Ranked as a Rising Star for Crime in The Legal 500 (2025).
“’Celine’s advocacy is excellent with an easy style which gets to the heart of the most complex of legal issues quickly and with great clarity.’ – The Legal 500 (2025)
“Celine’s preparation for cases is flawless. Her attention to detail and leave-no-stone-unturned approach instils confidence in those she represents. She has a sharp legal mind.” – The Legal 500 (2024)
Celine is a fierce advocate who is known for her down-to-earth, pragmatic, and meticulous approach to her cases.
Celine’s caseload includes sexual, drugs and violent offences. She has a strong practice in both prosecution and defence work; and is a Grade 2 Prosecutor. Celine is adept at witness-handling and cross-examination, having completed the Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training Course, focusing on Ground Rules Hearings and s.28 hearings. She continues to be instructed in sexual offence cases of the most serious nature, and often concerning child witnesses. Prior to coming to the Bar, Celine undertook specialist training in partnership with Rape Crisis, supporting witnesses within sexual offence trials. She often represents clients who are deemed ‘unfit’ to plead and stand trial and is skilled in building a rapport with them.
Celine regularly prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court, and has appeared in the Court of Appeal. She possesses an acute ability to tailor her advocacy to suit her tribunal, coupled with thinking effectively on her feet. Celine continues to be committed to securing the best possible outcome for both professional and lay clients, and often receives positive judicial feedback in doing so.
Reported defence cases:
- Celine defends in conspiracy to supply heroin as a Led Junior – Click here to view BBC report
- Suspended sentence given to Celine’s client following dangerous dog offence – Click here to view Lancashire Telegraph report
- Suspended sentence given to Celine’s client for the supply of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis – Click here to view Yorkshire Evening Post report
- Celine secures suspended sentence for her client in domestic violence case – Click here to view The Telegraph & Argus report
Reported prosecution cases:
- Wakefield thug stole man’s mobile phone in knife point robbery after ‘set up’ before selling it for £20’ – Click here to view Wakefield Express report
- ‘That’s not me’ – thief insists man in CCTV images robbing man at cash machine and stealing a bike is somebody else’ – Click here to view Hull Live report
- ‘Shameful treasurer stole £38,000 of village social club’s cash to feed gambling addiction’ – Click here to view report
- ‘Man threatened to rape and kill mum of his late child after smashing her window’ – Click here to view Yahoo News report
Recent Defence Cases:
- R v K – Celine’s lay client was acquitted of intentional strangulation on former partner after 30 minutes of deliberations;
- R v S – Defended as junior alone for offences of rape and false imprisonment;
- R v G – Secured suspended sentence for distribution of indecent images;
- R v W (1 and 2) – Successfully defended the same client in two trials. The client was acquitted for a s.47 and Celine made a successful ‘half-time’ submission for the second trial for theft;
- R v P – Successfully represented a client for criminal damage, resulting in acquittal. Represented the same client for theft and secured a conditional discharge;
- R v D – Secured conditional discharge for client charged with dangerous dog offence.
Recent Prosecution Cases
- R v W – Successfully prosecuted at trial for robbery and theft;
- R v T – Successfully prosecuted a defendant charged with cultivating cannabis to a street value of £125,000;
- R v A – Prosecuted three s.47 assaults in the context of domestic violence, represented three complainants, including two children.
Articles:
Contact Celine’s Clerks:
Celine is a fierce advocate who consistently puts clients first and is known for her down-to-earth attitude and approach. She accepts instructions in public law proceedings to act on behalf of parents, Children’s Guardians and Local Authorities. Celine has extensive experience in representing parents, stemming from her experience as a paralegal in a public law high-street solicitors firm prior to coming to the Bar.
Celine readily represents clients at case management hearings, issues resolution hearings, final hearings and findings of fact. Prior to practice, Celine completed her Dissertation on Re W, receiving a First-Class mark for her research, later published in the Durham Law Review. Celine was also appointed Pro Bono Project Director for Families in Care, a charity based in the North-East of England.
Celine’s vast experience is beyond her year of Call. She prioritises client care in highly sensitive cases including those of non-accidental injury, neglect, sexual abuse and so-called ‘honour’-based violence; areas in which she particularly welcomes instructions.
Notable Cases
- H v H – Secured several findings of rape for the respondent mother, dismissing allegations of findings purported against her by the applicant.
- C MBC v M v F v the Children – Represented the Father in proceedings, securing long term-foster care for two children as opposed to adoption.
- T v A – Secured findings for a mother with limited cognitive functioning, with the assistance of her intermediary. Allegations included those of domestic, gang and weapons-based violence;
- H v H and H – Represented two Children via their Guardian in proceedings whose parents disagreed about their living and educational conditions. Celine secured the children’s preferred residential placement and schools. Then successfully represented the children during the appeal, an application brought by one of the parents.
- W MDC v M v F v The Child – Celine represented the Mother who presented with limited cognitive functioning in an interim removal hearing.
Articles
Celine Kart and Oliver Latham discuss recent guidance on the use of participation directions (special measures) given in the Family Division. Click here to view.
Contact Celine’s Clerks:
Claudine Cooper on 0113 202 8604
Paul Foster on 0113 213 5209
