Mika Pine BA (Politics) (Strathclyde)

Mika joined chambers in 2009 immediately after successfully completing pupillage with Chris Pigram and John Waters. Prior to undertaking pupillage Mika had worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau as the Employment Advice Caseworker for Wirral, managing cases ranging from unfair dismissal to discrimination, from initial interview right through to representation at Liverpool Employment Tribunal.

As a member of chambers Mika is in court almost every day, and undertakes a mixed common law practice, encompassing East Anglia, the Home Counties, and the South East. She has a friendly, down-to-earth approach, forming good working relationships with professional and lay clients alike. Mika accepts instructions in civil, criminal, and family work.

Civil

Mika has experience in both Claimant and Defendant work in relation to small claims, road traffic accidents (with an emphasis on credit hire), contract disputes, personal insolvency, and landlord and tenant  particularly possession hearings.  Mika offers a swift return of paperwork, covering personal injury and contractual matters. She is also able to advise on company law issues.

 

Employment

Mika's pre- and post-pupillage experience covers a wide range of employment matters, from unfair dismissal to discrimination. Her work with the Citizens Advice Bureau has given her a good grasp of issues on the ground. She accepts instructions for both Claimant and Respondent work.

 

Criminal

Mika has experience of a wide range of Magistrates’ Court hearings, as well as Prosecution sessions lists, Prosecution trials, and Defence trials (routinely concerning driving offences, domestic violence, theft, criminal damage, assaults, etc.)  Matters in the Crown Court have included plea and case management hearings, breach of community orders and suspended sentences.

Mika has conducted prosecutions on behalf of the Probation Service, the Department for Work and Pensions, local authorities, and SERCO.

Family

In the FPC Mika has represented the Child Support Agency in committal proceedings, while also having experience of handling

• Directions hearings, particularly public law proceedings in both the FPC and County Courts
• Ex-parte applications and injunctive relief
• Private law children proceedings
• Ancillary relief at both FDA and FDR level.