Holly Prior – Olliers Summer Internship 2026

Holly Prior describes her experience on Olliers’ 2026 Summer Intern Programme  

Having completed my LLB, during which I chose to study predominantly optional criminal law modules, and currently undertaking my Master’s dissertation in Advanced Criminal Practice, I was eager to experience first-hand what I had spent years learning about in textbooks and lectures. 

I wanted to understand what criminal practice really looks like beyond the classroom: how solicitors interact with clients, how cases develop, how decisions are made under pressure and, perhaps most importantly, what it means to be a defence solicitor. 

As the week approached, I was a mixture of nervous and excited. By the end of my first morning, however, I quickly realised that there was no time for nerves! 

Monday 

Within 30 minutes of arriving at Olliers, I was heading to North Manchester Police Station with Eleanor Harris. Following a brief introduction with Aimee Darbyshire-Ellison, meeting the team and discussing what the week ahead would involve, I was immediately given the opportunity to see criminal defence work in practice. 

The client we were attending had been arrested for intent to endanger life and a number of assault allegtions. Having studied these offences academically, I was particularly interested to see how the law I had learned about translated into a real client’s circumstances. 

The police interview was an invaluable experience. What struck me most was not simply the legal aspect of the interview, but the importance of client care. The client was understandably very upset, and Eleanor handled the situation with patience, professionalism and empathy. Seeing how she balanced her responsibilities as a solicitor with the human element of the case gave me a much greater appreciation of the role. Eleanor also took the time to explain the nature of the offences, the challenges that can arise throughout a case and the realities of working in criminal defence. Her willingness to share her experience made me feel incredibly welcomed and supported from the outset. 

When I returned to Olliers, there was little time to pause before heading to the Magistrates’ Court with David Philpott. We attended a case that should originally have been heard the previous Friday but had been adjourned because an interpreter was unavailable. 

Although the hearing itself was relatively brief, I found it particularly valuable to hear David’s assessment of the case, including his views on the strength of the evidence and his decision not to apply for bail. It demonstrated to me that criminal defence is not simply about knowing the law; it is about carefully assessing evidence, understanding the individual circumstances of a client and making informed strategic decisions. 

After the trial, David encouraged me to remain in court, where I observed two further cases. These ranged from robbery and theft to a driving matter involving dangerous driving and disqualification. Seeing such a variety of cases in a short period highlighted how procedures can differ depending on the seriousness of the offence and the stage a case has reached. 

My first day had already shown me how varied criminal practice can be – and there were still four days to go. 

Tuesday 

Tuesday was predominantly an office-based day, giving me the opportunity to experience a different side of criminal practice. I spent time with Sonia Dias Lourenco from the DBS team, learning about the deletion of PNC records and the DBS process. This was an area I had not previously had any practical experience in, so I found it particularly interesting to learn about the work involved and the types of cases Sonia deals with on a day-to-day basis. I spent much of the morning reading through a range of DBS cases, progressing towards more serious offences as the morning continued. Sonia was incredibly helpful in answering my questions and explaining the process, including providing guidance on making representations. 

One of the key things I took away from this experience was how broad criminal legal practice can be. Before my internship, my understanding of criminal defence had naturally centred around police stations, Magistrates’ Courts and Crown Court advocacy. Learning about DBS matters showed me another important way in which a criminal record can continue to affect a person long after a case has concluded. 

In the afternoon, Eleanor sent me the Police Station Booklet and prosecution evidence from the client I had attended with her on Monday. I spent much of the afternoon working through the witness statements, as the client was due to appear in court later that day, represented by Hannah Poole. This was particularly useful because I was able to see how a case develops after the initial police station attendance. Having met the client and seen the circumstances first-hand, reading the evidence afterwards allowed me to connect the practical experience with the case papers and understand how a solicitor begins to build a picture of the case. 

Wednesday 

Wednesday took me back to the Magistrates’ Court, again with David Philpott, who this time was the duty solicitor for the day. 

David explained what a typical day as a duty solicitor involves and what I could expect. We began by consulting a client charged with sexual assault. David talked the client through their options, including the implications of electing to have their case dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court. I found this particularly valuable because it demonstrated the importance of explaining complex legal decisions in a way that a client can understand. A solicitor may understand the law inside out, but effective representation also depends upon ensuring that the client understands their position and feels able to make informed decisions. 

I then spent a significant part of the day observing cases in court. I watched five cases and, once again, was struck by the variety of matters being dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court. 

I also witnessed my first case involving a self-represented defendant. This was particularly interesting because it allowed me to compare the experience of someone navigating the court process alone with cases where both the CPS and a defence solicitor were represented. One of my biggest observations was the balance between the formality and informality of the Magistrates’ Court. Although there are clearly established procedures and formalities, the environment was more dynamic and conversational than I had expected from my academic understanding of court proceedings. 

