Jo Morris

Jo is widely respected for her keen intellect combined with vast practical experience. She has excellent inter-personal skills and quickly builds very good relationships with the solicitors who instruct her and with clients directly. She is also able to build effective working relationships with her opponents so that cases can be well managed throughout which is appreciated by judges and clients. Jo is thorough, hardworking and determined, arguing her client’s position in an engaging and forceful but not aggressive manner.

In addition to her domestic practice, Jo is Vice Chair of the working group of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. She is a prosecutor and defender at the International Criminal Court. Jo is a pupil supervisor, a Middle Temple advocacy trainer and a facilitator of the Vulnerable Witnesses training. 

Crime (prosecution)

Jo is an experienced prosecutor with experience in terrorism, homicide, non-fatal offences of violence, sexual offences, firearms and fraud. 

She is a Grade 4 Prosecutor in the CPS general crime group and is on the RASSO, counter terrorism and serious crime panels. Jo is also on the disclosure panel of the Serious Fraud Office.

Jo is particularly respected for her ability to cross examine expert witnesses upon matters such as impression and marking evidence, DNA, cell site analysis, blood spatter evidence and firearms residue.

Crime (defence)

Jo is police station accredited, and has many years’ experience of acting in the best interests of her client from the point of investigation onwards. Her knowledge of police powers and procedures gives her an advantage when conducting Crown Court trials and identifying points of law. She easily identifies breaches of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. She is also very good at challenging expert evidence, and cross examining expert witnesses.

Jo has experience of defending clients in respect of a wide range of allegations, including nonfatal violence; sexual offences; fraud and other dishonesty offences and firearms offences. Solicitors describe her as proactive, diligent and with exceptional inter-personal skills. She is particularly praised for her ability to work with clients who are often vulnerable, very stressed and finding the legal process hard to manage.

Jo is experienced at representing clients in appeals against both conviction and sentence. She gives realistic advice about the prospects of success on appeal and represents clients effectively in appeal hearings.

Court martial

Jo has an active court martial practice, and has represented service personnel in Germany, Colchester, Catterick, Bulford and Aldershot. She has an intimate knowledge of the Armed Forces Act, the Law of Armed Conflict and other relevant legislation.

Jo is a published author upon both topics; A practical guide to military justice and A practical guide to the law of armed conflict. She accepts instructions both from the SPA and AFLAA.

Inquests

Jo represents clients, particularly regulatory bodies, at inquests and is familiar with the rules and procedures of the inquest process. Her background in criminal law means that she is very well suited to cross examining in an inquisitorial process.

Jo is very good at working with clients in stressful situations, explaining the process to them and keeping them updated. She is also respected for her ability to examine experts upon cause of death.