representing clients upon arrest and at police interviews. Laura has significant litigation management and trial experience. She is praised by clients for her ability to provide support and guidance in the most challenging and stressful of situations.
Youth Justice and Student Sexual Misconduct
Laura has extensive experience of representing children and young people, particularly in relation to allegations of sexual offences and sexual misconduct. She is committed to ensuring the relevant authorities recognise and respect the special rights afforded to children who find themselves within the criminal justice system. This experience extends to school and higher education investigations, advising clients in respect of both investigation and disciplinary proceedings. She has represented children and young adults in the youth and crown court including cases with concurrent school or university proceedings, providing seamless representation to optimise outcomes.
Police Criminal Records and Data Deletion
Laura is aware of the reputational damage that a criminal allegation can cause and the impact that a criminal record can have on an individual’s future including education, employment and travel and has experience in advising on applications to have personal data deleted from police systems.
Varying and Discharging SOPOs and SHPOs
Laura has developed expertise in applications to vary or discharge Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (SOPO) and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPO) in cases where their stringent prohibitions have become punitive and/or overlap with statutory notification requirements.
RECENT CASES
- R v H – providing litigation and trial support to a client who was acquitted in the Crown Court in relation to allegations of rape and sexual assault.
- Successful application to ACRO to delete the record of a youth client’s arrest from the Police National Computer
- Several cases involving successful pre-charge engagement with the police to prevent them progressing to charge.
- Several cases involving young people and children accused of sexual assault or sexual misconduct.
WHAT CLIENTS HAVE SAID
I wanted to say a huge thank you to you for all your hard work throughout the process and especially for your kindness during the trial itself. It was tough but you made it better and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Laura for her professional guidance and clear articulation of both the available options and the broader context. Her expertise and support have been instrumental during what has been, for me, an unfamiliar and previously uncharted situation."
My particular thanks to Laura for her thoughtfulness and clear advice throughout the process, as well as for being so on top of the detail. She tactfully and thoughtfully dealt with some very sensitive topics with great skill and professionalism."
Our experience with Kingsley Napley throughout the last three weeks has been excellent. We were particularly impressed with Laura. She was critical in managing [the client] during the process and, frankly, helping to alleviate his stress levels prior to his court appearance. She was professional, thorough and empathetic.”
I can honestly say I wouldn’t have changed how my case was presented. I can’t thank all of you enough for your hard work. I really believe we didn’t leave anything behind and I don’t have any regrets about how the trial was executed. […] Laura and [Counsel] have really been a huge support for my family and again that means so much to us."
…thank you for all the help you provided me and my family over the past 10 months, both in terms of the work and the mental support. Was by far the hardest time of my life, but was very grateful to have you guys there to reassure me and to talk to me about my anxieties.”
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
- Associate Member of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association
- Member of the Youth Justice Legal Centre
PUBLICATIONS
- Sexual Harm Prevention Orders – Considerations for youth justice advocates, Youth Justice Legal Centre (legal update)
- A New Police Approach is Needed to Tackle Overwhelming Delays to Digital Forensics, The Expert Witness Journal, Issue 47, February 2023