Rebecca Keeves
Barrister
Called 2010
LPC MSc in Law, Business and Finance
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
LL.M in Professional Legal Practice (Commercial Law)
Bar Vocational Course
LL.B (Hons)
Graduate Diploma in Law
BA(Hons) in History and Psychology
Background
Rebecca was called to the Bar in 2010 having completed the Bar Vocational Course at the College of Law (now the University of Law). She has been a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and cross-qualified to be a solicitor. After successfully completing the Higher Rights Examinations in both Criminal and Civil Law she was successful in obtaining a full exemption from pupillage due to her qualifications and level of experience.
She completed a Masters of Laws degree and the Legal Practice Course with Masters of Science part-time whilst working in full time roles and achieved a distinction in both.
Civil
Between 2010 and 2014 Rebecca worked as a self-employed advocate appearing before District and Circuit Judges daily in a wide range of civil matters. In September 2014 she moved to an in-house advocacy department of a nationwide solicitors firm focusing on personal injury matters and contractual disputes. She undertook hearings in person and via telephone and prepared advices on quantum and liability.
Having moved firms, Rebecca then worked as a case handler and performed advocacy as and when required by the firm on both her files and those of other case handlers. She therefore fully understands the expectations of her professional and lay clients and has gained a reputation for exceeding those expectations.
She has particular interest in Housing and Employment Law, having studied both as part of her LL.M.
Rebecca has experience in TOLATA claims, both as an advocate and when she was a case handler. Rebecca is keen to take instructions in these matters and her experience of family law enables her to take a comprehensive and sensitive approach to cases at the intersection of civil and family law.
Notable Cases:
Dickerson v Sabre Insurance Company Limited (2018):-
The Defendant appealed the District Judge’s decision to award the credit hire rate in this credit hire claim. The District Judge had concluded that the credit hire rate would have to be taken as the 1-day rate was appropriate and no BHR evidence had been provided on a 1-day basis.
Having successfully represented the Claimant before the District Judge, Rebecca was further instructed for the Respondent in the appeal. Rebecca prepared and produced a detailed skeleton argument and persuaded the Judge that it was correct and proper for the Judge at first instance to have insisted on 1-day rates in the circumstances of this case and, as no evidence of those rates was provided, the Court had no option but to award the credit hire rates, relying on the following case law:
- Phonographic Performance Ltd v AEI Rediffusion Music Ltd [1999] 1 WLR 1507 – being relied on by the Appellant but Rebecca reversed the argument and utilised the case in support of the Respondent
- Stevens v Equity [2015] EWCA 93
- Burdis v Livsey [2002] EWCA Civ 510
- McBride v UK Insurance Limited [2017] EWCA Civ 144
The appeal was therefore dismissed.
Ebsworth (suing on behalf of Crystal Mount Management Company) v Crystalight Limited (2019) here.
Crime
- General Crime
Rebecca appears regularly in the Crown Court on a range of matters and has represented persons unfit to plead, those whose first language is not English and for both the National Probation Service and Defendant’s in breach matters.
Rebecca is persuasive and unique in her approach, often succeeding based on her extensive research and detailed preparation.
Rebecca is keen to accept instructions on matters under the Theft Act and 1968 and Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Family
Rebecca attends primarily on private children matters. She is able to think creatively in an attempt to obtain the most favourable outcome, always having the welfare of the child at the heart of her advice, guidance and advocacy.
Rebecca has additional experience of TOLATA matters and as such can assist with financial disputes arising between unmarried couples with an understanding of both the civil system and the need for the sensitivity require in family proceedings.