Joel Wootten
Joel joined Chambers after completing his second six of pupillage under the supervision of Richard Canning and Robert Skyner.
Before coming to the Bar, Joel read History at the University of Leeds. He obtained First Class Honours and was awarded the Sid Chaplin Memorial Prize for best undergraduate dissertation. As a result, Joel’s dissertation was published in the academic journal, North-East Labour History, and he was invited to speak at the Journal’s annual conference at Durham University.
Joel converted to law with a GDL from Northumbria University, achieving a Distinction. For the Bar Course, Joel Remained at Northumbria and again went on to obtain a Distinction. He achieved the highest grade in his cohort for Criminal Advocacy.
Joel was awarded the Diplock Scholarship from the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple for both the GDL and the Bar Course.
Joel is on the CPS prosecuting advocate panel at level 2.
Outside of work, Joel enjoys cycling and climbing
R v Power (2022)
Secured a fine for a defendant who was initially charged with an affray involving a firearm. The defendant was accused of aiming an airgun at his brother’s head during an argument at the family home. Initially facing a custodial sentence, Joel successfully argued that the offence of Affray was not made out in law. The prosecution subsequently offered no evidence in relation to the charge. The defendant simply received a fine for possession of a prohibited weapon.
R v Popa (2022)
Appeared for the Crown in a sexual assault trial with a 14-year-old complainant. The complainant was attacked by a stranger in a Leeds park. The defendant denied the touching was sexual. After calling 3 child witnesses and cross-examining the defendant, Joel secured a conviction.