David also spoke to me about his career, why he chose to become a defence solicitor and the importance of building professional relationships. One lesson that particularly stood out was that a solicitor’s relationships extend far beyond their clients. Maintaining positive and professional relationships with court staff, ushers, judges and probation officers is an important part of working effectively within the criminal justice system. We also discussed the new Sentencing Act 2026 and the suggestion of creating an Intermediary Court, giving me an insight into some of the changes and developments taking place within criminal justice. 

At lunchtime, I met with Stacey Mabrouk, where we discussed the growing use of artificial intelligence within the legal profession. We considered both the opportunities AI presents and the potential challenges and risks that come with its increasing use. After lunch, I returned to court with David and observed a further five cases. I also had the opportunity to learn more about the differences between proceedings before Magistrates and those before a District Judge. By the end of Wednesday, I had gained a much clearer understanding of not only the legal procedures involved in criminal cases, but also the human and professional skills required to navigate them effectively. 

Thursday 

Thursday was largely focused on a murder case, providing me with one of the most challenging and interesting tasks of the week. I was asked to create a document outlining the witness statements, identifying any conflicting accounts and considering whether there was incriminating evidence against our client. This was an excellent opportunity to put my academic skills into practice. It required me to read carefully, identify inconsistencies and distinguish between relevant and potentially significant pieces of evidence. More importantly, it showed me how much work goes into preparing a case before it reaches a courtroom. 

I also revisited the DBS files Sonia had previously sent me in preparation for my conference with her the following day. During the day, I spoke with Ellie about the outcome of the police interview I had attended on Monday. We discussed why the client had ultimately been charged with two Section 39 assault offences and a Section 18 assault offence, and how the arson allegation had been incorporated into the section 18 charge. 

This was particularly useful because it allowed me to revisit a case, I had seen at its earliest stage and understand how decisions made following the police interview affected the charges ultimately brought. 

It reinforced something I had begun to appreciate throughout the week: criminal cases are constantly evolving, and the work undertaken at each stage can have significant consequences for what happens next.

Friday 

My final day began with another task involving case preparation. I worked on a document arranging communications between the parties chronologically for Counsel. This required careful attention to detail and demonstrated how important organisation is when dealing with large amounts of information. Something as simple as putting correspondence into the correct chronological order can make a significant difference when preparing a case and ensuring that Counsel has a clear understanding of its history. 

At 11:00am, I headed to the police station with Maria Koukou. The client had breached a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and had been diagnosed with BPD. This was a very different experience from the police interview I had attended on Monday. Maria handled the client with care, knowledge and responsibility, and it was fascinating to see how the individual circumstances of the client affected the way in which the interview and wider procedure were approached. This was another important lesson in client care. No two clients are the same, and effective criminal defence requires a solicitor to adapt their approach to the individual in front of them. The experience reinforced for me that being a good defence solicitor requires much more than legal knowledge – it requires empathy, patience, judgement and the ability to communicate effectively.  

In the afternoon, I had a conference with Sonia about the deletion of a record. This was completely different from anything else I had experienced during the week. Although it remained connected to criminal law, it felt like the other end of the spectrum from the police station and courtroom work I had experienced earlier in the week. It was fascinating to hear the evidence put forward by the client and to understand the process from their perspective. It also made me appreciate the longer-term consequences that criminal allegations and records can have on an individual. 

To finish the week, I spoke with Matthew Claughton. We discussed the use of AI to improve the firm’s online presence and, importantly, how technology can be used to better understand and meet clients’ needs. We also discussed studying law, the SQE and the different routes available to those looking to qualify as a solicitor. 

What I Have Learned from My Week at Olliers 

My week at Olliers was everything I hoped it would be – and more. 

I came into the internship wanting to see how the criminal law I had studied at university operated in practice. I left with a much deeper understanding of what being a criminal defence solicitor actually involves. The biggest lesson I have taken away is that criminal defence is about people as much as it is about law. Throughout the week, I saw solicitors deal with clients who were distressed, vulnerable, uncertain or facing incredibly serious allegations. In every situation, the solicitor had to combine legal knowledge with empathy, professionalism and the ability to adapt. 

I also learnt the importance of preparation and attention to detail. Whether reviewing witness statements in a murder case, preparing documents for Counsel, examining evidence or working through DBS records, every piece of information matters. The work that happens behind the scenes is fundamental to effective representation in court. My time at the Magistrates’ Court also gave me a much better appreciation of the practical realities of criminal proceedings. I saw how quickly cases can move, how different each client and case can be, and how important professional relationships are within the wider criminal justice system. 

Perhaps most importantly, the internship confirmed how much I enjoy criminal law. University has given me the academic foundation, but this week showed me the skills, resilience and dedication required to apply that knowledge in practice. I would like to thank the entire Olliers team for making me feel so welcome throughout the week and for being so generous with their time, knowledge and guidance. Every person I worked with taught me something different, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to experience such a wide range of criminal defence work. 

There is nowhere else I could have gained an experience quite like this, and I will take everything I have learned from my week at Olliers with me as I take the next steps in my legal career.