Hannah Costley

Biography

Hannah is an Associate Solicitor in the Crime and Regulatory team, having qualified in November 2019. She is also an accredited police station representative.

With extensive experience advising suspects during police interviews and representing defendants in both Magistrates’ and Crown Courts, Hannah is adept at handling a wide range of cases, including but not limited to serious assaults, sexual assaults/rape, indecent images, drug matters and youth crime.

Other expertise includes RSPCA prosecutions, University Disciplinary Proceedings, and road traffic offences. She has experience representing foster carers facing allegations made by children in their care, as well as defendants involved in fire safety prosecutions. Hannah is regularly instructed for pre-charge engagement

Hannah was shortlisted for Trainee of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards in both 2019 and 2020. She has previously served on the board of the Manchester Trainee Solicitor Group and has mentored students at BPP and the Young Legal Aid Lawyers Group.

Hannah participated in a panel discussion for the Young Legal Aid Lawyers Group, where she shared her insights on the impact of remote hearings on the criminal justice system. Her views were compared to those of Harvard guest lecturer Richard Susskind OBE in a discussion on Law, Technology, and Access to Justice.

Most recently, Hannah was appointed Secretary of the Women in Criminal Law sub-committee in Manchester.

Significant Cases

RSPCA v H, Bolton Crown Court, June 2024

Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal

Result: Offer of no evidence

R v M, Stretford Magistrates’ Court, October 2024

Assault x3, domestic violence

Result: Offer of no evidence

R v H, Bolton Crown Court, November 2024

Attempted kidnap

Result: Acquittal mid trial

R v G, Preston Magistrates’ Court, December 2024

Driving without due care and attention

Result: Offer of no evidence

R v H, Leeds Magistrates’ Court, December 2024

Assault emergency worker x3, drunk and disorderly and resist arrest

Result: Community Order

RSPCA v C, Ipswich Crown Court, January 2025

Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal

Result: Offer of no evidence

Hannah’s decision to be a criminal defence solicitor is deeply rooted in her desire to help people and her belief that regardless of the true nature of someone’s innocence or background, everyone has the right to representation.