Piers Norsworthy

Practice areas

Serious crime
Financial crime
Regulatory crime

What others say

‘Piers is just fantastic, a man of detail. He is extremely thorough with his paperwork and prepares all cases. He is fully aware of all aspects concerning their case.’

Legal 500 2025 Leading Juniors

‘Piers is a natural trial advocate who is always prepared for every case. He is experienced, talented and versatile.’

Legal 500 2024 Leading Juniors

‘Piers is always prepared and professional, and provides and excellent service to each and every client, and is highly regarded for his expertise in defending in cases involving serious violence and road traffic offences.’

Legal 500 2023 Leading Juniors

Profile

A specialist criminal law barrister, almost all of Piers’ work is for the defence, privately funded and legally aided, where he is regularly instructed in cases involving murder/manslaughter, death by dangerous/careless driving, arson, firearms, human trafficking, serious violence, all aspects of drugs possession and supply, fraud and regulatory disciplinary offences. Piers also undertakes all forms of criminal law before the Court Martial.

Piers is an authority on road traffic offences especially death by dangerous/careless driving. Piers possesses an LGV C+E licence (aka HGV Class One) permitting him to drive articulated lorries and has been instructed to represent lorry drivers who are involved in serious collisions during the course of their employment.

Although Piers is based in the South West, he is happy to travel, and frequently does so, throughout the country in order to represent defendants wherever their case may be heard.

Piers is authorised to undertake work in accordance with the Public Access Scheme, which means that members of the public can instruct Piers directly.

Piers is regulated by the Bar Standards Board.

Recent Cases

R v B (2020). Defence of a young man jointly charged with murder by stabbing.
R v B (2020). Defence of a man charged with murder during a hammer attack.
R v S (2020). Defence of a man charged with murder by stabbing.
R v S (2020). Defence of a woman who stabbed her partner in the neck.
R v R (2019-2020). Defence of a lady charged with causing death by dangerous driving. A medical defence was pursued and the prosecution was dropped.
R v W (2019). Defence of a young man charged with supplying Class A drugs to a young woman who tragically died.
R v S (2019). Defence of a mother charged with permitting her son to consume her prescribed medication, leading to his death.
R v M (2019). Defence of a chef who had an undiagnosed sleep disorder, leading to a serious collision in his car. A medical defence was pursued and the prosecution was dropped.
R v L (2019). Defence of a young mother charged with murder by poisoning.
R v M (2019). Causing death by careless driving whilst intoxicated.

Reported Cases

R v C [2016]. Appeal against conviction for murder.
R v D (and Others) [2013]. Before the Court Martial Appeal Court and the Administrative Court (Judicial Review), regarding the continuation of an Anonymity Order for a Defendant.
R (on the Application of Webb) v. Swindon Crown Court and Secretary of State for Justice [2011]. Judicial Review in order to correct an error of both Swindon Crown Court and the Prison Service regarding the length of time the Applicant should be recalled to prison.
R v P [2007]. Appeal against conviction on the grounds of an error in the Learned Judge’s summing up to the jury.
R v. M [2006]. Appeal against conviction on the grounds of the appearance of bullying during the jury’s deliberations.