Life at Exchange – Olivia Beesley

March 19, 2025

In the first in a series of interviews with criminal barristers who have relocated from other cities and circuits to join Exchange, Olivia Beesley says she has been presented with outstanding opportunities to expand her practice, skill set and level of work.

“When I joined Exchange Chambers at the end of 2021, my practicing experience was limited due to the pandemic,” says Olivia, who was called to the Bar in 2018.

“Having lived in Birmingham for ten years I was eager to return to my home city of Liverpool.

“While I had only started ‘on my feet’ in April 2019, I was met with an enthusiastic clerking team at Exchange who were eager to immerse me in a busy diary, both prosecuting and defending.

“Exchange had always stood out for me as a Chambers that struck the right balance between professionalism and camaraderie.  My experience 3 years on bears that out, with Exchange embracing each of its members like family.”

Practicing solely in crime, Olivia says she has been presented with outstanding opportunities to expand her practice, skill set and level of work.   As a result, she has developed an impressive practice of both defence and prosecution work covering a wide range of cases including drug offences, rape and serious sexual offences (Olivia is on the RASSO panel), fraud, dishonesty offences and serious crime.

“All the clerks are eager to support my aspirations so my practice can continue to progress,” continues Olivia.  “Exchange has provided me with so many interesting and challenging cases. I am always given opportunities to be led and was even led in a murder case shortly after joining Chambers. It is always rewarding to see my clients achieve the results they hoped for, or to speak to victims after their evidence has resulted in a conviction.”

Olivia is also enjoying life on the Northern Circuit.

“The Northern Circuit is very friendly,” she adds. “It is usual to see criminal barristers seeking advice off each other, even if they are not in the same Chambers. It is a social circuit, with a thriving junior end. There are many opportunities to socialise after work, but also never any pressure to do so. When I arrived in 2021, I felt welcomed by everyone and was always invited to socialise after court, even though I was new.”

Olivia says her decision to join Exchange Chambers is one she would make again “in an instant”.

“I always feel supported at Exchange in both my professional and personal life,” she concludes. “There is a real sense of solidarity with the more senior members looking out for the more junior members and creating a really positive work environment.”

Exchange Chambers welcomes applications from outstanding practitioners of all backgrounds. For further information, please contact Jonathan I’Anson (Chief Executive) in the strictest confidence.