APL Executive Committee

Laura is a solicitor specialising in prison law, criminal appeals, community care, mental health and public law. She has particular expertise in representing children, young adults and vulnerable people in detention in both penal and mental health settings.

Laura is a Consultant Solicitor at Scott-Moncrieff & Associates Ltd and GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates. She was appointed an Honorary KC in March 2025.

Laura has taught extensively (in particular at South Bank University in the Law department since 2007, but also professional associations). She was awarded a professional doctorate in youth justice at the University of Bedfordshire in 2014. She has written extensively for a wide range of audiences on issues ranging from sentencing, children's rights and parole.

Laura is a Board member the Legal Aid Practitioners’ Group and a trustee of Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre in her capacity as a councillor in Hammersmith and Fulham. She is also a trustee of the National Association for Youth Justice.

She is the Chair of the Association of Prison Lawyers. She is also a committee member for the Mental Health Lawyers’ Association, the Criminal Appeal Lawyers’ Association and the Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee.

She worked at the Howard League for Penal Reform between 2006 and 2022.

Laura founded Young Legal Aid Lawyers in 2005 and she received both the 2010 Liberty Human Rights Young Person of the Year award and the 2009 Young Legal Aid Lawyer of the year award on behalf of the group. In 2006 she was named Young Legal Aid Solicitor of the year. In 2012 she was listed by the Guardian as a lawyer to watch. In 2019, Laura was awarded Solicitor of the Year by the First 100 Years’ Inspirational Women in Law Awards. Between 2010 and 2022, she was a trustee of Legal Action Group, and chair between 2017 and 2022.

Claire jointly manages the Howard League’s legal service, providing advice and representation to children and young adults on a range of prison, public and community care law issues. She co-hosts a legal advice show with National Prison Radio.

Stephanie is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers with a specialism in prison law. Her practice spans judicial review and in-prison hearings as well as inquest work and civil claims relating to prison settings.

Stephanie is a trustee of Spark Inside, a charity providing coaching to young people in prisons. She previously worked at the Howard League for Penal Reform.

Rikki is a founding member of the Association of Prison Lawyers (APL) which was established to ensure a high a quality standard for prison law representatives as well as working with key agencies in the development of this area of law. Up until recently Rikki was the Chair of the organisation.

Rikki Garg has been in practice for over 25 years and specialises in prison / mental health / appeals and community care law. He also takes public law challenges on matters arising from these areas of work.

Up until recently, Rikki was a Director for another practice as well as the Practice Manager until 2014.

Having commenced practice in Criminal law and as an accredited police station representative, Rikki decided to focus on the rights of people in detention. He has been a member of the Law Society’s Mental Health Panel since 1995.

He was the chairman of the Prisoners Advice Service, a not-for-profit organisation, providing legal advice to serving prisoners from 2006 to 2014.

Rikki has over 30 years legal experience.

Andrew specialises in Judicial Review, Parole Board advocacy and human rights.

He has extensive practical experience of the criminal justice and penal systems and significant experience of conducting difficult, high profile judicial review challenges , test cases and appeals.Andrew was a Finalist in the national Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards in 2013.  In 2021, Andrew won Legal Aid Lawyer of the year, receiving recognition for all his outstanding work in Social Welfare Law.Andrew is a founding member of the Association of Prison Lawyers (APL), established in 2008 by a small number of practitioners and has since grown to a membership of almost 400 people.  He was instrumental in developing the organisation in size and profile.

Dean has practiced in prison law for around 15 years. He is often at the forefront of the main challenges protecting the rights of prisoners and viewed as someone who works tirelessly to expose injustice and a lawyer who does not shirk from representing those for whom antipathy is to be expected from the courts, or the general public.

He conducts all manner of prison law hearings and tends to do a lot of work for those within the high secure estate and represents a number of prisoners within the Close Supervision Centre system. He works closely with JENGBA and UNGRIPP.

Achieving release for prisoners who have no support for progression is one of Dean’s passions.

Yasmin graduated from the University of Southampton in 2018, and is currently a Chartered Legal Executive specialising in Prison and Public Law at SL5 Legal, focusing on Judicial Review, Parole Board advocacy and human rights.

Yasmin began her career in a busy prison law practice, advancing from Legal Assistant to Trainee Lawyer within two years before qualifying with CILEx in 2022.

At the prestigious Legal Aid Lawyer Awards in 2025, Yasmin won the Legal Aid Newcomer award for her work representing prisoners.

