Julia Baggs joined Chambers in 2009 after successful completion of her pupillage with James Sampson (now His Honour Judge Sampson). She specialises in criminal law.
Julia is recognised as a capable advocate who is known for her approachable manner. She has extensive experience in dealing with extremely vulnerable adults who suffer from mental illness and with younger clients.
Julia is described in the 2024 edition of the Legal 500:
‘She is a very effective communicator and has a calming but firm style of advocacy.’
Criminal Law
Julia acts on behalf of the prosecution and defence in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal.
She is an experienced Level 3 prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service.
Julia’s practice covers a wide range of criminal offences including homicide, rape and serious sexual offences, arson, serious violence, drugs and dishonesty including armed robbery. She has extensive experience of dealing with matters involving children and vulnerable witnesses.
Julia has been instructed in complex cases of historic child sexual abuse, in which she has dealt with large amounts of social services material including material from public law family proceedings. She has advised on third party disclosure and public interest immunity applications. Julia has experience of dealing with expert evidence including drug analysis, and complex medical evidence. She has prosecuted and defended in multi handed cases including aggravated burglary and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Notable cases
R v A (2020) defending in an historic multiple complainant child abuse case, which included 32 allegations of rape in addition to other serious sexual offences.
R v C (2020) junior, led by Oliver Saxby QC, prosecuting in a murder. The defendant was convicted and sentenced to a minimum term of 20 years.
R v C (2019) successfully defending, allegations of serious sexual abuse of a child including assault by penetration.
R v K (2017, 2018) successfully defending, alleged rape of a child under the age of 13. The prosecution offered no evidence after two juries failed to reach verdicts.
R v L (2017) successfully defending, grievous bodily harm with intent. The complainant’s ear had been bitten off. The defendant raised self-defence.
R v R (2017) prosecuting, child abduction. Removal of child from the jurisdiction to a non-Hague Convention country, whilst there was an ongoing enquiry by the Local Authority into the welfare of the child.
R v S (2014) junior, led by senior junior Counsel, Anil Murray. The defendant was acquitted of multiple allegations of historic sexual abuse of female relatives including children.
R v C (2013) defending in a multi handed large scale conspiracy to supply Class A heroin
Training & Seminars
Julia has provided training to local authority family lawyers, focusing on the evidential and procedural interaction between the criminal and family courts.
Julia has contributed to seminars for local barristers and solicitors provided by Chambers.
Julia regularly speaks to students at local schools and colleges and about routes into the profession and a career at the bar. She has provided advocacy workshops at Hull University.