Natalie De-Merist
Natalie qualified as a solicitor in to the Crime team in September 2021, having completed her training with IBB.
Since working within the Crime department, Natalie has conducted a range of Magistrates’ Court hearings in both Criminal quasi-criminal civil matters such as Sexual Risk Order proceedings. Natalie deals with all aspects of case preparation in both Magistrates’ and Crown Court matters, as well as conducting all hearings before the Magistrates’ Court, including Trials.
Natalie has assisted senior fee-earners with the most serious of charges, notably achieving acquittal on charges of conspiracy to murder and firearms offences. Natalie has a keen eye for detail and is meticulous in her case preparation. Where appropriate, Natalie will always seek to make representations at an early stage in an attempt to have proceedings withdrawn or otherwise diverted away from the Courts.
Notable cases:
R v F – successfully argued that charges of 4x assault an emergency worker was not in the public interest to be prosecuted, resulting in the Crown withdrawing the charges prior to plea being entered.
R v R – assisted in case preparation leading to acquittal to charges of conspiracy to murder and firearms offences, whereby she listened to poor quality audio recordings obtained by wiretap and was able to filter the audio frequency to establish that the Crown’s transcripts were not accurate and could be undermined.
R v J – obtained a conditional discharge for a client who pleaded guilty to possession of over 40 wraps containing class A drugs.
R v M – prepared the case of a third strike burglar who would ordinarily have been facing a minimum sentence of 3 years custody, whereby Counsel successfully argued that the statutory minimum term would be unjust and instead obtained a 3 year community order.
Prior to joining IBB, Natalie worked in both small and medium sized private legal practices for 5 years. Her previous experience is in Family (Legal Aid), Commercial Property and Commercial and Corporate (including Commercial Dispute Resolution). Natalie completed her Law LLB at the University of the West of England (First Class) before studying part-time for the LPC with MSc in Law, Business and Management (Distinction) at the University of Law in Guildford whilst working at a leading South-East law firm.
Paralegal at Watkins Solicitors, Bristol (2014 – 2015); Legal Intern and then Legal Assistant at LG Electronics UK, Weybridge (2015); Property Assistant at TWM Solicitors, Guildford (2016 – 2017); Paralegal at Hart Brown Solicitors, Guildford (2017 – 2019); Trainee Solicitor at IBB Solicitors (2019 – 2021).