At SL5 Legal, she advocates for clients in all areas of prison law, representing those with both determinate and indeterminate sentences before the Parole Board for progression, release, or recall matters. She also assists clients with category A and recategorisation reviews, as well as sentence calculations and minimum term reviews.

Her practice extends to judicial review and public law, where she regularly challenges decisions made by the Secretary of State for Justice, the Parole Board, prisons, and other public authorities. She is not afraid to challenge unfair decisions and never shies away from holding authorities to account.

Yasmin is a determined and passionate advocate. She has an ability to build strong relationships with her clients which enables her to represent them in the most effective way. Clients regularly comment on her honest, supportive and realistic approach to cases and her attention to detail.

Emma is a prison law solicitor who is particularly experienced in representing clients at paper and oral parole hearings, Category A reviews and Judicial Review. She is based in the northwest but is able to assist clients nationwide.

Emma was a Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Finalist in 2025 for her prison law work.

Hamish Arnott specialises in public law and human rights with a particular focus on the civil liberties of prisoners and those detained under immigration laws.

Sally Middleton represents prisoners in parole hearings. She has experience challenging decisions by way of judicial review.

John was admitted as a solicitor in 2008 and has specialised in Prison Law throughout his career. He is an experienced and respected advocate, with a reputation for acting in a robust and forthright manner.

John is most at home when appearing before the Parole Board and he is well known to Parole Board members throughout the country.

Lubia Begum-Rob is the Director of the Prisoners' Advice Service, a national charity set up in 1991 to provide free legal advice, information and representation to adult serving prisoners on the application of the Prison Rules 1999. Their services are delivered through a free advice line across the prison estate in England and Wales, a Letters Clinic, outreach in some 20 prisons and casework undertaken through their Prison Law and Public Law contracts.

Bethany Hughes is an accomplished and dedicated Prison Law Supervisor who has been a valued member of Reece Thomas Watson Solicitors since September 2022. During her time with the firm, she has applied her legal expertise across prison law, mental health law, and public law.

Her wide-ranging skill set enables her to provide comprehensive support to individuals facing complex legal challenges, with a particular focus on those who are detained or navigating mental health-related legal issues.

Bethany is deeply committed to defending the rights of the most vulnerable. She tirelessly advocates for her clients and ensures that their voices are heard, often in circumstances where they might otherwise be overlooked. Her practice is shaped by a passion for justice and a determination to achieve positive outcomes, while her holistic approach recognises the personal and social factors that often intersect with legal issues. This enables her not only to deliver effective legal guidance but also to provide compassionate, client-centred support.

Bethany has obtained her Mental Health Accreditation, which strengthens her ability to represent and advocate for clients facing mental health challenges—an area she is particularly passionate about. She has also successfully challenged refusals of oral hearings through judicial review proceedings, ensuring that clients are given a fair opportunity to be heard before the Parole Board.

Alongside her professional work, Bethany is currently studying for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) as she progresses towards qualification as a solicitor. Her commitment to continuous development is matched by her proven ability to achieve meaningful results for her clients.

Bethany has built a reputation for forming strong, positive relationships with those she represents. She understands the importance of trust and open communication, ensuring her clients remain supported and informed at every stage of the legal process. Her ability to connect with clients on a personal level has been key to her success, enabling her to deliver effective representation and outcomes that matter.

With her dedication to client advocacy, her commitment to justice, and her expanding legal expertise, Bethany Hughes is a valued asset to Reece Thomas Watson Solicitors. Her focus on protecting the rights of the most vulnerable, combined with her drive for professional growth, ensures that she remains a tireless and compassionate advocate for her clients.

Head of Prison Law department and Partner at one of the countries largest Criminal Law firms. Whilst my speciality is Prison Law I have the benefit of also still practising criminal defence work.

Lorna Hackett is a barrister called in 2003, who has conducted numerous high profile cases in recent years.She has extensive litigation experience, particularly in the areas of judicial review and human rights.

Daniel Guedalla regularly acts for prisoners in challenges against parole board decisions. He handles matters concerning terrorism convictions and segregation, among others.

Stephen Tawiah specialises in public law, sports law and regulatory law. He is also developing an international arbitration practice, with a particular focus on sports. Stephen regularly acts for and against government departments in judicial review claims.

Stuart is a barrister at No5 Chambers. He is recognised as a leading junior in administrative law and human rights.