Liam Stefan describes his experience on Olliers’ Intern Programme

Having just completed my LLB, I was keen to see criminal defence in practice and understand the work beyond the surface.

Monday began with an office tour led by Stacey Mabrouk and introductions to the team, before I was quickly on my way to Longsight Police Station with Eleanor Harris. The client had been detained following an incident outside a pub and was being dealt with for being drunk and disorderly. What stayed with me was not only the allegation, but the client’s wider circumstances: alcoholism, no fixed abode and over 146 convictions. Speaking with Eleanor about repeat offending and the support available to people in situations like this made a real impression on me. When the client refused to be interviewed, I saw how one of the challenges of criminal defence is whether a client can engage at all.

Back at the office, I was introduced to Nathalie Potter and the DBS team, showing me a very different side of the firm’s work. Learning how records are stored and the effect this can have on someone’s employment and future opportunities made the importance of this area very clear. Later, I attended the Magistrates’ Court with David Philpott and watched two hearings, including a sentencing where the client received a community order after breaching a non‑molestation order. Hearing about the client’s background, including ADHD and previous family court matters, was another reminder that there is often far more behind a case than appears on the charge sheet.

The day ended with a conference call with Sonia Dias Lourenco about representations for the deletion of PNC records for a client with no previous arrests, convictions or charges, but whose repeated stop and searches had still caused significant problems. By the end of Monday, I had seen how varied criminal defence can be, and how much of it is about protecting a person’s future as well as dealing with the immediate issue.

Tuesday

On Tuesday, I began drafting representations for the DBS matter, which I enjoyed because it combined detailed legal reasoning with a clear practical purpose. I then went to the police station with Connor Brylczak, although we had to turn back when it became clear the client needed an interpreter who was not yet available. While we waited, I looked through the police station booklets, which gave me useful insight into the preparation involved and the importance of making sure clients understand both the process and their rights.

When we returned later, we had a pre‑interview briefing with the officer before advising the client on the best course of action in a common assault matter. With no victim statement available, the advice was no comment. It was interesting to see how much thought sits behind a decision that can sound quite simple when reduced to two words, and the importance of balancing careful preparation with clear advice in the moment.

Wednesday

Wednesday was quieter, but still full of opportunities to learn. I spent part of the day reading through some of the firm’s recent serious crime work, including murder cases, which gave me a better appreciation of the scale and seriousness of the matters Olliers deals with. After receiving feedback, I continued drafting the DBS representations before being asked to prepare a schedule of exhibits for a case involving multiple defendants, multiple offences and more than 400 exhibits.

Working through that task methodically really brought home how much happens behind the scenes before a hearing begins. It is easy to picture criminal defence as the advocacy in court, but I was reminded that the preparation behind it is just as important.

Thursday

On Thursday, I spent the day in the Crown Court with Maria Koukou, who provided insight into why she finds her work so rewarding and how the Crown Court operates day to day. The case involved aggravated vehicle taking and injury caused by accident, with multiple defendants entering pleas, which showed me how quickly matters can become more complex when different positions are taken in the same case.

Before the hearing, I sat in on other matters and heard decisions on bail conditions. After the hearing, seeing Maria debrief the client and make sure everything had been understood stood out just as much as the hearing itself. I learnt that good representation is not just about advocacy in court, but also about ensuring the client leaves understanding exactly where they stand.

Leaving the internship

By Friday, I was back with David on duty in the Magistrates’ Court, where I gained insight into the adaptability and quick thinking required whilst on duty. Having spent time in both the office and in court, I saw how varied the work is and how smoothly the team works across different settings. I later reflected on these experiences during a conversation with Matthew Claughton, where we discussed my week and my progression into law.

Leaving Olliers, I gained a much greater appreciation of the care, patience and attention to detail that runs through every part of criminal defence work, from the police station to the courtroom to the wider team in the office. Thank you to all the team for a welcoming and genuinely engaging week, which has only strengthened my interest in this area of law.