“Olivia is a fantastic solicitor. She is always thoroughly prepared, her client care is excellent and her command of the law and facts of each case is first class.” – Chambers UK 2026
Specialisms
Olivia practises in the criminal team of the dispute resolution department at B P Collins, managing cases from initial police station attendance to trial. She has experience carrying matters in the magistrates’ court and advocating in the same; as well as running matters in the Crown Court.
Olivia maintains a mixed practice, including criminal defence as well as victims’ rights case work, and civil litigation claims where the underlying facts of the matter initially called for advice regarding the criminal law and / or knowledge of the criminal justice system (e.g., judicial review, tortious claims for malicious prosecution against the police, civil injunctive relief under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 etc.). Olivia also advises on higher education providers’ disciplinary procedures, HMRC investigations, and FCA investigations.
Independent legal directories, The Legal 500, recognise Olivia for her work in the crime, fraud and licensing sector, and Chambers UK ranks Olivia as an “Associate to Watch”.
Experience
In the Magistrates’ Court Olivia has advocated on behalf of a number of clients, dealing with an assortment of criminal allegations; from offering pleas in mitigation for a road traffic offence, to defending racially aggravated assault.
Olivia has worked on a number of victims’ rights matters, advising clients in relation to their concerns regarding the actions of various police forces (namely, the Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police).
Olivia also advises on higher education providers’ disciplinary procedures, HMRC investigations, and FCA investigations.
Key achievements
R v S, 2026: Successful mitigation following client’s guilty plea in Ealing Magistrates’ Court. The client plead guilty to the charge of misuse of a blue badge. Our submissions in mitigation were accepted by the Court and the client was awarded a conditional discharge.
R v G, 2026: The client (a child) was accused of sexual assault by digital penetration. The client was invited to interview under caution. We advised the client and represented them at interview, at which a prepared statement was submitted. Following the interview, the investigation was no further actioned.
LA v H, 2026: The client was under investigation by the Local Authority for breach of a Tree Protection Order. Where the defendant is found guilty in cases of this nature, a criminal conviction will follow. Even a charge of a criminal offence would have been fatal to our client’s career. Following thorough pre-charge engagement, including instruction of experts, and submission of written representations on behalf of our client, the Local Authority took the decision to take no further action.
R v H, 2023: successful mitigation on behalf of client found guilty of assault at Oxford Magistrates’ Court. The sentencing guidelines indicated that the client faced the prospect of a custodial sentence; but after mitigation, the court agreed that it was not appropriate to order a custodial sentence, nor any community order, and instead disposed of the sentence by way of financial penalty.
R v V, 2023: persuaded the Prosecution to drop one charge of failure to report, and successfully submitted a plea in mitigation for the offence of failure to stop, at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court. The circumstances of the offence placed the client at risk of disqualification, but we successfully mitigated, and the client retained their licence.
R v S, 2022: secured an acquittal at Reading Magistrates’ Court for a client accused of racially aggravated assault and awarded a defence costs order.
R v D, 2022: successfully advanced an exceptional hardship argument at Willesden Magistrates’ Court. The client had 6 points on his driving licence and was charged with five traffic offences. The court endorsed the licence with a further 8 points but did not disqualify the client, recognising that if the client had lost their licence, it would have had a catastrophic impact on their young family and bereaved parent.
R v P, 2022: secured an acquittal at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for a client accused of assault.
Outside the office
Olivia enjoys going to the theatre, playing the piano, reading about social and political history and travelling.
Feedback on Olivia
“Olivia Duncan is the best solicitor I have had the pleasure to work with. She is highly professional, not only having excellent legal knowledge but also the insight and experience to apply it to complex and contentious cases. She secured an outstanding outcome that has far surpassed anything achieved by other solicitors I have worked with.” – Legal 500 UK, 2026
“Her exceptional interpersonal skills make her both effective and efficient, and her ability to navigate this aspect of legal matters makes her a remarkably steady pair of hands. She stands out not only for her intelligence and professionalism but also in her sensitive and kind manner. I could not ask for a better solicitor, she is exceptional in all aspects.” – Legal 500 UK, 2026
