Diana Pigot

Since her call in 1978 Diana has practiced entirely at the Criminal Bar. She prosecutes and defends. She has considerable experience in dealing with cases involving violence, drugs, grave sexual offences and those involving children.

Diana has been a Leading Junior in a number of cases, particularly those involving sexual complaints. She is a Grade 3 prosecutor and is on the Rape List Panel. She has lectured defence solicitors on how to be successful in cases involving sexual offences. She also sits as a DDJ in the Magistrates Court.

Diana has developed a specialist expertise in dealing with young and vulnerable defendants. Solicitors praise her patience and her ability to explain the law and facts in a way that defendants can understand.  Her main field of work involves serious sexual allegations (including rape and historical complaints).  Diana is often the first choice for someone charged with an offence of a sexual nature. Solicitors like her hands on approach, the fact that she works hard and to deadlines and is familiar with the complexities of the law. Defendants praise her ability to fairly put forward their case and explain issues. She has often been praised by the Court for conducting cross examination of vulnerable witnesses in a sensitive manner.

She is frequently instructed to represent those charged with non accidental injuries to children and has done a number of ‘baby shaking ‘cases. She has extensive expertise in cross examining co defendants in ‘cut throat’ defences and in dealing with expert evidence from the medical profession.

She was also involved in the case of R v C (sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice). This case involved the cross examination of a number of psychiatrists. An appeal to the Court of Appeal was successful. The Crown then appealed to the House of Lords. It is still the leading authority.