Colette Russell
- Year of Call: 2025
Education
- BA History – King’s College London, 2:1
- MA History – King’s College London, Pass with Merit
- GDL – City, University of London, Commendation
- BPTC – University of Law, Distinction
Affiliations and Memberships
- Inner Temple
- Young Bar Mentoring
- Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)
- Women in Criminal Law
Biography
Whilst completing the Bar course, Colette worked for the childcare legal team at a busy London local authority and held cases in private and public family law. During this period, they successfully resisted a Care Order being made against their client in a set of private law proceedings.
Prior to commencing Pupillage, Colette worked as a legal assistant in a legal aid firm, dealing with complex matters frequently involving serious criminality, child abuse, and complex issues surrounding mental illness.
Colette has significant experience working with vulnerable clients.
During their free time, Colette enjoys rock climbing and running. They are also a mentor with the Young Bar Association.
They are currently completing pupillage under the supervision of Fay Baker and Shanda McAteer.
Notable Cases
- R v A [2026]: Colette secured an acquittal of a youth Defendant charged with Harassment contrary to section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act at Stratford Magistrates' Court before a District Judge. The Judge found that the Defendant's behaviour did not amount to harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
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R v F [2026] - Colette Russell acted for a vulnerable, young defendant of good character at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court, accused of 2 counts of Assault by Beating and 1 count of Criminal Damage. Colette cross-examined both complainants thoroughly on their accounts and made a successful submission of no case to answer with respect to the count of Criminal Damage and one count of Assault. Colette's client was found not guilty after trial of the second count of Assault by Beating as the Court found complainant's evidence was inconsistent and not credible. Colette's client left Court unconvicted.
Colette was instructed and assisted by Matt Nickolls of Main Nickolls Solicitors. - R v H [2026] - At Maidstone Magistrates' Court, Colette acted for a defendant charged with Harassment contrary to section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and Theft contrary to section 1(1) and 7 of the Theft Act 1968. There was video and CCTV evidence of the alleged incidents. The defendant was acquitted of all charges at trial. Colette was instructed and assisted by Andrew Main of Main Nickolls Solicitors.
- R v M [2026] - Colette Russell acted for a defendant convicted of driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. The defendant had been disqualified less than 2 months before the offence took place, had 9 previous driving convictions on his record, and was in breach of a Community Order. Colette secured a Suspended Sentence Order of 6 weeks for their client.
- R v W [2026] - In their first Magistrates' Court trial, Colette represented a defendant charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, who was accused of fracturing the complainant's finger. After cross-examining the complainant, and drawing on inconsistencies between his previous accounts and the medical evidence presented by the Prosecution, Colette made a submission of No Case To Answer, which was successful. Colette went on to oppose a non-conviction Restraining Order which the Crown sought to impose, and made a successful application for costs.
- R v S [2026] - Colette represented a defendant convicted of assault by beating, who committed the offence in the currency of a Community Order. After presenting detailed mitigation on her client's behalf, the defendant was sentenced to a Community Order of 1 year with 15 days rehabilitative activity requirement.
