Katie Horgan

Katie is currently in the practising period of a 12 month pupillage at 9 KBW.
Katie accepts instructions in a wide range of general crime for cases in the Crown, Magistrates and Youth courts, including cases involving offences under the Wildlife Act and the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Prior to commencing pupillage at 9KBW, Katie was a Senior Paralegal at a busy solicitor’s firm where she successfully managed her own caseload of criminal defence, professional discipline and extradition work.
As a result of her previous work Katie has a firm understanding of the demands placed on solicitors and the importance of building strong working relationships with those instructing her.

Recent Cases

Crown Court

R v L- successfully persuaded the Crown to offer no evidence in a case of ABH and possession of a bladed article in a public place prior to the PTPH taking place.

R v B- successful appeal against sentence from the magistrates’ court following establishing special reasons under Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, s.34(1)).

R v N- Instructed in a committal for sentence involving a substantial indictment for domestic related offences. Due to the nature of the offending and previous convictions of the same nature against the same victim, the client was expecting a significant custodial sentence. Persuasive mitigation led to a lower sentence.

R v T- Following representations, successfully persuaded the Crown to discontinue a count of non-fatal strangulation following pleas to other domestic related offences at the

PTPH. Client awaiting sentence.

Magistrates Court

R v C- I represented a client who was looking to be sentenced to a 6 month driving ban following 'totting' to 12 points. The facts were highly aggravating given the points accumulated through two incidences of using a mobile phone whilst driving in a short period of time. After advancing exceptional hardship and lengthy submissions as to the impact a ban would have upon the client and his family, the bench exercised discretion reducing the 6 month ban to 2 months. This avoided the client losing his job.

R v G- Representing a client subject Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 charged with careless driving. Persuaded the bench to endorse 5 points to avoid a mandatory retest which would take months due to the backlog with driving tests.

R v M- Representing a client who was looking to be sentenced to a 6 month driving ban following 'totting' to 12 points. Successfully persuaded the bench not to endorse points establishing ‘special reasons’ in the case.

R v B- represented a client due to be sentenced for two offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Successfully persuaded to prosecutor to drop the s1 charge and successfully argued against a destruction order and a contingent destruction order was ordered, enabling the dog to return home.

R v X instructed to defend the owner of a XL Bully type dog which had caused significant injuries to another animal. Following the presentation of a defence expert report and strong mitigation, the dog was saved from destruction and subject to a contingent destruction order instead.

Whilst carrying out her role as a paralegal, Katie undertook a broad range of duties, assisting the Managing Director in a variety of cases of complexity and gravity, including murder, manslaughter and serious sexual offences. Katie also has experience with pre-charge work and regularly successfully drafted representations to the CPS avoiding criminal charges.

In her spare time, Katie can be found at the stables with her four legged friends!