Laura Hoyano is Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Oxford, Emeritus Fellow at Wadham College, Oxford, and a practising barrister at Red Lion Chambers. Laura conducted the largest empirical study of the use of sexual behaviour evidence in the courts of England and Wales under YJCEA 1999, s 41. It was unique in collecting data in respect of all sexual offences, not just rape, and without any restrictions on complainants as to gender or age. It was published in full by the Criminal Bar Association, and summarised in ‘Cross-Examination of Sexual Assault Complainants on Previous Sexual Behaviour: Views from the Barristers' Row’ [2019] Crim LR 77. She represented the CBA on the End-to-End Rape Review but declined to endorse its findings. A new, comprehensively rewritten, edition of Hoyano’s Child Abuse Law and Policy across Boundaries (OUP) will be published later in 2026.
Baffled by the government’s proposed s 41 reforms and by the Law Commission’s preferred model, Laura Hoyano looks at what won’t work, and what will
With vulnerable complainants and witnesses ensnared in the Crown Court backlog, potentially for years, Laura Hoyano and John Riley put forward proposals to reduce the attrition rate while enabling justice to be done when cases finally get to trial
A two-part series from Laura Hoyano and John Riley modelling investigation and prosecution strategies in cases of abusive relationship offending: part two of this worked case example looks at the issues arising at trial
A two-part series from Laura Hoyano and John Riley modelling investigation and prosecution strategies in cases of abusive relationship offending. Part one of this worked case example shows the typical challenges, tactics to surmount them, and the need for innovative thinking
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Judge-alone trials should not be immediately discarded as inevitably inimical to the interests of justice and have been operating uncontroversially in Canada as an expansion of defence rights for many decades, writes Laura Hoyano
Shortcomings and legal anachronisms: how can we achieve best evidence if current guidance is dangerously out of date on the law on special measures? asks Laura Hoyano
‘Think very carefully’ before agreeing to go just with the ABE video interview, Hallett VP has warned. Laura Hoyano explains why a tactical decision not to cross-examine a competent vulnerable witness is a risky strategy
Special measures, lingering live-link issues and banishing generalisations: as the s 28 roll-out hits the buffers, Laura Hoyano examines state of play
Laura Hoyano provides a refresher on the barrister’s rule of independence in response to the Home Secretary’s proffered ‘deal’ to human rights lawyers
Home Secretary Theresa May has been vocal over recent months on immigration and human rights laws, most recently arguing in April that Britain should leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
Chair of the Bar reflects on 2025
Q&A with criminal barrister Nick Murphy, who moved to New Park Court Chambers on the North Eastern Circuit in search of a better work-life balance
Revolt Cycling in Holborn, London’s first sustainable fitness studio, invites barristers to join the revolution – turning pedal power into clean energy
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, reflects on how the company’s Giving Back ethos continues to make a difference to communities across the UK
By Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
AlphaBiolabs has made a £500 donation to Sean’s Place, a men’s mental health charity based in Sefton, as part of its ongoing Giving Back initiative
Are you ready for the new way to do tax returns? David Southern KC explains the biggest change since HMRC launched self-assessment more than 30 years ago... and its impact on the Bar
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC present their best buys for this holiday season
Oscar Davies shares their lessons learnt
Little has changed since Burns v Burns . Cohabiting couples deserve better than to be left on the blasted heath with the existing witch’s brew for another four decades, argues Christopher Stirling
Pointillism, radical politics and social conscience. Review by Stephen Cragg KC
