Member of the Criminal Bar Association.
Paola Wilson has extensive experience of both civil and criminal law. In crime, she undertakes both defence and prosecution work, and has appeared on behalf of various public bodies. Her recent criminal cases include rape, kidnapping, S. 18, perjury and fraud, and she has conducted numerous appeals both in the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).
Paola has long-standing experience in various areas of civil practice, including family, trading standards and licensing, and has acted both for private individuals and local authorities. She has in-depth knowledge of public law through in-house government work that she undertook before coming to the Bar.
Paola also has extensive experience of immigration work, both for appellants and the Home Office; she spent two and a half years at the Home Office before she came to the Bar, advising government ministers on the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and related policy issues. She personally drafted secondary legislation and instructed Treasury counsel in high-profile immigration appeals.
Notable cases include:
- Whitley v. D. P. P. [2004] Crim. L. R. 585, Divisional Court (test to be applied in determining whether defendant was given the opportunity to consult with a solicitor "as soon as reasonably practicable" in drink/drive breath procedure; circumstances in which evidence thereof should be excluded).
Paola
speaks Italian and French, and in her spare time enjoys art, films, literature
and politics.
