Shusmita Deb

Shusmita accepts instructions across all areas of criminal law. She has defended in a variety of criminal cases including harassment/stalking (fear of violence), dishonesty, dangerous dog offences, criminal damage, road traffic offences, racially aggravated assault, weapons, and violence (including domestic).

In addition to her criminal law practice, Shusmita is frequently instructed in professional discipline hearings. Shusmita has presented, on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, a case concerning three charges of dishonesty. She has also defended registrants, facing allegations such as sexual abuse, before the Health and Care Professions Tribunal.

Furthermore, Shusmita has experience in extradition.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Shusmita volunteered at the Free Representation Unit. She also volunteered at City Law School’s Legal Advice Clinic as a legal adviser and office manager. Shusmita also gained experience as chair of the Criminal Appeals Assistance Unit at University of Birmingham.

• General Crime
• Professional Discipline

General Crime

R v DB

Instructed to defend in a harassment (fear of violence) and sending letters with intent to cause distress or anxiety trial at Reading Crown Court.

R v G

Instructed in a PTR concerning a prisoner charged with attempted s.18 GBH, unauthorised possession of a blade in prison, and attempted escape from lawful custody. After successful negotiations regarding acceptable pleas with the Crown, G was then sentenced for s.20 GBH and unauthorised possession of a bladed article. After submissions that G was not the principal in the attack on a prison officer, G received 18 months for s.20 GBH and 12 months concurrent for the bladed article offence.

R v S

Instructed in a sentence hearing, before Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb, at Leeds Crown Court. S was due to be sentenced for three counts of burglary (non-dwelling), three breaches of criminal behaviour orders, and criminal damage. S had a lengthy antecedent history. S received a 24-month community order with requirements.

R v J

Instructed in a sentence hearing for possession with intent to supply class A drugs, at the Royal Courts of Justice annex. J received a suspended sentence with requirements.

R v G

Instructed in a sentence hearing for making/supplying article for use in fraud (3 complete fake driving licences and 20 incomplete fake driving licences), possess/control a false ID document, and custody/control of a counterfeit currency at Kingston Crown Court. G received suspended sentences, with requirements and a financial penalty.

R v Z

Instructed in a two-day trial concerning stalking (fear of violence), two charges of assault by beating and theft at Willesden Magistrates’ Court. Z was acquitted of all charges.

R v H

Secured an acquittal in a criminal damage trial at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

R v B

Secured an acquittal in a careless driving trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court.

R v L

Successful submission of no case to answer at trial for a s.172 Road Traffic Act 1988 offence at Southend Magistrates’ Court.

R v PL

Successful submissions at an exceptional hardship hearing at Bath Magistrates’ Court.

Professional Discipline

NMC v O

Instructed to present a case on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council concerning three charges of fraudulent entries to the register. All charges were proven, and an application for an 18-month interim suspension order was granted.

HCPC v R

Instructed in a ten-day hearing representing a registrant facing several allegations such as sexual abuse. The majority of the allegations were not proven. R’s fitness to practise was not found to be impaired.

HCPC v D

D’s interim suspension order was replaced with a conditions of practice order at a review hearing.

Extradition

S v Romania

Submissions on s.20 of the Extradition Act 2003 and Article 8 ECHR were made at S’s extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

 

Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent), City Law School

LLB Law (First Class Honours), University of Birmingham

Scholarships and Awards:

BPTC Major Scholarship, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

BPTC Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

BPTC Scholarship, City Law School

CEPLER Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extra-Curricular Endeavour, University of Birmingham

Aitchison Memorial Prize, University of Birmingham

Winner of the Birmingham Law School Debating Competition 2017

Winner of the Birmingham Law Society Debating Competition 2017

Shusmita can speak Bengali and Hindi.