Background Gavel
Tinessa Kaur
Probationary Tenant
tkaur@rosecourtchambers.com
Year of call:
2019

About

Tinessa is an Award-Winning Barrister. She was the first Sikh female Barrister to win the Young Pro-Bono Barrister of the Year Award in 2024 by Advocate [Bar Pro-Bono Awards]. Her extraordinary journey to the Bar was captured by BBC News on 10 June 2024, BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour and BBC Radio London, following recognition for this award. Tinessa featured in October 2024 Edition of Counsel Magazine.

Tinessa joined Rose Court after completing her pupillage at a criminal set in London in January 2025.

In 2020, she co-founded the first-ever Sikh Lawyers Association within the profession and, in 2021, the ‘CUT IT OUT Project,’ an anti-gang initiative. In her spare time, she conducts outreach work, including school workshops and mock trials, making the Bar more accessible to underrepresented groups.

Prior to starting pupillage, Tinessa worked as an In-House Advocate Lawyer with the London Borough of Hackney, handling cases involving Care Proceedings, Deprivation of Liberty, and Criminal Disclosure matters affecting young people in care.

She also gained invaluable experience in high-profile financial crime matters, including the LIBOR scandal, while working as a Paralegal with the Financial Conduct Authority and the Serious Fraud Office. She further honed her criminal law skills by volunteering as a Criminal Paralegal for THB Legal and ABV Solicitors.

In 2019, Tinessa was contracted to assist the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Experience

Tinessa, a fearless advocate, is renowned for her compassion, meticulous preparation, and exceptional client care skills. Her innovative problem-solving and commitment to keeping clients well-informed have consistently led to the best outcomes, earning her high praise from those seeking her counsel.

Widely acknowledged for her ability to adapt and provide tailored advice especially to vulnerable clients including children and young people. Tinessa is often trusted with society's most vulnerable cases, showcasing her versatility and dedication.

Driven by her experiences and community involvement with young people, Tinessa has built a robust Youth Court practice. She has experience defending and prosecuting in the Crown Court. During pupillage, she defended in Magistrates and Youth Courts. Her commitment to pro bono work ensures justice is accessible to all.

Additionally, she has represented Local Authorities such as the London Borough of Hackney and Essex Legal Services. She specialises in Breach of Probation hearings and trials, appearing in both Magistrates and Crown Courts. Her expertise also includes Public Children's Law matters involving Care Proceedings and Deprivation of Liberty.

Testimonials

• ‘It was a pleasure to work with someone with such a “can do” attitude” – John Navas, Senior Crown Prosecutor, CPS South East.

Memberships:

• Criminal Bar Association [CBA]

• South Eastern Circuit

• Sikh Lawyers Association [Co-Founder]

• Women in Criminal Law [WICL]

• The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

Appointments

• CPS Advocates Panel – Level 1.

Training

Tinessa has completed the following Training courses:

• ICCA Advocacy for Children in Conflict with the Law

• YJLC Representing Child Clients

• YJLC Practical Skills for Lawyers Representing Child Clients

Awards

2024:

• Young Pro-Bono Barrister of the Year, Advocate Bar Pro-Bono Awards 2024 – [Winner]

2023:

• Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, the British Sikh Awards 2023 – [Winner]

2022:

• Young Pro-bono Barrister of the Year, Advocate Bar Pro-Bono Awards 2022 – Finalist [1 of 5]

• Rising Star in Law – Asian Legal Awards 2022 – Special Mention and Offer of Mentorship by HHJ Sapnara Khatun and Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb – [Special Mention]

• Achievements in Law and Legal Support in the Community, the National Sikh Sports and Community Awards 2022 – [Winner]

• Rising Star in Law Award, the British Sikh Awards 2022 – [Highly Commended Winner]

Media Links

• 1st Sikh Woman to Win Award – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c7221v5zp3no.

Publications

• Counsel Magazine – October 2024 Edition, Legal Personality [Bar Pro Bono Awards 2024: Winner’s Stories.

• Ealing Living Magazine – September Edition, Journey to the Bar.

• Book – Pupillage Applications: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

Notable Cases

Crown Court

R v NB [2024] – Isleworth Crown Court – successfully represented a vulnerable client charged with Possessing an Imitation Firearm in a Public Place. On TK’s advice, a psychiatric report was obtained. This identified that NB had significant and complex mental health issues, including a childlike demeanour. Subsequently, TK drafted written representations to the CPS, emphasising the evidential weaknesses and arguing that proceeding with the case would not serve the public interest given the client’s intricate mental health challenges. The CPS offered no evidence in return for a £100 bind over. TK successfully persuaded the Court to impose a financial penalty to commensurate with NB’s means, resulting in a £50 bind over instead.

R v DS [2024] – Harrow Crown Court – represented DS at sentencing for Possession with Intent to Supply Class A and B Drugs and other Driving matters. TK persuaded the Court to impose a 12-month Suspended Sentence with a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement as recommended by the Probation Service. DS was looking at a starting point of 4 years and 6 months on the sentencing guidelines. TK effectively mitigated to reduce the starting point.

R v AW [2024] – Lewes Crown Court – secured a conviction in a Two-Day Part Heard Contested Appeal Against Conviction for Drink Driving. D represented himself, requiring careful attention. TK’s meticulous cross-examination of the Defence Expert Witness led to calculations confirming that the D was over the legal limit when the collision occurred. Furthermore, her strategic cross-examination of the D revealed significant inconsistencies in his account.

Youth Court

R v ML [2024] – Bromley Youth Court – effectively defended a vulnerable 13-year-old ML at trial for Threatening with a Bladed Article. She successfully applied to exclude the Crown’s key video evidence and argued the Crown failed in its disclosure obligations. Consequently, the Crown was forced to offer no evidence. ML maintains an unblemished record and good character.

R v IAC [2024] – Croydon Youth Court – represented IAC at sentencing for three Robbery charges, Possession of Class B and Breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order and Bail. Despite the custody threshold being met, TK successfully persuaded the Court to follow the recommendation in the YOT Report for a YRO with ISS. She argued that these offences pre-dated any of IAC’s antecedents, and it was no fault of his that the CPS and Police delayed charging him more than two years later. She put forward substantial mitigation, including changes in his education and commitment to YOT appointments. Consequently, the Court ordered a 12-month YRO with ISS.

Magistrates Court

R v DCW [2024] – St. Albans Magistrates Court – successfully obtained bail for a highly vulnerable client, DCW, where the CPS previously submitted that no suitable conditions could be imposed. TK's representations to the CPS representative in Court and the condition proposed were not just suitable and appropriate, but also crucial for the circumstances of a highly vulnerable client.

R v GR [2024] – Wimbledon Magistrates Court – During a first appearance in Saturday Court, after TK’s careful analysis of a witness statement, she successfully made representations to the CPS to withdraw charges of Common Assault and threatening with a Knife in a Public Place.

R v DCW [2024] – St Albans Magistrates Court – defended a vulnerable client at sentencing for Assaulting an Emergency Worker x 15. She persuaded the Court that this case was unique to others of this nature in that the client suffered from a mental health crisis during the offending behaviour; thus, deviation from the guidelines should be adopted when considering sentencing. TK put forward significant and robust mitigation, including highlighting the psychiatric reports obtained from both the Defence and Probation service prior to sentencing. Consequently, the Court imposed a 12-month Community Order with 30 RAR Days.