Charlotte Le Maire

Charlotte specialises in Criminal & Regulatory matters. Charlotte leads the national Criminal Motor Defence team at DAC Beachcroft, which is part of a specialist national team of lawyers providing criminal representation.

Charlotte defends the most serious of fatal cases, involving charges of causing death by careless/dangerous driving. She has substantial experience and regularly represents drivers at PACE interviews and inquest hearings. Charlotte also has experience of representing individuals and companies in relation to health and safety offences.

Charlotte is recognised for her commercial approach, providing advice that takes into consideration the significant impact of the incident and investigation, as well as the wider reputational risks. She is also recognised nationally as a leader in the field of Fleet Risk and regularly invited by corporates, insurers, and brokers to provide training on the impact of investigations, as well as providing practical solutions to criminal & regulatory challenges.

Charlotte has a formidable reputation for standing up to prosecuting authorities. Charlotte’s clients include International Logistic Companies, Aggregates, and Construction Companies as well as leading insurers such as Zurich, Allianz, AXA, Aviva, NFUM and Arag.

Relevant experience includes:

• Representing a Defendant charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The injured party was left sadly tetraplegic as a result of the collision. The Defendant ran into the rear of the injured party’s stationary vehicle after it had broken down on a dual carriageway. The issue in the case was whether the Defendant had sufficient time in which to see and react to the presence of the vehicle and whether he should have been travelling a little slower due to poor weather conditions. The case involved complex reconstruction evidence. The Defendant was acquitted following trial.
• Representing a Defendant charged with causing death by careless driving. The Defendant was just 21 years old and was prosecuted following a fatal collision with a pedestrian in low winter sun. The Defendant had been suddenly blinded by the sun whilst travelling on a single carriageway road. The issue was whether he should have taken action by slowing further or stopping when he was unable to see adequately or whether this in reality would have caused further danger to other road users. The Defendant was acquitted following a trial.
• Representing a Defendant charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The Defendant was a van driver who crossed over into the opposing carriageway, killing both occupants of the oncoming vehicle. The issue was whether he fell asleep, what the evidence showed in this regard, whether it was simply a momentary lapse in concentration/judgment or whether a medical episode of some kind could have contributed. Case consisted of complex reconstruction and medical evidence. After much negotiation and evidence obtained on behalf of the Defendant, we negotiated that the charge be dropped to causing death by careless driving. The Defendant avoided prison and was given a suspended sentence with a community order.

Charlotte is ranked in Chambers and Partners and is "recommended for her expertise in regulatory matters and motoring offences".

Clients say she "does a sterling job" and is "highly competent and easy to deal with".

In addition, Charlotte is a qualified Barrister and member of the European Bar Circuit.