Shusmita Deb

Shusmita accepts instructions across all areas of criminal law. She has defended in a variety of criminal cases including sexual offences, violence (including domestic), dishonesty, harassment/stalking (fear of violence), drug offences, criminal damage, and weapons.

In addition to her criminal law practice, Shusmita accepts instructions in professional discipline hearings. Shusmita has presented, on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, a case concerning three charges of dishonesty. She has also defended registrants, facing allegations such as sexual abuse, before the Health and Care Professions Tribunal.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Shusmita volunteered at the Free Representation Unit. She also volunteered at City Law School’s Legal Advice Clinic as a legal adviser and office manager. Shusmita also gained experience as chair of the Criminal Appeals Assistance Unit at University of Birmingham.

• General Crime
• Professional Discipline
• Regulatory 

General Crime

R v R

Instructed to defend in a trial where R was charged alongside another with robbery and causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Maidstone Crown Court. It was a joint enterprise with R being the second defendant who assisted or encouraged the first defendant. Towards the close of the prosecution’s case, the Crown amended the indictment to add inflicting grievous bodily harm and to change robbery to assault with intent to rob. For R, the jury returned a not guilty verdict on causing grievous bodily harm with intent but returned guilty verdicts for inflicting grievous bodily harm and assault with intent to rob.

R v T

Instructed to defend in trial where T was charged with four counts of theft, one count of having an offensive weapon and having an article with a blade or point at Isleworth Crown Court sitting at Holborn Nightingale Court. The jury returned verdicts on all counts. The jury returned not guilty verdicts for all four counts of theft.

R v A

Instructed to defend in a breach of non-molestation order at Snaresbrook Crown Court sitting at Holborn nightingale court.

R v R

Instructed to defend in a possession with intent to supply (class B) trial at Kingston Crown Court.

R v M

Instructed to defend in having an article with a blade or point trial at Inner London Crown Court. The jury returned a not guilty verdict.

R v T

Instructed to defend in an assault against an emergency worker trial at the Harrow Crown Court sitting at the Old Bailey. The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.

R v CS

Instructed to defend in a trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence, assault by beating, and threatening with a bladed article in a private place trial at Wood Green Crown Court. The jury returned verdicts on all counts. The jury returned not guilty verdicts for trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.

R v D

Instructed to defend in an intentional strangulation, ABH and assault by beating trial at Kingston Crown Court. The jury returned verdicts on all counts. The jury returned not guilty verdicts for intentional strangulation and assault by beating.

R v S

Instructed in a sentence hearing, before Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb, at Leeds Crown Court. S was due to be sentenced for three counts of burglary (non-dwelling), three breaches of criminal behaviour orders, and criminal damage. S had a lengthy antecedent history. S received a 24-month community order with requirements.

R v J

Instructed in a sentence hearing for possession with intent to supply class A drugs, at the Royal Courts of Justice annex. J received a suspended sentence with requirements.

R v G

Instructed in a sentence hearing for making/supplying article for use in fraud (3 complete fake driving licences and 20 incomplete fake driving licences), possess/control a false ID document, and custody/control of a counterfeit currency at Kingston Crown Court. G received suspended sentences, with requirements and a financial penalty.

R v Z

Instructed in a two-day trial concerning stalking (fear of violence), two charges of assault by beating and theft at Willesden Magistrates’ Court. Z was acquitted of all charges.

R v H

Secured an acquittal in a criminal damage trial at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

R v B

Secured an acquittal in a careless driving trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court.

Professional Discipline

NMC v O

Instructed to present a case on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council concerning three charges of fraudulent entries to the register. All charges were proven, and an application for an 18-month interim suspension order was granted.

HCPC v R

Instructed in a ten-day hearing representing a registrant facing several allegations such as sexual abuse. The majority of the allegations were not proven. R’s fitness to practise was not found to be impaired.

HCPC v D

D’s interim suspension order was replaced with a conditions of practice order at a review hearing.

Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent), City Law School

LLB Law (First Class Honours), University of Birmingham

Scholarships and Awards:

BPTC Major Scholarship, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

BPTC Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

BPTC Scholarship, City Law School

CEPLER Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extra-Curricular Endeavour, University of Birmingham

Aitchison Memorial Prize, University of Birmingham

Winner of the Birmingham Law School Debating Competition 2017

Winner of the Birmingham Law Society Debating Competition 2017

Shusmita can speak Bengali and Hindi.